Programme in Detail
GiffordSunday 28th March 2010 Meet at the Burgh Cafe, 62 High Street, Musselburgh at 10.00am for 10.30 start. Cycle to Gifford for lunch at the Goblin Ha'. Leave Gifford to return to Edinburgh mid afternoon. (35 miles start/end at Musselburgh, 50 miles start/end at Edinburgh) Contact Tiana on Tiana@mellowvelo.org.uk by Wednesday 24th March. back to programme |
Spokes Sunday RidesSun 4th April and first Sunday of each month. Meet at Usher Hall 10 am for 10:15 am depart - 40 or so miles - destination decided on weather and fitness of participants. Contact Stuart on stuart@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
ButeSat 10th - Sun 11th April 2010 Saturday Train (0815) or car to Wemyss Bay for 10.40. Ferries for Rothesay on Bute leaves at 11.00 or 12.15. Three options for cycling – to Scalpsie Bay (very short), Kilchattan (23 miles) or Straad (on the west, some hills, 23 miles). Stay at (top-of-the-range) Bute Backpackers - £17.50. Sunday Either cycle one of the Saturday options and get ferry back to Wemyss Bay at 1600 (earlier and later also possible). You could be more adventurous and, coping with the hills, cycle to Dunoon for a ferry to Gourock. The route would be Rothesay to Colintraive Ferry north up Loch Riddan. East around the head of Loch Strivan to Sandbank and Dunoon. (29 miles) Ferry to Gourock at 16.50 or later. Train to Edinburgh If you’ve left a car at Wemyss Bay you'll need to collect it! Places going fast. Coordinator: Barbara: Barbara@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
ArranSat 24th - Sun 25th April 2010 Explore Arran in Springtime!- bluebells, primroses, cuckoos!
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NorthumberlandSat 15th - Mon 17th May 2010 Sorry this ride has been postponedContact Sue on Sue@mellowvelo.org.uk .
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Stirling to BallochSat 22nd May 2010 Stirling to Balloch/Alexandria, via Balfron and Killearn. We would meet in the café at Stirling Station about 10:00 am and make our way, with the exception of a few 100 yards by back roads to Balloch or Alexandria, a distance of about 35 miles and fairly flat. There is an option of an evening meal together in a restaurant in Balloch if people are interested. Contact Neil on NeilS@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
PerthshireSat 5th - Sun 6th June 2010 The ride will start and finish from Pitlochry to allow the possibility of arriving by train. On the Saturday. we will cycle out of Pitlochry along the south side of Loch Tummel stopping for lunch at Tummel Bridge. The afternoon ride returns to Pitlochry via Trinafour and Glen Errochty and Blair Atholl where we can stop for afternoon tea. On Sunday we will go south from Pitlochry on the quiet road on the west side of the Tay to Logierait proceeding to Grandtully for morning coffee. The route then crosses to the north side of the Tay through Weem to Fortingall for lunch before heading north on the road towards Schiehallion and returning back to Pitlochry in the opposite direction along the south side of Loch Tummel. Anybody wishing to go on this ride should contact richard@mellowvelo.org.uk by 23 April to allow sufficient time to book accommodation.
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Peebles - Manor Valley circuitSun 13th June 2010 Peebles-Traquair-Gordon Arms – St Mary’s Loch (lunch at Glen cafe) – Megget reservoir – off road for 4 miles on land rover tracks to Manor Head – Manor valley – Cademuir Hill – Peebles. 40 miles. Although 4 miles off road with care can be traversed by tourer/road bike. Contact Fiona and Clive on Fiona@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Edinburgh -St AndrewsSat 19th June 2010 This is a ride, not a race, and you can go at your own pace sure in the knowledge that you are supported by repair vans for that unexpected puncture. At the highest and often the hottest point an ice cream van awaits you. Home cooked lunches and afternoon teas are available along the way and lots of friendly encouragement and support. When you arrive in St Andrew's no need to contemplate the return ride, vans transport the bikes and buses take cyclists back to Edinburgh. It is a relaxing and enjoyable event in support of LEPRA. Contact Lepra on ros_kerry@lepra.org.uk back to programme |
SpeysideSat 3rd - Sun 4th July 2010 A weekend of cycling in the Spey Valley & Cairngorm National Park. Based at Cairngorm Youth Hostel with spectacular views over Loch Morlich and the Cairngorms. The trip will include two nights, Friday and Saturday in the hostel but with the option to join us on the Saturday if you wish. The cycling will be two runs, one a mainly road based route of around 40 miles will use B-class roads to Kingussie, Newtonmore via Ruthven barracks and Feshiebridge with a short section on forest trail via the secluded Loch-an-Eilean or the option to stay on roads. The other will be a 28 mile loop by road to Nethybridge, and Boat of Garten past the famous Osprey hide through the fabulous Abernethy Forest followed by a gentle climb on a very quiet tarmac road finishing with approximately 2 miles only on mountain path past Ryvoan bothy, the maximum height is just over 400m with spectacular views into the Cairngorms before descending past An Lochan Uaine (The Green Lochan) returning past Glenmore Lodge to the hostel. This track is generally quite cycleable on a normal hybrid bike with only a 200 metre or so roughish section which may be best walked by people less at ease on rough ground, the hills are not generally steeper than can be found in around Edinburgh - I must stress that mountain biking it is not. There are an adequate number of cake and coffee stops including a fabulous coffee shop at Inshriach where the cost of the cake includes your coffee and you sit in a conservatory watching all sorts of bird life and the antics of red squirrels less than 12 feet away from you. Evening meals can be taken in the hostel or at Glenmore Lodge which is about 15 minutes walk away. Part of the Ryvoan route can be found here http://www.walkhigh lands.co. uk/maps/map1_ 1cg.shtml If you wish further info please contact Neil on NeilR@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
CuparSat 31st July 2010 Cycling from Dura Den, near Cupar, to Lower Largo, via Ceres, Springfield, Ladybank and Coaltown of Burnturk. Lunch on the beach and return to Dura Den in the afternoon. BBQ at Caroline and Paul's. Contact Caroline on Caroline@mellowvelo.org.uk to say if you're coming to cycle and/or BBQ and ask for directions if necessary. Please bring something to put on the Barbie. back to programme |
Thornhill and New GallowaySat 7th - Sun 8th August 2010 Driving to Thornhill, leave cars and cycle with luggage. Route Saturday Thornhill - Moniave - St Johns Town Dalry - New Galloway Village - Loch Ken, hopefully see Red Kites - Castle Douglas - Haugh of Urr, staying Saturday night at Urr Lodge Hostel About 4 miles after Castle Douglas. £15 pppn Sunday Haugh of Urr, NCN route to Dumfries - opportunity to visit Burns Centre and his mausoleum. North on the NCN route on quiet roads via Dunscore to Thornhill. There are numerous cafes and craft shops which can easily be avoided. Info Page Contact Ross on Ross@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Craigie farmSat 14th August 2010 Escape the Festival crowds! Contact Sheelagh if interested on Sheelagh@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Peebles - Biggar circuitSun 15th August 2010 Peebles – Cademuir – Lyne -Stobo –Dawyk (coffee stop)- Broughton-Kilbucho House-Thripland- Biggar (lunch at crown Hotel or cafe)- Hartree-Broughton-Dreva-Stobo (visit ancient church) – Lyne-Peebles. 45 miles. Contact Fiona and Clive on Fiona@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Trossachs CircuitSat 21st - Sun 22nd August 2010 Suggested schedule/route: Please note mileages are approximate! Meet Bridge of Allan Saturday 10.30am prompt. Cycle to Callander via Doune (about 15m) Trains from Edinburgh at 9.33am and half hourly. From Callander various options depending on how much/little you want to do Overnight in Callander area. Book early for B&B. Hostel full. Sunday cycle via Thornhill, Kippen, Fintry, Kilsyth- Falkirk (canal towpath) then catch train at Falkirk, Polmont or Linlithgow (about 45m to Falkirk). Or – miss out on canal and get train home from Croy. Plenty of stops en route. Points of interest/possible visits to: Doune Castle, Inchmahome Priory, Falkirk Wheel depending on group interest and time available. Beautiful route but there are some hilly bits! Feel free to join us for part of the tour or follow your own itinerary.
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Five FerriesSat 4th - Sun 5th September 2010 Participants should book their own accommodation at Lochranza Hostel,
tel. 01770 830631, for 4th Sept. The manager knows about us, so
mention you're for Mellow Velo. At Ardrossan, buy Island Hopscotch Arran-Kintyre for the first two
ferries (£9.85) and Bute-Cowal-Kintyre for the last three (£8.35,
total £18.20). back to programme |
FifeSat 11th - Sun12th September 2010 Sorry - This ride has now been cancelled. Contact Alec on Alec@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Hadrian's WallSat 25th - Sun 26th September 2010 This will be a 2 day circular trip, cycling with luggage, to and from Carlisle (due to lack of bike reservation facilities on the Newcastle- Edinburgh line). We will be cycling across the wild scenery of the Northumberland National Park stopping at Birdoswald and Vindolanda archaeological remains on the way. Our overnight stay will be at Once Brewed youth hostel. Please contact Jan@mellowvelo.org.uk if interested. Advise booking early to ensure hostel and bike reservations. P.S. would be interested to hear from anyone who has travelled by bike back from Newcastle recently if they have been able to reserve a place for their bike on the train. back to programme |
FranceSat 25th September - Sun 17th October 2010 Sorry, this ride has been cancelled Contact Peter on Peter@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Kinloch RannochFri 22nd - Sun 24th October 2010 See Perthshire turn Autumn gold. Cycling /walking /paddling weekend at Kinloch Rannoch. OS Map. Staying Friday and Saturday night at Kinloch Rannoch Outdoor Centre. We have sole occupancy with 24 places @ £17.50 pppn. Deposit £35. Info Page. Contact Ross on Ross@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Loch KatrineSat 30th October 2010 Autumnal cycle ride around Loch Katrine on the day before the clocks change. The colours are magnificent and it never rains when I organise this trip! Meet in Aberfoyle at 10.00am ( in the car park on the left as you drive into town.) There is a big wool / tourist shop at the back of the carpark for an excellent pre-cycle latte. Contact Clare on Clare@mellowvelo.org.uk back to programme |
Day ride, Peebles - St Mary's LochSunday 14th November 2010 Meet at Peebles carpark beside river, 9 a.m. All welcome. Email me in advance
so I know who's coming and can assist with transport. Contact Paul McGuire on Paul@mellowvelo.org.uk Back to Programme |