Innerleithen to Edinburgh

Follow the disused rail line (never far from the A1, whose smell and noise needs little introduction). To the right, beyond the pylons, is the Forth Estuary and across the water, the Kingdom of Fife, with its rolling mountains. The route now pulls round to the right, briefly running parallel with the railway line. Follow the sign to the left, at the end of Park View. At the end of Newcraighall Drive go right, into Whitehill St. Beyond the row of shops go under the disused railway bridge, and immediately left, between some bushes. Here you link up with another line of pylons, the sort which hiss and crackle, and carry 275,000 volts into the city. Go under the one which straddles the path and turn right into Gilbertstoun, before turning left at the bottom.

At Brunstane Station, cross the wooden rail bridge and follow the signs across the `big W' car park, and through the underpass, taking the path that leads to the right. This takes you through the so-called Magdalene Glen Community Woodlands, a repository for litter and second rate graffiti, with great views of Asda and PCWorld to remind you that you have re-entered civilization.

Follow the bank above the burn until the main road. Cross at the Toucan and continue along the burn. At the time of going to press (for the second year on the trot) this section was a disgrace. Sofas, car doors, wooden warehouse pallets, supermarket trolleys, plastic buckets, bottles, sheeting, buggies, prams and traffic cones randomly cluttered the filthy stream. The whole montage could be entered as a giant installation for the next Turner Prize. There is a big housing estate either side, and overweight dogs with underweight owners prowl the grey-green ribbon of grass. This is not the greatest route into the Northern Europe's greatest city, but at least it doesn't last long. Soon you are skirting Duddingston Loch (which you can't see, owing to high stone walls) before entering a 0.5km stretch of illuminated tunnel at the foot of Arthur's Seat. Skirt briefly along the edge of Holyrood Park.

Follow the path round, and across St Leonard's St, and into Rankeillor St. Cross Clerk St and then Buccleuch St then cycle along a brief stretch of The Meadows, before following signs up to the right into Forest Rd, and then George IV Bridge. At the end of the bridge you will see Edinburgh Castle to your right, at the top of the Royal Mile. Cross over and follow the road down to the left all the way down to The Mound. Congratulations! The finish line.