Currently without car, and bored of trekking round the hills on my tod (riding buddies aren't very reliable!), so would be good to meet some of the Pentlands riders I know lurk on here, and try out some lesser-ridden routes.

Weather currently looks OK for Saturday, although will no doubt be a bit sloppy by the end of the week!

My sometime riding assassin (kills me every time), who couldn't make Gypsy Glen last week, has asked to go round Gypsy on Saturday.. But if it falls through, definitely be keen. Probably be going up Sunday anyway, if it's of interest.

(minor off-topic q Kit; brilliant landscape clarity on your photos; do you use RAW format by any chance? or solely digital?)

there is a ride which leaves westgarth avenue in Colinton at 10am every saturday which is friendly and open to all. It is loosely associated with ERC (roadies) but don't let that put you off, it really is mtber's 🙂

I would have been up for it but it's my birthday and i'll more than likely be recovering from the night before! I might be more alive on Sunday if that helps?

Sunday is a possibility, aye. I know about the ERC Saturday rides, but keep forgetting to join them!

(Rob, don't usually shoot in RAW. I'm currently photo editor-less, but 99% of photos I take are 10MP JPEGs anyway. Tried taking RAW last weekend but my camera is a bit slow at saving them, so can't take more than 2 or 3 before it stops to chug away onto the memory card.)

PG – hey, a birthday buddy! Mine on Saturday too 8)

Will keep an eye on this & see what entertainment will be had.

Cheers Rob, you too!

Well Saturday has been ruled out for me now, so is Sunday do-able for folk?

Thinking 10am, car park by Bonaly Scout Camp. Route to be made up as we go along!

Sounds good to me!

Sounds good Kit – I rode with you at Dalbeattie the other week. Pencil me in – should be able to make Sun am no prob,

Excellent! Will resurrect this thread during the week to see if we have any more takers.

What end of the hills you guys doing ? Im up the Balerno end.

Hadn't thought about it too much, but depending how many of us there are, I'd like to check out some stuff on/off/around Allermuir and Hillend. However weather might dictate how high we go! And a route could involve heading over Harlaw direction…

I'm off hillwalking on the 10th, but a few of us (well three so far) are planning to head off from Bonaly Corner Shop at 6.30 next Wednesday (14th) for a couple hours night riding.

I'd like to check out some stuff on/off/around Allermuir and Hillend

Not sure how much decent biking there is there. Some great downhills for certain, but most of the uphill stuff would be pushing.

I'm off hillwalking on the 10th, but a few of us (well three so far) are planning to head off from Bonaly Corner Shop at 6.30 next Wednesday (14th) for a couple hours night riding

I could well be up for that.

I'll probably be up in the Pentlands both days, so if you see a black Epic (or a red Inbred or grey Soul) it'll probably be me. I'm also based in Balerno so will be along that end.

IMHO the best bit of riding in the Pentlands is the descent down to Balerno from near Thriepmuir using the trails in the treelines.

Maybe join in for this, so long as the emphasis is on slow! not been on a bike for about 10weeks due to a back injury…

[smug mode]
I would but i will be in San Francisco so i cant.

Maybe another time.
[/smug mode]

they have earthquakes there don't they…. 😯

Sounds a good 'un – have a regular route climbing from Bonaly up to Allermuir, down to Glencorse, (road section) across to Bavelaw, back to & over Black Hill & towards the ranger centre (or the other way round). Good climbing & even some descending! See what the consensus / weather is Sunday..

I would but i will be in San Francisco so i cant

ah, going to the big gay parade thats on then ???

You're more than welcome Kit.

The gay parade is the only reason to go isnt it! hope the GF doesnt mind though eh? 😀

earthquakes….pfft. arent they just theme park rides for tourists they put on?

The unrideable bits on allermuir are very short, and aren't actually unrideable, just require a bit of luck or a sticky rear tyre!

Can i just recommend the Mortonhall area for anyone who hasn't explored it properly. I spent a short night ride last night looping different sections of bone dry rooty singletrack, and i suspect i haven't even ridden everything thats there.

The Balerno descent is lovely and dry at the moment, tried hitting it full speed yesterday with my rigid forks fitted, ouch!

The Balerno descent is lovely and dry at the moment, tried hitting it full speed yesterday with my rigid forks fitted, ouch!

I've been riding it quite a lot lately and the muddy bits have definitely receded a lot in the last couple of weeks. I've ridden it with rigid forks as well and it's definitely hard on the wrists on the rooty bits lower down.

Sounds like this will be a good ride. I might pop along for the night ride too, i'll see how my plans work out.

YetiDave – I'll keep you company 😆