Cycling Edinburgh

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.

On this page:

Forthcoming rides

Regular weekly rides

Other bike-related events

 

Tuesday
12°
14 mph
Wednesday

6 mph
Thursday
10°
21 mph

Sunset today: 18:25

Edinburgh weather provided by WeatherAPI.com

 


Updated yesterday

Forthcoming rides

Saturday 23rd March 2024 : 20-Milers CCWEL inaugural ride
An easy-paced half-day ride to mark the official opening of the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL). The ride will follow the entire length of the new segregated bike path but there will also be some short stretches on main roads. The total distance will be about 14 miles, on generally good surfaces and with only a few gentle hills. Time and place: The ride will start at 10:30, at the north end of Middle Meadow Walk (junction of Lauriston Place). It will finish back at the Meadows at about 13:00. Cost and booking: Like all 20-Milers rides, this one is free and open to all, with no advance booking. Further information: Email See also the 20-Milers Blog.

Sunday 24th 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.

Sunday 31st March : 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. With the return of British Summer Time, this ride will be slightly longer than of late, ending mid aftenoon and with a pub or café stop at lunchtime (or bring a picnic if you prefer). Meet: 10:30, in front of Söderberg café, Middle Meadow Walk. Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.

Saturday 6th 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.

Saturday 13th 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 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 28th 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 Söderberg café, Middle Meadow Walk. Cost and booking: Free. No need to book; just turn up. Further information: Jim Cameron (07760 455 819, ), or see the EasyCycle website.

Back to top

Regular weekly rides

CTC Wednesday rides
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 Sunday rides
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.

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.

Back to top

Other bike-related events

Wednesday 20th March 2024 : CCWEL official opening
An event to mark the opening of the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL). This is the mainly segregated cycling route between Roseburn and York Place, connecting with the Roseburn path (NCN 1) and the new bike route along Leith Walk. Time and place: The event will take place outside the Four Points hotel in Haymarket Terrace from 11:30 to 14:30. Further information: For details of the route, see the CCWEL site. Unfortunately, the site has no further information about the official opening.

Saturday 13th 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: £3.96 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.

Friday 31st May to Sunday 9th June : Edinburgh Festival of Cycling 2024
Details of this year's events will be posted here as soon as they are available. In the meantime, note the dates. See also the organiser's website.

Back to top