Welcome to Ride to the Sun 2027

The genesis of Ride to the Sun was two very average cyclists on their first ever overnight ride.

Just for something different to do, we got the train down to Carlisle one night in September 2014 and decided to cycle the 100 miles home to Cramond overnight.

Neither of us really knew what to expect.

But somewhere on that first ride, the idea for Ride to the Sun was born. By the time we reached Moffat, we were already talking about getting a group of like-minded cyclists together to do it again.

Then we met Linda in the Moffat chippy. When she agreed to stay open late and feed a load of hungry cyclists if we ever got it organised, that pretty much sealed it.

We decided to give it a go.

And in 2015, the first Ride to the Sun happened.

So, if you want to ride through the night to the seaside with a bunch of like-minded people, this is it.

It’s a (west) Coast to Coast (east). It’s south to north. Carlisle to Cramond. England to Scotland. An overnight century – 100.5 miles – following the path of the Roman legions.

And it’s Ride to the Sun.

Cramond is also a great wee beach, and it's only five miles to Waverley or Haymarket stations in Edinburgh if you need to grab a train for the journey home.

Ride to the Sun is an unsupported event, more along the lines of an Audax than a swanky sportive.

What does that mean?

Well, there are no signs, no sweeper vehicles and no official organisation as such. You have to take responsibility for yourself, your bike and your own safety.

That relaxed and friendly vibe has become one of the highlights for participants, and numbers have grown every year since the first Ride to the Sun in 2015.

Sunrise at Cramond beach is around 4.30am, so set off from Carlisle in plenty of time to get there. That’s the informal aim of the event, but don't sweat it if you're early or late.

Estimate how long you think it will take you to ride the route, including the chippy stop in Moffat and the CycloRave™ at the Crook Inn, and work backwards from there.

From experience, a reasonable start time for most folk is between 7.00pm and 8.30pm, with slower riders setting off earlier and faster riders later – but it's entirely up to you.

The “Best Pizza and Kebab” shop in Moffat stays open until 1am so hungry cyclists can buy their own chips, fish supper, lasagne or even a kebab.

The skirl of the pipes will great you at the highest point of the route.

Then at the Crook Inn we have bananas and water – and our wee CycloRave™ – between about 11pm and 2am. There’s a 24-hour Esso garage just before the Edinburgh bypass if needed, and then Fresh Start serves up hot rolls at Cramond Kirk Hall between about 2.30am and 5.30am.

No entry fee. No medal. No fuss. Just ride your bike through the night and try to beat the sun to Cramond - where you can watch the sunrise sipping on a free beer!