The Forth Bridges from Main St, Dalmeny

Sunday is the last Spokes Ride of 2016. Its a cold, crisp day, just below 0 at my house. However, as Saturday was dry, there's no ice. Six people turn up.

We're off to Aberdour again. Unlike last month, Fountainbridge is quiet, but the roadworks are still there. A bit of a delay. Soon, we're off along, down the cycle steps to Dalry Rd, to Russell Rd and on to the cycle path.

There is a little bit of frost on the path as we head up towards Silverknowes, and across to Barnton Rd. As we descend on the path between the golf courses, the temperature drops below 0. It rises as we head up to Barnton Rd West, but drops again at Cramond Brig.

The Kirkliston flyover is closed, so we have to follow National Cycle Route 1 to Dalmeny, along the busy A90. The route is much better than the old narrow track that used to exist here, consisting of smooth tarmac. At Chapel Gate, we leave the path and follow a quiet road to Dalmeny. I have to stop here as I have broken a spoke on my rear wheel. there's also a nice view of the bridges, Above. From Dalmeny, its on to a new path through the new housing estate to South Queensferry and the Forth Road Bridge.

Crossing the Forth, there are quite a few cyclists heading south. I'm not sure they can see us very well because of the sun. A few of them have to swerve when the suddenly realise there are cyclists heading north. Good job we're not going too fast then. From the bridge, we weave our way through roadworks on to Hope Street for Inverkeithing.

From the town centre, its down to the coastal path. The sun glistens off the Forth. The temperature feels OK. My hands are not nipping anymore.
The path is quite busy with walkers, so we're taking it nice and easy on the corners. I'm also trying to keep the group together as the Dalgety Bay is a bit of a maze.

On Moray Way, we have a nice straight road to St.Colme Drive and the Path of Gavin to access Beech Ave. At this time of year, the beech trees have shed all their leaves, there are no daffodils, and the snowdrops are still sleeping at St. Colme House. Beech Ave turns in to a path here, quite a rough path that jolts the body a bit. There's a slight climb, and then down to Aberdour itself.

Lunch this time is at the Aberdour Hotel. I have a nice mushroom and chestnut risotto and a sticky toffee pudding. 

After a lovely lunch its time to return. Unfortunately one person seems to have a slow puncture, so the inner tube is replaced, and a piece of glass is indeed found in the tyre. We set off a little late, so we cannot stop. Its back along Beech Ave, then down along the coast from St. Bridget's Chapel to the Ross Plantation. The maze of Dalgety Bay is negotiated without much of a problem.

As we cycle along the cycle path back to Inverkeithing, the sun is getting lower in the sky. We climb up to Inverkeithing. Everyone gets a breather. We avoid the weaving path and take the road to join the path that takes us on to the Forth Bridge. As we cross the Forth, the sun sets behind some clouds.

From here on, it lights all the way. In a group ride, front lights should be set to steady, as it is distracting. We follow National Cycle Route back along the A90. At Burnshot we have to wait as another rider now has a puncture. We don't have to wait too long, and we are soon on our way again. The official end of the ride is at Cramond Brig. That means people can peel off when convenient as we cycle along the cycle path. No one has to cycle back to Russell Rd. One person leaves at Silverknowes, a few more at Craigleith.

The rest of us cycle to the real end of the ride at Russell Rd. Its getting cold again. I can't wait to get home and have a shower to warm up. Its been a nice day out. 58.5km.