An Autumnal casual social ride of 18 miles using a mix of some of the 144 miles of the Livingston path network, Route 75 of Sustrans National Cycle Network, quiet country road and surfaced track, maybe a bit of Local History
MEET : By 10:30, at the seats outside the café at Howden Park Centre, Livingston.
REGISTER : To reserve a place and to give us an idea of how many to expect add some details to our Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending.
If the weather influences your decision not to come that is OK, we may see you another time.
If we cancel the ride a notice will be posted at the top of the page the previous evening.
Back out to the footpath by the road, downhill to Wilkies Basin onto the surfaced mud free Union Canal tow path (NCN754) and across Lins Mill Aqueduct to Muirend, by quiet road to go along route 75 of Sustrans National Cycle Network, through Almondell Country Park. Look out for the Kingfisher that flies between the two weirs at the east end of the park, also otter has been seen.
Returning to the HPC by the river Almond, stopping at Howden rock ramp, the UKs largest rock ramp, Almond Park.
BEFORE THE RIDE : If needed, we can show you how to check your bike is safe to ride by carrying out the M CHECK, checking brakes work, the chain is lubricated and the tyres set to the correct pressure, look at use of gears all to make it less of an effort. Suggest what you may find useful to take on a ride.
REGISTER : To reserve a place and to give us an idea of how many to expect add some details to our Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending.
If the weather influences your decision not to come that is OK, we may see you another time.
If we cancel the ride a notice will be posted at the top of the page the previous evening.
REGISTER : To reserve a place and to give us an idea of how many to expect add some details to our Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending.
If the weather influences your decision not to come that is OK, we may see you another time.
Next Ride Saturday 5th October
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Postponed from July due to rain
A casual social ride of 18 miles exploring a mix of some of the 144 miles of the Livingston path network, National Cycle Network route 75, and surfaced cycle track, and maybe a bit of Local History.
MEET : By 10:30, at the seats outside the café at Howden Park Centre, Livingston.
Return along NCN 75 across Easter Inch Moss. Turning off at Seafield and dropping down to the river Almond and along the Easter Breich path beside the river, onto the Livingston path network and back to HPC. We are usually back about 3:30pm.
Anyone coming from in or near Bathgate may wish to join us at the Xcite Sports Centre, Balbardie Park and return to Livingston on the NCN and Starlaw path as above.
REGISTER : To reserve a place and to give us an idea of how many to expect add some details to our Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending.
If the weather influences your decision not to come, that is OK, we may see you another time.
If we cancel the ride a notice will be posted at the top of this page the previous evening.
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REGISTER : To reserve a place and to give us an idea of how many to expect add some details to our Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending.
If the weather influences your decision not to come that is OK, we may see you another time.
If we cancel the ride a notice will be posted at the top of the page the previous evening.
Next ride Saturday1st of June
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West Lothian Spokes map - volunteer surveyors (and coordinators) wanted
Spokes Maps Group is planning a new, fully revised edition of our West Lothian map. It will entail a great deal of cartography and design work, plus on-the-ground surveys to be done over the summer. We are aiming for publication towards the end of the year or early 2025.
Anyone who volunteers to survey will be given a copy of the existing map, full instructions, and also of course a free copy of the new map when published. And there is a Spokes maps contact person to chat to and deal with any queries or problems that arise.
The whole area needs to be surveyed in detail. The previous map was published in 2018 and there have been many developments in the area since then. Also, the new map covers areas which were not included in previous Spokes maps, including west to Falkirk and Caldercruix, and therefore have never been surveyed by us before!You can see early draft low-res versions of the front and back sides of our map here [use password WLMAP - in capitals].We need most surveys to be done between June and mid-August, although it will be possible for a small amount to carry on into the autumn.You will check what's on the ground and correct the draft map. You will be given full instructions on how to record the information, plus an extract of the draft new map and a copy of the existing map. We need people who are happy to take on parts of the rural areas - this could involve quite a bit of cycling. The size of the area you will be allocated will depend to some extent on the number of volunteer surveyors we get. We also need folk (who could be the same people) to look at the main towns.People who have surveyed for previous maps have found it to be interesting and fun – it +adds a new purpose to your outings and you may discover places you never knew existed!Anne and Bob Douglas, who coordinated surveying for our recent Edinburgh and Midlothian maps will be on hand to guide you through what is needed.If you are interested and able to help, please contact Katharine katharinetaylor@yahoo.co.uk, our Maps Group coordinator, indicating what role(s) you are interested in and what area(s) you would be most interested in surveying. As with all Spokes maps, we are relying on our local members in the area. OR on the next ride speak to ERIC.
SPOKES BULLETIN 138 : Summer 2024
