Crossing the Forth Bridge

[wintonbina]

Could anyone give me the best route from Learmonth Edinburgh to the Forth Bridge please?
People I've spoken to have all encountered difficulties in getting there!!!!!
All help gratefully received.
Thank you, Tony

 

[Scoosh]

When are you going ?

If needed/convenient, I'll be pleased to escort you ...


Should that not happen, I'd suggest it will depend on the time of day. The main road (Queensferry Rd) runs from Learmonth straight out to .... go on - have a guess

- well, it goes to and then becomes the approach road dual carriageway to the FRB. It's a busy 4 lane road most of the way but used by lots of bikes and the surface isn't too bad. There are no cyclists allowed on the main dual carriageway soon after Cramond Brig.

Once you get to Cramond Brig, keep in the nearside lane and take the sliproad; left at the Y-junction then on for a further 4-5km before R ................


Och, just have a look here !

http://www.bikemap.net/route/817346

The main bit about this route is that it avoids the NCN1 way - which is terrible - and keeps most of your 'altitude', so you don't have to do too much up-and-down

.


Do have a look and ask any questions you may have. From Barnton onwards is a regular route by many commuters and others on here, so there may/will be lots of variations !

If you want a quieter route to Barnton, that too can be arranged

.

 

[aberal]

Och, just have a look here ! http://www.bikemap.net/route/817346 If you want a quieter route to Barnton, that too can be arranged

.

Yep, that's the very one.

Truth is there is no good/safe/easy route cycle out to the Forth Road bridge - makes you wonder why. Personally I'd take the pleasant, leafy, quiet road from Learmonth to Barnton via Dean Path, Ravelston Dykes and Craigcrook Road.

 

[HLaB]

The best way I've found is to go along Burnshot Road from Crammond Bridge past the airport and turn right up the hill to the Queen Elizabeth yard and at the brae turn left past the actual yard, at the end of the lane then tun right and (like this video) go over the rbt turn right just before the pfs and go round the back of it to the vid. The cycle path is shut on that side of the bridge at the moment and you'll have to loop down under the bridge to the other side (Turn right @ 1:06 and immediately to the left). Alternatively rather than turning at the pfs continue straight and do a right at the signalised rbt onto the busier bridge slip road and take it straight to the start of the open cycle path which is on the left immediately after the cones.

Alternatively in Learnmonth you are close to NCN 1 (Points to Leamonth St A, you'll need to change it to Learmonth Edinburgh) and you could take its off road route to the bridge (it comes out at 49secs into the video); its shorter but a bit narrow in places. Cyclestreets take you along that route.

The other alternative is something in between take the NCN to Dalmeny but at the village follow the signs to the train station (right, then left) go straight past the station to South Queensferry, turn left on to Burgess Rd and right onto The Loan and immediately left onto Loch Road. The latter take you straight to the bottom of the bridge; take the small barriered path (on the left) to the access road and turn right to get to the open side of the bridge.

There' other variations on the same theme.

Other than the cycle path closure or the other path beginning narrow I don' think there is a problem.

 

[Telemark]

Alternatively in Learnmonth you are close to NCN 1 and you could take its off road route to the bridge (it comes out at 49secs into the video); its shorter but a bit narrow in places. Cyclestreets take you along that route.

I think Scoosh, Aberal & HLaB have said it all ... except HLaB's 1st link points to Learmonth in St. Andrews!

If you are passing through Edinburgh, let us know, I am sure a delegation from CC Ecosse would be happy to meet you for a pint & a chat if you are staying overnight, or "escort" you to the FRB if the timing suits ...

Have you decided on a rough date for your adventure? (Sorry if I missed it in the LeJog section)

T

 

[HLaB]

I think Scoosh, Aberal & HLaB have said it all ... except HLaB's 1st link points to Learmonth in St. Andrews!

If you are passing through Edinburgh, let us know, I am sure a delegation from CC Ecosse would be happy to meet you for a pint & a chat if you are staying overnight, or "escort" you to the FRB if the timing suits ...

Have you decided on a rough date for your adventure? (Sorry if I missed it in the LeJog section)

T

Oops its correct at this end, Learmonth near Orchard Brae; it must be something to do with my cookies

 

[wintonbina]

Well thank you guys! Thats brilliant, we're arriving in Edinburgh on Thursday 30th June and staying at the Travelodge on Learmonth Terrace and yes we are available for a swift pint or two there's 14 of us in total (11 tired riders) and 3 aides!!!!
Look forward to meeting you, Cheers, Tony

 

[Telemark]

Well thank you guys! Thats brilliant, we're arriving in Edinburgh on Thursday 30th June and staying at the Travelodge on Learmonth Terrace and yes we are available for a swift pint or two there's 14 of us in total (11 tired riders) and 3 aides!!!!
Look forward to meeting you, Cheers, Tony

3 AIDES ... to tie your shoe laces and polish your bikes?
Be sure to remind us again nearer the time, it's always fun meeting new CCers

T

 

[Scoosh]

Well thank you guys! Thats brilliant, we're arriving in Edinburgh on Thursday 30th June and staying at the Travelodge on Learmonth Terrace and yes we are available for a swift pint or two there's 14 of us in total (11 tired riders) and 3 aides!!!!
Look forward to meeting you, Cheers, Tony

Yes, after I posted

, I saw that you are part of a bigger team.

......... x 11

3 AIDES ... to tie your shoe laces and polish your bikes?
Be sure to remind us again nearer the time, it's always fun meeting new CCers

T

... and getting our bikes polished

!


Back to the OP:

I would agree with Aberal

about taking the quieter, leafier route along Ravelston Dykes.

Also, being in a largish group, I would recommend going via the B800, past the RAB by Tesco and on to the RAB over the dual carriageway. This is the route used when we do Audax rides out of the city, so if it's safe enough for audax riders ....

.

Revised map here.

 

[wintonbina]

Thanks again guys!
I will ask the aides if they wouldn't mind polishing a few bikes
We are riding(and climbing!) to raise funds for my son's foundation (www.stevebernardfoundation.org) and because none of us are serious riders (although some of us are now getting the bug!!!) the social side will be important (translated means 'Beer').
I will prompt you closer to the date.
Tony

 

[Telemark]

Thanks again guys!
I will ask the aides if they wouldn't mind polishing a few bikes
We are riding(and climbing!) to raise funds for my son's foundation (www.stevebernardfoundation.org) and because none of us are serious riders (although some of us are now getting the bug!!!) the social side will be important (translated means 'Beer').
I will prompt you closer to the date.
Tony

Good luck with the training & fundraising ...
Careful though, the cycling might just become addictive

Looking forward to meeting you all (11+3)

T

 

[Jack Strop]

Following on from the OP and the excellent suggestions, could somebody recommend the best route south from the Learmonth Travelodge. I'm heading to Dumfries on the A701. Many thanks!

 

[chillyuk]

Don't cross the bridge the way I did back in the early 60's. I was hitch hiking south and missed the last ferry from North Queensferry to South Queensferry. This was before the road bridge was built. I managed to get onto the railway and walk across the old bridge, but a passing train must have reported me because the police met me at the South end. I was locked up overnight and bought before the court in Edinburgh the following morning where I was fined 10/-, or 50p in modern money. I thought an evening meal, bed and breakfast, and a lift into Edinburgh was not a bad deal for ten bob.

 

[aberal]

Following on from the OP and the excellent suggestions, could somebody recommend the best route south from the Learmonth Travelodge. I'm heading to Dumfries on the A701. Many thanks!

Just picked up on this. Tricky one - because it always involves battling your way out of Edinburgh, and there is no simple easy and good answer to that. I'd suggest simply heading up Lothian Road via Tollcross, up via Bruntsfield and out via Morningside and up to Fairmilehead. That's all obvious from google maps etc. That takes you past the Edinburgh Bike Coop incidentally which is worth a visit. It's all a bit of a climb and mostly uphill, but once you are over the city bypass and heading out via Penicuik, it's a lovely ride and very quickly become relatively traffic free.

 

[Jack Strop]

Just picked up on this. Tricky one - because it always involves battling your way out of Edinburgh, and there is no simple easy and good answer to that. I'd suggest simply heading up Lothian Road via Tollcross, up via Bruntsfield and out via Morningside and up to Fairmilehead. That's all obvious from google maps etc. That takes you past the Edinburgh Bike Coop incidentally which is worth a visit. It's all a bit of a climb and mostly uphill, but once you are over the city bypass and heading out via Penicuik, it's a lovely ride and very quickly become relatively traffic free.

Many thanks aberal. Something like this?