Scotland : The Highlands Western Isles Audax Events 2015
- Thread starter iandg
- Start date
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edindave
Über Member
- Location
- Auld Reeker
For the 300 in June, my rough plan at the moment is to hire a car and drive from Edinburgh, camping over on Fri and Sat night.
Either that or am willing to share petrol costs with anyone heading through from these parts.
Since it's such a long way to travel I would ideally like to extend it by a day (or two), either side of the event, just to take in as much of the area as possible.
Either that or am willing to share petrol costs with anyone heading through from these parts.
Since it's such a long way to travel I would ideally like to extend it by a day (or two), either side of the event, just to take in as much of the area as possible.
Fubar
Guru
I would def be out for June, we have our hols booked for then.
Yeah, transport to and from Ullapool with a bike is non-existent, as I found out to my dismay in one of my wettest days on a bike. The nearest train station is Garve.
If I'm going I'll probably stay in Stornoway Youth Hostel again. Unfortunately I don't have much leeway in terms of time on either side of the event.
You're the one who brought this thread to our attention! How can you be out?! Why I oughta...
Fubar
Guru
Yeah, transport to and from Ullapool with a bike is non-existent, as I found out to my dismay in one of my wettest days on a bike. The nearest train station is Garve.
If I'm going I'll probably stay in Stornoway Youth Hostel again. Unfortunately I don't have much leeway in terms of time on either side of the event.
You're the one who brought this thread to our attention! How can you be out?! Why I oughta...
Fubar said: "wouldn't one of these be an adventure???"
I'm very pleased to hear that you remained upright on your bike at all times ...
I am a bit confused
- neither one looks much like you ... 
Fubar
Guru
I'm very pleased to hear that you remained upright on your bike at all times ...
I am a bit confused
I'm sure you know exactly what that means...
edindave
Über Member
- Location
- Auld Reeker
I had a quick look at trains - there's an Edinburgh train that connects into Garve about 3 hours before the ferry leaves Ullapool - fine on the way out. On the way back the timings look a bit more tricky and may require an overnighter, so car looks like the most convenient option.
Hmmmm... it's 73 miles from Ullapool to Shieldaig - I feel a cunning plan about to hatch...
Didn't take much research to realize that the August date is on the same day as the Lochaber 100 sportive that I had also been considering. Don't think I can make it in June - and 300 km is probably beyond me (this year).
Decisions, decisions...
Get a couple of 100milers in before it, maybe a 200k, and you'll be fine
OP
OP
iandg
Legendary Member
- Location
- Dumfries and Galloway
There's a bike bus from Inverness to Ullapool in the summer
http://www.inverness-durness-highland-bike-bus.co.uk/
Haven't updated this yet but from my website http://www.audaxhebrides.net/travel-to-stornoway.html
http://www.inverness-durness-highland-bike-bus.co.uk/
Haven't updated this yet but from my website http://www.audaxhebrides.net/travel-to-stornoway.html
Get a couple of 100milers in before it, maybe a 200k, and you'll be fine
Aye, simples
I can see myself making a wee tour out of it, with a few days of riding to/from Fort William or Inverness on either end. That fits in better with a 160 km event
glasgowjim
Über Member
Didn't take much research to realize that the August date is on the same day as the Lochaber 100 sportive that I had also been considering. Don't think I can make it in June - and 300 km is probably beyond me (this year).
Decisions, decisions...
Don't think of it in distance, think more of it in time and break it down to 50/60km chunks with rest stops in between, you'd be suprised how easy it becomes. When starting out on a 200/300k view it as long day on a bike with breakfast, lunch and dinner to be enjoyed on route and great scenery too.
doonhaemer
Well-Known Member
- Location
- South of Scotland
there is a bus that takes bikes in a trailer that operates from Inverness to Ullapool http://www.decoaches.co.uk/inverness-to-durness-bike-bus/
and I believe city link buses will also take bikes, but they might have to be in a bag or box.
inverness(or garve) - Ullapool - stornaway -tarbet on harris-uig on skye- kyle of Lochalsh makes a nice wee tour doable by train.
If taking a car some of the ferries are now reasonably priced bexcause of the road equivalent tarrif; but be sure to book well in advance.
If you haven't cycled in the outer isles or the North West Islands, it is well worth the effort of getting there. Flights to Inverness might be worth exploring.
and I believe city link buses will also take bikes, but they might have to be in a bag or box.
inverness(or garve) - Ullapool - stornaway -tarbet on harris-uig on skye- kyle of Lochalsh makes a nice wee tour doable by train.
If taking a car some of the ferries are now reasonably priced bexcause of the road equivalent tarrif; but be sure to book well in advance.
If you haven't cycled in the outer isles or the North West Islands, it is well worth the effort of getting there. Flights to Inverness might be worth exploring.
The need to carry a bike box renders it of limited utility, when I was in Ullapool and the rain was bouncing a foot off the ground the driver was adamant that there was no way it was getting on the bus. Unless I can wangle a lift off another forumite I'll probably be riding from Garve the day before.
You are quite right that the challenge is as much mental as physical. Sadly, I feel my brain is as unprepared as my body for a 300
Anyway, no more waffling! Time to start sorting out the logistics...
