Saturday 11th April Ride to Harburn & West Calder

 Note change of date from 4th to 11th due to Easter Holiday

Now that spring is here it's time to get your bike out, give it a clean, check it is in working order, brakes working, chain lubricated, tyres pumped up to the correct pressure and join us on a leisurely ride on Saturday 11th April.  

Meet at Howden Park Centre for 10:30 start.  

Route Map
 

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

Howden Park - Lanthorn Centre, Dedridge Pond, Livingston South Station, Murieston Trail - Skivo, (short hill, ok to get off and walk) - Harburn - quiet back roads to Harwood and West Calder. Toilets and refreshments at West Calder Community Center. There is a machine serving hot and cold drinks. Bring something to eat or buy at nearby shop.

From West Calder, we take a woodland path skirting Polbeth to Bellsquarry and path for the return by Adambrae - Livingston Village and back to HPC. Work on the path is currently being carried out on behalf of the Council through Community Links match funding from Sustrans to give the path a weather proof surface.

The distance is about 16 miles. You can also meet up and 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. Jeans are not recommended. Take a waterproof, snacks and bottle of water, spare inner tube and small tool kit for your bike. Ensure your bike is in good working order. 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 

After a week of warm sunny weather Saturdays forecast was showing a mix of sun with occasional showers and winds of 20mph.  

11 turned up including 3 newcomers. Some others probably looked at the forecast and decided not to come this time. Always a tricky decision when the forecast looks doubtful, maybe next time.  

We set off  in a cool breeze with blue skies and as we approached the short climb at Skivo the skies to the west darkened  and soon turned to sleet blowing into the face as we headed west. As we quickly descended from Harburn blue skies reappeared. It was nice to get to the to the warmth and shelter at West Calder Community Centre. 

The return was with a sunny tail wind along the partly completed Councils & Sustrans match funded Community Links cycle path between West Calder and Polbeth.

 

Apart from the soaking sleet the day was sunny if a bit breezy and cool. 

Next ride is on the 2nd of May 

April News

It's not that you are  "stuck in a traffic jam." It's that you are the traffic jam !  (Harry Horse, SH 05/02/06) 

Saturday 7th February. Broxburn & Brox Burn Path

Meet at Howden Park Centre for 10:30 start. 
  

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

As the days are shorter and colder it will be a short ride of about 12 miles returning between 2 and 3pm. If the colder weather influences your decision not to come that is OK, we may see you another time.

Route Map
HPC - Almondell Park - Union canal path - Brox Burn path through Broxburn. Continue on path to Uphall - short on road section through Uphall to avoid muddy section at Middleton. Refreshment stop at Open Door Cafe East Main Street, Uphall. The cafe is charity run, menu is mainly filled rolls, with nice looking cake. Return by cycle path over an onto A89 path - Dechmont - Onto Livingston path network using Loan Path through Knighsridge and Ladywell - HPC.

A bit of the path through Almondell Park may have some mud, most of the route is on tarmac. Narrow smooth tyres will find some of it a bit bumpy and slippy. There may still be patches of ice on the path between Dechmont and Knightsridge.

There is no need to wear special cycle clothing, something comfy. Jeans are not recommended. Take a waterproof, snacks and bottle of water, spare inner tube and small tool kit for your bike. Ensure your bike is in good working order. 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 low turn out, possibly due to cold days and a cold morning. It did get more comfortable with bright sun and no cold wind. Hopefully those that didn't make it this time will make the next ride on Saturday 7th March.

February News 

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.