5 Places Every Cyclist in Edinburgh Should Know About

Markus Stitz is an endurance cyclist and creator of the Capital Trail. He is also an Edinburgh resident and became the first person to cycle around the world on a singlespeed bike! As founder of www.bikepackingscotland.com he also organises regular events in the city, of which the next one will take place this Thursday. Scroll to the end to find out more!

Anyway, Markus, who is clearly a cycling expert and and expert on cycling in Edinburgh has kindly agreed to share some of Edinburgh’s cycling hotspots you need to know about if you’re into cycling with us. Here are five of his favourite spots to hang out:

1. Ronde Bicycle Cafe (shop and cafe)

If you want a nice latte and some tasty soup, Ronde Bicycle Cafe is your place to go in Stockbridge. Ronde is not just a bike shop that provides bicycles, clothing and accessories, it is also a community of enthusiastic riders who share their love for the sport. You are very likely to meet other cyclists at Ronde and spend more time than you anticipated browsing their exhibitions that change frequently.

2. Gamma Transport Division and Mr. Eion (shop and cafe)

Gamma Transport Division is a unique space in Stockbridge. Gavin and his team build and maintain bikes, exhibit contemporary urban art and serve quality coffee, and you will find great magazines and books to kill time. The owner of Mr. Eion Coffee, just opposite from the shop, is also an avid cyclist, so pop in there for the best hot chocolate powder in Edinburgh.

3. Edinburgh Bike Coop Canonmills (shop and workshop)

If you want to get your bike fixed, then the Edinburgh Bike Coop in Canonmills is your number one address to go. Nowhere else in Edinburgh will you find a mechanic as knowledgeable as Dougie and the shop also offers a good range of bikes, accessories and clothing.

4. Hire a cargo bike from the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling

Hire a cargo bike to have a total different cycling experience of the city. The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling hires out an Urban Arrow cargo bike, which is great to transport heavier items or to cycle your kids around town in. A hire of up to four hours costs a modest £15, for a day you’ll only pay £25. It comes with liability cover and breakdown cover, and pedalling is made easy with an electric motor to assist you.

5. Mountain Bike Track in Meadowfield Park

A wee urban gem, the 260m long mountain bike trail at the very top of Meadowfield Park is hard to find, yet loads of fun to ride. Cycle up on Queen’s Drive until you find the entrance to the park through a gate in the wall, and then head left and you will see a small stone with ‘bike track’ written on it. Possibly the best hidden mountain bike track in Edinburgh.

Adventurous Edinburgh Evening Thursday 16th March at 7pm

Markus will be part of Adventurous Edinburgh, an evening to inspire you to go and find your next adventure, by bike or other means. Host Dan Bailey, editor of UKHillwalking.com and author, will speak to three Edinburgh-based adventurers with very different approaches and backgrounds about their experiences and inspiration. Listen to Geoff Allan, author of the Scottish Bothy Bible, Jenny Tough, who has ran the Tien Shan in Kyrgyzstan and cycled the Baltic Sea coast, and Markus Stitz, who cycled around the world on a singlespeed bike. Tickets for £10 are available here.

Stay in a Dickins Home

If you’re heading to Edinburgh for some cycling adventures make sure to check out our wonderful self catering apartments in the city centre – we’ll make sure to find you one with plenty of space for your bike too!