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Getting a bit hard to follow now, but:
- The climb TJ is talking about up to the flagpole at Capelaw ridge is a lot harder than it used to be. The grass seems to be clumped up. I've not cleaned it since 2009, probably would help running a proper tyre on the back even in the dry.
- The steeper of the two tracks from The Howe up to the back of black hill is probably too loose to get up these days. I haven't tried it in a few years though, enjoy going up the other way too much.
- West Kip is a no-go I reckon. Hard to see a good line on it, and ignoring the ground conditions, it is pretty steep on the scale of things. Rest of the five peaks are doable with a decent headwind.
- The climb from The Howe to West Kip is pretty broken up now around the corner, not managed that in a long time, although the only times I've tried it this year have either been with the CX bike or MTB with a single ring.
Everything else mentioned here is ticked off, a fair number in the middle (32-32) or single ring (34-32) too.
Howden Burn climb from Dreghorn
Better get round & have a try or 2 at that again; attempted it a couple of times & just thought 'Nah!'.
rob, good effort on Allermuir
Eh? Must be a mix-up; I live in hope I may someday get up it cleanly, but without a (powered) trials bike I kinda doubt it…
Taking the odd detour over Torduff Hill from bottom of Scalextric, down the west side of the trees on kinda grassy dbl-track then up to the top. Short & sharp, frequent fail through losing traction on damp grass –
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Getting to the same spot by diverting off the path linking scout camp gate to Torduff reservoir, going up to the left, takes a bit of puff too…
not trying to hijack the thread, but for all the ups there has to be downs.
what are the most memorable downs?
i know the Scalectrix, and the drop to Balerno from red moss have been discussed, any other 'choice' recomendations?
Aha, thats the trick though, isn't it? Some of the better descents (such as the Red Moss/Balerno trail) have suffered pretty badly from getting too popular.
I reckon your best bet is to try some of the climbs above and see what you find on the other side 😉
Good point 13th, i know the place well, but there is always more out there!
Derm
I reckon your best bet is to try some of the climbs above and see what you find on the other side
Yes, and in that respect I'd wholeheartedly recommend the Kirk road.
i'm sure i can find something enjoyable after Kirk road!
cheers
The doons are a bit pish by and large, when compared to the climbs which can be epic. It's a massive area an all, but few of the descents rate a big mention IMHO. I ain't complaining, the hills are what they are, but it's slim pickings descent-wise.
The short single track of Black Hill past the spring, and the goat track down from castlelaw way are good. As is red road (the one named on the OS map). Round the front of Allermuir from the top of the Howden Burn is exceptional for about 5 seconds.
There's plenty of opportunity to straightline it down off the tops - known a few EBC bods who would do this. Riding a bike really **** fast down a grassy slope is not my thing, but if you're a downhiller in Edinburgh without a car I guess you can only work with what's on your doorstep.
There's also stuff on white hill which is worth a gander. It's a bit ragged and you'd probably need to be decent to get the most out of, but good fun if that's your style.