Tree Arch, Humbie

A cold day for the Spokes Ride to Humbie. There were quite a few people, so I had to send some people to buy lunch as I had booked the small café for 12 people, and someone had created another entry for the event on Facebook.

We had a good start down to Musselburgh following National Cycle Route 1 and A199. However at this point one participant broke a gear cable, and had to leave (along with the one person who wasn't coming on the whole ride any way).

From Musselburgh, it was a slow ride along the River Esk Path. Not too bad I thought. However, from Whitecraig, the climbing started. One person was obviously finding this quite difficult. I don't like sending people home, but after the next descent, we would be climbing for next 8km, I had no choice, but to say that person could not continue while we were still very close to Edinburgh, and they could find their way home. In a group situation, I have to think of the individual not making it home from Humbie, as it is quite remote. Also, this has happened to a lesser extent on a previous ride to Humbie, where both the group and individual had issues. I didn't want this happening again.

From Ormiston, 14 of us carried on to Humbie. this involves cycling along the B6371. Some of the road has been resurfaced, so the climbs are ok. I keep the pace slow, ensuring I could see the whole group. We make very good time after the morning's delays. At the high point just before Humbie village I wait for everyone to catch up. There's a tree at this point, shown in the blip.

There's a short descent, followed by an ascent up to Humbie Hub for lunch.

After lunch, we take the Haddington for a wee while, before turning off towards East Saltoun. There are birch trees along that road, part of Petersmuir Wood, usually have some good autumn colours, but this year, most of the trees have already shed their leaves. A nice view of the sky though.

From East Saltoun, we head west through West Saltoun back to the B6371, and reverse route to the A6093. The a road is a bit bumpy in places, but I decide to take the Fordel Dean road. That is a bumpy climb, however, from the top, its mostly all downhill through Crossgateshall and Carberry along the A6124 (they may be A roads, but they are very quiet A roads) back in to Musselburgh.

We stop at Fisherrow Harbour for a comfort break. Then its back along the A199 to Brunstane and then the NCN 1 to Edinburgh and the end of the ride. A bit of a stressful ride in the morning, but everyone else really enjoyed the ride, and that makes up for it.