Any Edinburgh Cyclists about?

[dex91]

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to the forum and have decided after much deliberation, that I am going to cycle to my work (after buying a new bike and a week of practice, ill hopefully be fit...ish). The area I will be cycling from is Fountainbridge to Livingston. The route involves cycling along the A71 (Gorgie Road and Calder Road) and then along the B7015, so it is about 16 miles each way. I'm just wondering if anyone has experience on these roads?

Thanks

 

[MrGrumpy]

Have cycled the A71 before from Livingston to Sighthill but was on a quiet Sunday morning, if I`m honest its not a great road for cycling on. However thats my relatively short experience of it, try it out and see how you get on. One thing for sure if its a westerly breeze and your heading home good luck !!

 

[Cyc_al]

Hi
I regularly cycle the A71 from Lizzie Bryce into Haymarket and back again at night. The A71 is a busy road with a constant stream of traffic in both directions. There is however, for most of the way, a white line marking the edge of the road and beyond this circa 2 feet of further road so you can ride just off the road but still on tarmac. That said the majority of drivers are fairly considerate, even the white vans. Remember that during peak periods you can use the green lanes which take you from the city up to Hermiston park and ride. It wont take you long to remember where the potholes are.

Avoid riding on the pavements especially past Dalmahoy as the pavement is the equivalent to riding along a railway track and is illegal anyway.

The ride to Livingston is overall a long slow climb and yes there is an ever present wind in your face, even on good days.

Best advice is be confident, hold your road position and go for it - remember to acknowledge other cyclists as it might be me and I get miffed if people do not wave back.

 

[fimm]

Hi dex,

I occasionally cycle out to Livingston from Gorgie. Here's my usual route:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4590666
That is a lot quieter than going along the A71 which as others have said is pretty busy even though it is a 50 limit.
Alternatively you could try
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4590675
which is a quieter back road but I find the road surface awful and would rather stick to the main road where I can go faster!

 

[primalgeek]

is this the cc.net A71 posse?

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to the forum and have decided after much deliberation, that I am going to cycle to my work (after buying a new bike and a week of practice, ill hopefully be fit...ish). The area I will be cycling from is Fountainbridge to Livingston. The route involves cycling along the A71 (Gorgie Road and Calder Road) and then along the B7015, so it is about 16 miles each way. I'm just wondering if anyone has experience on these roads?

Thanks

Hi Dex, nice to see we have another Livi <--> Edinburgh commuter. This is my commute in the opposite direction (I do Mid Calder to Edinburgh along the A71 most days). Although there is a constant stream of traffic, most drivers are considerate (with the notable exception of some bus drivers). I tend not to cycle the A71 home as I find that I can't miss rush hour after work and I prefer a more enjoyable ride. This route may be more suitable for you, if you are not confident of the A71:

http://connect.garmi...tivity/93025316

[Basically, just before you get to Calder Jxn, take a left down onto the canal towpath before heading back onto Hermiston House Road and then onto Ratho and then East Calder]. This route is far hillier than A71, but far fewer cars. Word of warning tho, watch out for cross winds on the descent down Cliftonhall Road! (this just happens to be the busiest part of the route as well).

Hi
I regularly cycle the A71 from Lizzie Bryce into Haymarket and back again at night. The A71 is a busy road with a constant stream of traffic in both directions. There is however, for most of the way, a white line marking the edge of the road and beyond this circa 2 feet of further road so you can ride just off the road but still on tarmac. That said the majority of drivers are fairly considerate, even the white vans. Remember that during peak periods you can use the green lanes which take you from the city up to Hermiston park and ride. It wont take you long to remember where the potholes are.

IMHO, I'd keep to the main carriageway (i.e. inside the white lines). As if you stray outside this area trees can force you out onto the main carriageway and you may well have difficulty merging back into the main flow of traffic. This is far more of a problem going East to West than the other way round. You will also find that the main carriageway is in a better state of repair.

Best advice is be confident, hold your road position and go for it - remember to acknowledge other cyclists as it might be me and I get miffed if people do not wave back.

or it could be me, going in the opposite direction

Edit: Just noticed your other posts, if it's not an outright road bike you have then simply cycling along the canal towpath until you get to Clifton Road may be an option as well: http://connect.garmi...tivity/91284934. Mudguards required!!!

 

[dex91]

Wow! I didnt realise there were so many Edinburgh commuters on the forum. Thank you all for the great selection of routes, I'm literally spoiled for choice. I think I'm going to go with your usual route fimm, I've personalised it to my home and work. The distance comes to 17.6 miles... now my question is, although longer in distance, is this route quieter than the A71 and is it quicker? Or is the quicker route the more busier A71?

 

[fimm]

I would say that my route is quieter but hillier... so on the way to Livingston you may find it slower as it is net uphill, but faster on the way back! (Especially the stretch from the airfield to Balerno.)

In your position I would be inclined to try the various routes in each direction and at different times of day - I'm happy with the quieter but more strenuous option as I don't do it every day (I bike-train-bike it most of the time), but someone who does cycle every day might prefer to avoid the hill and live with the traffic.

 

[cheester]

Hi,
I just recently moved to Dedridge in Livingston and currently take a train from Livi South to Waverly with my bike (twice a day 5 days a week). I normally work in Edinburgh Craigmillar and would like to drop the train. It is more or less 22miles one way (so possibly 1h 20min each way). Would you say it is achievable/reasonable/worth it? Currently it takes me approx. 50-60 mins to get to work, however I hate the fact that I relay on public transport. Plus I love cycling and have been doing it for almost a year now (stayed in Edinburgh before so it was easier). Any advice/ opinion (my partner thinks I am mental, lol)?

 

[fimm]

I think only you can decide. Because you have the bike-train-bike option anyway, how about starting with doing the whole thing one day a week, and then going up to two, three and so on? Or take the train one way and cycle the whole way the other. Or cycle part of the way and then get the train.
There are other threads out there about starting a longish commute, have a search.

 

[HLaB]

I think only you can decide. Because you have the bike-train-bike option anyway, how about starting with doing the whole thing one day a week, and then going up to two, three and so on? Or take the train one way and cycle the whole way the other. Or cycle part of the way and then get the train.
There are other threads out there about starting a longish commute, have a search.

For my old Dunfie to Ed commute Id buy a book of flexi tickets; take the train to work so I didn't have to get up too early and rush and get sweaty for work and cycled home when I had more time and a decent shower at home; a book of single ticket would last nearly a month. I'd think nothing of a full commute now however ;-)