Hawthornvale

There are lots of reasons why February is Edinburgh's best cycling month. For a start, it's cool but not freezing - the average top temperature is 7.3 degrees, which might sound cold, but it means you can wrap up warm and cycle without breaking a sweat. In fact, it's often more pleasant that way - especially if you take it nice and gently. As soon as you've warmed up, take your scarf off. And if staying warm is your problem, cycling keeps you much warmer than walking or waiting for the bus.

Secondly, it's the second driest month of the year, with on average only 44mm of rain (compared to 57mm in July). It rains on average only 13 times in the month, so the chances of getting caught in a downpour are slim - statistically it hardly rains during commuting hours.

Then there is the coming of Spring. On a bike you are much more in tune with the evenings getting lighter, and in February we gain 4 minutes of daylight every day. The 8th is the magic date when the sun sets after 5pm and the commute home from work starts being in daylight.

Being outside at this time of year is the best way of getting vitamin D and avoiding germs, as well as getting probably much-needed exercise - all just by travelling to work!

On Edinburgh's path network, there are already bulbs poking through the ground, so take the time to look at the undergrowth for definite signs that better weather is on the way (including the 3,500 daffodil bulbs we planted at Hawthornvale last year).

Of course, that's not to say that should the weather get bad, it can get really bad - it's still Winter after all - and it can go as low as minus 11, although if this Winter is anything to go by, we'll hopefully get off lightly.

So, all in all, never mind the Summer - February is the top cycling month.

Plus you get to spot things on the cycle routes you might never see, like this strange man clinging to the railings along McElvie Parade.

Approximately 30 people, including families, cyclists and craft enthusiasts had a lovely time yesterday with the Bike Station and ELGT at the Innertube Christmas Fun Day. We heard wonderful stories from Macastory (see video) and adults and children had a great time scavenging for natural woodland materials such as holly and ivy, to make festive wreaths to hang on the door. These are some of the best examples

On Sunday 11^th December 2011, local environmental charity the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) will be getting active and improving biodiversity as well as delivering craft workshops and fun activities for families.

This will take place on Edinburgh’s network of off road cycling and walking paths as part of the Innertube project being delivered this year by the Bike Station and ELGT, funded by the People’s Postcode Trust ‘Dream Fund’.

WHAT:                        

The Innertube Christmas Fun Day- A free community fun day full of activities including Christmas crafts, bulb planting, making bird feeders, Dr Bike, storytelling and festive refreshments!

WHERE:                      

The Hawthornvale Entrance to the Innertube cycle path network, Hawthornvale, Newhaven

WHEN:                        

Sunday 11^th December 2011, 11am - 2pm

ELGT needs volunteers and families to come along to this free community drop in event to plant daffodil bulbs, listen to storytelling and make Christmas crafts with natural woodland materials. Volunteers will be rewarded with hot chocolate, mince pies and some free daffodil bulbs to take home and plant, either in the garden or in pots. There will also be the opportunity to have bikes checked by Dr Bike and make a bird feeder to take home and keep the birds fed this winter.

ELGT Community Projects Officer Esperanza Martin said: “Communities along the Innertube have been very active this year, carrying out environmental improvement activities such as conservation work, litter, vegetation and path clearance work as well as fun guided activities like bird, bat and heritage walks and storytelling. This community fun day is going to provide something for everyone and also the opportunity to celebrate the hard work that has been carried out in 2011!”

ELGT carries out practical environmental projects, such as the creation of community parks, gardens, woodlands, allotments and other greenspaces and works with communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians, getting people active and enjoying all kinds of greenspaces around the capital.

Quality local greenspaces are fantastic, free resources for play, education, exercise and enjoyment and can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

To keep updated as this exciting & innovative greenspace project develops, sign up for email updates at www.elgt.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @greenspacetrust @innertubemap

You can follow the Innertube project and add your own stories by visiting the project website innertubemap.com

Come along to the last Innertube community event of 2011!

This is a free community event, aimed at families, and includes the activities

• Natural Christmas Crafts

• Bulb Planting

• Bird Feeders

• Dr Bike

• Storytelling

and includes tasty Christmas refreshments!

Sunday 11th December 2011, 11am-2pm

Hawthornvale entrance to the Innertube