Sunday 27 September 2015

Indian Summer Sunday; Cycle to Lammer Law...


Sunday dawned a cracker of a day with blue skies and little to no wind,  i was late getting out on the bike and it was near midday as i rode inland for a 3-4 hour ride on the Surly ECR 29+.
Last few posts we have been on the coast, through the heart of East Lothians rich Agricultural countryside,
Now to ride from the coast through the heart of the county and up onto the hills and the roof of East Lothian..
My route took me from Athelstaneford via the old historic Ridge Road, down to Haddington via Aimsfield woods, Lennoxlove Estate, 1/4 mile of road to Bolton Village and the 2 mile trail to Gifford, where via Yester Estate trails i rode the short road up the its end to ride to Lammerlaw...

Garleton Ridge Road...



Lammerlaw looks a long way away, it is indeed off road on trails and tracks at around 14 miles, but there is a bit climbing to get there to the 1732ft summit from home at 40ft above sea level...



The longest descent down to Gifford, will be avoided on the return cycling the old 2 mile Right of Way  to Bolton i cycled a few days ago,


From Gifford village it was through Yester Estate and from Yester Dairy it was a mile or so to the tarmac ends...


And the old road ascends Lammer Law.  This old track has been documented as linked to Prehistoric times and traced back to later medieval when it has since been an important drove road between the old Border district of Lauderdale and Haddingtonshire (now East Lothian)...


Near the Border gate and the ECR gear was not low enough, it was on derailleur gears when i cleaned the climb riding the Capital Trail last June, a minute to catch my breath today allowed me to ride the climb to the gate...



Hopes reservoir...

The Border gate...



Up to the summit cairn...


I used to come up here a lot easier way-by motorcycle!, here is a film from a while back...

dualsport ttr,sunset trailride from coastkid71 on Vimeo.




Back to today...


Looking back home...


Cockenzie minus it`s chimneys...



UK`s second largest wind farm is here on the Lammermuirs...



Largest diameter production wheels on the Lammermuirs too today...  :)


Time to descend to the track....




Freewheeling to Yester Estate and down to Gifford village...




And onto the old 2 Mile Right of Way to Bolton...



And down to Haddington,  great harvest views...









Here at Aimsfield during WW2...  Polish Tanks...
More info and pics here; Polish Army in East Lothian

Leaving Haddington and ascending to the Ridge Road...


And were back to the old Fortified House...


Where we began, 30ish miles later...



Time to head home...



More soon...

Saturday 26 September 2015

Goodbye to a coastal landmark today,

(C) pic courtesy of BBC News/twitter

Thousands watched today from all around Cockenzie as the famous chimney`s were blown and dropped... a sad day to see these go...




Films on YouTube this evening;









Friday 25 September 2015

Big Sky Day; Escape Common Routine...


With midday high tides i headed inland on the Surly ECR on what would turn out to be a 6-7 hour 50ish mile ride mostly off road ride.  Thats how much i love riding the ECR 29+ on trails, It just makes me wanna keep on peddling...
I took in the Tyne Trail to Haddington,   Bolton, Gifford, Bankrugg, Saltoun, Ormiston, Elphinstone, Carberry Tower, Tranent, Macmerry, Gladsmuir, Garletons and home.
All under a big East Lothian sky...
Roll the pics...


Hailes Castle...


Where we put non believers of Fat and plus bikes...






Haddington...




East lothian links to a famous Scottish son...





Bolton...






Heading for Gifford...











Down through Eaglescairn...





ALDI Trail mix-ace!...


West to Saltoun on the old Railway...








From Saltoun it was on to Ormiston on the old Railway, then north to Elphinstone and more old roads to Carberry Tower...



Edinburgh and Lieth...


Last afternoon we will see the twin chimneys of Cockenzie.  Demolition tomorrow 12.30pm...



For more info on RAF Macmerry click Here...


Few road miles to climb the Garleton hills...




Last of the harvest being wrapped up...




Barney Hill, Garlentons...





And home via the Ridge Road...



More soon...