No, this is not a club run! What we have here is a novel railway vehicle that was in use during the Boer war. Railway? Look closely at the wheels and you will see that there are flanges bolted to the outsides of the wheels within the diameter of the tyre and the flanges are actually rolling along railway lines. Why the tyres? Well we could presumably use it on the road as well. Look again: I do not think that those handlebars were meant for turning! And of course there are no brakes and gears. Look also at the 2-up machine: they have handle bars going both up and down; an early solution to the provision of varied riding positions.
There's a full range of runs Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesday evenings, Wednesdays - see the RUNS LIST PAGE.
The vast majority of people want to see traffic levels reduced in the centre of Edinburgh, according to a survey carried out by EDI Group (and reported in the latest edition of "moving Forward news"). 650 people were interviewed in the city centre over the summer and asked how they thought the central area could be improved. The most popular response, 62%, was "less traffic". 50% wanted more pedestrianised areas, and 35% wanted better public transport. Only 25% said "more parking".
The survey found that a high percent of respondents had come into the city by sustainable modes of transport - 46% by bus, 25% walking and 7% by train. Only 19% by car. There was no mention of any coming by bike, presumably they went past so quickly the interviewers never caught them.
The City Council are proposing banning cars from the westbound lanes of Princes Street, (in addition to the existing eastbound ban). Consultation is currently under way with local organisations. The eastbound changes have already benefited cyclists by reducing the traffic and providing a cycle lane, making cycling feel much safer. So we would support similar measures westbound.
The main problems at the moment are in getting to the cycle lanes in the first place. The junction at the West End, for example, is a nightmare.
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is promoting Green Commuter Plans for companies and organisations in the city. A working group has representatives from several major employers including the Royal Bank and the Bank of Scotland. CTC's Cycling Development Officer Gareth George is also involved in working with large companies, advising management on ways of encouraging employees to cycle to work, and the advantages to be gained all round by doing so. The companies gain by having fewer parking spaces to provide for, less traffic in the neighbourhood, and a healthier work force.
Local Authorities will soon be able to introduce mandatory 20mph zones, and the City Council are looking at areas where pilot schemes might be tried out. One is the city centre, another an area on the south side covering Gracemount, Moredun, Alnwickhill, Liberton, Gilmerton and Burdiehouse. Most roads would have 20mph limits, but the major transport routes would not be included. As the 'number one' deterrent to cycling is vehicle speeds, cycling can only benefit from such measures. (I suppose our fast members will just have to stick to the main roads from now on).
With road works and the Christmas /New Year rush, traffic on the city bypass has been reduced to a crawl for weeks. So now we know why the Scottish Office wants to ban cycles - they'd be the fastest thing on the road, and motorists might get annoyed! (Only joking - who'd want to cycle in that soup of pollution anyway ?!)
Buses and trains can be used to take you and your bike out of the city for leisure rides in the country. ScotRail has recently changed policy and does not now charge for bikes, and if you travel at off-peak times fares can be really cheap. Here are some suggestions for travel out of Edinburgh
Half-hourly service from Waverley via Haymarket. Trains leave at 06 and 36 past the hour, and return from Bathgate at 09 and 39 mins past the hour. Routes from Bathgate incl de Beecraigs Country Park via Bathgate Hills (some steep hills, great views on a clear day), or the old railway path to Airdrie, now part of national cycle network (easier ride).
Hourly service Monday to Saturday (every 2 hours on Sun) from Haymarket via Waverley. Trains leave Edinburgh at 37 mins past the hour, and leave North Berwick at 20 mins past the hour. From North Berwick there are routes to Dirleton Castle and Yellowcraig on the coast, or in opposite direction via Tantallon Castle to the John Muir Country Park at Tyninghame, and on to East Linton and Haddington.
Half-hourly service from Waverley via Haymarket. Trains leave at 18 and 48 mins past the hour, and from Dunblane at 24 and 54 mins past the hour. From Dunblane one can reach the Trossachs via Doune and Callendar, using back roads, There is a good choice of rides in different directions from Stirling; it is particularly attractive (and a little strenuous) to go west into the Fintry Hills.
By the Glasgow (Queen Street) trains or the Stirling trains from Waverley. Access to Beecraigs, the Bathgate Hills and the Muiravonside Country Park. The canal towpath can be followed west to Falkirk (over the splendid Avon Aqueduct) or east back to Edinburgh through Linlithgow.
There are some other rail options including the line to Glasgow Central via Livingston South. In the next issue I'll make some suggestions for taking bikes on buses to the Borders.
By contrast with the usual solid Wednesday turn-out an unusually small group set off from Firhill in bright and breezy conditions. Always as well to set off into the wind-by the time we had struggled up to Howgate we knew which way it was coming!
After Leadburn and Whim we climbed to Shiplaw Moor to be rewarded with clear views of the Pentland ridge to the right and the Moorfoots rolling away to the left, with the intervening moorland a range of muted orange and browns sprinkled with the vivid green of the conifers.
In Eddleston we bore right by the Meldons, the wind strong by now, strange to be going downhill but pedalling hard. Parking the bikes at George Pennel's in Peebles we were joined by three others and enjoyed lunch at the Green Tree.
As we bowled up the road afterwards we thought the meal must have been exceptionally good [or maybe it was the Green Tree beer-Ed.]. The hills over by Gladhouse soon revealed the strength of the wind however, and some of the descents beyond were alarmingly fast. Just back into town at dusk.
That evening a goodly crowd met at the Clubroom to wash down delicious home-made mince pies with much wine. It was good to see so many 'weel-kent' faces including a few from the past - Andrew, over on a visit from Australia, and Karen, recently returned after some years in Inverness. As usual after an attack by cyclists there was nothing left to take home - but it does make the clearing up easier !
During the evening presentations were made to the winners of the photographic competition, and Don Johnson was awarded the Edward Zoller quaich for his long-time contributions to the life of the DA.
In all, a good ride, a friendly evening, and a memorable day.
Richard Russell
This picture was taken just over 50 years ago (May 1948) at a joint outing of the Lothian (L) and Fife (F) DAs. It is nice to know that some of those shown are still cycling. Richard Russell and Michael Browne (formerly Fife DA) have managed to name everyone.
Standing, left to right, (1) Evelyn Patterson (L); (2) Tom Allen (F); (3) Jack Patterson (L); (4) Richard Russell (L); (5) John Brodie (L); (6) Jimmy O'Malley (L); (7) Tommy O'Malley (L); (8) Bill Clark (F); (9) Willic McDermid (L); (10) Arnie Beveridge (L); (11) May ? (F); (12) Edward Zoller (L); (13) Francis Brown (F); (14) Tommy Scott (L); (15) Bill Brown (F); (16) Jack Brown (F); (17) Alex Brown (L); (18) Mr Smart (F); (19) May Brown (F); (20) Matt Mather (F). Seated (from left) are (21) Jane Brown (F); (22) Mrs Smart (F); (23) Fred Haycox (L); (24) George Fraser (F). The four children directly in front of the sitters are (25) Ailie Brown (F); (26) Joan Brown (F); (27) Maisie Fraser (F); (28) Alex Fraser (F). Adults to the right are (29) George Russell (L); (30) Matt Mather (F). And the other four children at the left; well they are Browns too!
The Wednesday evening social programme continues until Easter at our normal venue -Saughtonhall Community Centre (Saughtonhall Avenue, just west of the Murrayfield ice rink). Start time is 8pm. We meet every Wednesday, even if there is no arranged show.
March 17th: a talk-'Starting the Bike Bus Project' by Harry Henniker.
March 24th: the world's greatest Bike Bag Sale. Your last chance this Millennium to sell your valuable pos_ sessions and buy other people's junk. April 7th: slide show-'A Pot Luck on Scotland' by Denis Callaghan.
April 21st: a Quiz Night devised by Dorothy Jack and Robert Melrose.
A successful ceilidh for DA members and friends was held in the church of the German-speaking Congregation in Chalmers Crescent at the end of October. This proved a good venue as it was central, there was plenty of room for dancing, and the acoustics enabled those who just wanted to blether, to do so without shouting !
Volunteers made heaps of food for the interval, and as one participant commented, he'd never seen food left over at a cyclists' social before!
The new social secretary, Graham Stewart, is beginning to plan and develop the social programme for 1999-2000. A number of enthusiastic members have expressed an interest in reintroducing Scottish Country Dancing as a regular item in the DA's social calendar. Offers of assistance from anyone who may have experience in Scottish Country or Ceilidh dancing or even Texas Line Dancing would very much welcome. Other ideas or suggestions for the forthcoming social programme also welcome. Please contact on (0131) 336 3463.
Believe it or not, my spell checker refused to accept 'cyclepath' and suggested replacing it by 'psychopath'. Jokes based on the phonetic similarity of cycle and psycho (usually before -path !) pop up from time to time. Heard this one ?
Black tarmac rushes into bar shouting "I'm hard! I'm very hard! Get me a pint quick!" Barman starts pulling when in storms Red Tarmac, yelling "I'm hard! I'm hard as rock! Get me a pint!" (Expletives deleted)
Barman finishes pulling and hands pint to Red Tarmac. Black Tarmac screams "I was here first, why are you serving him?"
Barman: "’cause he's a cyclepath"
(Awfie joke I know, send me some better ones - Ed.)
A group of cyclists were driving up the A1 and saw someone on a bike ahead. As this is fairly unusual there were comments -'cyclist ahead' - but as they passed him the comments changed to 'no - not a cyclist!' Why?
Because the guy was carrying a bag on his back, and all 'real' cyclists know never to carry anything on your back (or on any other part of the person for that matter). It's incredibly inefficient and saps a lot of energy.
Might be OK for short distances but it's much better to get a carrier, or a saddle bag, for any luggage.
Unfortunately bikes are sold these days without any means of carrying anything. A 'touring' bike however should come equipped at least with a carrier rack. Racks should really be standard equipment for any bike, along with lights, a bell and a purnp. Make sure your bike has one.
The club hut near Broughton is an ideal centre for exploring the Scottish Border country. For more information and bookings (from individuals and clubs) please contact Jimmy Murray on 0131 448 2421.
Bill Brockie, Rector of St Martin's Church in Dalry, is looking for people to take part in a week-long sponsored cycle ride to Santiago da Compostela in northern Spain, in May 1999. Each participant pays £200 which covers everything except transport down to London and back, and has to raise a minimum of £2000 in sponsorship. The money is for a local charity, Barony Trust, which houses and looks after people who have been in institutional care. For more details contact Bill on 337 5493.
Velo Club West Lothian is a new cycling club based out of Whitburn which shortly plan to affiliate to the CTC. We currently have around 10 members, the youngest 11 years and the oldest (well he won't tell us!). Currently rides (around local country lanes) are planned for 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month until the end of March, more often from April. We would like to invite existing and new CTC members to come on our rides and maybe take an active role in our new Club. For more information on rides or Club ring Jon or Sue Hook on 01501 744727 or Email for info on 101551.1406@compuserve.com
Last month I asked: "How do you balance a bicycle?" If you begin to topple to the left; how do you regain your balance? What do you push against to get upright?
The answer is that if falling to the left then turn to the left. Think of what happens when we deliberately turn left. There is a centrifugal force which pushes your centre of gravity to the right and we compensate this by deliberately leaning to the left. All the time we ride we make tiny corrections of this kind to preserve our balance.
In fact it is not so simple. In calculating the motion we have to take into account the fact that the front wheel behaves as a gyroscope and when we disturb a gyroscope we force it to precess, i.e. the wheel resists the turn and helps us stay upright. That is why balance is easier at higher speeds.
A question for this issue. Which is the most energy efficient: chainring 50, rear sprocket 12 or a combination of chainring 75 and sprocket 18?