Organised bike rides in and around Edinburgh

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.

NEWS: This year's Lepra ride (Edinburgh - St. Andrews) has been cancelled. The ride will return in 2020. No further information at present.

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Forthcoming rides

Saturday 27th April 2019 : 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. 

Thursday 2nd May : Jim’s Evening Rides
The first of a series of weekly rides that will take place every Thursday evening until late August. Tonight's ride will be about 15 miles, taken at a moderate pace (10 - 12 mph). There will be no meal break but the ride will finish at or near a pub, at around 21:00. Be sure to bring lights (with plenty of spare battery power).  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.

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 11th May : 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.

Friday 17th May to Monday 20th May : Mellow Velo Inverness - Dyce Weekend
Four days of cycling in the north east, mainly on quiet roads, bike paths and former railway lines. On the Friday, the group will travel by train to Inverness then cycle the 40 miles to Forres via Culloden, Nairn and Brodie Castle. The Saturday route will take in Elgin, Portsoy and Buckie (46 miles), with an option to visit Elgin Cathedral. On the Sunday, the group will make for Maud via Banff and Turriff (36 miles), finally heading to Dyce (25 miles) for the train home on the Monday. Accommodation will be in B&Bs and hostels. Early booking recommended.  Further information and booking: Phone 07810 364206. See also the Mellow Velo website.

Sunday 19th May : Sustrans Family Ride
A short family-friendly ride suitable for cyclists of all abilities. As far as possible, these rides, which are led by Sustrans volunteers or staff members, follow easy routes (well-surfaced bike paths with gentle gradients) with a maximum distance of ten miles and plenty of stops along the way. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Route and destination: Today's ride will go from Middle Meadow Walk to Dr Neil's Garden. Further details of the meeting place, start and end times and the route will appear here nearer the time. Cost: These rides are all free. Further information: Contact Calum Glen () or see the event's web page.

Saturday 25th May to Sunday 26th May : Mellow Velo Angus Weekend
A weekend ride form Arbroath to Glen Prosen and back. The group will travel by train to Arbroath on the Saturday morning, returning from Arbroath on the Sunday evening. Accommodation on the Saturday night will be at Glen Prosen youth hostel. Further information and booking: See also the Mellow Velo website.

Sunday 26th 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 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.

Sunday 2nd June : 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 8th 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 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 15th June : Edinburgh to St Andrews (Lepra) Ride - CANCELLED
Lepra have announced that this year's ride will not now take place. No further information about this decision is available. The ride is due to return in 2020, and full details of that event will appear here when available. For general information about the Lepra ride, including contact details, see here.

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Other bike-related events

Friday 26th April 2019 to Sunday 28th April 2019 : 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. In Edinburgh, most of the action will be in the Friday morning rush hour, at Davidson's Mains, Forrest Road, Portobello and Sciennes. Further information on the PoP website.

Monday 29th April : An Evening with Mark Beaumont
Record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont will tell the story of the 10,000-Km ride from Cairo to Cape Town that he undertook in 2015. He took 41 days to complete the journey, which took him through eight countries, from the mountains of Ethiopia to the grasslands of Tanzania, as well as riding at night in Botswana in the company of elephants and giraffes. On the way, he contended with illness, mechanical faults, attempted robbery, dehydration and exhaustion. Tonight's talk is in aid of the Christian Blind Mission. Time and place: 19:00, at the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, 32 George Square. Cost and booking: £16.58, £11.25 (students), £5.92 (children). Bookable in advance from this web page.

Sunday 5th May : Edinburgh Open Streets
The first of three Sundays this summer when many Old Town streets will be closed to motor vehicles but open to cyclists and pedestrians. A range of open-air activities will take place, including jazz, tai chi, story telling, guided walks, art projects and a chance to try an e-bike. For this first event, there will also be a cycling 'procession', leaving the City Chambers at 13:00. Location: The streets affected will include almost the entire length of the Royal Mile as well Cockburn Street, Victoria Street, part of the Grassmarket and several adjoining streets. Events take place between 12:00 and 17:00. Cost and booking: Entirely free; no booking needed.

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.

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