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Here's tomorrows route!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46342325
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Hello, hello!
We are excited to release a NEW start point at Figgate Park onto our rota as we seem to be building up a Porty/Musselburgh contingent and like to keep things fair! This week we will go a little further East than we have gone before on a Wednesday so you can look forward to some new sights and route Highlights.
We will meet to the West side of Heron Island by the pond viewing point - here's the map location and visual attached to help you get there but message me if you are still unsure: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AnGBFbrF9Zv7U91i8
Route to follow!
As usual, this is a strictly no-drop ride and 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 bring 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 tyre 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 (if disaster strikes, you will get help)
Our rides are completely self supported which mean we will be there for you as best we can but by signing up for this ride, you agree that Queens of Pain and the ride leaders are not responsible for your safety - you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well being.
Excited to share this new adventure with you!
Ruby. -
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Hello to you brave souls that are still signed up for this birthday bonanza bike ride!
The weather is looking less than optimal but not terrible (hopefully little to no rain) so we're going ahead with the full ride. Adna has supplied some stats on the wind - see attached. Thankfully we are setting off early when the wind is at its lowest but regardless it will be strong on the route to Glasgow which will effect the effort and pace. It also looks chilly in the morning but much warmer as the day passes so start wrapped up and have somewhere to stash layers incase you decide to take them off!
Please bring decent, easy to grab snacks! The headwind on the way out will have us burning energy quickly.
If you decide to switch your direction/avoid the outward headwind, no shame but let me know here so I can keep a track of who we are waiting for at the start and who we are waiting for in Glasgow. We do have a table booked and all going well Adna will be there to grab it for us at 1pm and welcome everyone rolling in.
Any questions ask away. If you'd rather keep it private feel free to WhatsApp me. Really looking forward to this. So cool to be celebrating QoPs birthday with our longest group ride!
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Keeping myself right here!
Both ways: Ruby, Helen, Lindsay, Eve D., Eve B., Alison D. and Emma Y.(7)
Edi > Gla: Aoife, Marisa and Gabi (3)
Gla > Edi: Adna, Morag (2)You are not locked into these so let me know if you change your mind. It just helps me keep track of things.
For full transparency, the weather is looking very blowy and this route is quite exposed. I expect this to change nearer the time because it always does - I’ll be keeping an eye on it and you all updated. If it gets to a point where it looks unsafe I will reconsider the date. It’s important to me that I get you all home as close to 8pm as possible and an 80km headwind will have a big impact on that!
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Here's the route!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45973657
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For basic bike checks here is a good reference:
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2019/everyday-walking-and-cycling/mcheck -
HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY TO QOP!! We have come so far in the last three years so why not pedal far to celebrate it!?
Route Information
Many of you know that you can pootle along the canal path from Edinburgh to Glasgow and back, but for this ride we are going to explore the lesser know, more direct route which follows much of the NCR75. We will set off from Fountainbridge, shortly joining the cycle path at Murrayfield. From there we head past the airport, Ratho Station and saying goodbye to Edinburgh at the Broxburn Viaduct. We keep heading West along mainly shared walkways and off road cycle paths all the way to Coatbridge where we will ride past the west coasts beloved Timecapsule. Sticking to cycleways as best we can we will start to share the roads with cars more often as we head closer to Glasgow. Once there, we will roll in to West Brewery at the edge of Glasgow Green for some lunch and a rest. If the sun is out we can enjoy their extensive outdoor seating, if not they have saved a spot for us indoors. Once everyone is satisfied we will head off to do the whole thing again in reverse!Riding Information
I will be putting a minimum average speed on this event of 21km/h (13mph). The overall route is around 161km (100miles) with lunch booked for 1pm - 3pm. We will set off at 8am with the hope of arriving back at Fountainbridge for 8pm. Adding minimum speeds to rides is not something Queens of Pain like to do as we understand it is a barrier to entry and can be very off putting but for this particular ride I felt it is important to make sure those who join get home at a reasonable time, in as much daylight as possible.There are plenty of stations along the way so there are regular outs if needed. There are also plenty of opportunities for snack and pee stops however, we will try our best to coordinate these as a group to limit faff time - this is a long ride for QoP but if we make good progress we will have more time to relax in Glasgow. Although there are plenty of supply stops, I encourage you to bring all the snacks and liquids you think you might need for a full day in the saddle.
Some of you will be joining us for a one way ride which is great! Please let me know know in the comments if you have signed up to do the out and back or one direction (and which direction that is). I can plot a route from Queens Street Station to West Brewery for anyone who needs it. If spaces fill up but you want to join one way leave a comment and maybe you can be a relay buddy with someone else doing one way!
Safety
As we know, things don’t always go to plan so think about packing extra layers incase the temperatures start to drop or the weather changes: some sort of waterproof layer is essential, we’re in Scotland after all! If you are running tubes, please bring TWO spares and patches as well as all the tools you might need - some of these sections had lot’s of broken glass around during the last recce. If you are tubeless I recommend a Dynaplug repair kit (other types/brands will do but I have found these to be the most effective) and a spare tube just incase!This is a no-drop ride and we will wait at key points to keep the group together but unlike our usual rides I will be encouraging a steady pace as mentioned before. Please have a good check over your bike a few days before hand to make sure it is in full working order. Fully charged lights are a must and we encourage you to wear a helmet!
Our rides are completely self supported which mean we will be there for you as best we can but by signing up for this ride, you agree that Queens of Pain and the ride leaders are not responsible for your safety - you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well being.
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Here is tomorrows route. Keeping it short and sweet:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45835619
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This is looking like the last month of dark starts, spring is upon us! This week we will weave around and explore some of North Edinburgh together on a mix of roads and cycle ways. Final route to follow.
As usual, this is a strictly no-drop ride and 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 bring 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 tyre 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 (if disaster strikes, you will get help)
Our rides are completely self supported which mean we will be there for you as best we can but by signing up for this ride, you agree that Queens of Pain and the ride leaders are not responsible for your safety - you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well being.
I’ve heard that it’s hard to get women on bikes. That can’t be right, surely?!
Keep pedalling, see you Wednesday,
Ruby. -
We might need to brace ourselves this week for the return of another cold spell but we can cuddle together in a QoP gang to generate some heat! Might be wise to pack some extra layers and get your thickest cosiest socks on!
Setting off from Leith Links at 7pm this is a strictly no-drop ride and 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 bring 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 tyre 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 (if disaster strikes, you will get help)
Our rides are completely self supported which mean we will be there for you as best we can but by signing up for this ride, you agree that Queens of Pain and the ride leaders are not responsible for your safety - you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and wellbeing.
Route to follow.
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Here's the route I have in mind. Subject to change closer to the time but this will give an idea of where we are going: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45273138
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Congratulations, you have conquered the first week of 2024! Come join us for a coffee and some brekkie at MILK Cafe to kick off what is bound to be a great year of cycling adventures.
We'll meet at Milk at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop at 9am. We will depart the coffee shop for 10am at the latest to do a 20-25km cycle loop out towards Dalmeny Estate: Route to follow. Bring a lock, there is plenty of space outside for bikes.
This will be a strictly no-drop ride. 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 tyre 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 (if disaster strikes, you will get help). Our rides are completely self supported which mean we will be there for you as best we can but you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and wellbeing.
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Here's the route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45190136
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It’s not always easy to get out and ride your bike on the cold dark evenings so let’s band together and encourage each other to get pedalling, move our bodies and minds and warm those muscles up! What better way to coax us out the door than coming together to celebrate the Winter Solstice. You will definitely need fully charged lights and a lock for this one!
We will set off from outside John Lewis at 6.30pm on a short pedal around Edinburgh making our way to Newbarns Brewery and Taproom where we have some tables booked. We can lock our bikes together in their courtyard for safekeeping and order in pizza from around the corner. They might also have some hot Christmas drinks available if that’s your thing. Newbarns closes at 10pm but if you’re not quite ready to head home there are plenty more good spots nearby to carry on your night.
As with all our events, these rides are completely self supported which means we will be there for you as best we can but you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being.
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Here's the route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45061042?privacy_code=0bD0J3CvZ7wamnJ7dctIdv1U7h9DXgnH
?privacy_code=0bD0J3CvZ7wamnJ7dctIdv1U7h9DXgnH
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There's nothing quite like the cold, dark days of late November to make you want to curl up under a pile of blankets and wait for spring to come back around. Queens of pain is here to get you out the house and warm your cockles.
Join us on an easy breezy tour of the West of the city. Expect some hills to keep us cozy but take them how you please. Final route to follow in a few days.
Setting off from the Botanics at 7pm this is a strictly no-drop ride and 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 bring 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 tyre 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 (if disaster strikes, you will get help)
Our rides are completely self supported which mean we will be there for you as best we can but by signing up for this ride, you agree that Queens of Pain and the ride leaders are not responsible for your safety - you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and wellbeing.
Space free, grab it quick! X