Welcome. On this page, you'll find details of all organised bike rides in or near the Scottish capital. These rides are run by local cycling clubs, groups and individuals, and are mostly free and open to all. If you like the idea of cycling in congenial company with a knowledgeable leader, you're sure to find a run here that's right for your experience and level of fitness.
Last updated: 27th June
Wednesday 22nd June 2022 to Thursday 30th June 2022 : Mellow Velo 8-day Outer Hebrides ride
A week of cycling on the Long Isle and Skye. Itinerary: The group will travel to Mallaig by train on the first day, taking the ferry the following morning to Lochboisdale. This will be followed by six days of cycling, using ferries where necessary, traversing Benbecula, North Uist, South Harris and Skye, ending at either Kyle of Lochalsh or Armadale (for the Mallaig ferry), returning to Edinburgh by train on the 30th. There will be 15 to 25 miles of cycling on most days, with a 45-mile run on the last full day. Accommodation will be in B&Bs. Other plans: It is hoped that the ride will join up with part of Harry Henniker's End-to-End (Land's End to John O'Groats) ride in aid of the Woodland Trust and Sustrans. Further information and booking: Please email Elaine () or Sue (). See also the Mellow Velo website. For general information about Harry Henniker's ride, see this page.
Saturday 2nd July : VIE Velo tandem ride for the visually impaired
An easy-paced ride for visually impaired riders using tandems with sighted pilots. These are sociable rides, typically 25 - 35 miles, favouring quiet roads and cycle paths, and including a café stop for lunch. Bikes and helmets are provided, and training is available for those new to tandem riding. The rides usually take place on the first Saturday and third Sunday of the month, throughout the year. Time and place: 09:30, Saughton Park. Most rides end at about 15:30. Cost and booking: The rides are free. Riders are asked to sign up in advance so that the organisers can make the tandem pairings. Further information: See the group's web page or Facebook page, or email The organisers would especially like to hear from visually impaired riders who are keen to get into cycling.
Sunday 3rd July : Spokes
A moderately-paced ride of about 50 miles. These rides are aimed at the averagely-fit cyclist who rides regularly and is comfortable cycling for a reasonable period at 10 to 12 mph. Most rides include a longish lunch stop at a pub or café, or bring a picnic if you prefer. The ride should end around 17:00. Meet: 10:00, at the Usher Hall, Lothian Road. Cost and booking: Free, no need to book. Further information: Spokes, or contact Stuart Threlfall (0131 445 7073)
Saturday 9th July to Monday 11th July : Mellow Velo Morpeth Weekend
Three days of cycling in Northumberland, mainly on quiet roads and bike paths. Travel will be by train to and from Morpeth. On the Saturday, the group will cycle about 32 miles to Rothbury, with a pub or café lunch in Elsdon. The Sunday ride will head to Amble (about 30 miles), stopping for lunch in Netherton. On Monday, the group will return to Morpeth on the coast road by Druridge Bay (20 miles). Overnight accommodation will be in hotels with some room sharing. Further information and booking: Contact Sue () or Tiana (). See also the Mellow Velo website.
Saturday 9th July : Edinburgh 20-Milers
An easy-to-moderate ride, suitable both for occasional cyclists and those with a little more experience. These runs are a good choice for riders who are comfortable pedalling 15 - 20 miles in a day, but might not feel ready for a long strenuous day in the saddle. (If you haven't cycled for a while, or are unsure of your abilities, consider starting with EasyCycle instead; their runs are listed elsewhere on this page.) Most rides are around 20 miles, and are taken at a "sociable" pace (8 - 9 mph over the day, which is not so fast that you can't keep up a conversation). The routes favour bike paths and quiet roads where possible. There is usually a lunch stop at a café or pub, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Most rides end mid afternoon. Route and destination: Details of today's route will be posted here nearer the time. Meet: 10:30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place). Cost and booking: Free. There is no advance booking, so just turn up. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 17th July : VIE Velo tandem ride for the visually impaired
An easy-paced ride for visually impaired riders using tandems with sighted pilots. These are sociable rides, typically 25 - 35 miles, favouring quiet roads and cycle paths, and including a café stop for lunch. Bikes and helmets are provided, and training is available for those new to tandem riding. The rides usually take place on the first Saturday and third Sunday of the month, throughout the year. Time and place: 09:30, Saughton Park. Most rides end at about 15:30. Cost and booking: The rides are free. Riders are asked to sign up in advance so that the organisers can make the tandem pairings. Further information: See the group's web page or Facebook page, or email The organisers would especially like to hear from visually impaired riders who are keen to get into cycling.
Saturday 30th July to Sunday 31st July : Mellow Velo Alston and Teesdale weekend
A weekend of cycling in the North Pennines, with travel to and from Edinburgh by train and youth hostel accommodation on the Saturday night. Further information and booking: Contact Alastair (). See also the Mellow Velo website.
Sunday 31st July : EasyCycle Short Ride
A short informal ride of 12 - 15 miles, which will be taken at a gentle pace with plenty of stops. These rides are especially suitable for less experienced riders and those who haven't cycled for a while. The route will mainly be on bike paths and quiet roads, and will try to avoid steep hills. There will be a pub or café stop at lunchtime, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Meet: 10:30, in front of Söderberg café, Middle Meadow Walk. Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Saturday 6th August : VIE Velo tandem ride for the visually impaired
An easy-paced ride for visually impaired riders using tandems with sighted pilots. These are sociable rides, typically 25 - 35 miles, favouring quiet roads and cycle paths, and including a café stop for lunch. Bikes and helmets are provided, and training is available for those new to tandem riding. The rides usually take place on the first Saturday and third Sunday of the month, throughout the year. Time and place: 09:30, Saughton Park. Most rides end at about 15:30. Cost and booking: The rides are free. Riders are asked to sign up in advance so that the organisers can make the tandem pairings. Further information: See the group's web page or Facebook page, or email The organisers would especially like to hear from visually impaired riders who are keen to get into cycling.
Sunday 7th August : Spokes
A moderately-paced ride of about 50 miles. These rides are aimed at the averagely-fit cyclist who rides regularly and is comfortable cycling for a reasonable period at 10 to 12 mph. Most rides include a longish lunch stop at a pub or café, or bring a picnic if you prefer. The ride should end around 17:00. Meet: 10:00, at the Usher Hall, Lothian Road. Cost and booking: Free, no need to book. Further information: Spokes, or contact Stuart Threlfall (0131 445 7073)
Saturday 13th August : Edinburgh 20-Milers
An easy-to-moderate ride, suitable both for occasional cyclists and those with a little more experience. These runs are a good choice for riders who are comfortable pedalling 15 - 20 miles in a day, but might not feel ready for a long strenuous day in the saddle. (If you haven't cycled for a while, or are unsure of your abilities, consider starting with EasyCycle instead; their runs are listed elsewhere on this page.) Most rides are around 20 miles, and are taken at a "sociable" pace (8 - 9 mph over the day, which is not so fast that you can't keep up a conversation). The routes favour bike paths and quiet roads where possible. There is usually a lunch stop at a café or pub, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Most rides end mid afternoon. Route and destination: Details of today's route will be posted here nearer the time. Meet: 10:30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place). Cost and booking: Free. There is no advance booking, so just turn up. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 4th September : "Break the Cycle" charity ride
A large-scale event aimed at raising funds for the Social Bite homeless charity. The ride is open to cyclists of all abilities. You ride at your own pace, either on your own or in the company of others. Several rest and refreshment stops are provided along the way. Routes: There is a choice of three routes. (i) Glasgow to Edinburgh: A challenging 60 miles with a substantial amount of hill climbing, open to those aged 18 and over; (ii) Linlithgow to Edinburgh: 20 miles, for those aged 14 and over; and (iii) an easy three-mile traffic-free circuit around Murrayfield, ideal for younger riders (no minimum age limit) and their parents. All rides end at Murrayfield Stadium where there will be entertainment, food and drink, toilets and other activities. Note that the 60- and 20-mile routes will be on open roads. Transport: A bus service will be available to the start point in the morning, or back home in the afternoon, at a cost of £25 one way (for rider and bike). Cost: Registration is £25 per person for the 60- and 20-mile routes; £3 per person (adult or child) for the three-mile circuit. These costs are in addition to sponsorship money. Further information and registration: See the organisers' website or email
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders have a ride every Tuesday evening during the summer. These are moderately-paced sociable rides of 20 to 25 miles, running from 3 May to 30 August, starting from the Commonwealth Pool at 18:30. Rides often include an optional pub stop on the way home. The rides usually finish after dark, so be sure to bring lights. No need to book: just turn up. Contact: Alastair Sim (, phone 0777 898 2265).
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders also have a ride every Wednesday throughout the year. These are moderate-to-fast rides of 40 to 70 miles (40 to 50 miles in the winter), aimed at reasonably fit cyclists. The rides occasionally include a café stop, but in most cases riders should bring a packed lunch. All rides start at 10:00, but the meeting points vary, so please check the current rides list on the group's web site. Rides are each currently limited to 15 riders and so should be booked by text once the details have been posted on the groups.io email group. If you wish to be added to this group, please email
with a few words about yourself. CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders is part of Cycling UK.
These are sociable rides taken at a moderate pace. Most rides are 15 to 20 miles (depending on the amount of daylight). They take place every Thursday evening until late August. There is no meal break during the evening, but most rides end at or near a pub. The rides finish around dusk, so be sure to bring lights. Time and place: Meet at 18:30 in Lister Square (which is behind the Starbucks in Middle Meadow Walk). Cost and booking: The rides are free, with no need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ) or see the ride's spreadsheet.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders also have a ride every Sunday throughout the year. These are usually about 30 to 45 miles, but might occasionally be longer. The rides occasionally include a café stop, but in most cases riders should bring a packed lunch. All rides start at 10:00, but the meeting points vary, so please check the current rides list on the the group's web site. Rides are each currently limited to 15 riders and so should be booked by text once the details have been posted on the groups.io email group. If you wish to be added to this group, please email
with a few words about yourself.
This group has rides every Saturday and Sunday. These are fast rides, aimed at serious cyclists who are interested in cycling at speed in a group and those training to race. Further information: Edinburgh RC (email: ).
Note: The above groups welcome non-members on their rides, but those who cycle with them regularly will be asked to join.
Saturday 16th July 2022 to Sunday 17th July 2022 : Edinburgh Festival of Cycling
A weekend of bike rides and other cycling-related events. The detailed programme has not yet been decided, so for now just note the dates. Following the Covid pandemic, this year's festival will be much smaller than in earlier years; the organisers hope to bring back the full ten-day programme in 2023. Further information: Edinburgh Festival of Cycling website.
Friday 5th August to Monday 29th August : Cycling-related events at the Edinburgh Fringe
For details and booking for all these events, go to the Fringe website and search for the name of the show. Cyclopath: A one-man show by Canadian cycling stand-up comedian, Dion Owen. At the City Café, 19 Blair Street. Every evening at 21:35. Free. Includes strong language. Look, No Hands: A solo show by Scottish artist Lila Clements, based on her experience of a cycling accident; "an uplifting story of hope and survival". Made in partnership with London-based cycling club Velociposse. At Summerhall. Daily at 16:30. £13 (£11 concessions). Twelfth Night: A "bicycle-powered, laugh-out-loud production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night" by cycling theatre company HandleBard. At the Tree House, George Square Gardens. 19 and 20 August at 14:00. £15.40 (£14.40 concessions).
A midsummer evening on Calton Hill
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Bicyclists have become a power.”
The Times, 1870
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Bike Station
A community project that accepts donated bikes from members of the public and recycles them for use by priority groups such as the long term unemployed and the homeless.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders
The local branch of Cycling UK. They organise several rides each week and support cycle campaigning activities.
Spokes
A non-party political campaigning group, pressing for better conditions for cyclists, especially in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
NCN 76 near Bo'ness
Photo: ML
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