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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16° | 16 mph |
| Thursday | ||
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17° | 18 mph |
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17° | 13 mph |
Sunset today: 22:02
Updated today
Thursday 7th June 2018 to Sunday 24th June 2018 : Waterways of Edinburgh Tour
Taking place every day during the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, this is a guided ride along the Union Canal and Water of Leith. The ride is about 10 miles, and is mainly on easy bike paths and the canal towpath. Time and place: 10:00, from in front of Haymarket Station. Cost and booking: There is a fee of £30 per person. Advanced booking required; phone 07921 665 627.
Friday 22nd June : 20-Milers Evening Ride
An evening ride to celebrate the (approximate) summer solstice. The ride, which will be mainly on bike paths within the city, will last about 2½ hours, and will go at a slow-to-moderate pace. Note that there will be no meal or refreshment break, but the ride will finish near a pub. Be sure to bring lights (with plenty of juice). Meet: 19:00, 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 23rd June to Sunday 24th June : 'Ride to the Sun' - Carlisle to Cramond
An informal overnight ride to (approximately) coincide with the summer solstice. Riders will leave Carlisle between 20:00 and 22:00 on the Saturday evening; 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 a stop at a chip shop in Moffat 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 24th 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 Söderberg café (formerly Peter's Yard), Middle Meadow Walk. Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (0131 466 6156, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Saturday 30th June to Sunday 1st July : Mellow Velo New Lanark Weekend
A weekend ride to New Lanark and back, with an opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage village and mills. The group will meet at Drumgelloch on the Saturday morning (to which there are frequent trains from Edinburgh) and then cycle the 30 miles to New Lanark. On the Sunday, they will ride back to Edinburgh on minor roads. This will be about 40 miles, but with the option of taking a train back from Livingston South, saving ten miles. Accommodation: This will be at the Wee Row hostel in New Lanark, which is £23 per night in a 3-bedded room. Further information and booking: Please contact the organiser as soon as possible for further information and to book the hostel. See also the Mellow Velo website.
Sunday 1st July : 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)
Saturday 14th July : 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.
Sunday 15th July : CTC Long
A full-day ride of 40 - 60 miles, taken at a reasonably fast pace. Most rides include a café stop for lunch. These rides are organised by CTC Lothians and Borders, which is part of Cycling UK. Meet: The meeting point for these rides varies, and is only confirmed a few days in advance, on the group's message board. Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: CTC Lothians, or contact Marian Rogers ().
Saturday 21st July : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The third of the group's Extra rides for this year. At about 30 - 35 miles, these are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, and go at a slightly faster pace. Details of today's meeting place, route and destination will appear here nearer the time. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 29th July : 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 (0131 466 6156, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Sunday 5th August : 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)
Sunday 9th September : Pedal for Scotland (Glasgow- Edinburgh/Ingliston)
The date has been fixed for this year's event. Full details will appear here as they become available.
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 from 3rd May to 23rd 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 at the Victor Hugo café on the corner of Melville Terrace and Livingstone Place. Cost and booking: The rides are free, with no need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (0131 466 6156, ) or see the ride's blog.
These are moderately-paced sociable rides, running every Tuesday from 1st May to the 28th August. 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).
As well as their frequent Sunday rides (listed in the section above), CTC have longer runs every Wednesday throughout the year. These are moderate-to-fast rides of 50 to 70 miles, aimed at reasonably fit cyclists. The starting times and meeting points vary, so please check the current rides list on the CTC web site, or email . These rides are organised by CTC Lothians and Borders, which is part of Cycling UK.
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 7th June 2018 to Sunday 24th June 2018 : Edinburgh Festival of Cycling 2018
Now in its sixth year, EdFoC offers more than fifty individual events, all aimed at celebrating cycling in one way or another and in encouraging people to get out on their bikes. This year's programme includes talks, workshops, competitions, cultural events, film shows and lots of organised bike rides. A selection of these events are listed elsewhere on this page. For the full programme, pick up a free booklet from local bike shops, leisure centres, public libraries, etc., or see the EdFoC website.
Thursday 21st June : Edinburgh Clean Air Day
A full day of "fume-free" events on closed roads around the city centre, aimed at raising awareness of the need to improve air quality in Edinburgh. There will be a chance to try out e-bikes and cargo bikes on The Mound (10:30 to 12:00), a cycling coaching session in Hanover Street (10:00 to 12:00), balance bike sessions for pre-school children in the eastern section of George Street (11:00 to 14:00), as well as cycling-related stalls and other activities. Non-cycling events include a free open-air yoga class on The Mound (11:00 to 12:00) and a mass Lindy Hop in the eastern section of George Street (18:00 to 20:00). All the above streets will be closed to traffic for the day, and will be converted into temporary gardens, picnic sites and children's play areas. The entire event is free and open to all. Further information: See the this page on the councils' website.
Sunday 24th June : Let's Ride Edinburgh
"A street festival for anyone on a bike". This family-friendly free event, which takes place on traffic-free roads, will include "music, food and drink, fun and games, demos, giveaways, activities, challenges and face painting." 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.
Monday 6th August to Friday 31st August : 'Go Wild' NCN Photo Exhibition
An exhibition of photographs featuring the wildlife and scenery of the National Cycle Network in Scotland, organised by Sustrans. Cost: Free. Time and place: Daily from 08:00 to 19:00, at the terminus of the Union Canal in Lochrin.
Saturday 11th August to Monday 27th August : Cycling Events at the 2018 Book Festival
Speakers at this year's book festival include Chris Hoy (Olympic gold medallist), Mark Beaumont (round-the-world record holder), Graeme Obree (one-hour record holder and individual pursuit champion), William Fotheringham (author of a book on the notorious "Hell of the North" Paris-Roubaix race) and Louise Minchin (TV presenter and amateur triathlete). Full details and booking: Edinburgh International Book Festival website.
A midsummer evening on Calton Hill
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Life is like riding a bicycle: you don't fall off unless you stop pedalling.”
Claude Pepper
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 Lothians
The local branch of the UK-wide cyclists organisation. They organise two to three rides every 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.
The Mound
Photo: ML
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