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

[DougieAB]

Bought a microfibre towel for our mini tour. Comes in its own little pouch. Once I've used it I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fold it that small again! Now, what else do I need to buy?

 

[Edwardoka]

The CC Ecosse guys trying to put a quilt into a quilt cover will be a Youtube sensation, I'm sure.

 

[Telemark]

Speaking of recording this tour for posterity ... you DO all realise that you have a duty to take lots of photos and post them up with the tales from the ride, for those of us who can't make it ? We'll be waiting for installments ... anything from sublime beaches and views to the ridiculous (there is normally plenty of both on CC rides )

T

 

[mcshroom]

Indeed. Some of us are already in pieces

 

[Telemark]

Indeed. Some of us are already in pieces

How are your 'pieces' doing? Hopefully the pain has gone by now, or at least subsided? Very bad timing, as far as this wee tour is concerned!

T

 

[mcshroom]

How are your 'pieces' doing? Hopefully the pain has gone by now, or at least subsided? Very bad timing, as far as this wee tour is concerned!

T

A lot less pain than I had, and I can support the arm without a bandage now and do far more stuff. Still limited movement in the arm and it's unlikely to rejoin for a week or two yet but the 25 staples come out on Tuesday and I'm noticing improvements each day.

Unfortunately I'm probably off cycling until September at the earliest.

 

[Fubar]

Here is the email I got from Lochranza SYHA:

Every guest is upon arrival provided with a magnetic card which opens the door of his room. Only in case of stay in the dormintory other guests will have acces to the same room. Cards do expire at the time of guest's departure.
Our lockable bike shed can accomodate up to 15 bikes, but it can get easily full as the capacity of hostel is arround 50 guests. Then it is usualy possible to use our drying room as an overflow area, but this space cannot be locked. Alternatively you are welcommed to lock you bikes to our fence.
Bedding is included in any of the bookings. Private rooms (2 twin room of your booking) come with a free towel for each guest, guests staying in dormitory (6 males from you group) will either have to bring their own towels or hire them for £2 each.
Please also note, breakfast is not included in any of your bookings. We do serve continental breakfast between 8am-9am for an additional charge of £4,50. It need to be booked the night before.
Please remember that the earliest time for check-in is 5pm, when our receptions opens. In the meantime you are welcome to use our selfcatering kitchen and lounge equipped with additional lockers.
There is no cashmachine and no grocery store in Lochranza, please buy your own supply in Brodick or on mainland. Our reception has got limited selection of basic canned and frozen food, UHT milk and drinks and sells Arran bier (to the guests only) and Arran ice cream. There is also a pub (Lochranza Hotel), Sandwich Station, cafe at the distilery and Stag's Pavilion - family owned and often fully booked restaurant.

So basically bring a padlock if you want to lock stuff up, bring a bike lock and bring your own grub! Pretty much what we expected anyway.

 

[Telemark]

Is this the next CC Ecosse meet-up?
You lucky so-and-sos ...

T

 

[Harry_Palmer79]

Less than two weeks to go... I think this smiley is particularly appropriate!

 

[MikeW-71]

Indeed!

Cannot wait now, more practice on the tour bike to come, and fingers crossed that we don't get too much rain

 

[Edwardoka]

The real question is who is going to be in my lead-out train for the west coast of Arran segments?
(Only kidding)
(No I'm not)

 

[Fubar]

The real question is who is going to be in my lead-out train for the west coast of Arran segments?
(Only kidding)
(No I'm not)

I nominate @MikeW-71 and @Harry_Palmer79 as your Super Dom's!

 

[Fubar]

What do the Easties (@DougieAB @Scoosh @Edwardoka) think about travel arrangements on the Friday - in my plan I have us getting the 11:05 ferry (arrives Brodick 12:00), which means getting the 09:18 train from Glasgow Central, which means getting the 08:00 from Edinburgh Waverley!

Following this so far???

Sooo, is everyone happy to meet up at Edin Waverley for the 8am train (stops at Falkirk High for @heather68) then GC for the 09:18 or would you rather we take a later ferry - or do you just want to do your own thing? The next ferry(s) are 12:30 (arriving 13:25) or 13:50 (arriving 14:45) so would give us a bit of leeway with getting to Ardrossan, and we can't check into the hostel until 5pm anyway.

Any preferences from the Westies - @Pat "5mph" @Fiona MacNeill @ellebelles @Harry_Palmer79 - not forgetting our Man in the South: @MikeW-71 !

Thoughts....?!?

 

[Edwardoka]

What do the Easties (@DougieAB @Scoosh @Edwardoka) think about travel arrangements on the Friday - in my plan I have us getting the 11:05 ferry (arrives Brodick 12:00), which means getting the 09:18 train from Glasgow Central, which means getting the 08:00 from Edinburgh Waverley!

I suspect that I'll be staying in Glasgow on the Thursday night and travelling from there on Friday morning. Alternatively I'd be more inclined to get the direct train from Dundee to Glasgow which would be far less faff!

 

[Fubar]

I suspect that I'll be staying in Glasgow on the Thursday night and travelling from there on Friday morning. Alternatively I'd be more inclined to get the direct train from Dundee to Glasgow which would be far less faff!

Direct trains from Dundee to Glasgow?!? Well I never, whatever will they come up with next...