Mixed · United Kingdom
Cycling in Midlothian
Midlothian offers two point-to-point routes with moderate climbing and a mix of cycle paths and minor roads.
Midlothian provides two routes starting from North Middleton and Penicuik, each around 37 to 39 km in length. The routes feature moderate climbing, with the National Cycle Route 196 offering the most at 164 m. These routes mainly use cycle paths and minor roads, covering a significant share of paved surfaces.
The area’s gradients are generally gentle, with only short sections of steeper climbs. Roads mainly consist of cycle paths, minor roads, quiet streets, and some main roads, with a small percentage featuring cycle lanes. Average temperatures in the region range between 5°C in January to 18°C in July, with the best riding conditions from June to August.
What the riding is like
The terrain in Midlothian is predominantly flat to gently rolling, with 67% of the distance flat and 9% climbing. Routes are medium in length at 37 to 39 km, with maximum climbs reaching 164 m on National Cycle Route 196. The road mix includes 51% cycle paths, 29% minor roads, and 10% quiet streets, with paved surfaces making up 82% of the routes. The steepest 500 m segment has a gradient of 15.7%.
Cycling infrastructure
Across the two routes, there are 38.9 km of cycle paths, and minor roads account for 29% of the route distance. Main roads make up 5%, with 3.6 km lacking cycle lanes. Roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more cover 16.3 km.
Best time to ride
The best months to cycle in Midlothian are June to August, when average daily high temperatures reach 16°C to 18°C.
Riding in Midlothian in numbers
- 2
- 75 km
- 39 km
- 164 m
Where to start in Midlothian
Rides in Midlothian
When to ride Midlothian
Best months: Jun to Aug.
5°1°J14
6°1°F14
8°2°M16
10°3°A12
14°6°M14
16°9°J15
18°11°J18
17°11°A16
15°9°S13
12°7°O15
8°3°N14
6°2°D17
BestFineHard goingRain days per month under each bar · typical wind 22 km/h from the SW