Help with coast to coast cycle - Irvine to Musselburgh
- Thread starter dianelc
- Start date
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I can fix a puncture from years ago when I was a kid. I will need to practice tho as I'm sure the tyres are different these days. Not sure what puncture resist means for repairs if anything. I remember using the handle of a spoon to take the outer tyre off.I am relieved
Get some basics asp!
Learn how to change inner tubes at home, taking wheels on and of several times until it becomes routine, specially the back one.
Plenty of YouTube videos to help.
Learn also how to use glueless patches, in case you get multiple punctures.
Do a trial mini tour (or several) when it's raining, it will show up what you need clothing wise.
You don't need a Ridgeback retailer, any bike shop will be able to help.
Have at least one waterproof pannier, so food/phone/ spare socks don't get wet.
Just before Edinburgh you need to go through a short tunnel, take a torch.
You also need to walk the bikes over an aqueduct, this one.
Brandane
Legendary Member
- Location
- Costa Clyde
So can July! And August. May and June too..... Last October was probably the nicest month of the year. Good old Scotland!
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Thanks josh no rush. The help you have all given us is invaluable. The time it is saving me on research is giving me more time to get out on my bike. I originally bought my bike to encourage me to take the kids a five mile cycle to the park or beach instead of taking the car all the time. I can't believe how hooked I am now.
It is costing me a few pennies tho. When my son decided to do this cycle he was riding a kids carrera mountain bike with 20inch wheels. Way to small and overdue an upgrade. He picked up his ridgeback dimension with upgraded gears on Monday. I have ordered his jacket as recommend by pat and also got him a long sleeved Altura cycle jersey exdisplay for £15. And a couple of neck tubes to stop us eating bugs My shopping list is growing. But will need to wait till next month
Do you have a plan of how you are going to get from the canal to Crammond or Musselburgh? I'm an Edinburgh resident, I can make some suggestions...
You've got the option of going via the Innocent railway path directly towards Musselburgh or taking the North Edinburgh path network towards Leith or Crammond
You've got the option of going via the Innocent railway path directly towards Musselburgh or taking the North Edinburgh path network towards Leith or Crammond
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That's my missing link so far. All suggestions welcomed thanks.
Thanks fimm I will look at both of those suggestions on the map. Do you have an opinion on which would be most cycle friendly, keen to stay off roads where possible but aware some overgrown paths may not be ideal either.
Look a bargain for your son. I've got that jacket, it's a good one.
Tyres almost bombproof if you pump them up at the correct pressure, as shown on the tyre wall: look at Schwalbe tyres.
Normally the tyres that come on a new bike are made of cheese
Got the jacket thanks. I've also had a look at my tires as although my bike is a ridgeback frame it was a shop build so not a standard model. The tyres that are on it are specialised borough armadillo. Does this mean they are more hard cheese than cheddar? Or Am I going to be stopping to fix punctures on a regular basis?
- Location
- Glasgow
Sorry can't say, I'm a Schwalbe (make of tyres) exclusive user.
You could post a question about your armadillos on the components forum, or do a forum search.
You could post a question about your armadillos on the components forum, or do a forum search.
Will do thanks and will keep in mind the schwalbe tyres for future replacements.
flake99please
We all scream for ice cream
- Location
- Edinburgh
I would certainly take a 10 year old along the innocent railway path to Musselburgh. If you would like a detailed route from the canal to your destination, let me know. There are several quiet roads which will cut a significant amount of distance off following the canal between Linlithgow & Edinburgh. It all depends on where your route takes you. Depending on where your journey takes you, Im fairly confident that I can find the safest route for you & your son 15 miles west of the city to your final destination. Depending on dates/times I would happily be a guide for you both.
Sorry, I posted and went away for the weekend! I'm with @flake99please that the Innocent would be the way to go. There's one nasty bit that I can think of (between the canal and the Meadows). I'm happy to leave route descriptions to @flake99please as it sounds as though they know the route better than I do (I live west of the city centre so don't go that way very often).