Another winters day on the Genesis Cdf; and more old roads

A fun 40 mile cycle loop around the County Roads and cycle routes to Dunbar then into the Hillfoots,
Ware Road to Hedderwick, One of 3 named Ware roads in the County-Seaweed harvesting roads from the last century...

From Dunbar inland and the climb up to Doon Hill...

Impressive views of East Lothian from here past Dunbar and along the coast to North Berwick...

Shows the real flat rich agricultural plain of East Lothian...

To the east the industrial coastline structures of the Le Farge cement works...

I kinda like the buildings!...

Dropping down from Doon Hill and inland along an old road over Pinkerton Hill to The Brunt...

Long derelict cottage...

Real muddy after recent heavy rain...

The Pinkerton Hill road was a public road on the 1926 Dunbar and Lammermuir OS map...

The One inch `Popular` edition  map is one of the best maps to see old roads that once had a tarmac surface and were public, have a look around this map, it is full of old roads long gone. Check out the race course at Hedderwick :)  Link; National Map Libary of Scotland 1926 One Inch Popular edition Dunbar and Lammermuirs

Don't know when this road ceased from being a maintained public road. It still has traces of tarmac visible in places, but is marked as a rough track by 1965 on another map i have...

Cold but a nice winters day...

Yeah!..

Blue sky!..

Along the Hillfoots road to Garvald...

And a detour up another old road i often ride when up here over Sled Hill...

Again back to the 1926 OS Popular map and this road was marked as `indifferent or winding road`!...

Post WW2 this road was deft not in use by the general public as The Government would never had built this Royal Observer Corps Bunker here which opened in May 1963 so close to a public road and possible prying eyes ...

I have never revealed on line the location of this Post-as these bunkers are called, but someone posted pictures of it on Flickr and named the location. Inevitably the Ned's arrived and trashed it, braking the Bilge pump and the bunker flooded.
Sad... Nothing to keep in good condition now, I used to always pump out any water in the sump and leave the place as i found it...

How the bunker is today...

Here it is when i made a video a few years back, but i never revealed its location. The location is easily found on line if you have a genuine interest. When i made the film i had had the perfect track in mind for the film... :)



Moving on and down the big dip past Linplum and i recorded the fasted speed yet on the Cdf!...

30 MPH selfie before the big dip...

Then spun out in top gear and got in behind the drops. Went so fast i got up the other side of the hill!,
And here is proof a place exists called Linplum!...
Cannot comment on if there really is a Treacle Mine there!, but i once sent a postcard from Harris to a friend who lived here addressed Linplum Treacle Mine and he received it!, Someone in Haddington Royal |Mail sorting office had a giggle! :)...

When i stopped for the above pic i checked  the max speed, this speedo is accurate and in MPH!... :)

This is a great bike. a Million miles away from my fatbikes and i think that is how i like it so much as i can go further afield and explore old places, and ride old roads inland around the county...

But the gearing has needed lowering for climbing, esp off road so i bought a Deore 32t cassette, heavy being steel but what i run in a larger size on the Pugsleys as they last 3 or 4 chain lives. And at £12 from CRC a bargain!...

The bike is a revelation now and you can hang in the big 53t ring for longer with the lower central gears. Good modification!...

I also bought this Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative front light which is USB rechargeable and power full enough for road riding. Same quick removable mounts as my old Electron lights which i have brackets for on most bikes so again result!

More Genesis Cdf rides soon...

And some visits to places i have black and white pics of from years ago...

Like this pic in 1942 of Polish Tanks at Aimsfield in Haddington!...

FORTH FAT 14; UK Fatbike Gathering North Berwick 4th to 6th April 2014

Were rolling again in April this year for the second FORTH FAT  Fatbike Gathering here in North Berwick!

Last years inaugural FORTH FAT was Scotland's first publicly advertised UK Fatbike Gathering and the Saturday would see 42 Fatbikes and their owners had turned up by the time we cycled out to the Submarine wrecks at Aberlady Bay and the sunny shone and big fluffy clouds drifted by as we enjoyed a superb days cycling on the coast.
42 fatbikes!-the largest group of fatbikes to date in Europe!...

This year we are rolling with the same format for the weekend for what is going to be a yearly Gathering,
A lot of people around North Berwick were very welcoming to everyone who made it in April 2013 to the first Gathering here-fatbikes are already a common site around here!, and local businesses were happy for a big groups custom at this time of year in early Spring...


Meeting times, and weekends plan;

Friday 4th April; The Quickening!
The Tantallon Caravan & Camping Park is delighted to see us all again this Spring and the on line booking open. To book accommodation if you are camping, camper van, or the wooden wigwam`s click here; Tantallon Caravan &Camping Park

Friday late afternoon and into the evening will be the usual Friday evening like previous Fatbike Gatherings of meeting new arrivals, talking fatbikes, tyre pinching and meeting friends new and old who can make it...
Usually anyone staying in the local B&Bs and some local riders come round to the Gathering campsite too.



Saturday 4th April;
We will ride from the campsite at 10am on the dot. And ride down to the Celtic cross at the Victorian Bathing pond...

Everyone else riding on the Saturday can meet us at the Celtic Cross if they have no ridden up to the campsite before 10am.

Saturday Car Parking;
Being early spring time car parking should be available along the East Road/Marine Parade at the Celtic cross. The Rugby Club public car park has been reduced in size since the new all weather pitch has been constructed but parking is still available there. Parking is free too at the Rugby club along with on the Marine Parade and east of the Celtic cross!.

10.30am we head off!. We will ride via the West beach at North Berwick then on the sandy loam trails of the John Muir Way as last year to Yellowcraig and then on to Gullane-the plan is to get everyone along Gullane and up Gullane Hill from where everyone will be together, some riders will join the group along the way and hopefully we can do a shuttle to Gullane for those that want to save their legs a bit.
From Gullane Hill we descend along to the cliffs then across the Reserve and out to the WW2 sub wrecks at Aberlady Bay. We then will ride the 7 or 8 miles east along the coast back to North Berwick.
Again there will be options along the route to ride the easy flat sand or tackle some of the rocky sections exposed by the low tide.
Once we roll into North Berwick we will go for Fish and chips at North Berwick Fry. We can sit inside-may have to in April!, there is suitable space outside for the bikes to be parked. Some of us will always be outside but still bring a lock!...

Saturday evening;
For those that want a beer or two or just socialise we will return to the campsite/B&Bs etc to lock up and secure the bikes, then head down to meet at the `Ship Inn` for 7pm. We will then head along to the `The Auld Hoose` where my friends band is playing-yep a live band for you folks!.

Bike Security;
Due to the publicity of last years FORTH FAT,  Bike security is a priority for Saturday evening, so we will return to campsite/B&B s etc to lock them up secure.


Sunday 5th April;
Sunday morning we will pack up and leave the campsite 10am and drive to Whitekirk Golf and Country Club. Parking up we will  meet up with everyone else who is coming on the Sunday half day cycle, then ride from the car park at 11am.  For directions google Whitekirk Golf and Country Club EH39 5PR

We will ride to Seacliff harbour, then ride east along the coast to Peffersands where you can have a go surfing down the dunes-or spectate!, then we will ride on and ride the single track above the coast including the `Secret Trail`, before returning through to Whitekirk Golf and Country Club for lunch-Sunday afternoons is the Carvery. The plan is to  wrap things up around 3pm for everyone who has a long journey home.


Stickers!
Hopefully we will have stickers to hand out to everyone who makes the weekend or one of the two days riding. Maybe some goodies to hand out too!



North Berwick Town;
Everyone be aware of and please adhere to the one way traffic system around North Berwick Town please!.
If approaching the Celtic Cross on Saturday morning from the east  of the town (Marine Parade) drop onto the east beach. pavements are narrow in the town-except out side the Ship Inn/Fish and chip shop so be aware of not blocking pedestrians-esp the elderly!.  Thanks!.

East Coast Weather in April;
April can be one of the coldest months of the year on the Scottish east coast because of the dampness, esp if we get onshore easterlies from the North Shore.
Pack some 100% waterproof jacket, trousers and gloves. bring all your riding gear!,
Prepare for the worst weather, and anything better will be a bonus!,

See you there whether you ride one of , or both days of the weekend. Look forward to new faces who are turning up along with old friends!...

Here is a film from last year..



Any questions post up below!

28th January Public Meeting; for discussion of proposed surfacing of Becky`s Strip Byway at Whitekirk

28th January 7pm at Whitekirk Golf & Country Club is the Public Meeting to discuss the proposed use  and plan to resurface Becky`s Strip Byway.

I have already posted my own views on here on any changes to the natural surface and my interest in this old green road.

I wrote my views from an off road cyclist here on the blog and in a letter to East Lothian Courier.

You can read the Pt 1 blog post on the Byway Here...

And in Pt 2 a copy of my letter to the East Lothian Courier Here...

I love cycling old unmaintained roads with some history. So i hope the Byway remains as it is.
I guess the descision will be made in the interests of what is thought best for the County of East Lothian.

More re surfacing plans;
This is just one route of many that there are plans to resurface. Paths that are perfectly suitable for their purpose as the are.
Did you know Sustrans want to tarmac our Railway line walks?

Pencaitland Railway Path;

Longniddry to Haddington Railway path;

Prestonpans to Cockenzie by Cockenzie Power Station;

Wallyford to Pinkie Path (The Drift) and the link to the station;

New path linking car parks 1 and 2 at Lo

All Weather Surface?;
Some of you may be thinking `brilliant` if an all weather surface, well if the surface is wind dust like the present Railway line path is from Longniddry then yes it is all weather, drains and so has little ice in winter, and will not crack up with weed ingress-it can be sprayed etc if necessary..
Haddington to Longniddry Railway walk...

Cycling away from Tarmac;
I like cycling off road;
I like to cycle on the coast.
Cycling the historic old roads that are now green roads which can be linked by grass field boundaries to make up green off road routes,
Cycling the excellent all weather wind dust surfaced routes like our Railway Line paths and a lot of the John Muir Way,
Or just enjoying the miles of natural single track like along the River Tyne path and through a lot of our woodland.

Some have said it is just a muddy track-however becky`s Strip Byway has stood the test of time and people using it for years...

This was August 2012-Our wettest summer on record. The wettest i have every seen Becky`s Strip. It was muddy here south of the site of White Hall Tavern or Inn. yet it drained and recovered fine...

I cycled here in all seasons what ever the weather!...

This is the track this week-mid January after 4 inches of rain fell the previous 2 days- tyre track is a 35 mm cyclocross tyre at 80 psi!. no problem what so ever to cycle over. No wheel spinning, no damage done...

History-The Pilgrims Route;
Becky`s Strip is a mile of unmaintained green road, the only original unmaintained part of the ancient Pilgrims Route from Holy Island in Northumberland. which from Dunbar here in East Lothian ran to Whitekirk then on to North Berwick. Becky's Strip was once a main thoroughfare to North Berwick as can be seen on this old map...

Today;
Today the old Byway is a kind of bit of old road from nowhere to nowhere unless you are using it along with other green roads and grass field boundaries that are all around as part of a days walking, cycling or horse riding, from which an excellent loop can be enjoyed...

Highlighted in green high lighter are green roads and grass field Boundaries around Whitekirk.

NCR 1;
The National Cycle Route No1 is part of the North Sea Cycle Route south of Berwick Upon Tweed in Northumberland. Several miles of this route has been a grass surface for several years and has been cycled by day visitors and luggage laden cycle tourists...

A great use of Becky`s Strip for cycling;
Becky`s Strip Byway may seem an old road from nowhere to nowhere but it is not when you look at off road routes all around Whitekirk.
As a green road you can include Becky`s Strip in a great green lane cross country cycle from North Berwick;
Riding to Kingston, then it is off road all the way across to Balgone estate via grass field boundaries to Becky`s Strip, then more field boundaries to Newbyth, into Binning woods, an option for food at Smeaton or Tyninghame cafes if you want to stop, and then into East Linton from where you can ride off road on more old roads and trails to Dunbar, Haddington, or return to North Berwick on the all weather surface John Muir Way...

Future mowing?;
I have mowed most of Becky`s Strip at it`s southern end and centre and some other surrounding field boundary tracks at Whitekirk for several years with a tractor and flail mower for people to access during the summer months...

I cannot go driving a tractor across any man made artificial surface to mow the sides of the route if resurfaced as i may get blamed for damaging the surface.

See you at Whitekirk on the 28th at 7pm.
Cycle over Becky`s Strip, then follow the track through the Golf Course from the Green keepers Sheds to the Clubhouse,  and turn up on a dirty bike and i will buy you a pint -)