East Lothian History Fest

Join Rebs and Emma on a shortish ride out to East Lothian.

We start at Musselburgh, before heading out to the Ash Lagoons, and then heading to PrestonGrange Museum. Here, we’ll be making a 45 minute stop to look around the museum. If industrial history isnt your thing, dont worry - theres also a very reasonably priced cafe for hot drinks and snacks.

We’ll then be setting off to Prestonpans (via a hill and short stretch of busy road) where we’ll go past the historic Preston Tower. Then it’s onto the Battle of Prestonpans site, before heading into Tranent via the historic 1722 waggonway - one of the earliest ‘railways’ in the UK! We’ll then head down into Ormiston, where we’ll pick up the Pentcaitland Railway Path all the way back to Whitecraig. We’ll then pick up the River Esk path all the eat back to Musselburgh. Lovely!

Rough route here (ignore the starting point at Leith - whole thing should be ar 20 miles): https://strava.app.link/CdX4eu3skJb.

If you feel that cycling from Edinburgh would be too much, you can get the train to Musselburgh Station from Waverley. The station is a 1.7 mile cycle from the start/ end point.

TYPE OF BIKE NEEDED

No skinny tires due to varied surfaces. Please only bring an electric bike if you’re able to carry it unaided up five steps at Prestonpans Station.

SURFACE

Mixed - tarmac, paths, gravel.

OTHER STUFF

We recommend not having anything on directly afterwards, just in case we’re held up for any reason.

RSVPS

RSVPs will open on Saturday, November 16. If there is a forecast for atrocious weather, the ride will be cancelled/postponed or amended. Please check the Meetup site before setting off in the morning! If you have a place or are on the waiting list, PLEASE do update your RSVP to let us know if you can no longer make it, so that others on the waiting list get reasonable notice.

WHAT TO BRING ON THE RIDE
• Two spare inner tubes (right size for your tyres)
• Water (plus extra)
• Snacks for the ride, a packed lunch and money / card
• Waterproofs and layers
• Any medication you might need (e.g. an inhaler or epi-pen), if you wish to let the ride leaders know, you can by DM or on the day

See you there 👋