Cycle distance 69.5m
Av speed 12.03
Got up extra early in order to get the first ferry back onto the mainland at Claonaig. Another great cooked breakfast and by 8am we were out the door and at the ferry port in Lochranza for the smooth 30min crossing.
Received a bit of a shock as we left the ferry and saw a cycle route sign showing Oban as being 91 miles away and therefore a day of close to 100 miles in store. Nick and Ed were far from being amused especially as the first 5 miles across the spit was pretty hilly and even caused me to doubt whether I had planned the route correctly.
Luckily as the road improved and we made our way along Loch Tarbert to the town of the same name and saw that Oban was actually 55+ miles as expected. A great little fishing town and the first of many we passed situated on the lochs.
Continued to make good progress to Lochgilphead along flattish roads at the side of lochs. A tea stop and we were on our way across the hills and some diffificult climbs.
Arrived in Oban after 60miles to catch up on emails at an internet cafe before going to our b+b overlooking the stunning falls of lora. A pint outside at the pub next door before moving inside to eat as the midges were again out in force.
Wondered back shortly before 10:30 just as the sun had set over the loch - brilliant!
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Day 11: Lochranza (Isle of Arran) to Connel
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Day 10 photos (Arran)
Enjoying a well deserved pint on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry
Fantastic descent into Lochranza on the Isle of Arran
Lochranza castle at sunset
Monday, 2 June 2008
Day 10: New Galloway to Lochranza (Isle of Arran)
As we were aiming to get the 3.15pm ferry from Ardrossan to Isle of Arran 60miles away, we had an early-ish breakfast and were on on our way by 8.45am.
Weighed down by our breakfasts and the hilly Galloway route, the first 12miles were pretty slow and when we stopped for refreshments at Carsphairn, the likelihood of reaching the ferry in time seemed pretty slim.
However, the tailwind, the cool overcast conditions and generally downhill route meant that we reached Ayr on the coast in good time just before midday. Getting temporarily a little lost through the town centre , we continued along the coast to Prestwick and toasted sandwiches for lunch on seafront.
Cycled on the coastal path towards the numerous golf courses surrounding Troon including the famous Royal Troon GC.
Through the forgettable Irvine town centre, we arrived at the end of the urban metropolis at Ardrossan 30mins before departure. A comfortable ferry crossing helped by with a couple of pints before disapproving looks as we were last to leave the ferry on arrival into Brodick and the beautiful sunshine.
A quick stock up on provisions before we headed along the east coast towards Lochranza. A great coastal path passing pretty fishing villages of Corrie and Sannox before heading inland to the hills. Without a doubt this was my favourite part of the trip so far. A hard climb up to the centre of the island taking in the stunning peaks and views to the sea either side before a fantastic descent into Lochranza. A quick look around the castle before checking in with our hosts (ex-Londoners who had escaped the big smoke)
at a nice B+b two doors down from the local pub. A couple more beers and some grub we headed back in the still daylight at 930pm ready for the early start tomorrow.
Day 9; Penrith to New Galloway
Cycle total 85.3miles
Av speed 12.13mph
A large breakfast served up by the delightful Joan set us up nicely for what was to prove the longest day so far in terms of mileage. Nick and I set off at 9.15 while Patrick was getting his bike fixed and we raced along the 20 miles to Carlisle in the dry. We got to Morrisons just N of Carlisle and waited for Paddy who made even faster progress and caught us up quickly afterwards, his new back wheel proving stronger than the first! Then the rain finally caught up with us as we were heading N which put a bit of a dampner on things. Had a bit of an argument approaching Gretna about whether to go on a short stretch of fairly busy dual carriageway (which is what Ed wanted to do) or be a soft-cock and go round the houses adding an extra 6 miles to the day (which is what the young whipper snappers wanted). In the end 2 beat 1 and we went the long way round and into Gretna and then Scotland! Reached Annan for lunch in Subway and an attempt to dry off a bit and then continued on the B724 whilst the countryside was getting more and more remote and stunning. Got to Dumfries and stopped for afternoon tea. It was a long climb out of Dumfries and I started to feel very weak so a shot of sugar and an easy couple of miles were in order. Turned off the main road for the final 13 miles to Balmaclellan and New Galloway. Watched a sheep almost suffer the ultimate humiliation when it was narrowly avoided by a chav. In good spirits during the final few miles and we got to the Ken Bridge hotel. A couple of lovely pints of Belhaven Best over a massive and good dinner in the old dining room and were happy as pigs in the proverbial.
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Day 8 (saturday): Bashall Eaves to Penrith
Trip distance; 67miles
Av speed; 10.64
Set off from the Red Pump Inn after another full English into beautiful sunshine and stunning countryside. However, also with that we had some pretty steep hills to go up and down and up. Arrived in high Bentham after crossing the best scenery I'd encountered so far on the trip through the Forest of Bowland.
A stock upon lucozade later we continued the 8 miles to Kirby Lonsdale where we found a good little pub in a nearby village for a cheese ploughmans. My back wheel at this point had started to buckle quite badly and I contemplated but decided against diverting across the hills into kendal instead carried onto get it fixed at our destination to save on time.
Following the B roads hugging the railway and m6, we moved slowly along the east side of the lake district before climbing a long shallow 5+ mile hill into Shap. The a6 then provided the route to Penrith and our accommodation at the Norcroft guest house run by Paul who was very helpful in helping with getting my back wheel sorted. A great curry at Cagneys in the town centre before heading off to bed.
