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.
| Sunday | ||
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15° | 16 mph |
| Monday | ||
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16° | 4 mph |
| Tuesday | ||
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13° | 14 mph |
Sunset: 22:04
Updated today
Sunday 25th June 2017 : 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 Peter's Yard café, Middle Meadow Walk. Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (0131 466 6156, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Sunday 2nd July : Spokes
A moderately-paced ride of about 50 miles. These rides are aimed at the averagely-fit cyclist who rides regularly and is comfortable cycling for a reasonable period at 10 to 12 mph. Most rides include a longish lunch stop at a pub or café, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Today's ride should end around 17.00. Meet: 10.00, at the Usher Hall, Lothian Road [map]. Cost and booking: Free, no need to book. Further information: Spokes, or contact Stuart Threlfall (0131 445 7073)
Sunday 2nd July : Logan Strang Memorial Ride and Lunch
A half-day ride in honour of Logan Strang, a stalwart of the Edinburgh cycling community who passed away while on a bike ride in East Lothian earlier this year. All those who knew Logan or who cycled with him are welcome to attend. The ride will be fairly short, and will go at a slow-to-moderate pace. It will be followed by an informal lunch. Those wishing to attend the lunch but not the ride may make their own way to the lunch venue. This event is organised jointly by 20-Milers and EasyCycle. Booking and information: Please email for details of both the ride and the lunch and to book your place.
Saturday 8th July : 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 lunch stop will be posted here nearer the time. Meet: 10.30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place) [map]. Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: Email . See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 16th July : CTC Long
A full-day ride of 40 - 60 miles, taken at a reasonably fast pace. Most rides include a café stop for lunch. Meet: The meeting point for these rides varies, and is only confirmed a few days in advance, on the group's message board. Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: CTC Lothians, or contact Maureen Young (0131 661 3325).
Saturday 22nd July to Sunday 23rd July : Mellow Velo New Lanark Weekend
A weekend of cycling in Lanarkshire. The group will travel by train to Airdrie on the Saturday morning (approximately four trains per hour), then cycle on "pleasant but quite hilly small roads" to Carluke, then on to New Lanark for the overnight stop. On the Sunday they will cycle back to Edinburgh via Livingston. The total distance will be 30 - 40 miles each day. Further information: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Saturday 29th July : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The third of the group's Extra rides for this year. At about 30 - 35 miles, these are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, and go at a slightly faster pace. Further details of today's route and meeting place will be posted here nearer the time. Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: Email . See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sunday 30th July : 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 Peter's Yard café, Middle Meadow Walk. Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (0131 466 6156, ), or see the EasyCycle website.
Saturday 5th August to Sunday 6th August : Mellow Velo Borders Weekend
A weekend of cycling in the Scottish Borders. The group will travel by train to Carlisle on the Saturday morning, then spend the rest of the weekend cycling back to Tweedbank for the train to Edinburgh on the Sunday afternoon. There will be about 35 - 40 miles of cycling each day. Overnight self-catering accommodation has been booked in Newcastleton for the Saturday night, but as this is now full anyone now joining the ride should make their own accommodation arrangements in the village. Further information: See also the Mellow Velo website.
Sunday 6th August : Spokes
A moderately-paced ride of about 50 miles. These rides are aimed at the averagely-fit cyclist who rides regularly and is comfortable cycling for a reasonable period at 10 to 12 mph. Most rides include a longish lunch stop at a pub or café, or bring a picnic if you prefer. Today's ride should end around 17.00. Meet: 10.00, at the Usher Hall, Lothian Road [map]. Cost and booking: Free, no need to book. Further information: Spokes, or contact Stuart Threlfall (0131 445 7073)
Saturday 12th August : 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 lunch stop will be posted here nearer the time. Meet: 10.30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place) [map]. Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: Email . See also the 20-Milers Blog.
Sociable rides taken at the usual 20-Milers slow-to-moderate pace. Most rides are about 15 miles (or slightly longer where daylight permits). The rides take place every Thursday evening from 27th April to 24th August. There might be a pub stop towards the end of the ride, but there is no official meal break. The rides usually finish around dusk, so be sure to bring lights. Time and place: Meet at 18.30, in front of All Bar One, next to the Sheraton Hotel in Lothian Road. Note the change of venue. Cost and booking: The rides are free, with no need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (0131 466 6156, ) or see the rides' blog.
These are moderately-paced sociable rides of 20 to 25 miles, running every Tuesday from 2nd May to the 29th August, starting from the Commonwealth Pool [map] at 18.30 (note: this is half an hour earlier than last year's rides). Rides often include a pub stop on the way home. The rides usually finish after dark, so be sure to bring lights. No need to book: just turn up. Contact: Alastair Sim (, 0777 898 2265).
As well as their frequent Sunday rides (listed in the section above), CTC have longer runs every Wednesday throughout the year. These are moderate-to-fast rides of 50 to 70 miles, aimed at reasonably fit cyclists. The starting times and meeting points vary, so please check the current rides list on the CTC web site, or email .
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.
Thursday 10th August 2017 to Saturday 12th August 2017 : Ned Boulting's Bikeology
A solo comedy Fringe show in which Ned Boulting presents a "ride through the world of bikeology" including "brand new tales from life in the cycling lane" and "the inside scoop on his time at the 2017 Tour de France". Tickets: £15 (£12 concessions) from the Fringe box office or on-line from the Fringe website. Time and place: 14.30 daily (show lasts 75 minutes), at Assembly Checkpoint, 3 Bristo Place.
Saturday 12th August to Monday 28th August : Cycling at the Edinburgh Book Festival
Speakers at this year's book festival include Chris Hoy (Olympic cycling medallist), Dervla Murphy and Jennifer Tough (veterans of several ultra-long-distance bike rides), Elly Blue (speaking on the "social bicycle revolution") and Juliana Buhring (the first woman to circumnavigate the world on a bike). Some of these events might be sold out, but it's worth looking out for returns. Full details and booking: Edinburgh International Book Festival website.
A midsummer's evening on Calton Hill
Photo: ML
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle, it's not going to be satisfying.”
Greg Le Monde
Cycling in Edinburgh - Your Questions Answered
Interested in riding a bike in the Scottish capital? This FAQ will give you the information you need to get started.
Edinburgh Bike Paths: A Cyclist's Guide
How to get from A to B on two wheels.
Escape Edinburgh by Bike
These routes will get you out of the city quickly and safely.
I want to go on a bike ride but I haven't got a bike
How to hire a bicycle - or buy one second hand - in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh to St. Andrews (Lepra) bike ride
Everything you need to know about this popular event.
Browse all articles on this site
Recommended for local cyclists:
Bike Scotland Book One: Central Scotland
Forty short and medium rides in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and further afield, with detailed route descriptions, practical information and high-quality colour maps.
Coast and Castles South (Sustrans Cycle Map)
The offial map of the 200-mile NCN route between Edinburgh and Newcastle, plus other routes in East Lothian, the Borders and Northumberland. Fully waterproof in a plastic sleeve.
More Sustrans maps
Also recommended: 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 Lothians
The local branch of the UK-wide cyclists organisation. They organise two to three rides every 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.
Start of the 2015 Edinburgh to St. Andrews run
Photo: Michael Law
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Site policies. To be eligible for listing on this site, an event must (i) be open to cyclists regardless of their nationality, religion, ethnic group, sex or sexual orientation; (ii) not require the use of a car; (iii) not make it compulsory for adult participants to wear a helmet (Why?).
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