Yesterday I'd ridden a bit
further than my original plan. It turned out to be handy as I wanted
to get to today's objective of Cramond Island as soon as possible.
There wasn't a particular rush but I needed to be there for the
tide. I was packed up and on my way at 7 a.m. and surprised at the
chilly morning of 4 degC. For the first few miles I was riding on
the cycle track on the old railway and needed my mitts on.
Pittencrieff Park
I reached Dunfermline but instead of continuing east on the cycle track I left
it part way into the town to head south through the narrow streets
and in to Pittencrieff Park. Pittencrieff Park was purchased in 1902
by Dunfermline's most famous son Andrew Carnegie. The cycle track
through the park was extremely interesting and picturesque and also
deserted. Turning left and heading East I cycled up a steep road to
reach the entrance gates to the Dunfermline Abbey. I turn right to
have a look at the ruined area then return back to ride on the
cobbled Street and into Dunfermline town centre. The Abbey was
available for access later on but there was an entrance fee and I
didn't have time for a tour.
Dunfermline
Riding through the centre of the town I
came to the railway station where many people were waiting on the
platforms for the commute to work. Under a pedestrian subway I
crossed the railway to join the road heading east and on to pick up
the main cycle track south towards Inverkeithing. Continuing south I
joined the access to the Forth Road Bridge which is now closed to
general traffic and only open to pedestrians, cycles, buses and
taxis.
Under the railway
I stopped briefly at the memorial stone where the bridge was
officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1964. It was a
pleasant ride over the bridge and I stopped at the midpoint to look
across at the railway bridge to the east. On the south side of the
Firth of Forth I left the bridge through a car park area and headed
to the road at the south end of queensferry where I crossed over to
follow an excellent cycle track that bypassed the town.
Where the Queen opened the Bridge
Forth Road Bridge
It took me
to the road at Dalmeny where I continued east to join the B924 and
an excellent cycle track south east towards Cramond Bridge. It left
the dual carriageway to follow the old road down to the pub where I
normally emerge from the cycle track along the coast. I stayed with
the cycle track which soon vanished and I had to join the main road
to the east and a roundabout where I was able to leave the busy road
and head north towards Cramond.
Doughnuts for lunch
Just after the roundabout was a
Tesco where I could stop to buy water and some doughnuts for lunch.
It was a pleasant ride along the quiet road and then down into Cramond
Village itself. The weather had improved and it was now sunny as I
reached the causeway out to the island. It was still only 10 a.m.
when I arrived but I had to wheel my bike across the first bit as it
was soft and wet sand.
Great camp on Cramond Island
Apples by my camp - I brought some home for cooking
Even on the concrete causeway I had to be careful because of the
slimy covering on the concrete. Eventually the surface improved for
a while making the riding quite easy. Further north and near the
island the concrete began to deteriorate and it was extremely bumpy.
When the causeway ended I had to get off and push my bike across a
mixed surface of sand and rock but soon reached the path up onto the
grass of the island.
Sunset behind the Forth Bridges
Sunset
behind the Forth Bridges
Night view
There were several people around so I didn't want to camp near the
main path and had to push my bike up the steep bank to reach an area
near an apple tree where I could get out of sight of the main path.
I found a good flat spot with views to the west and the Forth
Bridges. This is where I set up camp for the rest of the day. I was
on the main approach flight approach to Edinburgh Airport and it was
interesting seeing a variety of planes coming in to land.
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Whittle Wanderer
