Welcome. On this page, you'll find details of all organised bike rides in or near the Scottish capital. These rides are run by local cycling clubs, groups and individuals, and are mostly free and open to all. If you like the idea of cycling in congenial company with a knowledgeable leader, you're sure to find a run here that's right for your experience and level of fitness.
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Sunset today: 18:20
Edinburgh weather provided by WeatherAPI.com
Updated today
Sunday 30th March 2025 : EasyCycle Short Ride
A short informal ride of 12 - 15 miles, which will be taken at a gentle pace with plenty of stops. These rides are especially suitable for less experienced riders and those who haven't cycled for a while. The route will mainly be on bike paths and quiet roads, and will try to avoid steep hills. There will be a pub or café stop at lunchtime, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Meet: 10:30, in front of Caffè Nero, Lister Square (in the Quartermile). Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Saturday 12th April : Edinburgh 20-Milers
An easy-to-moderate ride, suitable both for occasional cyclists and those with a little more experience. These runs are a good choice for riders who are comfortable pedalling 15 – 20 miles in a day, but might not feel ready for a long strenuous day in the saddle. (If you haven't cycled for a while, or are unsure of your abilities, consider starting with EasyCycle instead; their runs are listed elsewhere on this page.) Most rides are around 20 miles, and are taken at a "sociable" pace (8 – 9 mph over the day, which is not so fast that you can't keep up a conversation). The routes favour bike paths and quiet roads where possible. There is usually a lunch stop at a café or pub, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Most rides end mid afternoon. Route and destination: Details of today's route and destination will be posted here nearer the time. Meet: 10:30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place). Cost and booking: All 20-Milers rides are free with no advance booking. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 20th April : VIE Velo tandem ride for the visually impaired
An easy-paced ride for visually impaired riders using tandems with sighted pilots. These are sociable rides, typically 25 - 35 miles, favouring quiet roads and cycle paths, and including a café stop for lunch. Bikes and helmets are provided, and training is available for those new to tandem riding. The rides usually take place on the first Saturday and third Sunday of the month, throughout the year. Time and place: 09:30, Saughton Park. Most rides end at about 15:30. Cost and booking: The rides are free. Riders are asked to sign up in advance so that the organisers can make the tandem pairings. Further information: See the group's web page or Facebook page, or email The organisers would especially like to hear from visually impaired riders who are keen to get into cycling.
Sunday 27th April : EasyCycle Short Ride
A short informal ride of 12 - 15 miles, which will be taken at a gentle pace with plenty of stops. These rides are especially suitable for less experienced riders and those who haven't cycled for a while. The route will mainly be on bike paths and quiet roads, and will try to avoid steep hills. There will be a pub or café stop at lunchtime, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Meet: 10:30, in front of Caffè Nero, Lister Square (in the Quartermile). Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Monday 5th May to Wednesday 7th May : Mellow Velo Glen Lyon ride
Three days of cycling in and around Glen Lyon. Travel to Pitlochry by train on the first day (trains leave Edinburgh at 08:38 and 09:39) then cycle to Boreland Farm (25 miles). The second day will be an out-and-back ride along Glen Lyon (44 miles). The group will cycle back to Pitlochry on the third day for the return train to Edinburgh (16:20 or 17:35). Accommodation: Ben Lawers Lodge at Boreland Farm (overlooking Loch Tay). Further information and booking: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Tuesday 10th June to Thursday 12th June : Mellow Velo Penrith to Newcastle
A three-day ride across the north of England, mainly following NCN 7. Travel by train to Penrith on the Tuesday, returning from Newcastle on the Thursday. The route will involve 23 miles on the first day, 27 to 30 miles on the second, and 25 miles on the third, with lots of hills, especially on the second day. Accommodation: YHA hostels at Alston and Edmundbyers. Places at these hostels are limited, so advance booking is essential. Further information and booking: See also the Mellow Velo website.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders (part of Cycling UK) have a ride every Wednesday throughout the year. These are moderate-to-fast rides of 40 to 70 miles (40 to 50 miles in winter), aimed at reasonably fit cyclists. The rides include a lunch break either in a village hall (in winter) or in the open air (in summer); in both cases riders should bring a packed lunch. There is usually a café stop in the afternoon. All rides start at 10:00, but the meeting points vary, so please check the current rides list on the group's web site. Riders are asked to book a place by text once the details have been posted on the groups.io email group. If you wish to be added to this group, please email with a few words about yourself.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders (part of Cycling UK) also have a ride every Sunday throughout the year. These are usually 30 to 45 miles, but might occasionally be longer. All rides start at 10:00, but the meeting points vary, so please check the current rides list on the the group's web site. Most rides include a café stop for lunch. Advance booking is required, with numbers usually limited to about 15. Riders should book their place by text once the details have been posted on the groups.io email group. If you wish to be added to this group, please email
with a few words about yourself.
This group has rides every Saturday and Sunday. These are fast rides, aimed at serious cyclists who are interested in cycling at speed in a group and those training to race. Further information: Edinburgh RC (email: ).
Note: The above groups welcome non-members on their rides, but those who cycle with them regularly will be asked to join.
Monday 3rd March 2025 to Monday 19th May 2025 : Ageing Well cycling course
An 11-week course aimed at older people who have not cycled for some years and who now want to regain the confidence to start riding again. The course is not intended for complete beginners, but will be a refresher course on such topics as riding and stopping safely, indicating correctly and the correct use of gears. Bikes and helmets can be supplied if required, but participants are welcome to bring their own. The training will take place in a traffic-free environment. It is run by Ageing Well, a project which aims to promote healthy lifestyles for the over-50s. Time and place: The course takes place every Monday, at the Saughton Sports Centre, Stevenson Drive. Cost: £33 (£3 per session). Further information and booking: Phone 0131 458 2260 or email Follow-up course: An 8-week follow-up course is planned, in which participants will cycle on Edinburgh's bike path network.
Friday 21st March : Bicycle treasure hunt
A family-friendly challenge around the Meadows, with exciting prizes. The event is organised by the Cargo Bike Movement Hub, but "all wheels are welcome". Starts at 12:00, with prize-giving at 16:00 and a "ceremony" at 19:00. For further information, see the organiser's website.
Wednesday 26th March : Cargo bike training session
A chance to develop your skills and improve your confidence in riding an electrically assisted "long john" style cargo bike. The session will be of most benefit to competent cyclists who already have experience of city cycling. Time and place: 13:00 to 16:00. at the Cargo Bike Movement Hub, 141 Lauriston Place. Cost: Free. Further information and booking: Email
Sunday 30th March : Mellow Velo Day Ride
Mellow Velo's first outing of the season: a 27-mile ride to Blackness by way of the Dalmeny Estate, South Queensferry and the Hopetoun Estate, returning via Philpstoun and Kirkliston, and with a lunch stop at the Lobster Pot in Blackness. The ride is open to all, but advance bookings are requested for the lunch. Time and place: Meet at 10:30, at Cramond Brig. Further information and booking: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Saturday 12th April : Wee Spoke Hub Training Workshop
A training session aimed at new bike users, covering basic bike maintenance, safety issues and "being a responsible bike owner". Time and place: 11:00 to 13:00, at the Wee Spoke Hub, 13 Guthrie Street. Cost and booking: £15 per person. Places are limited, so book in advance here. More information (including details of their frequent DIY maintenance sessions): see the Wee Spoke Hub website.
Wednesday 30th April : Spokes Public Meeting-Meet the Transport Convener
Spokes' first public meeting of 2025 will be addressed by Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, who recently took over as Edinburgh's transport convener. He will speak on the place of cycling within the city's overall transport policies, and what we can expect to see happening in the coming year. Also speaking will be Deborah Paton, Head of Transport, Strategy and Partnership at the Council. Cost: The meeting is free and open to all. Time: Doors open 18:45 for coffee, stalls and informal chat (including a stall where you can join Spokes or renew your membership). The meeting starts at 19:30 and ends at 21:30. Place: Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Further information: Email or phone07982 278936. A link to more information on Spokes' website will be posted here when it becomes available.
Newhaven Harbour
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The bicycle had, and still has, a humane, almost classical moderation in the kind of pleasure it offers. It is the kind of machine that a Hellenistic Greek might have invented and ridden.”
J.B. Jackson
Browse all articles on this site
Bike Station
A community project that accepts donated bikes from members of the public and recycles them for use by priority groups such as the long term unemployed and the homeless.
CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders
The local branch of Cycling UK. They organise several rides each week and support cycle campaigning activities.
Spokes
A non-party political campaigning group, pressing for better conditions for cyclists, especially in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Falside Castle
Photo: ML
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