NON-PROFIT cycling organisation Spokes is holding its annual summer competition to find people’s favourite bike rides in the city.
It is encouraging local cyclists to send in stories about their favourite bike ride in Edinburgh and/or the Lothians, and why it is so special.
Winners will get to choose from a variety of prizes including a £1,000 voucher towards a cargo-bike purchase, £200 towards an e-bike, a family ticket to Camera Obscura and a family ticket for a return trip on a steam railway train.
Spokes is hoping that entrants will use their favourite route to inspire people to use a bike or cycle more often.
Spokes is a Lothian cycle campaign that aims to provide better conditions for cyclists in the Edinburgh area.
It was founded in 1977 as a non-party political, voluntary organisation, and now has over 1,000 members.
They have various competitions each year, such as 2024’s Cycling and Sustenance contest which encouraged people to write about how they connect bikes with food or drink, such as sharing the recipe for their riding snacks or transporting food to a local food bank.
This year’s competition focuses on residents’ favourite bike rides, asking people to send in routes that are special to them so that others can try them out.
The first-place winner will get to choose from a variety of prizes, with runners-up then taking their pick until they are all allocated.
Some will also receive a free Spokes map of Edinburgh or the Lothians, or a snood to wear under a helmet.
Prizes include an annual pass to the Museum of Scottish Railways in Bo’Ness, £50 bus tickets credit for the bike-friendly Ember Bus, a £50 Edinburgh Bicycle voucher, tickets for two at Cameo Picturehouse, a recumbent tour with Laidback Bikes, a one-week e-bike hire with Harts Cyclery, and many more.
The competition is open to anyone except members of Spokes Resources Group, and the deadline for entries is 7 September.
Submitted routes must be in Edinburgh or the Lothians and can take up any length of time without needing car transport.
Entrants are welcome to include photos, a sketch, or an electronic map, and can send entries by post or email.
Judges say that they may try out the routes before finalising the results and may use some entries on their website or bulletin.
They say: “For our 2025 summer competition we’d like to hear about your favourite local bike ride, in Edinburgh and/or the Lothians.
“It may be a leisure ride, or your daily commute or perhaps the school ‘run’ with your kids.
“In judging the competition, we want to know not just the route itself but, most of all, why this ride is so special to you.
“Hopefully your entry will entice or inspire other people to get on their bike and try the same or something similar.”
