Date: 15th April 2010

  

There’s only two weeks left to sign up for the first annual SEStran Megacycle; an all-abilities cycling event that aims to promote cycling for fun, exercise and transportation.

 

The ride, which builds on the success of the Homecoming 2009 cycle event,  has been adopted by SEStran as part of its campaign to promote cycling for health and as a form of transportation for shorter journeys.

 

The 20 mile route follows mostly traffic free roads, tracing the former railtrack from Penicuik to Dalkeith, It then meanders alongside the River Esk to its mouth at the Forth, ending in the grounds of the mining museum at Prestongrange.

 All participants who complete the course will receive a t-shirt, medal and goody bag. Musical entertainment will be provided at the Penicuik start and the Prestongrange finish, while midway, at Dalkeith Palace grounds many spectators and riders are expected to pic-nic and replenish their energies.

SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie said :

“SEStran is committed towards encouraging cycling as a form of transportation for shorter journeys. We chose to adopt the SEStran Megacycle because it is so inclusive. Its pitched at a level where people of all ages and levels of ability can give it a try. You don’t need to be a super athlete or own an expensive bicycle. Just come along on the day and go at your own pace”.

“If more people take up cycling, it will help tackle congestion on the region’s roads. It will also contribute towards reducing our carbon footprint. All-ability events like this are an important way of getting people involved. If we want to keep the region moving, the more people who take up cycling as a form of transport for shorter journeys the better.  Its great exercise – and its fun”.

Organiser, Quintin Young, who founded the orioginal Megacycle event in 2009 added :

 

“We organised the Megacycle in 2009, as part of the Homecoming event and were surprised and pleased by the level of interest. People got an opportunity to see some of the beautiful parts of the Lothians that are really best experienced on foot or from the back of a cycle.

 

“Kids under 16 go free and transport for people and cycles is available from Prestongrange both before and after the event. This should make it more affordable and a lot easier to access for family groups; particularly those with young children”.

 

To register or find out more, visit the SEStran Megacycle website at : http://www.sestran-megacycle.co.uk

 ENDS

SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Fife.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Dougal,

SEStran Communications Officer

T: 0131-524-5161

M: 07889-010-291

E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk 

Notes  

1.   Event Schedule 

11.00am Prestongrange Car Park. Buses & Trucks begin uplift of riders & bikes for transfer to Penicuik.

12.00 noon. Riders start to assemble and register at Penicuik Playing Field.

12.30pm Entertainment begins in Penicuik High Street.

1.00pm Riders enter the official Start area in High Street.

• Official send off for first riders. Others follow over the next hour. Ride follows Penicuik to Dalkeith path.
• Rest/water available at Rosewell junction. Ride continues on Path to Dalkeith.
• Dalkeith Palace grounds. Food & drink available at Stables cafe/bistro - or bring your own picnic. Ride continues through Palace grounds, onto R.Esk path, through Musselburgh, round lagoons to Finish at Prestongrange.
• Prestongrange Finish Line with medals, etc., food and drink. Join in free all day festivities of "Art of Production" event at Prestongrange.

4.30pm Buses & Trucks begin uplift back to Penicuik.

5.30pm Event ends. (Course will be checked) 

2.    Route 

1.Assembly at Penicuik Rugby Club
2. START: Penicuik High Street (marshal)
3.Left onto Bridge Street
4.Left onto Valleyfield Road
5.Continue onto Penicuik/Dalkeith cycle path
6.Continue on to car park at Rosewell (water stop)
7.Cross A6094 (marshal)
8.Cross B7003 and continue Penicuik/Dalkeith cycle path
9.Cross B704 and continue Penicuik/Dalkeith cycle path
10. Cross A7 (bridge) right turn and continue Penicuik/Dalkeith cycle path
11. Turn left and continue Penicuik/Dalkeith cycle path
12. Turn right to Dalkeith and continue Penicuik/Dalkeith cycle path
13. Turn right & left onto A6094 Eskbank Road (Marshal).
14. Follow Dalkeith High Street (observing traffic controls).
15. Into Dalkeith Palace Grounds (food/drink)
16. Exit Palace Grounds at Lodge exit (marshal).
17. Left onto A6094
18. Turn left onto Cowpits Road
19. Left onto Dalkeith/Musselburgh cycle path
20. Follow riverside onto Station Road (water stop)
21. DISMOUNT! turn left onto footbridge
22. Turn right then left across Eskview Terrace (using traffic lights) then right across Olivebank Road (using traffic lights).
23. REMOUNT! onto Eskside West
24. Pass under Bridge Street by pedestrian path (low headroom!!), Continue onto Eskside West.
25. Turn right onto footbridge
26. Turn left onto Goose Green Crescent
27. Continue to Goose Green Place
28. Follow on to path around lagoons
29. Continue on paths to Prestongrange adjacent B1438
30. Cross B1438 (marshal) into Prestongrange grounds.
31. Turn left and follow road to Power House
32. FINISH 

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