Year-End Wrap-up Ride: South Edinburgh to Midlothian Loop

{*Refer to the route map for a visual presentation, with possibly slight adjustments}

Start at 11:00 from outside Morrisons at Gilmerton Road, Moredun
--> Ride SW along Burdiehouse Burn in Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park Local Nature Reserve
--> Turn SE to quiet roads and shared use path around Gilmerton Dykes and Lasswade Road - QuietRoute 61 (Portobello to Rosslyn Chapel) till City of Edinburgh Bypass
--> Continue following QuietRoute 61 by turning up SW along a long and easy cycle path to Rosslyn Chapel, going past the Battle of Roslin monument
--> Go NW till Penicuik Road and Gowkley Moss Roundabout
--> Turn SSW along a quiet road beside A701
--> Cross the traffic light to join The Brae down to Glencorse Centre, Auchendinny
--> Turn left to Firth Road, a quiet road and path with a short steep descent near Firth Viaduct
--> Walk and push bikes up to Firth Viaduct on a very short (less than 20 metres) but rough and muddy path. Enjoy the tranquil scenery on the bridge.
--> Ride NE along the long NCN 196 to Rosewell, going past Three Hares Community Woodland and Roslin Glen
--> Optional coffee stop at Vin Café, The Steading, Rosewell (to be decided in group when we meet)
--> Continue NE on NCN 196 (overlap with NCN 1)/ Penicuik-Dalkeith Walkway till Eskbank Railway Station
--> Ride up N along Dalhousie Road to Eskbank roundabout
-->Turn NW to Melville Road then Gilmerton Road, mostly cycle lanes and dual paths, via Dobbies Garden Centre and City of Edinburgh Bypass
--> Drum Street and then other minor roads, lastly back to Morrisons at Moredun

Why not join a bike ride to wrap up 2024? A relaxing loop from Gilmeton to Roslin - Auchendinny - Rosewell - Eskbank ~~

~ Road types you'll be riding on: Mostly cycle paths/ cycle lanes/ shared use paths and quiet roads, with small sections of a little rough grounds. There will also be a very short leg (less than 20 metres) that requires walking and pushing your bikes on a rough and muddy path.

~ Optional coffee stop at Vin's Café at Rosewell (after about two third of the ride), or snacks stop anywhere suitable in the nature (bring your own snacks and drinks). ~ Toilets available at the start & end point Morrisons at Gilmerton, McDonald's near Eskbank Railway Station, and Dobbies Garden Centre.

~ Recommended to have a helmet, at least one spare inner tube suitable for your bike and relevant tools for mechanics, appropriate clothing to keep warm, snacks and drinking water, and front and rear bike lights in case you may linger on the way home. Better wear hill walking shoes or shoes with anti-slip soles, since we need to walk and push bikes up a short (less than 20 metres) but rough and muddy path.

We never leave anyone behind