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
Saturday 24th August 2019 : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The third of the group's Extra rides for this year. These rides are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, and go at a slightly faster pace. Today's ride will head into East Lothian, with a lunch stop at the Merryhatton Garden Centre near East Fortune, or bring a picnic if you prefer. The total distance will be about 45 - 50 miles, including some short stretches on main roads. Time and place: The ride will start at Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh at 10:30 (this is about six miles from central Edinburgh). Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 25th August : Mellow Velo Day Ride
A leisurely 25-mile ride around the outskirts of the city, taking in Cramond, Boathouse Bridge, Kirkliston and Newbridge, and then by the canal towpath to Lochrin. There will be a coffee break at Craigie's Farm and a picnic lunch at Ratho. Time and place: Meet at 09:15 at the entrance to the Rodney Street tunnel, next to the Broughton Road Tesco. Further information: Contact or see the Mellow Velo website.
Sunday 25th August : 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 1st September : 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)
Tuesday 3rd September : CTC Evening Ride
The last 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.
Saturday 7th September : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The fourth of the group's Extra rides for this year. These rides are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, and go at a slightly faster pace. Details of today's meeting point, route and destination will appear here nearer the time. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 8th September : Pedal for Scotland: Glasgow- Edinburgh (Ingliston)
Scotland's largest charity bike ride, in aid of four leading charities (British Heart Foundation, STV Children's Appeal, Glasgow Children's Hospital and SAMH). The annual ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh attracts riders of all ages and 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. There are three separate rides, as follows. Classic Challenge: Approximately 45 miles, mainly on quiet roads. This is the one that most participants choose. Big Belter: An alternative 100-mile route through the Southern Uplands, aimed at the more serious road cyclist. This has the same start and end points and the same transport arrangements as the main event. Wee Jaunt: A ten-mile ride, starting in Linlithgow and following the same route as the final section of the Classic Challenge. This option is especially suitable for young children and less experienced riders. Registration: Advanced on-line registration required; go to the event's website (see below) and follow the 'Sign Up' link for your chosen ride. Costs: Classic Challenge: £31 (£23 children and concessions). Big Belter: £51 (£43 children and concessions). Wee jaunt: £9 (£6 children; family rates also available). All fees are also subject to "processing fees". The fees are all in addition to sponsorship money. Important note: This ride ends in Ingliston - not Edinburgh. Buses to Glasgow will leave from Ingliston in the morning, and the ride will end in Ingliston in the afternoon. Edinburgh-based riders will have to make their own way to/from Ingliston, which is nine miles from the city centre via the busy Glasgow Road. Bikes may be taken on Edinburgh trams from Haymarket to Ingliston Park and Ride at a cost of £3.20, but these must be booked in advance (for today only). No other transport will be available between Ingliston and Edinburgh. Transport to Glagow: Transport for bikes and riders is available from Ingliston to the start point in Glasgow in the morning, or back to Glasgow in the evening. The cost is £20 for rider and bike. More information: Phone 0333 300 3485, email , or visit the Pedal for Scotland website.
Saturday 14th September : 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 14th September to Sunday 15th September : Mellow Velo Fife Weekend
A weekend of cycling in the East Neuk, with an overnight stay at the Murray Library Hostel in Anstruther. The group will travel by train to Ladybank on the Saturday morning, then cycle to Anstruther via Newburgh, Cupar and Pittenweem. The Sunday ride will take in Crail, St Andrews and Ceres, returning to Edinburgh by train from Markinch or Thornton. There will be about 35 miles of cycling each day. Further information: Contact or see the Mellow Velo website.
Sunday 15th September : Spokes Summer Extra
The second of two longer Spokes rides planned for this summer. These are moderately-paced rides aimed at the averagely-fit cyclist who rides regularly and is comfortable cycling for a reasonable period at 10 to 12 mph. They start earlier than the standard Spokes rides and aim to go a little further. Most rides include a lunch stop at a pub or café, or bring a picnic if you prefer. The ride should end around 17:00. Meet: 09:30, 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 28th September : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The last of the group's Extra rides for this year. These rides are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, and go at a slightly faster pace. Details of today's meeting point, route and destination will appear here nearer the time. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 29th September : 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 6th October : 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. Today's 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)
These are moderately-paced sociable rides, running every Tuesday from 30th April to 3rd September. They start at 18:30 from the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road [map]. The length of the rides varies according to the daylight and weather, but are typically 20 to 25 miles. Rides often include an optional pub stop on the way home. They usually finish after dark, so be sure to bring lights. No need to book: just turn up. Contact: Alastair Sim (, 0777 898 2265).
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.
Sociable rides taken at a moderate pace. Most rides are 15 - 20 miles (depending on the amount of daylight). They take place every Thursday evening until late August. There will be no meal break during the evening, but most rides will end at or near a pub. The rides will 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 blog.
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 2nd August 2019 to Monday 26th August 2019 : National Cycle Network Photography Exhibition
An outdoor exhibition of photographs featuring the wildlife and scenery of the National Cycle Network in Scotland, organised by Sustrans. Cost: Free. Time and place: At the terminus of the Union Canal in Lochrin. Accessible at all times.
Saturday 3rd August to Saturday 24th August : Danny MacAskill - Drop and Roll
An 'action-packed display of gravity-defying tricks' by trials rider and stunt-cyclist Danny MacAskill, accompanied by fellow-rider Duncan Shaw. The hour-long show is 'guaranteed to amaze children and adults alike', with audience participation and prizes. Details: At the Underbelly Circus Hub on the Meadows (Venue 360). Times and ticket prices vary. Further information and booking: From the Fringe Box Office (Old Assembly Close; 0131 226 0000) or Fringe website.
Sunday 22nd September : Lets Ride Edinburgh
"A street festival for anyone on a bike", sponsored by HSBC. This family-friendly free event, which takes place on traffic-free roads, will include "music, local street food and live stunt shows, plus a few surprises on the day." There's no other useful information on the organiser's website, but if you register your email address, they promise to send you more details.
Saturday 28th September to Sunday 29th September : Edinburgh Doors Open Days 2019
A chance to visit buildings of historic or architectural importance that are usually either closed to the public or charge an admission fee. This annual event is not specifically aimed at cyclists, but bike users will find it particularly easy to nip around the city and take in as many of the attractions as possible. All the buildings involved will have free admission for one or both days of the weekend, and most will offer behind-the-scenes tours, exhibitions, talks or other special activities. More information: Pick up a Doors Open Day brochure from your local public library or the Tourist Information Office in the High Street, or visit the Cockburn Association's website.
The Union Canal towpath
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I relax by taking my bicycle apart and putting it back together again.”
Michelle Pfeiffer
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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.
Middle Meadow Walk
Photo: ML
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