Sounds interesting – most bike challenges are on the longer side, so something shorter is a bit different. For sure someone must have ridden this but raced it IDK – Perhaps you could inaugurate things tillyfishes and get a lap on the board?

It would mean absolutely leathering it round central Edinburgh and Arthur’s seat so of course you’re right to highlight discretion – just a thing for personal interest, something to discuss with friends.

Did this three times in lockdown but on a mince tank as I was looking for technical challenges rather than a fast time. Didn’t bother with the castle esplanade but did both Craiglockhart hills. West Craiglockhart hill has a fantastic decent west of the summit which I did regardless which way round you ride the loop. Braids decent due west of summit fun. Calton hill North of summit fun and Corstorphine always good too.  Arthur’s Seat has good stuff but best avoided as you can imagine the carnage if folk started riding it in any quantity.

Ethically it’s a conundrum as the hills are all popular walking spots and the city sections can have busy traffic but if one attempt’s it at dawn in summer before the city wakes up, to me anyways, at least conceptually feels fine.

I’m not sure if you were thinking of setting some sort of semi-official record or defined challenge.  I think if that were the case you’ve just tipped any ethical argument against it – because whilst most people might be sensible and stick to quiet times some will see that as an excuse for blasting towards walkers shouting strava.   It would actually be better if you were to get it officially agreed as an event and temporarily close (or at the very least sign) the risky sections – but that is a lot of work.  The winning runners times are pretty impressive – anyone beating that on a bike is certainly not taking things easy on the descents.  Whilst early morning will be quieter there’s no certainty it will be empty on any of those hills.  If I was the land manager I’d argue that riding a bike there at high speed even at quiet times was not responsible access.

Oh, and it doesn’t matter anyway because Graham Cottingham will set it.

It’s a pretty niche interest. Big Gaz that takes his electric sofa down to the Golfie every second Sunday is probably the most common recreational rider in Edinburgh these days and he’s not going to be doing it, and I don’t think it has the right feel for most gravel riders. It’s also pretty rowdy in places on a gravel bike so I don’t think many folk will do it. I’d not be concerned about the ethics other than going up Arthur’s Seat – it’s the one hill in Scotland you’re definitely not allowed to ride a bike. Setting a challenge up it is asking for trouble.

Very tempted now to see how fast I can do it…

Unfortunately it’s Ten Under this weekend but it’d be a good bit of training afterwards. Is there a map of the checkpoints for the run?

Someone at my work at the time organised a low key fund raising challenge for this. I’m not much in to running so was the lone bike competitor. Probably similar level of ability between quick runners & me at the time, I got back a couple minutes ahead but close. About eight years ago, can’t remember how long it took, about 2 hours I think.

I’d go with the latter, mostly because it keeps any “speeding” cyclists off the shared foot/cycle path section.

I’ve been out and had a crack this morning. Controversial I know, but I’ve done it in reverse as it’s much more bike friendly that way.  It’s stiff, with some steep climbs. Lovely morning for it.

This is only a baseline – I was going at not quite race pace but it could easily be beaten. I made a couple of wrong turns, and someone with a better knowledge of Blackford Hill could get off it much quicker than I did. The traffic lights will also make a big difference – I didn’t jump any. Most annoying hold up was  a security guard at Castle Esplanade which is apparently “not a public space, it’s a government space”.

I’ve submitted the route to the FKT website, let’s see if they like it or not (might be too traffic light heavy for them to approve).

https://www.strava.com/activities/9355031553

Happy to assist you in that one. Coffee, ice cream and beer stop?

I’m really struggling to think of a good ice cream shop on that route. Tips are welcome.