Saturday 1st November ride. Livingston Paths and Parks

Meet at Howden Park Center for 10:30 start. 
  

Monthly free guided ride organised by Volunteers from West Lothian Sustrans Group.  

If we are not at the front of the building we may be inside or if the weather is nice, at the seats outside the east of the building. Should you wish pre ride tea or coffee the Howden Park Centre will be open from 10.
    

Someone from Edinburgh cycling through Livingston commented "I didn't know there was so much greenery in Livingston" Now is a chance to find out for yourself and hopefully see some autumn colour.

Pentland Hills & Livingston from Woodlands Park

Route
A route around Livingston using the path network to see most of the many green spaces and Parks in Livingston.

HPC - Dedridge Pond, Murieston Valley Park - Bellsquarry Plantation - Eliburn reservoir - Woodlands Park with views over Livingston and beyond. Cycle path beside A89 - Refreshment stop at Dobbies Garden Centre. Uphall to East Calder path over Almondell Viaduct - Almondell Park - NCN 75 - HPC.

Paths are a mix of smooth tarmac, smooth whinstone, some bumpy stone, and if wet some bits of mud. Narrow smooth tyres may find some of it a bit rough and slippy
If you feel that the ride may be beyond your ability you are welcome to come along and cycle as far as you feel comfortable with. Depending on where you stay you can also join and leave at any suitable point.

The distance is about 20 miles. Map , GPS  Weather - Metcheck       

  

There is no need to wear fancy cycle clothing. Something comfy. Jeans are not recommended. Bring snacks,  bottle of water and a waterproof jacket and trousers. Ensure your bike is in good working order, and that you bring a spare inner tube and small tool kit for your bike. Recommend checking the bike 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.   

To let us know how many to expect, add some details to Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending.

Post Ride

A record 21 came along, consisting of 11 previous and 10  newcomers. The weather was dry, cool with breezy sunny blue skies. Conditions under wheel were mostly dry and reasonable, apart from minor occasional bits of slippy mud. 

The next ride is planned for Saturday 6th December. As the days get shorter and colder it will be a short ride of 10 - 12 miles. 

October News 

Saturday 4th October Ride to Bathgate & Bangour

Meet at Howden Park Center for 10:30 start. 
  

Monthly public free guided ride organised by Volunteers from West Lothian Sustrans Group.  

If we are not at the front of the building we may be inside or at the seats outside the east of the building. 

Route      

The route is mix of Sustrans National Cycle Network route 75 to Bathgate, quiet country road to Bangour and Livingston path network.  

NCN 75 off road path to Bathgate across Seafield Law and Easter Inch Moss. Watch out for the speed bumps on the path after the motorway bridge and The Pyramids. Stopping at Xcite Sports Centre in Balbardie Park, Bathgate for refreshment stop where there is a cafe or bring something to eat. Return by climbing up Drumcross Road. There is a short steep ascent to Bucknowes Drive split in two via Glenmavis Drive, it is OK to walk. Then ascending gently to the top and a long decent on country road to the old Bangour Village Hospital, through the grounds to Dechmont and onto the Livington path network and back to HPC. 

The distance is about 16 miles. Map Weather - Metcheck  
 
Anyone coming from in or near Bathgate may wish to meet us at Xcite Sports Centre and cycle back from Livingston on the NCN75.
If you feel that the ride may be beyond your ability you are welcome to come along and cycle as far as you feel comfortable with. 

There is no need to wear fancy cycle clothing. Something comfy. Jeans are not recommended. Take a waterproof, snacks and bottle of water. Ensure your bike is in good working order, and that you bring a spare inner tube and small toolkit for your bike. Recommend checking the bike 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.   

To let us know how many to expect, book by adding contact details to Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending. 

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. --John F. Kennedy 

 

Saturday 30th August Ride to Ratho Climbing Centre

Meet at Howden Park Center for 10:30 start. 
  

Monthly free guided ride organised by Volunteers from West Lothian Sustrans Group.  

We will probably be at the outside seats at the east side of the building. Should you wish a coffee the Howden Park Centre will be open.      

  

Route
 

The route is mix of the Livington path network , quiet minor country road and surfaced track.     

Howden Park - NCN 75 through Almondell Park  - East Calder - Clifton Road to pick up the Union Canal tow path to the Climbing Centre for refreshment stop where there is a cafe or, bring something to eat. 
 

Return by tow path to Muirend and quiet road to Almondell Park - HPC.

The distance is about 16 miles. Map Weather - Metcheck

  

Please wear appropriate clothing, take a waterproof, snacks and bottle of water. Ensure your bike is in good working order, and that you bring a spare inner tube and small toolkit for your bike. Recommend checking the bike 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.

To let us know how many to expect, book by adding contact details to Contact Us form. It does not commit you to attending.

   

“I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle; I want to ride my bicycle; I want to ride my bike; I want to ride my bicycle; I want to ride it where I like…; I don’t believe in Peter Pan, Frankenstein or Superman; All I wanna do is bicycle, bicycle, bicycle…”  Freddie Mercury, Queen, 1978

Post Ride 

The day before the ride it had rained all day. On the Saturday it was forecast to be sunny but very windy and may have put some off. 10 turned up. 4 of the 10 were newcomers. The route was fairly sheltered so the wind was not a problem and the seats outside at EICA Ratho were in a very warm sheltered bit.  

Union Canal, Almond Aqueduct, Linns Mill

The normally busy canal tow path was quiet and the there was little of the expected mud after Fridays rain.  

 Viaduct above Almondell Park

One of the newcomers did comment that one of the reasons they came is because they liked to cycle with a group at a pace that does not leave folk behind.

Saturday 26th July Ride to Harburn and West Calder

Meet at Howden Park Center for 10:30 start. 

Free guided ride organised by Volunteers from West Lothian Sustrans Group. The ride will be at a casual pace, suitable for occasional and less-experienced cyclists, will wait on stragglers, help with punctures. The event is not suitable for unaccompanied children. Should you wish refreshments before or after, the Howden Park Centre will be open.

Route

The route is mix of the Livingston path network , quiet minor country road and surfaced track.  

Howden Park - Lanthorn Centre, Dedridge Pond, Williamston Primary School, Murieston Trail - Skivo - Harburn - quiet back roads to Harwood and West Calder. Toilets and eats at West Calder Community Center. Bring something to eat or buy at nearby shop.

Woodland path from West Calder to Bellsquarry and path for the return by Adambrae - Livingston Village and back to HPC. The distance is about 16 miles. You can also meet up to do part of the route. Map  Weather - Metcheck

Please wear appropriate clothing, take a waterproof, snacks and something to drink. Ensure your bike is in good working order, and that you bring a spare inner tube and small toolkit for your bike. Recommend checking the bike over the day before the ride, checking brakes work, the chain is lubricated, and the tyres set to the correct pressure.

To know how many to expect, book by adding contact details to Livvy 20 Milers Contact Form

It's not that you are  "stuck in a traffic jam." It's that you are the traffic jam ! 

Post Ride

16 came along on a hot sunny day.

Howden Park Centre

The heavens opened minutes after we got back.

Time for a rest after a wee hill at Skivo

Quiet road Harwood

 

Saturday 21st June Bike Week 2014 Ride to Kirkliston

 

Bike Week 2014 Ride to Kirkliston Saturday 21st June 

Meet at Howden Park Center for 10:30 start. Map 

Free led ride organised by Volunteers from West Lothian Sustrans Group. The ride will be at a casual pace, suitable for occasional and less-experienced cyclists, will wait on stragglers, help with punctures. The event is not suitable for unaccompanied children. 

Route The ride from will start at 10:30am from Howden Park Center, Livingston along Route 75 of Sustrans’ National Cycle Network, through Almondell Park, Route 754 along the Union Canal tow path and minor road from Niddry Castle to Kirkliston. The return route will be along a cycle path from Kirkliston to Newbridge, minor roads to East Calder then back through Almondell Park to Livingston. The distance is about 20 miles. Weather - Metcheck 

Please wear appropriate clothing, take a waterproof, snacks and something to drink. Ensure your bike is in good working order, and that you bring a spare inner tube and small toolkit for your bike. I recommend checking the bike over the day before the ride, checking brakes work, the chain is lubricated, and the tyres set to the correct pressure. 

To register interest add as much or little information to the 20 miler contact form  It does not commit you to attending. Or Email - lv20milers@outlook.com 

Post Ride 


15 persons came along for the ride. Stopping off at Kirkliston Leisure Centre and Almondell Park on the return for ice cream. Dry day, cool to start then warming up.

I though of that while riding my bicycle." Albert Einstein on the Theory of Relativity