Kinghorn Loch

This Wednesday’s ride is a 50-mile clockwise circular to Kinghorn Loch where we can have our picnic lunch which will be around 1-1.15 pm.  There are a couple of benches and a grassy area and also a café where there are toilets and some outside seating as well as indoor.  The café does snacks, baking and drinks, but it is a low-key affair and I think they would struggle to provide food for a large number turning up together, so I recommend you bring your own sandwiches, but you could buy a coffee or baking.

We meet at 9.50 am on the cycle path at Roseburn bridge where it crosses the main Corstorphine road.  We will take our usual most direct route via Cramond Brig and Dalmeny to cross the Forth Road bridge and we will stop at the Inverkeithing Civic Centre for a toilet break.  Then we will ride via Hillend, Crossgates, Hill of Beath but will turn right at the Woodside Hotel to take a tarmac cycle path which will lead onto a route via Cowdenbeath Golf Course.  This will avoid the traffic in the centres of Cowdenbeath, Lumphinnans and Lochgelly.  Most of the golf course path is very manageable track but it narrows for the last 200 metres or so to a single track stony path. (see photos-if you are viewing on a phone the photos are at the very bottom of the page.)

Anyone who wishes, however can take the road through the towns but do let me know , so we can arrange a suitable point to meet up.  We will head around Loch Gelly to Auchtertool and then south to our lunch spot at Kinghorn Loch.(28 miles)  This part of the route has some steep ups and downs with bind summits, so do be careful when you are overtaking me (!) to keep to the left, but we are rewarded with outstanding views across the Forth to North Berwick and the Bass rock.

Now, the majority of our climbs are over, but sorry, there is just one last push up after lunch for about a couple of miles, but there are views to the Lomond Hills to distract you on your right!  It will be flat or downhill from now on, so enjoy the views of Inchcolm Island and up river to the bridges.  Now we will whizz downwards on busier roads in our groups to join the coastal path at Dalgety Bay and back and over the bridge to South Queensferry for a tea stop at the Little Bakery.(44 miles)  I will take the Railway path via Stoneycroft, to join Standing Stane Road, the Burnshot road and back to Miller and Carter. My lead will end here (50 Miles) but if returning to Roseburn it’s another 4 miles.  Please see the route here:

https://www.strava.com/routes/19238692

Everyone is very welcome to attend but for riders new to the group, our riding guidelines on the following link are essential reading prior to coming out on the ride to ensure safety for yourself and the other riders.  https://www.cyclinguk.org/group/page/guidelines-safe-riding   You will be expected to join Cycling UK after 3 rides.

Do take note of my phone number in case you get separated from the group. 07974113737 and for new riders, I will collect your details prior to the ride.  If you intend to be a regular rider with us please email icectc.lb@gmail.com with your contact details and a contact number in case of emergency, so that we will have your details available..

Please make sure your bike is roadworthy and that you have 2 spare inner tubes and basic tools to change an inner tube.  You will need to have water, packed lunch money for coffee stop and a bike lock.  Remember you are riding at your own risk and whilst the group will always try to help out as best as possible with punctures and mechanical problems, you are responsible for looking after yourself and getting yourself home.

See you Wednesday,

Janet.