Cycling in Scotland - questions...

[newman_zero]

Hi there,

Hope everyone made some use of the bank holiday, managed to catch the few hours of sun yesterday morning before it chucked it down!

To the point...I've had a quick search through this forum and a few others, plus the usually tourist sites but I'm after some advice for a cycling trip I'm trying to 'plan' for the end of this month from people who might have some first hand experience!
I'm travelling up to Edinburgh to fly to Finland for a few days and when I come back I'd like to stay in Scotland for a few more days and enjoy some cycling. First major question, does anyone know of anywhere secure near Edinburgh train station that I can lock my bike up for a few days? I know that there's a rack at the station (waverley) under CCTV, but still a bit cautious as to whether I can leave my bike in the open without something going missing/getting kicked in, no matter how careful I am...
After that, slightly paranoid, query, has anyone got any good tips for road cycling around loch lomond and the surrounding areas? I'm planning to stay in one place for a few nights near there and would like to do 75miles a day roughly, so just wondering how easy that would be or is it worth getting the train elsewhere each day and doing a loop somewhere more remote?
I'm also hoping to fit in a trip to loch striven for personal reasons, which is near by but seems to be more of a ferry journey than a cycle. Any sites/recommendations around this area for a day trip? Worth taking my bike across maybe?

Sorry if this seems like I'm asking people to discuss/plan/book my trip, but first hand advice is always beneficial and will probably sway me quite a lot since I've only ever been to Scotland to watch the footie!

Thanks for any help/suggestions/recommendations/warnings!

Tim

 

[bikepacker]

pm forum member Julk. He lives near Edinburgh and may have some suggestions.

 

[Rasmus]

Not being of the east coast persuasion I can't help you with the first part of the question. I have never seen any mangled or stripped bikes in the racks at waverley though, so I think they're pretty secure.

As for where to go on day trips, you're really spoilt for choice, with mostly excellent cycling to be had in many places. A favorite bit of road for me is the east side of Loch Long (Arrochar-Kilcreggan). There's a decent little climb to get around the Coulport Navy ammo depot and lovely views across to the Arrochar Alps and down the Gare Loch. You can combine this with a ride down the banks of Loch Lomond, for instance like so.

 

[stephenjubb]

Wouldn't leave your bike locked up for a few days what if you get delayed?

Join www.warmshowers.org.

They host cyclists and tour themselves. Usually all you have to do is buy your hosts a gift. There are approximately 30 people in edinburgh. You may be able to stay with them for 1 night and maybe they will look after your bicycle whilst you are away. they do it to meet like minded people.

From what I have heard it is an excellent organisation full of good people.

 

[toroddf]

Hi. Have a look at my link in my signature.

Loch Striven: I have done this many times and will do a ride later this year again over this loch. From Dunoon and from Islay. The best bet is train to Gourock, one of the two ferry services over to Dunoon, in Holy Loch to the crossroad over to Loch Striven on B836 which is steep in the beginning, flat halfway, a bit steep up to the water reservoir, a good drop down to Loch Striven, very steep (25 degrees) up again to a 160 meters above sea level pass and down again to the crossroad at Grendruel.

You have here two choices: Two ferries to and from Rothesay on Isle Of Bute back to Wemyss Bay and the train (an easy ride) or the hard ride up Glendruel which tops out at 250 meters above sea level, the drop down to Strachur (where you can drop back to Dunoon again via Loch Eck) and the ride up to Rest And Be Thankful and Loch Lomond.

Loch Striven is one of the hidden gems of Scotland and I am a fan of this area. And this is most definate an area both you and others should explore by bike. It is a hard bikeride though.

Loch Lomond: My core area. See my Loch Lomond based routes here, here , here, here, here, here, here and here.

Feel free to ask me more about it as it is my playpen/playground.

 

[newman_zero]

Thanks guys, started to make some decisions now!

Bikepacker - I've yet to get in touch with Julk, but I will do when I've figured out what I'm planning on doing when around Edinburgh, sure he might have some helpful tips.

stephenjubb - Had a look at the website, definetly a good idea, so signed up and getting in touch with people about looking after my bike/safer areas etc

Rasmus and Toroddf - Exactly what I needed! some pointers as to where to go, I don't want to say everything's been done before, but atleast I know that my choosen route will be do-able and hasn't got dead ends/miles of fields to wade through. Toroddf, some pretty extensive touring around the area, I really do feel spoilt for choice now. I might be in touch soon to ask a few questions/recommendations for around the area, feel I can't go too far wrong though!

Thanks again, really looking forward to getting up there now...

Cheers,

Tim

 

[toroddf]

Toroddf, some pretty extensive touring around the area, I really do feel spoilt for choice now. I might be in touch soon to ask a few questions/recommendations for around the area, feel I can't go too far wrong though!

Thanks again, really looking forward to getting up there now...

Cheers,

Tim

My plans is to go past there tomorrow morning on a 90 miles long ride. Not over Loch Striven, but up Glendruel and down Loch Eck again, taking in Isle Of Bute too. So I will have something more informations for you if I survive and/or complete this ride.