Who organises the rides?
The rides are organised by West Lothian Sustrans Volunteers who have undergone the Cycling Scotland Ride Leader Course and first aid training and bike mechanic training. We can deal with bike problems that may arise on the ride.
The rides are organised by West Lothian Sustrans Volunteers who have undergone the Cycling Scotland Ride Leader Course and first aid training and bike mechanic training. We can deal with bike problems that may arise on the ride.
Participants are asked to comply with any instructions where appropriate, such as at road crossings and on the canal tow path.
When are your rides?
We meet on the first Saturday of the month, March to November at Howden Park Centre, Livingston (see map below) from 10:00 in time for a 10:30 start. Should you wish pre ride tea or coffee the cafe may be open from 10. We are usually at the seats outside the east of the building, look out for the bikes.
Some people come from out with Livingston and a few from out with West Lothian.
Occasionally we have to cancel due to dangerous weather conditions and if that is the case we will post on the blog as soon as we decide to cancel. We'll also try to notify those for whom we have an email address.
View Howden Park Centre in a larger map
When does the ride finish?
No promises, but we are generally back about 3:30, depending on the length of the ride and any problems.
What should I bring?
If you can bring an inner tube suitable for your wheels, ensure the valve is the same as the existing one, that helps speed up the process if you have a puncture, (the most common are "Shrader", same as on car tyres and "Presta", which have a small screw, ask a local bike shop what size you need if you're not sure) - if you are unlucky enough to have a puncture then there are always people on hand to help fix it if you've never done it before. If your bike doesn't have quick-release wheels then bring the appropriate tool that you need to remove them (again, ask a bike shop for advice if necessary).
We suggest you check the weather forecast and bring whatever waterproofs you think might be needed. For rides in the colder months, bring warm clothes including gloves and scarf. A bottle of water is a good idea especially in hot weather, and you may like to bring a small snack to boost your energy in case of emergency. When we stop for lunch you might find that a bike lock is useful; however if you don't bring one, you can double up with someone else.
Lunch
We try to stop somewhere for lunch that has food you can buy and some public toilets. People are also welcome to bring packed lunches. Read the post for the ride for what the options are.
What sort of bike do I need?
One that works! We have people turn up on all sorts of bikes - road bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, folding bikes, electric bikes and ancient things too. The important thing is that you're comfortable on it and it's safe to ride. We generally find ourselves on a mix of roads, cycle paths and rough tracks, so bikes with wider tyres are often a good idea (skinny road tyres can be a bit skittery on rocky farm tracks) but there is no "must have" bike type. Ensure your bike is in good working order. Recommend checking it over the day before the ride, checking brakes work, the chain is lubricated and the tyres set to the correct pressure, it makes cycling easier. The recommended pressure can be found on the side of the tyre, typically 35-85 PSI or 3-6 Bar.
Am I fit enough?
Depending on fitness some may find it a bit tame,others may not. Be considerate to others and moderate your pace accordingly. We don't go very fast, and mostly we go at a speed where people can chat to each other (barring hills or busy roads). If speed and distance are your thing, this is not for you. We are very good at waiting for people after junctions so you don't get lost.
Clothing
There is no need to wear special cycle clothing. We don't ask you to wear a helmet, it is a matter of personal choice, it is not a lawful requirement. Bring waterproof jacket & trousers.
Anything else I need to know?
We expect you to take care of your own safety. This means that you make the decision when it is safe to turn, pass a parked car etc. - just because the leader has turned it doesn't mean it is necessarily safe for you to follow. You should be aware of the rules of the road for cyclists and respect other road and path users.
Photographs
We usually take photographs for publicity. If you would prefer not to have any photographs used which include you, let me know.
If you have any problems or questions on the day, ask the rides leader.
If you cycle on a regular basis - say a daily commute or to the shops - you'll enjoy a fitness level of a person 10 years younger... So trade in your gym subscription and forget the scare stories ; the health benefits of cycling significantly outweigh the risks on British roads. From Which July 2005.
Some people come from out with Livingston and a few from out with West Lothian.
Occasionally we have to cancel due to dangerous weather conditions and if that is the case we will post on the blog as soon as we decide to cancel. We'll also try to notify those for whom we have an email address.
View Howden Park Centre in a larger map
When does the ride finish?
No promises, but we are generally back about 3:30, depending on the length of the ride and any problems.
What should I bring?
If you can bring an inner tube suitable for your wheels, ensure the valve is the same as the existing one, that helps speed up the process if you have a puncture, (the most common are "Shrader", same as on car tyres and "Presta", which have a small screw, ask a local bike shop what size you need if you're not sure) - if you are unlucky enough to have a puncture then there are always people on hand to help fix it if you've never done it before. If your bike doesn't have quick-release wheels then bring the appropriate tool that you need to remove them (again, ask a bike shop for advice if necessary).
We suggest you check the weather forecast and bring whatever waterproofs you think might be needed. For rides in the colder months, bring warm clothes including gloves and scarf. A bottle of water is a good idea especially in hot weather, and you may like to bring a small snack to boost your energy in case of emergency. When we stop for lunch you might find that a bike lock is useful; however if you don't bring one, you can double up with someone else.
Lunch
We try to stop somewhere for lunch that has food you can buy and some public toilets. People are also welcome to bring packed lunches. Read the post for the ride for what the options are.
What sort of bike do I need?
One that works! We have people turn up on all sorts of bikes - road bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, folding bikes, electric bikes and ancient things too. The important thing is that you're comfortable on it and it's safe to ride. We generally find ourselves on a mix of roads, cycle paths and rough tracks, so bikes with wider tyres are often a good idea (skinny road tyres can be a bit skittery on rocky farm tracks) but there is no "must have" bike type. Ensure your bike is in good working order. Recommend checking it over the day before the ride, checking brakes work, the chain is lubricated and the tyres set to the correct pressure, it makes cycling easier. The recommended pressure can be found on the side of the tyre, typically 35-85 PSI or 3-6 Bar.
Am I fit enough?
Depending on fitness some may find it a bit tame,others may not. Be considerate to others and moderate your pace accordingly. We don't go very fast, and mostly we go at a speed where people can chat to each other (barring hills or busy roads). If speed and distance are your thing, this is not for you. We are very good at waiting for people after junctions so you don't get lost.
Clothing
There is no need to wear special cycle clothing. We don't ask you to wear a helmet, it is a matter of personal choice, it is not a lawful requirement. Bring waterproof jacket & trousers.
Anything else I need to know?
We expect you to take care of your own safety. This means that you make the decision when it is safe to turn, pass a parked car etc. - just because the leader has turned it doesn't mean it is necessarily safe for you to follow. You should be aware of the rules of the road for cyclists and respect other road and path users.
Photographs
We usually take photographs for publicity. If you would prefer not to have any photographs used which include you, let me know.
If you have any problems or questions on the day, ask the rides leader.
If you cycle on a regular basis - say a daily commute or to the shops - you'll enjoy a fitness level of a person 10 years younger... So trade in your gym subscription and forget the scare stories ; the health benefits of cycling significantly outweigh the risks on British roads. From Which July 2005.
