Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Triennial Veterans' Ride

Tri-Vets are longer distance cycle rides for people aged 50 and over. They have been organised by CTC Member Groups since Cycling UK's 50th anniversary in 1928 and take place every three years - hence the official title, the Triennial Veterans' Rides. This year, 2022, is the next scheduled Tri-Vets year and the CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Group is organising one of the rides for the first time in 9 years (2016 and 2019 were missed) See Cycling UK’s web site for back ground detail.

The start and finish will be at Eskbank Rail Station (parking), near the Tesco Super Store (toilets). The starts will be from 07.15 on Sunday morning.

Entry form are available below.

The route on Mapometer is here

The route goes to Soutra which has the first café (which opens at 9am) opportunity at 22 miles, Herriot, Innerleithen, Peebles (50mls) and the Tweed Valley to Biggar (70mls) and then north via West Linton back to Eskbank. After Soutra there are many refreshment opportunities in the Tweed Valley and the route passes the Big Red Barn café with 24 miles to go. Cyclists can stop as often or as little as they wish; this will be a self-led ride either alone or in ad hoc groups of companions.

All who feel they wish to give it a go will be welcome, including those on Electric bikes.

This ride differs from the normal CTC club ride in that there will be neither leader nor sweeper/backmarker so attempts were made to find a cycle shop which would be on call to provide assistance in cases of mechanical mishaps. JB Cycle Solutions from Gorebridge has offered to do this job for a fee. To cover the cost of this facility and to defray incidental expenses the cost of the event will be £15 per rider. Any surplus will be donated to a Charity chosen by CTC Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders.

In the unlikely event that someone might wish to abandon the ride part way and return to Eskbank, there are opportunities to get you home via either the Borders Railway from Gala, the X62 bus or indeed calling a taxi or perhaps friends and/or family. The hope, however, would be that those who start will finish.

The entry form is on this page - closing date 5th June 2022. Payment by BACS transfer and email the form back to the organiser.