Brave? Me? Oo-er...

[annedonnelly]

Speaking to a nice lady taking my booking for next month on the Isle of Islay, she asks where I'm calling from and when I say London, she says, 'ah, so you're driving up?' When I say no, I'm bringing my bike up on the train, there's a distinct pause before she says, 'ah...one of the brave ones.' Oh dear...

Ooooh, let us know how it goes. I was thinking of doing that, but wondered how restricted I'd be on the island with only a bike for transport.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I hope on arrival that your physical appearance will match the superman image forming in the mind of the booking lady, we wouldn't want to see her disappointed.

Take a cape. That should help

And wear your underpants over your tights

 

[swee'pea99]

Ooooh, let us know how it goes. I was thinking of doing that, but wondered how restricted I'd be on the island with only a bike for transport.

I will. It's not very big, so I'm hoping it'll prove very doable. Apparently all I have to worry about is raging Atlantic gales, horizontal rain, and, when they stop for a minute or two, the most vicious midges in the Western hemisphere. So that's all good.

Cape & underpants packed and ready to go. He lied.

 

[TheDoctor]

That is one good reason to stay away YUK

BURN THE HERETIC!!!!
Laphroaig is lovely, but does require a certain heroism of tastebuds IMHO.

 

[User33236]

From memory the last time I went their in mid 1999 (to carry our Y2K compliance testing at the local hospital!) I remember thinking how flat most of it was from the view I got as we flew in (a short 25 minute flight in a 12 seater feom Glasgow!) these a hill to the south east of less that 500 metres.

 

[andytheflyer]

Say hello to this guy....well-known Islay cyclist

http://www.thewashingmachinepost.net/

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Look out for the "Cycling on the island advice" leaflet, available in most tourist spots ... it's a hoot!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Look out for the "Cycling on the island advice" leaflet, available in most tourist spots ... it's a hoot!

Do spill!

 

[pplpilot]

BURN THE HERETIC!!!!
Laphroaig is lovely, but does require a certain heroism of tastebuds IMHO.

I hate Laphroaig, I never used to, but I got really drunk one night with it and the peat/smoke smell/flavour followed me around for days. If I catch a whiff of an Islay malt I get that queasy unwell feeling.

 

[Crackle]

I only recall two hills. One off the ferry and one in Bowmore but then there's the wind, oh the wind...... There are coaches and post buses to get around as well. It is a lovely place to go. Never got to Jura due to not having a tent with me but you can camp in the hotel grounds which looks great. Next time. Also, the new ferry is pretty swanky.

 

[ArDee]

[QUOTE 3846870, member: 259"]I'd have thought the brave ones would be the ones who drove from London to Islay, not the slackers who take the train![/QUOTE]
Corrected as this is a cycling forum "I'd have thought the brave ones would be the ones who rode from London to Islay, not the slackers who take the train!"