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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13° |  5 mph |
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Sunset today: 18:39
Edinburgh weather provided by WeatherAPI.com
Last updated: 1st October
Saturday 12th October 2024 : 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: All 20-Milers rides are free with no advance booking. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 20th October : 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 9th November : 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: All 20-Milers rides are free with no advance booking. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 17th November : 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.
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.
Thursday 3rd October 2024 to Saturday 5th October 2024 : Big Bike Film Night
A 2½-hour programme of short cycling-related films: "everything a cycle-centric audience could want ... devised for the two-wheel devotee". Time and place: 19:00 to 21:45, at the Summerhall Cinema. Cost: £13 - £16. Further information and booking: See the event's website.
Saturday 5th October : Cycling UK in Scotland Annual Gathering 2024
A full-day meeting featuring "a series of inspiring and informative talks" on various cycling themes. Speakers include Laura Laker (journalist and author), Naomi Freireich (endurance mountain bike rider), Ed Shoote (on bikepacking with kids), Iain Monk (on the campaign for a Drem to Gullane bike path) and Cycling UK staff members (on the organisation's community based projects, campaigns and policy work). Bike ride: The event will be preceded by an optional short bike ride taking in the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL). Time and place: Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Doors open 10:30. The main event runs from 11:00 to 16:00. The optional bike ride starts from Haymarket at 09:30. Cost: Free, but advance booking required. Further information and booking: Contact Andrew Abbess () or see the event's page at Eventbrite.
Saturday 5th October : Queensferry Cycle Cafe
A half-day session, including advice and support for cyclists, simple bike maintenance advice, bike security marking, and a chance to examine a cargo bike. Refreshments available, including home baking. Time and place: 10:00 to 12:00, at the Queensferry Parish Church, The Loan, South Queensferry. Further information: Lindsey D'onofrio,
Saturday 12th October : 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: £16.96 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.
Almondell Country Park
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Messengers and mountain bikers share a common chromosome.”
James Bethea
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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.
Hermitage of Braid
Photo: ML
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