John Muir Way by Bike

Too wet to take photos along this final stretch.  The first bit along the Strathkelvin cycle path was easy going but wet, dull and dreich.  After Strathblane the route started to let its hair down with a steep climb on a gravel track and a downhill that included a rock filled descent - fine for mountain bikes (except for those with dodgy brakes)  but not so easy on my touring bike.  The route then followed the West Highland Way on flat but puddle filled tracks until Croftamie.  The final stretch to Helensburgh was straightforward and dry along minor roads and cycle tracks. All straightforward except for a wee tumble I took into a hedge after hitting the edge of  raised draincover. Special mention has to go to wee Charlotte who managed the whole 57 miles 'without putting a foot down' on any of the hills. Phenomenal!!

Nice spot for lunch just off the Way.  Be careful though, the signs here give directions for the Thomas Muir Way.  You'll end up in Glasgow if you follow his Way.  John's Way follows the Strathkelvin railway path to Strathblane.  The rain started pouring down just before we stopped and didn't really relent for 4 hours.   This is Alan trying to decide whether to get going again after lunch.

A wee rest at one of the locks at Twechar. Lovely easy route along the Forth and Clyde canal to Kirkintilloch. Rain for last three miles into Kirkie where we are now having lunch..  Looks a though we might hit a bit more rain along the way. 20 miles down, 35 to go.

Busy at the Falkirk Wheel. A half hour stop to watch the wheel in operation.

Easy ride on cycle paths to the Kelpies passing the Falkirk stadium on the way. They are doing a great job of regenerating the area. Canal and house boats for rent on the canal here.

Impressive - photo shoots in progress.

A long and varied day taken at a nice slow pace.  Alan, Celia and I set off around 9.30  picking up the route at Musselburgh racecourse. Unlike yesterday we followed the waymarked route faithfully. This took us along cycle and canal paths as well as quiet country roads and trails. This took in the Dalmeny and Hopetoun estates where the route was mainly on fine gravel tracks. A revelation was the route through Edinburgh - it took us through the city on a wonderful network of cycle paths to such an extend that we were hardly on a road until the western edges of the city. This included the innocent cycleway, the Union canal path and the Water of Leith path.  Gordon, Julie and the kids drove to South Queensferry where we met them at lunchtime. They set off from there ahead of us. We caught them at Kinneil House near Bo'ness and cycled together to the finish - the last section being once again along the Union canal. We arrived at the hotel (Premier Inn Falkirk East) around 6pm...

Happy lot out on a wee canal trip.

The second longest aquaduct in the UK.  26 metres high and 33 metres long with 12 arches it is an impressive structure The tow path is made of rough cobbles - very difficult to cycle on. Advised to walk it rather than cycle - and that's what we did. Canal had a bit of canal boat traffic, mostly hire boats - including one that looked like a booze barge. The Union canal though is a great cycle cutting serenely through the countryside.

Had to post this view of the three bridges from near the Hopetoun estate. A rough runner event was in progress when we passed through. Looked like fun!

Forth bridges times three.

The new forth crossing is something to behold!

Soup and cheesy pasta with a view.

Lovely beaches in Dalmeny Estate with views over to the three Forth Bridges.

Nice cycling through Dameny estate - mainly gravel tracks with great views over the Forth.

Tough one, 14 percent and long. A wee spell of heavy rain but weather generally been fine.

Great cycling through Edinburgh on cycle and canal paths. Hardly on a road. Met these two doing a cycling survey at Ballgreen tram station.

In one word - wet.  Route out of Dunbar on a long straight path beside a main road in the rain wasn't particularly inspiring. Soon enough though it turned onto country lanes through nice rural countryside with rolling hills. The route crossed a ford (we took the bridge), cut across wheat and bean fields and through a memorial forest of Scots pine. Nice - even in the dull damp conditions. The McGavins stayed with us to near North Berwick- just over 11 miles for the kids. They seemed to enjoy it and didn't complain about the weather or odd steep hill. The relatively slow pace and house fire though had us behind schedule so from North Berwick Alan, Celia and I more on less team time trialled it. Conditions were poor with heavy downpours and dull conditions - it was the right thing to do and we covered the last 20 miles to the Premier Inn in Musselburgh in 90 minutes. Summary Left Dunbar 5.15pm, arrived Musseburgh 8.30. 31.24 miles, 2 hours 34 min cycling time. Avg speed 11.88mp...

As we approached Whitekirk near North Berwick we could see smoke but thought it was a garden fire. When we passed the house we realised it was the house as smoke was pouring from the roof. The fire brigade arrived soon after us but by that time Alan was round the back of the house up a ladder with a small hose trying to put out the fire. The image of him there if full lycra up a ladder had me chuckling all night. 

Pouring with rain but ready to hit the road.

Couldn't resist posting a photo of the Kittiwake nests in Dunbar castle.

Photos of the harbour. Interesting place - a Kittiwake colony nesting in the castle, an old  artillary battery on the harbour wall which has recently been refurbished (filled will artworks and plaques with local quotes) and curious seals in the water, all in what is very much a working harbour.

On the main street in Dunbar, must have cycled passed it three or four times without noticing it. There is a wee museum (free!) covering three floors and a similarly wee bookshop. Not many (haven't seen any!) signs to the John Muir Way although sustrans routes well marked. In a cafe beside the museum now having lunch.

Waiting to depart from Edinburgh Waverley.