Anyone in Ayrshire done 5 Ferries?

[shoogiesco]

Hi

Im planning on doing 5 ferries challenge in May this year with a few folk from work. I have been cycling since last summer and feel ok about doing it. The distance doesnt phase me at all but some of the hil climbing does.

I was wondering if anyone local has done the 5 ferries, im looking for some comparisons for the sort of hill climbing i will be doing to see if Im way out my depth or not

thanks

 

[MiK1138]

Doing it with 40 yes 40 other cyclists on May 1st, that 1st Ferry is going to be fun, i,ve been told there are no daunting hills on it
https://www.strava.com/activities/310324754

See link to Strava above

 

[Rasmus]

I suppose that depends on your definition of "daunting"

Two quite big climbs, and two smaller ones. I had the fortune of getting to do the first one twice when I did it, due to a mechanical mishap suffered by a companion.

Plenty of time to recover on the boats, though. And there's lovely views to stop and admire as well.

Cowal is one of my favourite places to cycle and has plenty more to offer than the already excellent five ferries route (including some proper daunting climbs if you fancy it!).

 

[furball]

I suggest you plot the route out on website that shows elevation to give you an idea of where and how long the hills are.
You have quite a long drag of an ascent right at the start on Arran where you turn away from the coast but there is a good descent into Lochranza Weather can make a huge difference. I've been blown to a standstill going across the Mull of Kintyre.

 

[shoogiesco]

I have done a lot of research into the hills on maps and even street maps and they look acheivable but i was just looking for some local comparisons to maybe 'practice'
thanks for the replies folks any tips are more than welcome btw

 

[furball]

It would help to know where local is.

 

[MiK1138]

depending on where in Ayrshire you are you could check out these Guys http://www.meetup.com/WestCoastVelo/ couple of hill freaks amongst them, they regularly do "The Ayrshire Alps"

 

[shoogiesco]

sorry lol local is East Ayrshire but willing to do a bit o travelling, a bit apprehensive about joining groups just now planning on trying some Ayrshire Alps this weekend or next

 

[Rasmus]

If you're near Galston there's a nice climb on some back roads: https://www.strava.com/segments/3437129

If you can manage that you'll have no trouble on the 5 ferries

 

[furball]

If you are comfortable with Mennock Pass you will be fine.

 

[shoogiesco]

thanks guys exactly what i was looking for

 

[Ajax Bay]

Here's the route, profile shown below:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12877348
Two significant climbs of which the hardest is the first:
On Arran 150m in 2.3km (longer route west from Brodick is up the Struggle, which ferry timings sometimes allow rather than going north and NW 'straight' to Lochranza)
Climb out of Tighnabruaich (Kyle of Bute) 90m in a km. There is another shown but you can stay below it by going through Fearnoch.

For comparison the (first section of the) climb out of Largs to the reservoirs is 120m in 1.6km, so same gradient as the climb on Arran but 2/3rds distance/height gain.
Up the Mennock Pass is 320m in 10km: much longer but much gentler.

 

[phantasmagoriana]

Did it a couple of times last year - I found the third section around Tighnabruaich by far the hardest bit.

Oh, and as mentioned above, check out West Coast Velo - we have a few folks round Ayrshire, and they're doing some Ayrshire Alps next weekend.

 

[gasinayr]

Try up and over the Carrick hills on route 7 Maybole to Ayr.
Good climbs both ways