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.
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18° |  5 mph |
| Thursday | ||
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13° | 9 mph |
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17° |  3 mph |
Sunset today: 21:31
Edinburgh weather provided by WeatherAPI.com
Last updated: 17th May
Saturday 24th May 2025 : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The first of the group's Extra rides for this year. At 35 - 40 miles, these are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, and go at a faster pace, but with the same sociable and unpressured atmosphere. Today's ride will head to Almondell Country Park in West Lothian. The total distance will about 34 miles, with a few short steep climbs in the early afternoon but no other serious hills. Note that riders should bring their own food for a picnic lunch, as there is no catering of any kind in the park (toilets are available). Meeting time and place: The ride will start at 10:30 from the Craiglieth path junction (see here for directions). Cost and booking: All 20-Milers rides are free with no advance booking. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 25th May : 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 Caffè Nero, Lister Square (in the Quartermile). Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Wednesday 28th May : 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.
Wednesday 4th June : Mellow Velo Dundee to Perth
A day ride from Dundee to Perth, mainly following NCN 77. The total distance will be about 25 miles. The route will be mainly flat apart from a steep climb up Kinnoull Hill (which will be a possible picnic stop, depending on the weather). Travel by train to Dundee, returning by train from Perth (two trains per hour in each direction; journey time aproximately 1½ hours). Further information: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Tuesday 10th June to Thursday 12th June : Mellow Velo Penrith to Newcastle
A three-day ride across the north of England, mainly following NCN 7. Travel by train to Penrith on the Tuesday, returning from Newcastle on the Thursday. The route will involve 23 miles on the first day, 27 to 30 miles on the second, and 25 miles on the third, with lots of hills, especially on the second day. Accommodation: YHA hostels at Alston and Edmundbyers. Places at these hostels are limited, so advance booking is essential. Further information and booking: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Saturday 14th June : 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 and destination 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: All 20-Milers rides are free with no advance booking. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Saturday 21st June : 'Ride to the Sun' - Carlisle to Cramond
An informal overnight ride to coincide with the summer solstice. Riders will leave Carlisle between 19:00 and 20:30; they will cycle at their own pace, aiming to reach Cramond in time to see the sun rise at 04:30. The route is just over 100 miles, mainly on quiet roads, and includes a 7-mile climb from Moffat up the Devil’s Beef Tub. There will be refreshment stops at a chip shop in Moffat and the Crook Inn in Tweedsmuir, and a chance to buy breakfast at Cramond. Important: The ride is completely unsupported, with no sweeper vehicle, mechanical support or first-aid. Riders are entirely responsible for their own safety and the road-worthiness of their bikes, and for getting themselves home in the event of breakdown or accident. Cost and booking: The ride is free with no formal registration required. However, the organisers ask that you let them know you are coming so that they can plan the catering arrangements. More information: Contact Fraser Maxwell or Gary Cameron () or see the event's website.
Sunday 22nd June : 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 28th June to Sunday 29th June : Mellow Velo Borders weekend
A two-day ride from Tweedbank (trains approximately every half hour from Waverley) to Newcastleton and back, with an overnight stop at the Newcastleton Bunkhouse (£25 per head). Further information and booking: eibhlin@mellowvelo.org.uk See also the Mellow Velo website.
Saturday 28th June : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The second of the group's Extra rides for this year. These are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, go at a faster pace and have fewer breaks, but with the same sociable and unpressured atmosphere. Like all 20-Milers rides, this one is free with no advance booking. Details of today's ride, including meeting time and place, route and lunch arrangements, will be posted here nearer the time. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 29th June : 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 Caffè Nero, Lister Square (in the Quartermile). Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Friday 11th July to Sunday 13th July : Mellow Velo Aberfoyle weekend
A weekend of cycling in the Trossachs. The group will cycle from Balloch to Aberfoyle via Drymen and Gartmore on the Friday (20 miles). Saturday's ride will take in Loch Katrine or Gravelfoyle. On the Sunday, the group will head to Dunblane via Duke’s Pass, Callander and Doune. Overnight accommodation will be in Aberfoyle on both nights. Travel: Train to Balloch on the Firday morning (leaving Waverley at 09:00 or 09:30, change at Glasgow Queen Street), returning on the Sunday evening from Dunblane (hourly service). No advance booking needed for these trains. Further information and booking: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Friday 15th August : Tim McKenna memorial ride
A three-week LEJOG ride in memory of Tim McKenna will be passing near Edinburgh on this day, and the organisers invite local cyclists to join them for all or part of the route. Tim McKenna was well known on social media for his cycling; he took his own life in January after losing his battle with mental health. The event is in aid of Mind, Sustrans and Flight Free UK. Today's leg is from Thankerton to Kinross via South Queensferry and the Forth Road Bridge (53 miles). Further information: Ride for Tim website; organisers' email: ; fundraising page.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders (part of Cycling UK) have a ride every Tuesday evening during the summer. These are moderately-paced sociable rides of 20 to 25 miles, running every Tuesday from 29 April to 26 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: Charles Wallis ().
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders (part of Cycling UK) have a ride every Wednesday throughout the year. These are moderate-to-fast rides of 40 to 70 miles (40 to 50 miles in winter), aimed at reasonably fit cyclists. The rides include a lunch break either in a village hall (in winter) or in the open air (in summer); in both cases riders should bring a packed lunch. There is usually a café stop in the afternoon. All rides start at 10:00, but the meeting points vary, so please check the current rides list on the group's web site. Riders are asked to book a place 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 (part of Cycling UK) also have a ride every Sunday throughout the year. These are usually 30 to 45 miles, but might occasionally be longer. 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. Most rides include a café stop for lunch. Advance booking is required, with numbers usually limited to about 15. Riders should book their place 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 24th May 2025 : Hart's Cyclery Spring Jam
A day of informal bike rides and other cycling-related events, including a 30-km gravel bike ride (starting at 09:30), a family-friendly mountain bike ride up Corstorphine Hil (from 15:30) and other events ("stunts", games, bike demos, raffle) in between. Refreshments available. Location: The "Rear Carpark" (no other location details provided). Further information: This post on Instagram.
Tuesday 27th May : Sarah Small Concert
A concert by viola da gamba player Sarah Small, as part of her "slower and greener" cycing concert tour of the UK. The music, by 17th century Scottish Composer Tobias Hume, features "tales from the road that remind us of the beauty in slow travel". Time and place: 18:45 to 20:30, at Pianodrome Granton, 28 West Harbour Road. Cost and booking: "Name your price" at Citizen Ticket.
Monday 9th June to Sunday 15th June : National Bike Week 2025
The dates of this year's Bike Week have been announced, but no other information has yet been published. Details of any local events will be posted here as and when they become available.
Saturday 14th June : Wee Spoke Hub Training Workshop
A training session aimed at new bike users, covering basic bike maintenance, safety issues and "being a responsible bike owner". Time and place: 11:00 to 13:00, at the Wee Spoke Hub, 13 Guthrie Street. Cost and booking: £15 per person. Places are limited, so book in advance here. More information (including details of their frequent DIY maintenance sessions): see the Wee Spoke Hub website.
Saturday 21st June : Dalmeny Cycle Cafe
A cafe with stalls having information from local cycle shops and other cycling related activities. Refreshments available. Time and place: 10:00 to 12:00, at the Dalmeny Kirk Cafe, Main Street, Dalmeny (this is right next to NCN1). Further information: Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
The Clubbiedean Reservoir
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“If I were not a man, I would like to be a bird. As I am a man, I do the next best thing, and ride a bicycle.”
Maltbie Davenport Babcock
Browse all articles on this site
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.
Holyrood Park
Photo: ML
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