Around Town
Hit
THE BEST EVENTS, TALKS AND SPORT
* Stop the War Demonstration Feeling disgruntled about the UK's position in Iraq? Head to this demonstration called for by Scottish Coalition for Justice not War. Meet at South Hanover Street, Glasgow, Sat 19 Mar.
* Go Bike! Meeting We’re going cycle daft this issue. Now here's your chance to join the campaign to promote cycling in Strathclyde area. Friends Meeting House, E/mbank Crescent, Glasgow, Wed 30 March wwwgobike. org.
* Amnesty International Scottand Talk: Jesus Tecu Osorio In 1982 the Rio Negro. Guatemala was stormed by soldiers and civil patrollers. They killed 70 women and 107 children, including the remaining members of Jesus Tecu Osorio's family. He has fought to bring the perpetrators to justice and comes to talk about the ongoing struggle in his country. Augustine United Church, 41 George /V Bridge, Edinburgh, 7hu 77 Mar. * Style Trial Monthly events to show you the breakdancing ropes in a non-scary environment. First part of the session is for warming up and practicing, then from 3pm live DJs provide music to perform. rock it, go off and generally have a good time to. The Bongo Club, Moray House, 37 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Sat 26 Mar.
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Coasting along
Wht sOn
Escaping the city is easy once you get on your bike, as Richard Rees discovered
on a day’s pedal to Fife.
ycling across the I‘orth Road Bridge to l‘il‘c a yertiginous drop to the \yaters hcloyy and the magnificent Rail Bridge to the right is a spectacular experience. It's all so damn [urge that it gave the pulling. pedalling hlips that \y ere my companion and me a thrilling sense of \ ulncrahility. There‘s a cycle path that you can l‘olloyy all the may from lidinhurgh to Kirkcaldy'. Hoyy'eycr. taking a train to Dalmeny‘. South Queenslcrry‘s. station meant me had energy to spare alter tackling the still easterlies \y'histling through the spans on a hright hut \ery cold l’ehruary' day. it also allowed more time for a rc|a\ed meander through the fishing \illages-cum—holiday destinations on the yyay‘. It's a \\ ell marked path that rarely strays on to roads and. as it hugs the coastline. encounters l‘eyy hills. The route out of North Queciisl‘erry \y'asn‘t pretty. taking us through a hinterland ot' rusting industry. hut as the trail snaked toyyards lny'erkeithing.
surroundings hecame greener. We caught glances ol‘
the familiar topography of lidinhurgh tar across the liirth as through the \y rong end ol a telescope.
()Id and neyy File The at close quarters along the shoreline. At Dalgety Bay. housing deyelopments gay'e \yay' to the skeletal ruins of the l.‘~th century St Bridget‘s Church. The moss slouly reclaiming its graycyard lent the .spot a litiin perfect for a rest. listening to the sea lapping the shore only l'eet ayyay.
Wheeling on past .-\hcrdour's famous silycr sands we passed a couple of hardy families gazing out to lnchcolm Island. hraying a \yinter heach picnic \yith kids \ViTU looked like. littl‘ UliCL‘. they‘d rather he dragged around the toun's l2th century St l‘illian's (‘hurch than eat another sandy sandyy ich.
Spectacularly ominous clouds hegan to huild oyer the massiyc sky out to sea as \ye reached Burntisland. home to Rossend ('lec. It is alleged that during the summer months Burntisland's hay is nose to toe with optimistic stltt-yyol‘sltippel's. This is the east coast‘s Riyicra. alter all. hut as my companion yyistlully commented. leaning on her handlehai's and ga/iiig across the syyceping. empty sands: ‘.\'ol many hron/ed .’\-listcrs today iiitist still he in ('amies . . . ‘
Alter amhling through Kinghorn. tirhan Kirkcaldy came as a hit iii a shock. htit its lour miles of \yindsyycpt seal'ront and esplanadc and the dramatic ruin of. Rayenscraig (‘astle hcyond seemed moodin attractiye as the exciting began to darken. Before loading our hikes on the train hound l'or iidinhurgh. He stopped for fish suppers and say'oured the salty sting of chips on our yy ind~chapped lips.
Returning. \yc crossed the Rail Bridge and looked right to cars crossing \yhcrc \\ c'd slogged across this afternoon. liyen in the dark. it \li// looked pretty hloody spectacular.
Food'n'drink Around 075— ll of water per hour should
keep ‘,’OU hydrated; energy bars. TrUll and nuts should
keep you pumping.
Trains Different lines have different poiiCies regarding ooking bikes — always phone ilTST.
More information Cyclists Touring Club
rum-m.ctcorg.uk,. Scottisn Cyclists Union
“.‘-"4‘."i‘.’.SCUOTllHlQOTgl. Sustrans (WWW.SUSlfailSOfg.Uk).
Cyci'ng Scotland (wt-m.visitscotlandcom/cycling).
I See Shop for all the best bikes and gear.
"'.' 2' ' " THE LIST 27