Scotland : Argyll, Isles & Loch Lomond Chat for CC Ecosse Islay Cycle Tour 2014

[Fubar]

A few of us were having a discussion on Facebook yesterday about a cycle trip to Islay in 2014 (my folks lived there before I was born but I've never been) - this "evolved" into a five ferries cycle tour including Islay and Jura along the lines of the following, helpfully created by @Edwardoka :

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3831718

I'm thinking August (because it suits me), I'm thinking 2-3 days touring with camping gear (say Friday-Sunday) and I'm thinking it will take a bit of organising and commitment from all parties (i.e. don't just enthusiatically say yes then pull out at the last minute , and sometimes I am guilty of this heinous crime ) - therefore could we discuss the pros and cons, possible dates (and those dates that don't suit) and can I have some expressions of interest from the CC Ecosse community?

B&B/Hotel'ing it might be an option but I was trying to keep the costs low and the organisation simple(r) - We may also be restricted by maximum numbers and campsite restrictions (i.e. no all male groups) so it could all be pie in the sky, previous experience here would be useful.

I realise I might be opening myself up for a world of pain but at least there is 8 months to organise it!

Best Wishes, Fubar

P.S. Remember it's a tour, not a race...

 

[Telemark]

Nice idea, but way early for me to commit

I know it's always windy on the islands, but camping in August might be a wee bit midgy ... Especially in the evenings & mornings when setting up/putting away the tent and cooking/eating ...
There are hostels and bunk houses, too, definitely at least on Islay, which would keep the costs reasonable, and one wouldn't have to lug tent + sleeping bag + cooking stuff all the way... Just some further thoughts

Definitely something nice to think about while it's dark, cold and wet outside

T

 

[jazzkat]

I quite like the sound of this.
August is good for me (early August being the best). Camping and keeping costs reasonable sound just great too. If it's a bit 'midgy' you wouldn't have to worry because they'd all make a bee-line for me and you'd be in the clear.
I've never been to that part of the world, so can't help with anything on that front.

 

[Edwardoka]

Culicoides impunctatus is also my primary reason for not wanting to do a Hebridean camping tour between April-August. Gill and I walked a corner of the Kintyre Way either last year or the one before and the entire time we were putting up and tearing down the tent was primarily spent swatting, swearing, running away from the tent and spraying ourselves ineffectually with midge repellent.

September is also a bad idea, for different reasons.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

The cycling sounds good, as all the CC Ecose rides are
But I don't do camping: need a shower and a comfy bed indoors

 

[Louch]

I'm with Pat, Louch don't camp, or is camp or any other crap camp jokes made already on Facebook that don't need recycled.

If its camping I am out, if there's 4 walls, a roof and running water I am in.

And I will win the race

 

[Edwardoka]

I'm with Pat, Louch don't camp, or is camp or any other crap camp jokes made already on Facebook that don't need recycled.

If its camping I am out, if there's 4 walls, a roof and running water I am in.

And I will win the race

@Pat "5mph" has an excuse for not wanting to camp, I wouldn't want to go camping with a bunch of smelly men either if I was a cultured lady like she is with a penchant for strong espresso and riding bikes heavier than she is.
I have consulted the rule book and it transpires that @Louch, in fact, is not a cultured lady with a penchant for strong espresso OR riding bikes heavier than he is, and therefore doesn't get to use that excuse.

 

[Fubar]

Nice idea, but way early for me to commit

I know it's always windy on the islands, but camping in August might be a wee bit midgy ... Especially in the evenings & mornings when setting up/putting away the tent and cooking/eating ...
There are hostels and bunk houses, too, definitely at least on Islay, which would keep the costs reasonable, and one wouldn't have to lug tent + sleeping bag + cooking stuff all the way... Just some further thoughts

Definitely something nice to think about while it's dark, cold and wet outside

T

I'll do a wee bit of research tomorrow on the hostel idea, though could be busy in August as well.

 

[Telemark]

I'll do a wee bit of research tomorrow on the hostel idea, though could be busy in August as well.

... And therefore would need pre-booking, which involves commitment at some point & pre-payment/deposit ... it's a vicious circle and a thankless task for the poor long-suffering organiser ... Thanks in advance for your patience!

There is a SYHA hostel in Port Charlotte (W end of Islay) that looks quite nice and even has a bike store (haven't been there and don't have shares). August still available ...

As an aside, This website lists all sorts of bunkhouses on islands & elsewhere, inc. Arran & Bute, but not Islay or Jura.

A google search for accommodation on Jura only comes up with hotel/B&B & cottages, + camping. Could the Jura leg be done as a day trip from Islay?

This is a VERY bad idea, I'm starting to dream about all sorts of related holidays

T

 

[GlasgowFinn]

I've a friend who lives on Jura. I'll drop him a note. I'm with @Louch and @Pat "5mph" - camping is not for me.

 

[ShooglyDougie]

Sounds great, if the dates are right I would love to come along, even got permission from the Mrs .

 

[Fubar]

Ok after a bit of puzzling over timetables, distances, etc I think I've got a ride and timetable of-sorts, broken down into a 3-day tour:

Day 1: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3840852
FRIDAY 15 AUGUST
PARKING: ARDROSSAN HARBOUR
COST: TBC
FERRY: ARDROSSAN - BRODICK (ARRAN)
DEPART ARRIVE
07:00 07:55
COST:
£11.35 (RETURN)
CYCLING: BRODICK - LOCHRANZA (APPROX 15 MILES: HARD!)
DEPART ARRIVE
08:15 10:15 (APPROX)
FERRY: LOCHRANZA - CLOANAIG (ARGYLL)
DEPART ARRIVE
10:45 11:15
COST:
£10.35 (RETURN)
CYCLING: CLOANAIG - KENNACRAIG (APPROX 6 MILES: MODERATE)
DEPART ARRIVE
11:30 12:30
FERRY: KENNACRAIG - PORT ASKAIG (ISLAY)
DEPART ARRIVE
13:00 14:55
COST:
£12.90 (RETURN)
CYCLING: PORT ASKAIG - PORT CHARLOTTE (APPROX 15 MILES: MODERATE)
DEPART ARRIVE
15:15 17:15
ACCOMMODATION:
PORT CHARLOTTE YOUTH HOSTEL
COST: £19.00 (PPPN)
TOTAL DAY COST (EXCLUDING FOOD): £53.60
TOTAL MILEAGE: APPROX 36 MILES

Day 2: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3840856
SATURDAY 16 AUGUST
CYCLING: PORT CHARLOTTE - PORT ASKAIG (APPROX 15 MILES: MODERATE)
DEPART ARRIVE
09:00 10:15/11:00
FERRY: PORT ASKAIG - FEOLIN (JURA)
DEPART ARRIVE
10:30/11:15 10:35/11:20
COST:
£1.60
CYCLING: FEOLIN - AS FAR NORTH ON JURA AS WE CAN GO! (AND BACK AGAIN)
APPROX 50 MILES (POTENTIALLY HARD)
DEPART ARRIVE
11-11:30 15-16:00
FERRY: FEOLIN - PORT ASKAIG (ISLAY)
DEPART ARRIVE
15:30/16:20 15:30/16:25
COST:
£1.60
CYCLING: PORT ASKAIG - PORT CHARLOTTE (APPROX 15 MILES: MODERATE)
DEPART ARRIVE
16:30 18:00
ACCOMMODATION:
PORT CHARLOTTE YOUTH HOSTEL
COST: £19.00 (PPPN)
TOTAL DAY COST (EXCLUDING FOOD): £22.20
TOTAL MILEAGE: APPROX 80 MILES

Day 3: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3840947
SUNDAY 17 AUGUST
CYCLING: PORT CHARLOTTE - PORT ELLEN (APPROX 20 MILES: MODERATE)
DEPART ARRIVE
08:00 09:30
FERRY: PORT ELLEN - KENNACRAIG (ARGYLL)
DEPART ARRIVE
09:45 11:55
CYCLING: KENNACRAIG - CLOANAIG (APPROX 6 MILES: MODERATE)
DEPART ARRIVE
12:00 13:00
FERRY: CLOANAIG - LOCHRANZA (ARRAN)
DEPART ARRIVE
13:50 14:20
CYCLING: LOCHRANZA - BRODICK (APPROX 15 MILES: HARD!)
DEPART ARRIVE
14:30 16:00
FERRY: BRODICK TO ARDROSSAN (MAINLAND)
DEPART ARRIVE
16:40 17:35
TOTAL MILEAGE: APPROX 41 MILES

I've deviated from the original plan as it meant it was not a round trip (for picking up cars, etc), accommodation would be in the Youth Hostel on Islay to keep costs down/it simple/avoid camping, and the middle day ride to Jura is optional so those who are into more "extreme" form of cycling (@ShooglyDougie !!) could always plan a different excursion. I've tried not to rely on the last ferry of the day where possible, and we will probably be limited to how many we could book in one party (though could always book separately or into a hotel if that's your thing).

I'll reiterate this is all just musing on my part and subject to change/abandonment at this stage, I would need to know that you would be responsible for all your own costs (and yourself), there will be little/nothing in the way of bike shops so running repairs might be necessary and agreement that if you are too hungover to cycle on Day 3 Top Gear rules apply - you get left!

Thoughts???

 

[Fubar]

Culicoides impunctatus is also my primary reason for not wanting to do a Hebridean camping tour between April-August. Gill and I walked a corner of the Kintyre Way either last year or the one before and the entire time we were putting up and tearing down the tent was primarily spent swatting, swearing, running away from the tent and spraying ourselves ineffectually with midge repellent.

September is also a bad idea, for different reasons.

I can't remember midgies being a problem on Arran, might be an issue on the Argyll part but I've minimised that by making it an out and back tour.

 

[Telemark]

@Fubar - somebody has been very busy and done his homework .
Thanks!

The middle day does indeed look tough, and could be even tougher if there is a 'decent' southwesterly breeze. But not being an A to B day means everybody could do their own thing if they want and either turn around earlier or pootle round the Islay beaches (or distilleries)...
Personally I might be tempted to add another day if the weather was nice and there was space in the hostel... (still in the dreaming phase just now mind, no commitment).

T

 

[mcshroom]

Nothing definite but just checking in to express a potential interest. I may be up for sharing a car if anyone else feels like travelling up from South of the Border