Edinburgh - St Andrews Ride

Aidocp · June 2007

Hi Ive put my self down for the Edinburgh - St Andrews ride, it my 1st time on this ride, what's the terrain like Road bike friendly or would I be better with my Sirrus?

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

Noodley · June 2007

Roads are good enough all the way - I rode it last year on my road bike. It is a good route, with a mix of flat roads and steady climbing - there is one very steep but short climb. I can't make it this year or I would have been there with you. One tip is to get fairly close to the front to avoid getting stuck behind everyone on the route out of Edinburgh.

Aidocp · June 2007

Thanks

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

noggincp · June 2007

tip#1

if you are partial to a nice cake then stop at Freuchie - the church hall there has fantastic tray bakes

oh and it's just 2 miles before that nasty wee climb

maybe those nice polis will stop the traffic on Princes St- I doubt it though

"Tongue sandwiches? Bleah! Eat what? But it's been in somebody else's mouth"

ghitchen · June 2007

When is this? Is there a website with info?

Yes, but apart from the elephants, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Aidocp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ghitchen

When is this? Is there a website with info?

Yes, but apart from the elephants, what have the Romans ever done for us?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Its on the 16th, details can be found here

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

Aidocp · June 2007

Hi its just me again, the route details have come through and it mentions a lunch stop. What is security like at this, do I need to be lugging a lock around with me?

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

Ravenbait · June 2007

You probably won't need a lock. Kinross Rotary Club did it last year.

I will not be there this year as I'm competing in the Edinburgh Triathlon first thing.

Sam

The cross product of Tank Girl and Ellen Ripley:

http://ravenfamily.org
"You might remember that 'annoyed' is my natural state!"

http://gentlemencyclists.org/clubhouse
"Ya'd think we could just attract ants, like normal people."

nwallace · June 2007

1st time on this for me as well

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by noggin
if you are partial to a nice cake then stop at Freuchie - the church hall there has fantastic tray bakes

oh and it's just 2 miles before that nasty wee climb
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hm, Kettlehill :-S
Only ever gone down that hill, in a car.

It could be worse, the most scenic route into St Andrews woudl ahve to be Strathkinness High Road (the route is taking the low road) this would mean dropping from Pitscottie through Kemback to Dairsie bridge (59m to 5m) and then a short sharp climb back up to Knockhill farm (110m) though once you do that other than junctions its all downhill to St Andys.

The route described into St Andrews confused me as we will be comming in on Buchanan Gardens, T Left onto Hepburn gardens. Fork left onto Double Dykes road, across the old station car park and then Circle Left at City road/Market Street junction.

If I had set up the route through St Andrews I would have sent it along South Street instead, then along North Street and Golf Place or even along The Scores to bow Butts. (takes in the sights :-p) but then I might also have taken a coastal route rather than inland.

0845 is a bit early in the morning for me and I have to travel down from NE Fife (the opposite direction would have been better :-p).
I will be the increadibly tired (at all times, just different types of tiredness) one an a Sardar.

chewa · June 2007

You might not find it as busy this year as the weather forecast is not too good so the long drag into St Andrews will be literally that.

The Cleish hills are long and steepish but reasonable, the descent the other side is a bit dicy if you are in a crowd. The Freuchie hill is very steep but short. I usually go up it on 36/24 or 26 but then I'm an old man [:)]

After that, the terrain is fairly rolling and only the wind (predicted from the East) can make it a pain.

If you did the Musselburgh Audax early this year, I'd say tomorrows run is not nearly as hard.

I'll be on a black Sandy Gilchrist (I hope!) haven't decided whether to leave it in town tonight and get train over tomorrow or ride in first thing.

plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens

tombt · June 2007

BBC forecast is now for predominately rain and a strongish northerly wind, about as crap as it gets[:(], still probably better than an easterly, I'll be there with my two daughters.

Fat bloke on a yellow Specialised with two young blondes in tow[:D], if you see me say hello.

Ironic isn't it, that God gave the tortoise a drag factor of 0.03.

Aidocp · June 2007

I'll be the one everybody passes, I hate the wind [}:)]. Still haven't decided which bike I'll take, the Sirrus (grey) or the Bianchi (black). The drops on the Bianchi will hopefully make the wind better but the Sirrus is better equiped for the weather.

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

nwallace · June 2007

I see the hill on the OS map now, West Forthar (farm) 50m of climb in about 400m.

The met office currently have this to say about Tayside and Fife

"Saturday:
A cloudy day is in store with further rain, this heavy at times especially in the east. The strong Northeast winds will make it feel chilly. Maximum temperature 12 C."
Predictide windspeed appears to be aroudn 12 mph though its been measured at 22 today.

Fun.... Not

daowned · June 2007

Sorry about the late notice but I cant find anything on the website, so can anyone tell me a few things.

Can I enter on the day?
How much is it?
Whats the latest time I can start?

I might come over to take in the atmosphere.

BUY ME ON EBAY | BUY ME ON EBAY

daowned · June 2007

Mind you the weather look a bit bad? was it not sunny afew days ago or was it just me it is June isnt it?

My Ebay Sales - Shimano 105 10SPD RH Lever | Assos Equipe Jersey

tombt · June 2007

DAOWNED, entry on the day is œ5.00, leaves market st (behind waverly station) at 8.45am, be there a bit early to register. and yes the weather is officially going to be poop.

Ironic isn't it, that God gave the tortoise a drag factor of 0.03.

daowned · June 2007

Thanks for the info, its a bit to early for us to get over from Glasgow at that time [|)]

My Ebay Sales - Shimano 105 10SPD RH Lever | Assos Equipe Jersey

nwallace · June 2007

Nightmare weather... Well I thought it was

Due to previous issues with side winds pushing me into places i don't want to go eg. A9 at Drumochter summit and the head height barriers on the Tay Road Bridge, I decided to walk quite a bit of the Forth bridge.

Stats:
Started 0900
Finished 1700
Time cycling: 6:15.05
Distance: 107.44km
average speed of 17.1kmh
Amount of Bournevill left 150g (of 200)

chewa · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by nwallace

Nightmare weather... Well I thought it was

Due to previous issues with side winds pushing me into places i don't want to go eg. A9 at Drumochter summit and the head height barriers on the Tay Road Bridge, I decided to walk quite a bit of the Forth bridge.

Stats:
Started 0900
Finished 1700
Time cycling: 6:15.05
Distance: 107.44km
average speed of 17.1kmh
Amount of Bournevill left 150g (of 200)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It was!

The last drag into St A was very difficult.

As I cross the bridge every day I laugh in the face of sidewinds! You get used to it I suppose. I've been over in near 70mph winds.

We started at 8.30, stopped at Kinross for food and coffee and a chat at Freuchie, got into St A at about 2.40.

Average was about 13 mph. I was wearing a heart monitor which showed that over the 6 and a bit hours from Edinburgh to St A (including the stops) my average heart rate was 134, I spent 4 hours 45 over 126, my max was 170!

Interestingly that wasn't at Kettlehill (hill after Freuchie - which I went up at 166bpm) but at the small kick up to the left turn onto the road into Craigrothie, Ceres etc.

Must admit that it was a real challenge given the weather, if I hadn't been with a mate I would have given up and cycled home from Kinross. We got absolutely drowned near the bus garage at Kelty in a real downpour. Even with Gore I was soaking at Kinross.

Chapeau to all who finished.

plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens

nwallace · June 2007

I was out on my todd, I had originally planned to cycle home from St Andrews. I was pretty much dead beat after Ceres, was crawling up the Low Road until I saw Blebo Craigs pop out the mist, unfrotunately i mistook that for Strathkinnes and the short burst of energy died again.
I then saw Strathkinness for real and my speed picked up from 11kmh to 28kmh. Slight mistaking of a barn for the first house in St Andrews, which gave a bit of a hit but once i saw the new housing estate on Buchannan gardens all tiredness disapeared.

Not a huge suprise that your heart rate peaked on the way out of Chance Inn, theres lots of little sharp bits like that in NE Fife, this is probably the steepest, you can't just potter up them!

The corners at the top of the hill that takes you to Burnturk (aka Kettlehill) are called the Cadgers. I would rank it as being worse than Climbing Slochd from Findhorn Bridge.

Can't get to sleep now hmpf.
Etape Caledonia Intermediate next sunday, oops.

Ravenbait · June 2007

I can confirm the weather was dismal. I was charging round Arthur's Seat that morning and it was horrid.

Hope you all had a good time regardless.

Sam

The cross product of Tank Girl and Ellen Ripley:

http://ravenfamily.org
"You might remember that 'annoyed' is my natural state!"

http://gentlemencyclists.org/clubhouse
"Ya'd think we could just attract ants, like normal people."

pneumatic · June 2007

Yes, chapeau to anyone who managed to make it yesterday to the aptly named Martyrs Memorial in St Andrews. ABOMINABLE conditions for a bike ride. That said, I got off to a flyer with every set of traffic lights out of Edinburgh changing to green for me as if by magic.

As I got to Ceres, I joined the route of what used to be my daily commute. That and the three guys standing out in the rain applauding us who told me I was 14th through the village, caused me put my head down for the last 8 miles and attempt a push for the line. I'm still suffering 30 hours later! Still, 12th home in 4hrs53; not bad for a lardy 15 stone desk-bound 40 something.

Etape Caledonia next week. There must be easier ways than this of tackling a mid-life crisis!

Aidocp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by nwallace

I was out on my todd, I had originally planned to cycle home from St Andrews. I was pretty much dead beat after Ceres, was crawling up the Low Road until I saw Blebo Craigs pop out the mist, unfrotunately i mistook that for Strathkinnes and the short burst of energy died again.
I then saw Strathkinness for real and my speed picked up from 11kmh to 28kmh. Slight mistaking of a barn for the first house in St Andrews, which gave a bit of a hit but once i saw the new housing estate on Buchannan gardens all tiredness disapeared.

Not a huge suprise that your heart rate peaked on the way out of Chance Inn, theres lots of little sharp bits like that in NE Fife, this is probably the steepest, you can't just potter up them!

The corners at the top of the hill that takes you to Burnturk (aka Kettlehill) are called the Cadgers. I would rank it as being worse than Climbing Slochd from Findhorn Bridge.

Can't get to sleep now hmpf.
Etape Caledonia Intermediate next sunday, oops.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'd planned to cycle back to my folks in Dunfermline but when I got to St Andrews I was totally drenched and the bike refused to select the 3rd chain ring; so I cycled to Thorton and got a train there. Sods law, it finally stopped raining and that was an easier trip with the wind behind me and mostly downhill.

Respect to the bloke in bare feet, I've been on a few SPOKES rides with him and he never wears shoes. 68 miles no shoes [:0], respect

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

pneumatic · June 2007

With that northeasterly gale, riding back could have been a blast (from behind). I think I probably did the 9 miles back to Ceres in a personal best time, but as I went through the 30 signs, I couldn't read the computer (covered in raindrops) through my specs (covered in raindrops) or push the buttons with my fingers (covered in raindrops and frozen blue). I can't imagine what the barefoot rider must have felt, but like you, I offer him respect.

"Fast and Bulbous." Capt.Beefheart.

Mollie · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ravenbait

I can confirm the weather was dismal. I was charging round Arthur's Seat that morning and it was horrid.

Hope you all had a good time regardless.

Sam

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sam, were you taking part in the European Duathlon Champs?

Ravenbait · June 2007

Mollie: I was taking part in the triathlon prequel to the Duathlon champs. So I got wet in the pool and stayed wet for the rest of the race [B)]!

Such lovely weather we had [xx(].

Just hope it's much improved for the Dumb Run next weekend.

Sam

The cross product of Tank Girl and Ellen Ripley:

http://ravenfamily.org
"You might remember that 'annoyed' is my natural state!"

http://gentlemencyclists.org/clubhouse
"Ya'd think we could just attract ants, like normal people."

nwallace · June 2007

The weather could have been worse than it was, went through Freuchie on the A91 around half 7 with visibliy of aroudn 100 to 150m, and heavy driving rain. Best wash the car has had in ages. It was relativley dry by the time i got there on 2 wheels.

Had I ridden back I woud lahve had a great push along the shared use path (I preffer that path over the road, its usually quiet and the surface is much quicker than the road) to Guardbridge and then turned into the wind to get to Leuchars and then side on to get to Wormit.
Dad was going round in my car with a camera so cycling home sjut evaporated.

gordoncp · June 2007

I've done this ride about 8 or 9 times over the years, and I think that the weather has been pretty good only a couple of times. I think it's about time the organizers put the run on a bit later in the year. I know it's bike week, but I'm sure they'll get more takers, and hence more money, if people know there is a chance of better weather.

chewa · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gordon

I've done this ride about 8 or 9 times over the years, and I think that the weather has been pretty good only a couple of times. I think it's about time the organizers put the run on a bit later in the year. I know it's bike week, but I'm sure they'll get more takers, and hence more money, if people know there is a chance of better weather.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Now if it had been Sunday.................

plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens

Mollie · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ravenbait

Mollie: I was taking part in the triathlon prequel to the Duathlon champs. So I got wet in the pool and stayed wet for the rest of the race [B)]!
<snipped>
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
We might have seen you, on the downhill section after the loch at the top. Mind you we could hardly bear to watch as it was steep, wet, windy, narrow, twisty and lined with kerb-stones. I took some video which I'll put on YouTube later today. Well done on taking part.

Tom.

Mollie · June 2007

Duathlon video now on-line at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBClBMbQSnk
Tom.

Edinburgh - St Andrews Ride

Comments

Categories