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.
Updated today
Thursday 21st March 2019 : Moonlight Ride
The last of this winter's moonlight rides. These evening rides take advantage of the (approximately) full moon. They are easy-paced runs of 15 - 20 miles, mainly on well-surfaced paths. As the whole ride takes place during the hours of darkness, strong lights are essential. Meet: 19:00, in Lister Square (which is behind the Starbucks in Middle Meadow Walk). The ride will finish around 21:00. Cost and booking: Free. No booking required; just turn up. More information: Contact Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ) or see this web page.
Saturday 30th March : Mellow Velo Day Ride
The group's first ride of 2019. This will be a 35-mile ride, taking in the Hopetoun Estate, Abercorn, Duntarvie Castle and the Dundas Estate, with a lunch stop at the New Hopetoun Garden Centre. Most of the route will be on quiet roads and well-surfaced tracks. Meet: 10:00 at the Roseburn Bridge. Further information: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Sunday 31st March : 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. With the return of British Summer Time, this ride will be slightly longer than of late, ending mid aftenoon and with 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.
Sunday 7th April : 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. With the return of British Summer Time, today's ride will be a little longer than of late, ending around 17:00. Meet: 10:00, at the Usher Hall, Lothian Road [map]. Cost and booking: Free, no need to book. Further information: Spokes, or contact Stuart Threlfall (0131 445 7073)
Saturday 13th April : 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 lunch stop will be posted here nearer the time. Meet: 10:30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place) [map]. Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Saturday 27th April : Mellow Velo Vale of Leven Ride
A 38-mile ride from Dalreoch (near Dumbarton) to Stirling via the Vale of Leven, Balloch and Balfron. The route is mainly undulating, with no major climbs. There will be café stops for lunch in Balfron and tea in Gargunnock. Travel by train, Edinburgh to Dalreoch (several trains between 07:49 and 08:30). Return from Stirling (several trains from about 17:00). Further information and booking: or phone 01506 670401 between 10:00 and 22:00. See also the Mellow Velo website.
Sunday 28th April : 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 (formerly Peter's Yard), 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.
Tuesday 30th April : CTC Evening Ride
The first of this summer's CTC Tuesday evening runs. These are sociable rides of 20 to 25 miles which go at a moderate pace, usually with an optional pub stop on the way home. Most rides end around 22:00 or shortly after dark if earlier (be sure to bring lights). These rides will take place every Tuesday evening until 3rd September. Meet: Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road [map] in time for an 18:30 departure. Cost and booking: The ride is free and open to all, but those attending more than a few CTC rides will be asked to join; membership information will be available on the night. Further information: Contact Alastair Sim (, 0777 898 2265), or see the CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders website.
Sunday 5th May : 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 [map]. Cost and booking: Free, no need to book. Further information: Spokes, or contact Stuart Threlfall (0131 445 7073)
Saturday 15th June : Edinburgh to St Andrews (Lepra) Ride 2019
The date of this year's annual charity run to St Andrews has now been fixed. Full details of the event will appear here in due course. In the meantime, see here for further information.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders have a ride every Wednesday throughout the year. These are moderate-to-fast rides of 50 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 the group's web site, or email . CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders is part of Cycling UK.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders also have a ride every Sunday throughout the year. These are usually about 40 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, or email .
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.
Friday 1st March 2019 to Sunday 31st March 2019 : Scottish Workplace Journey Challenge
A national competition to encourage people to cycle, or use other sustainable transport, for their daily commute. Enter as an individual or as part of a workplace team. Log your journeys and move up the leaderboard. Lots of prizes. More information: scotland.getmeactive.org.uk.
Sunday 31st March : Edinburgh Cycle Fair
An afternoon dedicated to bikes and cycling, including exhibitions, demonstrations, information stalls, films, competitions, give-aways and a bicycle jumble sale. Suitable for all ages. Refreshments available. Time and place: 12:00 to 17:00, at Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street. Admission: £2 (concessions £1). Further information: See the event's web page.
Saturday 6th April to Wednesday 10th April : Calorie Countdown Bike
Discover how long it takes to burn off the effects of one jelly baby through cycling. A fun interactive event which explores the link between energy expenditure and food intake. This is an Edinburgh Science Festival family event in association with Food Standard Scotland. Time and place: Daily from 10:00 to 17:00 at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Cost: Free; drop in. More information: Science Festival website.
Saturday 27th April to Sunday 28th April : Pedal on Parliament 2019
For this year's Pedal On Parliament, the usual mass ride to Holyrood will be replaced by a weekend of smaller events throughout the country, with a focus on places where there are significant barriers to cycling. No further information is available at present, but details will be posted here as soon as they become available.
Thursday 6th June to Sunday 16th June : Edinburgh Festival of Cycling 2019
The dates have been announced for the seventh annual Edinburgh Festival of Cycling. Details of individual events will appear here nearer the time. For now, note the dates.
Newhaven Harbour
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I can think of no sincere, decent human being, male or female, young or old, saintly or sinful, who can resist the bicycle.”
William Saroyan
Cycling in Edinburgh - Your Questions Answered
Interested in riding a bike in the Scottish capital? This FAQ will give you the information you need to get started.
Edinburgh Bike Paths: A Cyclist's Guide
How to get from A to B on two wheels.
Escape Edinburgh by Bike
These routes will get you out of the city quickly and safely.
I want to go on a bike ride but I haven't got a bike
How to hire a bicycle - or buy one second hand - in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh to St. Andrews (Lepra) bike ride
Everything you need to know about this popular event.
Browse all articles on this site
Recommended for local cyclists:
Bike Scotland Book One: Central Scotland
Forty short and medium rides in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and further afield, with detailed route descriptions, practical information and high-quality colour maps.
Coast and Castles South (Sustrans Cycle Map)
The offial map of the 200-mile NCN route between Edinburgh and Newcastle, plus other routes in East Lothian, the Borders and Northumberland. Fully waterproof in a plastic sleeve.
More Sustrans maps
Also recommended: 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.
Falside Castle
Photo: ML
Cycling Edinburgh. Website owned and maintained by Mike Lewis.
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