SATURDAY 4th June : LIVINGSTON UNDISCOVERED? Almondell to Howden Park

NOT 20 miles, a ride of 10 miles at a relaxed pace. Stopping at some places of local interest you may not know about. Passing Uranus to Roman Camps, bits of the Shale Trail & River Almond with the UKs biggest rock ramp. We will use a mix of some of the 144 miles of the Livingston path network, National Cycle Network route 75 and surfaced track.

Route map for 2022.05 Roman Camps Starting At Almondell by Livingston 20 Milers on plotaroute.com

MEET : At 10:30 at Almondell Country Park visitor centre. (NOT Howden Park)

ROUTE : Cycle north, uphill out of the park passing URANUS with a short section of quiet road to the junction to Roman Camps and along quiet dead end road. Surfaced track to join the Shale Trail through Pumpherston onto the Livingston path network to Howden Park Centre we can stop for refreshment.

You may want to bring something to eat or buy at the café. There are seats outside and public toilets.

If the Shale trail is good enough for MARK BEUMONT it's good enough for us.

Return by going downhill, passing West Lothian Civic Centre onto NCN75 & Shale Trail by the river Almond, stopping at Howden rock ramp, the UKs largest rock ramp, Almond Park 

Path closure at Mid Calder entrance. After being scheduled to reopen on March 17th, then May 26th it has now been put back to June 13th.

From Almond park we can take a quiet route through Pumpherston farm to re-join the Shale Trail, crossing Camps viaduct with views over Almondell to East Calder and down to Almondell Park.

YOUR BIKE : Before the ride 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.

• We are not a club, rides are open to anyone interested in finding out more about active travel, bike use, and exploring local routes. No commitment to come regularly.
• There is no need to wear special cycle clothing, something comfortable, a waterproof jacket and trousers can be useful. We don't ask you to wear a helmet, it is not a lawful requirement, it is a matter of personal choice.
  
• You may want to bring snacks an , a bottle of water.
• Leccy E bikes are OK.
• Supported by SUSTRANS, volunteer Ride leaders, having first aid and bike mechanic training. We can deal with bike problems that may arise on the ride. 
• You may wish to drop off at any point if we pass near to home.
• To ensure no one gets lost or left behind and for safety there will be a back marker. 
• There are a couple of road crossings, apart from one they are controlled by traffic lights. At the uncontrolled crossing - no traffic lights, be guided by ride leaders.
• Children need to bring a well behaved adult.
• If speed and distance are your thing this is not for you. 

REGISTER : We may not be able to accommodate anyone who hasn't. 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. PLACES AVAILABLE

If the weather influences your decision not to come that is OK, we may see you another time.

April News

Sustrans enews May 2022

 

Howden rock ramp videos

Construction

Opening

Saturday 7th July. Ratho Climbing Centre, Union Canal and Almondell Park

A casual ride using a mix of the Livingston path network, NCN 75, quiet country road and surfaced cycle track. Smooth narrow tyres may find some of it a bit bumpy. 

We will meet at the cafe at Howden Park Centre, Livingston from just after 10 and leave at 1030am and 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. Leave the park at the East Calder entrance onto Clifton Road to and minor road to path beside Clifton Hall Road to the EICA, worlds biggest indoor climbing centre for a refreshment stop, bring something to eat or buy at the cafe. It can be busy and there can be a queue.

We will take a track from the car park, downhill to Wilkies Basin onto the newly surfaced mud free Union Canal tow path (NCN754) and across Linns Mill Aqueduct to Muirend, by quiet road to Roman Camps, onto the Uphall to East Calder track and across the Almondell Viaduct above the park to Almondell Park returning to the HPC.

• The distance is about 17 miles. You can also drop off at any part of the route and cycle as far as you feel comfortable with. 
• There is no need to wear special cycle clothing something comfy. We don't ask you to wear a helmet, it is not a lawful requirement, it is a matter of personal choice.
• Bring waterproof jacket & trousers, snacks and bottle of water, small tool kit for your bike, spare inner-tube, ensure the valve is the same as the existing one.
• Check your bike is safe to ride. 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.

 If the weather influences your decision not to come that is OK, we may see you another time.

To let us know how many to expect add some details to our Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending. Or just turn up on the day.

Map Download, for those with Garmin devices, they can use these public links...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/19334221

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/19334428

June News

Next Ride Saturday 4th August