Edinburgh to Jedburgh non-scary route please

[edindave]

Hi folks,

The Mrs is doing a run in Jedburgh tomorrow so I might just cycle down there from Edinburgh to meet her afterwards...
Any route recommendations? Other than the A68?

Some nice quiet B roads would be much preferable... but it's all new territory for me I ain't got a clue... so any help or suggestions would be welcome...

I'm also hoping it'll be cloudy tomorrow because a low sun + cars + windy, twisty country roads = scary biscuits from where I'm sitting!

Cheers

Dave

 

[NormanD]

Try Here you can plan a rout to where you need to be 

 

[edindave]

Thanks Norman... I'm having a go at that planner - first time I've used it and I'm instantly impressed with how powerful it is.

I'm plotting a route which take me on the A68 to Pathhead, then b6367 through Crichton, Tynehead toward Falahill. After that it seems I can take the Heriot turn off from the A7 and travel parallel to it towards Fountainhall, on to Stow, then minor road to Langshaw bypassing Galashiels into Melrose.

I could go on but it's probably better cycling than reading!

Anyway thanks again, it's going to be an adventure!

Oh and if anyone can think of any good tips for me... or things to avoid... or showstoppers then I'd be v grateful!

Cheers

Dave

 

[rualexander]

The minor road parallelling the A7 between Heriot and Stow is very nice. The rest of your route sounds good too but I've not cycled the other sections.

 

[edindave]

The minor road parallelling the A7 between Heriot and Stow is very nice. The rest of your route sounds good too but I've not cycled the other sections.

Thanks for that matey!

I'm now zooming in on Google maps and checking out the roads on Satellite view - superb! It's reassuring to see vehicles and white lines on the roads - proves at least they are roads and not just animal tracks!

 

[aberal]

I'm plotting a route which take me on the A68 to Pathhead, then b6367 through Crichton, Tynehead toward Falahill. After that it seems I can take the Heriot turn off from the A7 and travel parallel to it towards Fountainhall, on to Stow, then minor road to Langshaw bypassing Galashiels into Melrose.

Yup, that's the one. I do that area all the time and very nice it is too - at least it is from Pathead. It's virtually impossible to get a direct and quiet route out of Edinburgh without taking ridiculous meandering detours.

The minor road parallelling the A7 between Heriot and Stow is very nice. The rest of your route sounds good too but I've not cycled the other sections.

I'll second that - I've done it and its very nice. Slightly hillier than the A68 but virtually traffic free and nothing but sheep and coos for company. You can see the traffic whizzing by down below you on the A68 and can't help but wonder what their rush is.

 

[edindave]

try this My link .... its an OS map so you can zoom in !

South to Middleton is quiet with a unique character passing some deep cut rivers suprisingly un-edinburgh but certainly not Borders countryside
The next section over the moorfoot hills to Innerleithen is quiet with a nice remote feel to it, the last few miles into Innerleithen is excellent hill countryside. Good cafe in Innerleithen by the name of the "The Whistle Stop Cafe"
Short section on busy road to walkerburn, however when you get onto the south side of the tweed this is the very best part of the whole trip.
The hill after Lindean is steep with a capital F. Once you are at the top and especially if you have a good north westerly behind it will be fast through true borders countryside all the way to Ancrum.
A68 for the last few miles, half of which can be done on a path.

That's a nice route reiver. I've cycled from Innerleithen to Edinburgh through the Moorfoots - when I registered my one and only sub 2 minute mile (so far ). Lovely route... through the golf course, up past the windfarm. Beautiful.

I hadn't thought about heading that far west and it might add a few miles to the trip, but it has certainly given me a serious alternative. Hmmmm... do I just jump onto the B709... dilemma time!!! :?:

Cheers!

Dave

 

[rualexander]

try this My link .... its an OS map so you can zoom in !

South to Middleton is quiet with a unique character passing some deep cut rivers suprisingly un-edinburgh but certainly not Borders countryside
The next section over the moorfoot hills to Innerleithen is quiet with a nice remote feel to it, the last few miles into Innerleithen is excellent hill countryside. Good cafe in Innerleithen by the name of the "The Whistle Stop Cafe"
Short section on busy road to walkerburn, however when you get onto the south side of the tweed this is the very best part of the whole trip.
The hill after Lindean is steep with a capital F. Once you are at the top and especially if you have a good north westerly behind it will be fast through true borders countryside all the way to Ancrum.
A68 for the last few miles, half of which can be done on a path.

Yes the route through the Moorfoots to Innerleithen (B7007 and B709) is excellent but it is a bit of a detour if coming from the east side of Edinburgh which it sounds as if the OP is (via Pathhead and Crichton).
From Innerleithen you don't need to go on the A72 to Walkerburn but can directly join the south Tweed road (NCN 1) at Innerleithen, turn left at the 7 Stanes mountain bike carpark.

 

[edindave]

Yes the route through the Moorfoots to Innerleithen (B7007 and B709) is excellent but it is a bit of a detour if coming from the east side of Edinburgh which it sounds as if the OP is (via Pathhead and Crichton).
From Innerleithen you don't need to go on the A72 to Walkerburn but can directly join the south Tweed road (NCN 1) at Innerleithen, turn left at the 7 Stanes mountain bike carpark.

This is shaping up nicely guys, thanks loads

I've plotted an amended route via Innerleithen on bikehike, and downloaded it to my Edge 705.

And there is a hidden BONUS! The extra miles are going to make this my first metric century!

 

[currystomper]

Try the link below for some ideas

 

[edindave]

Try the link below for some ideas

Can't see your link currystomper...!

 

[currystomper]

Hi Edinburgh Dave

The link was in my signature, http://www.cyclestreets.net/ this site has a great piece of automatic route finding software. put in a start and a destination and it will work out a fast route, a balanced route and a quiet route using all the short cuts and local knowledge that people have programmed into open maps. I've tried it on my old commuting route from fife over the road bridge and into edinburgh. I was very impressed by the route it suggested.


Cheers

CS

 

[edindave]

Hi Edinburgh Dave

The link was in my signature, http://www.cyclestreets.net/ this site has a great piece of automatic route finding software. put in a start and a destination and it will work out a fast route, a balanced route and a quiet route using all the short cuts and local knowledge that people have programmed into open maps. I've tried it on my old commuting route from fife over the road bridge and into edinburgh. I was very impressed by the route it suggested.


Cheers

CS

Thanks CS - bookmarked for my next adventure... couldn't see the link cos I was on my iPhone and it drops the signatures!

 

[edindave]

Woo hoo I made it.

Garmin link here.

I went for the Innerleithen detour as suggested by reiver. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Very hilly, probably the most hills I've done so far.
But that's by first century - 102.3km in fact.

Feeling very pleased now.

Thanks again for the suggestions folks - top place this!

Cheers!
Dave

P.S. The Mrs did well today too, she got a sub-46 min PB at the Jedburgh 10k.

 

[edindave]

Reiver,

Sorry I've only just replied to this - I must admit it got lost along my way...
After that Jedburgh ride I came down with flu, then we had the snow etc., so I must apologise for not responding until now!

Thinking back I'd say the Eyemouth ride was easier, peaking in the middle, whereas the Jedburgh ride was more sustained and got harder towards the end.
The Tantallon loop is pretty flat, but is also exposed so the wind can be a great help

/ hindrance at times

I don't have a lot of knowledge of cycling round this area - there are many more experienced folk on here that do!