Organised bike rides in and around Edinburgh

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.

Forthcoming rides

Sunday 20th August 2017 : 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).

Thursday 24th August : 20-Milers Evening Ride
The last of the group's evening rides for this summer. This ride will be about 15 miles, taken at a moderate pace (about 10 mph). Note that there will be no meal break. The ride will finish around dusk, so be sure to bring lights (with plenty of spare battery power). Time and place: Meet at 18.30, in front of All Bar One, next to the Sheraton Hotel in Lothian Road.. Cost and booking: The ride is free, with no need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (0131 466 6156, ) or see the ride's blog.

Saturday 26th August : Edinburgh 20-Milers Extra
The fourth of the group's Extra rides for this year. These rides are longer than the usual 20-Milers runs, and go at a slightly faster pace. Today's ride will head into East Lothian, with a lunch stop at the Merryhatton Garden Centre near East Fortune, or bring a picnic if you prefer. The total distance will be about 45 - 50 miles, including some short stretches on main roads. Time and place: The ride will start at Fisherrow Harbour in Musselburgh at 10.30 (this is about six miles from central Edinburgh). Cost and booking: Free; just turn up. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.

Sunday 27th August : 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 27th August : Mellow Velo Day Ride
A liesurely 25-mile ride round the north and west of Edinburgh with a coffee stop at Craigie's Farm and a picnic lunch by the canal in Ratho (bring your own food). Meet: 09.15, at the Rodney Street tunnel (next to Tesco in Broughton Road). Further information: See also the Mellow Velo website.

Tuesday 29th August : CTC Evening Ride
The last of this summer's CTC Tuesday evening runs. These are sociable rides of 15 to 25 miles, and will go at a moderate pace, with the possibility of a short pub stop on the way back. Most rides end around 22.00, or shortly after dark if earlier (be sure to bring lights). Meet: 18.30, at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road [map]. Cost and booking: The ride is free and open to all, but those attending more than a few CTC rides will be asked to join. Further information: Contact Alastair Sim (, 0777 898 2265), or see the CTC Lothians website.

Sunday 3rd September : 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 9th September : 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 10th September : Pedal for Scotland (Glasgow- Edinburgh/Ingliston)
Scotland's largest charity bike ride, in aid of children's charity, STV Appeal. The annual ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh attracts riders of all ages and abilities (6,500 took part in 2016). You ride at your own pace, either on your own or in the company of others. Several rest and refreshment stops are provided along the way. There are three separate rides, as follows. Classic Challenge: Approximately 45 miles, mainly on quiet roads. This is the one that most participants choose. Big Belter: An alternative 93-mile route through the Southern Uplands, aimed at the more serious road cyclist. This has the same start and end points and the same transport arrangements as the main event. Wee Jaunt: A ten-mile ride, starting in Linlithgow and following the same route as the final section of the Classic Challenge. This option is especially suitable for young children and less experienced riders. Registration: Advanced on-line registration required; go to the event's website (see below) and follow the 'Book Now' link for your chosen ride. Costs: Classic Challenge: £28 (£19 children and concessions). Big Belter: £45 (no concessionary rate). Wee jaunt: £8 (£5 children and concessions). These fees are all in addition to sponsorship money. Important note: As was the case in 2016, this ride will start and end in Ingliston - not Edinburgh. Buses to Glasgow will leave from Ingliston in the morning, and the ride will end in Ingliston in the afternoon. Riders will have to make their own way to/from Ingliston, which is nine miles from the city centre via the busy Glasgow Road. Bikes may be taken on Edinburgh trams from Haymarket to Ingliston Park and Ride, but these must be booked in advance (for today only). No other transport will be available between Ingliston and Edinburgh. Transport to Glagow: Transport for bikes and riders is available from Ingliston to the start point in Glasgow in the morning, or back to Glasgow in the evening. The cost is £20 for rider and bike. More information: Phone 0333 300 3485, email , or visit the Pedal for Scotland website.

Sunday 17th September : 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).

Sunday 24th September : 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 1st October : 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)

Regular weekly rides

20-Milers summer evening rides
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. 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 ride's blog.

CTC Tuesday evening rides
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).

Full-day CTC rides
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 .

Edinburgh RC
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.

Other bike-related events

Saturday 12th August 2017 to Monday 28th August 2017 : 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.

Saturday 23rd September to Sunday 24th September : Edinburgh Doors Open Day 2017
A chance to visit buildings of historic or architectural importance that are usually either closed to the public or charge an admission fee. This annual event is not specifically aimed at cyclists, but bike users will find it particularly easy to nip around the city and take in as many of the attractions as possible. All the buildings involved will have free admission for one or both days of the weekend, and most will offer behind-the-scenes tours, exhibitions, talks or other special activities. More information: Pick up a Doors Open Day brochure from your local public library or the Tourist Information Office in Princes Street, or visit the Cockburn Association's website.

Monday 1st January 2018 : Edinburgh Triathlon 2018
The Edinburgh New Years Day Triathlon is a competitive event, but one that's open to everyone: serious triathletes and fun-runners alike (last year, half of all participants were taking part in a triathlon for the first time). Relay teams are welcome. Those taking part will face a 400-metre swim (eight lengths of the Commonwealth Pool), an 11-mile cycle ride (three times round Arthur’s Seat), and a 3½-mile run (once round Arthur’s Seat). There is a separate duathlon for 8 – 15 year-olds; this involves two short runs and a two-kilometre bike ride, all on closed roads. The event is open to spectators. Venue: The event starts and finishes at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Dalkeith Road [map]. The kids' event starts at 11.00, the main race at 12.00. More information: John Whittaker (0131 454 0900), or see the event's web page.

Cycling Edinburgh

Organised bike rides in and around Edinburgh

On this page:

Forthcoming rides

Regular weekly rides

Other bike-related events

Also on this site:

Other local cycling-related web sites:

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