Beyond Memory Lane

I finished my last post here saying "... I think may as well start writing about some cycling miles soon ...". I've recently purchased a new-to-me reconditioned Matts Merida hardtail from The Bike Station here in Edinburgh (great place, great people), I've got thoughts about mixed cycling-running expeditions in my future, but today is our first outing together and I've decided on an easy (i.e., slow, flat) route.

In October of last year I wrote about the route I used when I started running three years ago, my Memory Lane, mostly along the side of the Union Canal from the Lochrin Basin in Tollcross. I'm starting late morning (la grasse matinee, encore), on a lovely sunny Sunday morning, with a little roadwork and then onto the canal at the end of Memory Lane, then beyond. I've written about the next seven or so kilometres (coming in the opposite direction) early in January of this year. I'll not repeat today, so fast (or, not so fast) forward as I approach the Gogar Station Road bridge where I joined the canal on that day. Really, not so fast this morning, I'm taking it easy, and the musical distraction is chants of Om, I'm feeling very relaxed indeed. Not so fast is the best plan here this morning, the canal side is very crowded. There are lots of cyclists (most of those coming in the same direction overtake me), lots and lots of runners (some of those coming in the same direction overtake me), no doubt many training for EMF in a couple of months time, and very many walkers, it's always good to see folk getting outdoors on a fine morning.

Starting at the end of Memory Lane on a fine morning.

Approaching the Gogar Station Road bridge.

This section of the canal will take me to the village of Ratho. There are fine views over to the Pentland Hills on my left. The northernmost group are clear of snow at the moment, the higher hills wear delightful white caps. To my right, not so good, we have the M8 and traffic noise, it disturbs the peace of the Om. There are some folk here, not as many as the city section, the water is still and I enjoy the reflections. Soon I reach the Addiston Bridge, a kind of landmark for me because it means Ratho is close, but also because the asphalt ends for a while, the towpath becomes muddier, softer, a bit harder, slower, work on the bike. I'll have a good line of mud splatter up the middle of my back soon. The sky has clouded over, the wind had picked up a little but at least its to my tail, and we have light rain showers.

Fine views over the Pentland Hills on my left ...

... not so nice the noise of the motorway from my right.

The canal side quieter here, and liking the reflections in the still waters.

The Addiston Bridge, Ratho approaches, and the surface becomes softer, muddier.

Splish splash and Ratho is reached. I'll take a brief water stop here at the picnic area with the model of a horse pulling a barge. The Bridge Inn has a reputation for serving a good pint and excellent food. There are always barges moored on the canal. Not far along the towpath and the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena is above to my right. Apparently, "The World's Largest Indoor Climbing Arena". I've been there, it really is impressive. There's a good cafe as well, and I'm a bit tempted to be honest, but its a little early for lunch (breakfast was late for this old sleepy head) ... so, on with the pedal plod.

Brief stop at the picnic area in Ratho

The scenic Bridge Inn

Always like the colourful canal barges

The World's Largest Indoor Climbing Arena

The next section of canal side will take me to Lin's Mill Aquaduct. The scenes along the way are starting to become a little "same old, same old" ... canal, towpath, sometimes asphalt, sometimes stones and dirt, trees, bridges ... and then an amusing sight. There's a small side-channel and a little island in the canal, with a "castle", haha. Not a clue what is the story here, but gave me a bit of a chuckle. Soon the aquaduct comes into view. I've been here before when I ran around the Almondell and Calderwood parks in my Calder Canter in September of last year, and it feels good to be here again. There are no canoes on the water today to distract me from the views down to the River Almond crashing below. Looking toward the other side, the distorted reflections of railings in the water bring to mind zebra, and memories of a jolly jaunt up Corstorphine Hill nine or ten months ago. I've written about the next short section along the canal here before, so once again, I'll not repeat ... oh, wait ...

The castle on the island

Lin's Mill Aquaduct approaches

River Almond crashing around below to my right ...

... and to my left zebra hide distorted reflections of the railings.

I've not long passed the small town of Broxburn and looking out to the bings. There are thoughts of lunch, and that cafe at the climbing wall, they've been gnawing away at my mind for a wee while, and I'm hungry. Time to stop for a brief snack, the squashed energy bars are hiding somewhere in the bottom of my backpack, so a bit of a rummage. Good news, one squashed but edible energy bar found. Bad news, no bike lock present, I've left it at home. This kind of spikes two elements on my plan for the day. First: a cafe lunch stop, can't lock the bike. Hmm, could get away with that, wouldn't be the first time. Second: a train back to Edinburgh. I'm such a cycling virgin, I've never taken a bike on a train. I read the Scotrail terms and conditions and one point was very clear, the bike owner must lock the bike on the train. I've no idea what happens if you turn up without the lock. I'm not prepared to take a chance, I have to be home for tea-time. I must turn around here and back-track, ho hum, camera away and a bit of a down-hearted slog back

The turning point, looking at Broxburn and the bings.

I hated that slog back home, the only good thing was ticking off the landmarks for the second time, because it meant I was a little bit closer to done for the day. The wind, now into my face, seemed to showing a bit more muscle, but perhaps that was in the mind more than the air. My soaking wet feet were very cold, a bit frozen, there are "cyclists dismount" sections and the walking was more than uncomfortable. My hands were very cold, my fingers got a little bit frozen, operating the brake levers was ahem interesing. I got cold, I should have stopped and pulled on my jacket. I was just too focussed on getting this thing over and done with. I got a bit light-headed and a bit wobbly riding, and I was moving very slowly. One very sprightly walker overtook me. I lost track of time a bit, my garmin watch had run out of charge already, but at last I made the final turn onto our street. I was spent, I dismounted and pushed a couple of hundred metres, such a small distance, but such an effort. I arrived at the front door a shivering gibbering mess. My frozen fingers were unable to undo my helmet strap clasp or my shoelaces ... God bless Mrs, she removed the helmet, and the shoes, and the sodden socks, she wrapped my shivering body in a warm duvet, and fed me hot tea and toast.

So, in the end of the day, I rode 38.4 fairly flat kilometres in about four hours, the first half slow by design, and very pleasant, the last quarter slow by necessity, and very unpleasant. I need to make some adjustments to this bike, I have a very sore posterior (figure out the solution later, more padding perhaps), and such a sore neck (maybe raise the handlebars).

Enjoy!