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Back under the watchful eye of Ruby, we'll be doing a classic John Lewis start.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
See you Wednesday :)
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This last Wednesday ride of the month will be led by adventure queen, Emma C.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
See you Wednesday :)
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Hi everyone,
We've agreed to make the start time of part 2 a bit earlier to accommodate the evenings getting shorter so we will now be meeting at 5.30pm at Alpkit and setting off for 6pm.
Can't wait to see you there!
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Hello, Anna and Ruby here.
We're excited to invite you along to join us on the Queens of Pain, Rapha W100 ride!
The 2020 W100 was Anna's first 100km ride, so it's pretty special to her and really important that we make our ride welcoming to everyone. Don't worry if you have never done that sort of distance before, it will be super supportive. We will be exploring East Lothian on a mix of road and gravel with at least one cafe stop and at a chilled pace.
More info coming soon but we're excited to get an idea of numbers. We will keep you updated with details over the next few weeks but feel free to ask any questions.
Keep on pedalling,
Love Anna & Ruby x
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This weeks ride will be led by the Cargo Bike queen herself, Naomi.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
See you Wednesday :)
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This weeks ride will be led by cat mum Lindsay.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
See you Wednesday :)
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This weeks ride will be led by the lovely Anna.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
See you Wednesday :)
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Hola, amigoose,
This week we will be trying a new start point to keep things interesting. We'll flock together at Fountainbridge by the geese statues and have a gander around the South-West of the city.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
Gotta fly but egg-cited to see you all there!
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Thanks to Naomi for pulling together the route for next Saturday. Not long now!
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Hello! Thank you so much for signing up to Part 1. Part 2 is now ready for sign up - the details need ironed out and we will continue to update the details here as we get closer to the dates. The route will be posted closer to the time once we have done a reeky of it. Times may change but not by much!
Part 2 Itinery
Saturday 27th, 7-7.30pm
Leave from Alpkit Edinburgh, heading towards our camping location on. The ride will be 40(ish)km. Come fed as once we arrive most of the time will be taken up with finding the perfect spot to set up tents and bevy's and getting set up for the night. If you want to bring a bit of supper with you, we won't stop you!Sunday 28th, 7-9am
We won't rush anyone to wake up but wild camping tends to have even the night owls up at a decent time! We will pack up our bikes together and have coffee's and a spot of breakfast before heading back to Alpkit Edinburgh. -
Dearest Queens of Bikepacking, welcome and thank you so much for showing your interest in the SoR X QoP X Alpkit Introduction to Overnight Bikepacking. You are our Guinea pigs, but don’t fear, as a team we have wads of experience and you are in safe and capable hands.
This is our platform for discussion on the lead up to part one of this two part experience. Take advantage of this space to ask questions, offer kit if you have any spare that you are happy to share and make friends with your co-riders.
Part 1 Itinery
9.30am
Meet at Alpkit Edinburgh to discuss the basics of overnight bike packing. *Coffee and nibbles included courtesy of Alpkit.10.30/11am
40(ish)km gravel ride led by key organisers. The route will be plotted by us and we will share this with you nearer the time. It is not necessary for you to have the route as we will stay with you at all times, however we know some people may prefer to have their own access to this.1.30/2pm
We will aim to finish at Alpkit around this time but we are not here to rush through the ride. We want everyone to be comfortable and have the chance to enjoy some of the great scenery we are bound to see!This is a self-supported, no drops, party pace ride with a focus on building confidence and learning more about the experience of outdoor overnight bike packing. We encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone does a basic M-check on their bike - Sustrans have a great resource to walk you through this. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be helpful but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything.
*Please don't rely on this as your main source of fuel. Be sure to eat well beforehand and bring any food you might think you will need.
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Hello! Just outside the external John Lewis entrance by the Paolozzi foot sculpture. See you there!
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Classic Wednesday setting off from John Lewis. Hopefully the good weather continues!
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
C'ya there!
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Do you like bikes and pizza!? Well you've come to the right place!
It's been a while but it's looking like Adna and Ruby will both be on this ride at the same time, for the first time in a long time. You lucky people! Let's celebrate with pizza! Of course there are no obligations but we will be ending this weeks ride at Civerinos Slice in Portobello and we would love for you to stick around after to join us.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. The days are long now but fully charged lights are a must incase we get held up and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube or plugs to fix a puncture is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
Ride on babes!
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A Classico John Lewis start this week with Emily taking the lead on a nice wee beach pootle down the innocent railway path to Joppa and back along the Porty promenade.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. Fully charged lights are a must and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube to fix a flat tire is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
See you there!
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No worries Flora. Thanks for letting us know!
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Hello besties!
What better way to spend National Best Friend Day than riding about the city with your cycling buddies!?! (the answer is none, there's no better way!).
We'll be setting of at the usual time from the Meadows Pavillion with Alison leading the way - route to follow.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. Fully charged lights are a must and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube to fix a flat tire is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
Catch you on the flip side!
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Hey bike fam,
This week we will be pedalling to generate good juju for Adna on her All Points North journey this year. We will be rehashing the same route we used when she returned home safe last year! We will set off from John Lewis at the usual time, with Ruby leading.
No drops as always. We will wait at key points to keep the group together. These group rides are more about claiming some precious & potholed tarmac space, rather than chasing QOMs. The only essential thing to have is a working bike - any type will do. Fully charged lights are a must and we encourage you to wear a helmet! A small request that everyone checks their brakes beforehand as we want to keep you all safe. A spare tube to fix a flat tire is a must and some tools would be grand but there will always be someone with tools to help out if you need to borrow anything (in case disaster strikes, you will get help with it).
Go, Adna! Go!!
Outliers
A cycling club made up of folk spread around the UK & Ireland
Hi all! Not long now until we set off on our 100km cruise around East Lothian.
Check out the route here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40886976
Although we have done a recon of the route recently, be aware that things can change (new road works for example) and we may have to make adjustments on the day but we will stick to this route as closely as possible. The terrain is around 80% roads and cycle paths and 20% flat gravel. The gravel sections are fairly smooth and not too technical so comfortably doable on a road bike - we tested this at the weekend on 30mm tyres and I have done all these sections before on 26mm tyres, it just depends on your comfortable levels.
Our goal is to make this ride accessible to as many bikes and abilities as possible, riding at party pace, there will be plenty of opportunity to stop and refuel. This is an unsupported ride (albeit in very supportive company), which means brings your own tools, spare tubes, spare lights, plenty of snacks and water, etc. Don't worry if you are not super confident with bike maintenance, there will be lot's of people around that are happy to offer assistance where needed. We encourage those who have gps devices to download the route or keep it handy on your phone. This is a no-drops group, however, in the unlikely event we get separated, it's good to have it to hand.
The food/toilet stops are at various points, including Humbie Hub, The Lantern Rouge, Haddington Tesco, Longniddry (toilets only) and Preston Pans - you won't be judged for a nature pee either ;) It's also wise to consider your layers. Please check the weather before we leave! We're hoping it will be mild but sadly we have no control over this and we don't want people getting cold and/or wet.
Can't wait to see you all and you're beautiful steeds on Sunday. Any questions, leave a comment here or DM us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/queens.of.pain.cc/