So I've just come back from Scotland...

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

martinwhprice

Active Member
I joined this forum a year ago, seeking advice about buying my first bike. I knew nothing about them, I could barely ride one. Thanks to your help I bought my beautiful Dawes Sardar, you then helped me modify it for touring, you then helped me with camping and directions for my maiden tour to Scotland... so CHEERS!

I'll try to keep it brief, but this is how I got on. Happy to answer any questions or pass on any advice to anyone thinking of doing something similar...

Itinerary

I started with a circular overnight route, starting and ending at Moffat, and camping near Peebles. Beautiful way to start. It was roughly 35 miles each day and it was safe to say, having not really trained for it, I was KNACKERED.

2 days in Loch Lomond. The first day I left the bike and went walking. The second day I headed north from Luss to Tarbet, South to Garelochhead and back towards Luss. 32 miles, tough in parts, and once again, shattered. (Shows how unfit I was!)

Then 7 nights on a tour of the Western Isles. Mull was gorgeous, the mainland bit from Kilchoan and Mallaig was hard but stunning. Skye was mangificent and the best of them all in my opinion, Then North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist before heading back to Oban (favourite town in the UK). It finished with a cycle south to Arran and then a ride around the Island. Wasn't impressed with the condition of many of the Arran roads, but the road that cut through the Island was a fantastic climb followed by a s**t scary descent! Clocked 50mph which was pretty sweet. Over time I increased my daily mileage, the highest being about 65.

Then after some time at Edinburgh Fringe, I had one last day cycling down near the Yorkshire Dales. I unloaded my bike and did Kendal to Skipton and back, and thus completing my first 100 miles in a day. I did it in 8 hours and still had some legs in me. Have to say, I was very proud of myself.

Best few weeks of my life. 10 cycling days, 550 miles.

Top conclusions:
- Camping was an awful idea. After the tent flooded, I booked hostels and never looked back. Can't underestimate the beauty of a mattress and a shower every evening.
- No issues with mozzies! Except on Arran, but despite the bites, no itchiness.
- This is by far the most beautiful part of the UK. Seriously contends with much of Europe too. And good lord do the Scots know how to make roads!
- The bike was an absolute trooper. I've become completely attached to her. So much so she has a name. Georgie.

Hope this was interesting/relevant to some of you. Not just in terms of the route but also my experience as a complete novice attempting something that a year ago was completely foreign to me. As already stated, any questions/comments welcome.
 

Nigeyy

Legendary Member
Good for you.... but it's a well known fact it never happened without.... pictures! I would love to see some.
 

samid

Guru
Location
Toronto, Canada
worthless.gif


Aside from that I must say I totally agree, Scotland is a great place to tour - I live in Canada and yet go there with my bike almost every year (am already planning next year's trip as a matter of fact).
 
OP
OP
M

martinwhprice

Active Member
What route did you take south from Oban (or did you go by train/CalMac)?

Took the A816 down to Logilphead, continue south on the A83 through Tarbert and left down a single track road to Claonaig and got the ferry from here to Lochranza.
It's a great route, a nice few challenges coming out of Oban, scenery is great throughout. The 10 miles through Kilmartin is pretty decent if you like some history. The final 5 miles or so are pretty challenging (especially after having done about 60 miles already!)

Right, upon request then I'll set up a blog and link y'all to it once its done. Cheers
 

Iain Harper

Regular
Location
UK
It's a great route, a nice few challenges coming out of Oban, scenery is great throughout. The 10 miles through Kilmartin is pretty decent if you like some history.

All sounds fantastic. Looking forward to seeing photos. The Kilmartin area is one of the few bits of Scotland I haven't explored - it's on the to-do list :smile:
 

snorri

Legendary Member
Right, upon request then I'll set up a blog and link y'all to it once its done. Cheers
Don't forget to over egg the midgie problem and do have a good moan about the continuous torrential rain. We want to keep some things to ourselves and not be totally over run by tourists.:thumbsup:

:biggrin:
 
OP
OP
M

martinwhprice

Active Member
And here is the blog: http://martinwhprice1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/scotland-summer-2012.html enjoy!

Pity you didnt do Barra and Harris when on the outer hebs

I know... it was all down to a lack of time. Originally I was going to miss out the Uists and Barra and instead go north and do Lewis and Harris, ferry to Ullapool, and down. Then when I decided to come south, I was going to have an extra day on the outer hebs and would have done Barra, but as the extra day was going to be a sunday... I soon realised no ferries ran back to Oban on sundays! So yes, a shame, but I'll go back and do Harris and Lewis.
 
Top Bottom