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.
| Saturday | ||
 |
19° |  3 mph |
| Sunday | ||
 |
21° | 9 mph |
| Monday | ||
|
20° | 11 mph |
Sunset today: 21:29
Edinburgh weather provided by WeatherAPI.com
Last updated: 16th July
Saturday 27th July 2024 : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The third of the group's Extra rides for this year. These are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, go at a faster pace and have fewer breaks, but with the same sociable and unpressured atmosphere. Like all 20-Milers rides, this one is free with no advance booking. Today's ride will head to Bo'ness, with a total distance of about 38 miles, mainly on quiet roads and well-surfaced paths, and with a few moderate hills. Time and place: Meet at the Craigleith path junction (see here for directions) at 10:00 (note the earlier than usual start time). Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 28th 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 Caffè Nero, Lister Square (in the Quartermile). Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Wednesday 7th August : 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 10th August : 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 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 Caffè Nero, Lister Square (in the Quartermile). Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Tuesday 27th August : CTC Evening Ride
The last of this summer's CTC Tuesday evening runs. These are moderately-paced sociable rides of 20 to 25 miles, often including an optional pub stop on the way home. Tonight's ride will finish after dark, so be sure to bring lights. The rides will resume in May 2025. Meet: Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road, in time for an 18:30 departure. Cost and booking: The ride is free and open to all, with no need to book in advance. Further information: Contact Charles Wallis (), or see the CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders website.
Saturday 31st August to Sunday 1st September : Mellow Velo Hadrian's Wall ride
A weekend ride along the Hadrian's Wall Cycleway (NCN 72), with diversions to see sections of the wall. Travel by train to Carlisle, returning from Newcastle. There will be about 35 miles of cycling each day, with an overnight stop at the Once Brewed youth hostel (£37 for members, £40 for non-members). Further information and booking: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Saturday 31st August : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The fourth of the group's Extra rides for this year. These are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, go at a faster pace and have fewer breaks, but with the same sociable and unpressured atmosphere. Like all 20-Milers rides, this one is free with no advance booking. Details of today's ride, including meeting time and place, route and lunch arrangements, will be posted here nearer the time. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders (part of Cycling UK) have a ride every Tuesday evening during the summer. These are moderately-paced sociable rides of 20 to 25 miles, running every Tuesday from 30 April to 27 August, starting from the Commonwealth Pool at 18:30. Rides often include an optional pub stop on the way home. The rides usually finish after dark, so be sure to bring lights. No need to book: just turn up. Contact: Charles Wallis ().
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.
Saturday 27th April 2024 to Sunday 22nd September 2024 : Pedal Power: Cycling and Activism
An exhibition dealing with "[cycling] activism in Edinburgh and around the world and ... the rich history of cycling in Scotland’s capital city". This is an Edinburgh Festival of Cycling event. Location: Museum of Edinburgh, 142-146 Canongate. Opening times: Daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (last admissions 16:30). Cost: Free. Further information from this website.
Friday 2nd August to Monday 26th August : Cyclopath Stand-Up and Songs
A one-man show by Canadian cycling stand-up comedian, Dion Owen. At 14:45, every day during the Edinburgh Fringe. Free, with no advance booking. Venue: Laughing Horse, 38 West Nicolson Street. Further information: This page on the Fringe website.
Saturday 10th August : 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: £3.96 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.
Saturday 7th September to Sunday 8th September : Edinburgh Moonwalk
An overnight walking event in which thousands of women (and more than a few men) pound the streets of Edinburgh wearing decorated bras, with the aim of raising money in support of breast cancer patients and research. Although not itself a cycling-related event, the organisers rely on a team of volunteer cycling marshals to support and encourage the walkers. Volunteer cyclists work in three shifts: Saturday evening, overnight and Sunday morning. You will need your own bike. This year's event is based at Holyrood Park. Further information: phone 01483 741430, email , or visit the volunteers' web page.
Forth Road Bridge
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“There is a certain type of driver in New York who likes to watch in his rear view mirror for a cyclist. Here comes one now! Time to open the front door ...”
New Yorker magazine
Browse all articles on this site
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.
Craigmillar Castle
Photo: Andy Hunter
Cycling Edinburgh. Website owned and maintained by Mike Lewis.
Contact me
Please contact me with your feedback, suggestions or details of events you would like me to include on this page. You can email me at:
Site policies. To be eligible for listing on this site, an event must (i) be open to cyclists regardless of their nationality, religion, ethnic group, sex or sexual orientation; (ii) not require the use of a car.
From 1st July 2019, this site has been advertising-free. This is entirely thanks to the support of its visitors over the previous 14 years. Read more ...
© Copyright Mike Lewis and contributors.