Bitts Park Near Carlisle Castle

We anticipate that most folk might want to start any time from Carlisle between 7 and 8.30pm, to make it for sunrise at Cramond, with a grub stop in Moffat. We’ll be there from 5.00pm, and can give out route cards for those that haven’t printed them, with emergency taxi numbers along the route. But to stress again, it’s an informal 'turn-up-and-ride' event, do what suits you and the pace you think you’ll set. If you get there earlier in the day then the Cathedral and Castle are well worth a look, and there are plenty of cafes and pubs for fuelling yourself for the ride ahead! There’s a Sainsburys just a bit further west on the A595 if you need supplies or pre-ride grub.

Getting to the start we just took the train from Edinburgh to Carlisle, it was easy to organise and less than £10 each (with bikes), booking a few weeks in advance (more if you plan to take your bike on the train). Or it’s a couple of hours in the car if you’re getting or sharing a lift. It’s equally accessible from Glasgow, Newcastle and the north-west. Parking is available at Bitts Park and Devonshire Walk. Plenty of riders arrive together sharing cars, vans and mini buses etc.

Click HERE to see the Ride to the Sun route which finishes at Cramond beach 20 minutes cycle (on mostly traffic-free cycle paths) from central Edinburgh.

The toilets at Bitts Park are open until approximately 8.30pm but have been a bit manky in the past.

Cramond Scout organise transport for people and bikes from Cramond, down to Carlisle on the Saturday afternoon, including luggage. We’ll email entrants nearer the time with arrangements for 2024.