Author Topic: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014  (Read 112890 times)

shyumu

  • Paying my TV license by cheque since 1993
    • Balancing on Two Wheels
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #225 on: 04 January, 2014, 05:58:03 pm »
Hoping to get my name on the waiting list.  Would be nice to meet you all on this jaunt.
a journal of bicycle rides I have enjoyed:

http://balancingontwowheels.blogspot.co.uk/

Bianchi Boy

  • Cycling is my doctor
  • Is it possible for a ride to be too long?
    • Reading Cycling Club
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #226 on: 04 January, 2014, 08:30:21 pm »
Hoping to get my name on the waiting list.  Would be nice to meet you all on this jaunt.
Is it the Audax or Scotland that has you attracted?

I have used the following to book places to sleep over the last couple of years.

http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/
http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/index.php

Some of the places allow 24 hours access. Before the event I an doing a ride and have booked a hostel for £10 + £1 for towel hire near Carlisle.

BB
Set a fire for a man and he will be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he is warm for the rest of his life.

shyumu

  • Paying my TV license by cheque since 1993
    • Balancing on Two Wheels
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #227 on: 04 January, 2014, 10:51:46 pm »
I'm interested in doing a longer distance than 600 this year, and I'm attracted by the company of riders doing this one - I think the route looks lovely, but I'm mainly attracted by knowing who else is doing it.  Does that make sense?
a journal of bicycle rides I have enjoyed:

http://balancingontwowheels.blogspot.co.uk/

Ray 6701

  • SO @ T
    • Tamworth cycling club
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #228 on: 26 January, 2014, 05:30:27 pm »
May I suggest a hashtag for the twitter users amongst us.

#Hgwi1300
SR 2010/11/12/13/14/15
RRTY. PBP. LeJoG 1400. LEL.




mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
    • Didcot Audaxes
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #229 on: 26 January, 2014, 05:36:18 pm »
May I suggest a hashtag for the twitter users amongst us.

#Hgwi1300
Sorreeeeeee - I've already sent about 80 with #1300hgwi

My bad!
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

Ray 6701

  • SO @ T
    • Tamworth cycling club
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #230 on: 26 January, 2014, 06:03:10 pm »
May I suggest a hashtag for the twitter users amongst us.

#Hgwi1300
Sorreeeeeee - I've already sent about 80 with #1300hgwi

My bad!

#1300hgwi "no results found"

Ya little fibber you  :demon:
SR 2010/11/12/13/14/15
RRTY. PBP. LeJoG 1400. LEL.




Dave_C

  • Trying to get rid of my belly... and failing!
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #231 on: 29 January, 2014, 09:48:45 pm »
Booked my Hostel accommodation. know (sort of) what kit I'm taking. Just need to keep riding until the summer to maintain fitness and book my ferry tickets, and get to the start.
@DaveCrampton < wot a twit.
http://veloviewer.com/athlete/421683/

mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
    • Didcot Audaxes
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #232 on: 02 February, 2014, 05:35:37 pm »
Ianmidds - my approved chauffeur for the scottish trip - is pulling out due to some nonsense family/work stuff (he doesn't post here much).

This means I shall be spending hours in the coming months mulling over travel plans when I should be working/doingsomethingmoreusefulinstead!

Bad luck Ian, if you're reading this - I'm sure you'll do a proper ride one day. ;)
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

Bianchi Boy

  • Cycling is my doctor
  • Is it possible for a ride to be too long?
    • Reading Cycling Club
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #233 on: 05 February, 2014, 05:52:33 pm »
Matt, (or anyone else interisted)

I have a trip all planned and booked. Train to Darlington, ride to Carlisle, sleep, ride to the start and catch the last ferry Sunday night, all ready for the Monday start.

I plan to catch the train back on Saturday. You need to get to Carlisle (trains from Kilmarnock) and then there are direct trains to Reading.

I would like the idea of company on the trip.

BB
Set a fire for a man and he will be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he is warm for the rest of his life.

simonp

Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #234 on: 05 February, 2014, 06:59:21 pm »
Are you really sure you want to go to Kilmarnock?  :o


Bianchi Boy

  • Cycling is my doctor
  • Is it possible for a ride to be too long?
    • Reading Cycling Club
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #235 on: 06 February, 2014, 07:35:49 am »
Are you really sure you want to go to Kilmarnock?  :o
I think I said I would go and catch a train. Would I stop on the way through? I have relatives in Auchinleck, might try to ride there on Friday but I fear the pull of beer when (if?) I complete this ride.

The other option I see is go to Glasgow and get the same train to the 'land of the soft blokes'.

BB
Set a fire for a man and he will be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he is warm for the rest of his life.

marcusjb

  • Full of bon courage.
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #236 on: 14 February, 2014, 05:29:37 pm »
Talking with LWaB last night and he is concerned that the ride will need a turn of pace to make certain ferries (he isn't riding, but did study it).  Personally, I think there are only a couple of stages where there is a minor concern - and it is minor.  Hit the ferries and the stages between them only need a bottom speed of 15-16kph to make the next one - famous last words, but shouldn't cause too many dramas.

We will all arrive at Craignure @ 08:30 on Tuesday morning (unless anyone convinces a fisherman to take them across the night before).  We will all be out of time at the Tobermory control but, whatever. 

The next ferry is at Tobermory - 35 km away.  There is a ferry @ 11:00 - sure, it isn't flat (roughly 400m of ascent in the 35km) and it often takes a few minutes to disembark etc., but that is still over 2 hours to ride 35km.  So, I don't think it should cause any dramas - missing this ferry would probably start to put the next stage out of reach though (2 hours until next ferry).

So, we should arrive into Kilchoan at 11:35 and the next goal is Mallaig at 95km distance - last ferry at 18:00. Call it 10-15 minutes to disembark - 6 hours and 15 minutes to ride 95km, with around 1800m of ascent.  Again, I think we will all be bunched back up and able to make use of group riding - though it is quite hilly.  But still - that's 6 hours to ride less than 100km



Once we make that Mallaig ferry (340km) that's it for ferries for over 900km.

Am I missing anything? 

Sure, there's a million and one other things that might scupper us - but if the ferries run to schedule, I really don't think that anyone need worry overly?

Once ferry stresses are dealt with, we can worry about food and accommodation next.
Right! What's next?

Ooooh. That sounds like a daft idea.  I am in!

Dave_C

  • Trying to get rid of my belly... and failing!
Re: The Highlands, Glens &amp; Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #237 on: 14 February, 2014, 06:16:59 pm »
Thanks Marcus, I hadn't given ferries any serious thought. I need to find out the first ferry to Arran as I plan to stsy with friends on the mainland and get a ferry over for the start.
@DaveCrampton < wot a twit.
http://veloviewer.com/athlete/421683/

Lars

  • n.b. have shaved off beard since photo taken
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #238 on: 14 February, 2014, 10:05:11 pm »
Talking with LWaB last night and he is concerned that the ride will need a turn of pace to make certain ferries (he isn't riding, but did study it).  Personally, I think there are only a couple of stages where there is a minor concern - and it is minor.  Hit the ferries and the stages between them only need a bottom speed of 15-16kph to make the next one - famous last words, but shouldn't cause too many dramas.

We will all arrive at Craignure @ 08:30 on Tuesday morning (unless anyone convinces a fisherman to take them across the night before).  We will all be out of time at the Tobermory control but, whatever. 

The next ferry is at Tobermory - 35 km away.  There is a ferry @ 11:00 - sure, it isn't flat (roughly 400m of ascent in the 35km) and it often takes a few minutes to disembark etc., but that is still over 2 hours to ride 35km.  So, I don't think it should cause any dramas - missing this ferry would probably start to put the next stage out of reach though (2 hours until next ferry).

So, we should arrive into Kilchoan at 11:35 and the next goal is Mallaig at 95km distance - last ferry at 18:00. Call it 10-15 minutes to disembark - 6 hours and 15 minutes to ride 95km, with around 1800m of ascent.  Again, I think we will all be bunched back up and able to make use of group riding - though it is quite hilly.  But still - that's 6 hours to ride less than 100km



Once we make that Mallaig ferry (340km) that's it for ferries for over 900km.

Am I missing anything? 

Sure, there's a million and one other things that might scupper us - but if the ferries run to schedule, I really don't think that anyone need worry overly?

Once ferry stresses are dealt with, we can worry about food and accommodation next.

Thanks for sharing the analysis Marcus - seems like if you're aware of the time constraints and have your gear,
energy levels and mind as far as possible prepared to avoid any unnecessary time-sink stops it seems feasible to
get through the timing bottlenecks in one piece if conditions are ok.

Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #239 on: 14 February, 2014, 10:20:07 pm »
Seems a sound analysis to me. Obviously, even if anyone does manage to get onto Oban early, either by racing to catch the last ferry or rowing across, there's not much point, as they'd still have a night on Mull before the first ferry off the island. A couple hours' advantage, maybe, but not worth flaying yourself for.

It all looks like good fun.

marcusjb

  • Full of bon courage.
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #240 on: 14 February, 2014, 10:35:02 pm »
Seems a sound analysis to me. Obviously, even if anyone does manage to get onto Oban early, either by racing to catch the last ferry or rowing across, there's not much point, as they'd still have a night on Mull before the first ferry off the island. A couple hours' advantage, maybe, but not worth flaying yourself for.

It all looks like good fun.

I think part of the genius and appeal for this ride is we are sort of forced to endure enjoy each other's company far more than on a usual ride for at least that first 340km. We will all be on the same ferries so everyone from fast to slow will be back together regularly.

It is going to be a wild tour of some very beautiful parts of the world and I can not wait.
Right! What's next?

Ooooh. That sounds like a daft idea.  I am in!

Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #241 on: 14 February, 2014, 10:46:39 pm »
Absolutely! It'll be a blast. People keep telling me it's impossible - which is hardly likely to put me off, but I'm in it for the ride, rather than the points.

marcusjb

  • Full of bon courage.
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #242 on: 14 February, 2014, 10:59:13 pm »
It is far from impossible and I think the ferry logistics work just fine. The two legs I have highlighted are the only two where things could go belly up if you don't manage the pace (but we are talking about riding at a minimum of 15 and a bit kph - that should present no challenges for anyone on this ride, barring any major mechanicals or weather events).

My experiences of Calmac are that you could ring them up and tell them 60 cyclists are running a little behind schedule and might miss the last ferry and they'd probably hold the ferry for us!

It is going to be a jolly good adventure for sure and something so different to pretty much everything else in the calendar.

Right! What's next?

Ooooh. That sounds like a daft idea.  I am in!

Hummers

  • It is all about the taste.
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #243 on: 15 February, 2014, 08:33:49 am »
I am more than a little surprised that no one has posted as to what the beer situation is. I am hoping there will be at the various stops along the way.

H

Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #244 on: 15 February, 2014, 08:45:30 am »
There might be beer but it will probably be shit.

Its Scotland, remember.

Hummers

  • It is all about the taste.
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #245 on: 15 February, 2014, 08:55:44 am »
Yes, I am prepared for the 80' experience however the last few times I have been there has yielded a surprising array of fine beer.

H

Dave_C

  • Trying to get rid of my belly... and failing!
Re: The Highlands, Glens &amp; Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #246 on: 15 February, 2014, 08:53:03 pm »
If you are staying on Arran, there are three beers from the Arran brewery which might tickle your taste buds. Thats just the start!
@DaveCrampton < wot a twit.
http://veloviewer.com/athlete/421683/

Bairn Again

Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #247 on: 17 February, 2014, 01:09:51 pm »
There will inevitably be others that are worth a try e.g. The Isle of Skye brewery make some excelent beers but I reckon that you will probably see quite a lot of these guys (even if its just in bottle rather than draught its better than the usual "mass produced rubbish" suspects). 

http://www.scottishbrewing.com/breweries/orkneyandshetland/orkney.php

http://www.scottishbrewing.com/breweries/orkneyandshetland/atlas-range.php

Same parent company, different brands.  Nimbus is a particular favourite of mine, very refreshing during our long hot summers in Scotland.   

Hummers

  • It is all about the taste.
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #248 on: 17 February, 2014, 01:25:11 pm »
Marvellous news and ideal carbo loading preparation possible on the night before  :thumbsup:

H

marcusjb

  • Full of bon courage.
Re: The Highlands, Glens & Western Isles - Monday, July 21st 2014
« Reply #249 on: 17 February, 2014, 02:12:23 pm »
Whilst my next project is an interactive Google map of all known purveyors of sports recovery power drinks along the route, here's something not quite as useful - GPS and elevations for each stage:

Stage 1-1 Broderick-Lochranza - 23.9km with estimated elevation gain 339m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4049502



Stage 1-2 Claonaig-Campbell Town - 45.4km with estimated elevation gain 855m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4049516



Stage 2 Campbell Town-Lochgilphead - 81.1km with estimated elevation gain 958m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4049528



Stage 3-1 Lochgilphead-Oban - 60.9km with estimated elevation gain 977m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4049533



Stage 3-2 Craignure-Tobermory - 33.5km with estimated elevation gain 407m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4049536



Stage 4-1 Kilchoan-Mallaig - 92.2km with estimated elevation gain 1851m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4049541



Stage 4-2 Armadale-Broadford - 26.5km with estimated elevation gain 325m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4049544



Stage 5 Broadford-Gairloch - 122.9km with estimated elevation gain 1820m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4051427



Stage 6 Gairloch-Ullapool - 90.1km with estimated elevation gain 1507m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061224



Stage 7 Ullapool-Lochinvar - 48.4km with estimated elevation gain 1004m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061229



Stage 8 Lochinvar-Durness - 84.8km with estimated elevation gain 1552m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061237



Stage 9 Durness-Trantlebeg - 99.6km with estimated elevation gain 1626m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061246



Stage 10 Trantlebeg-Lairg - 100.9km with estimated elevation gain 985m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061251



Stage 11 Lairg-Dingwall - 61.1km with estimated elevation gain 674m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061262



Stage 12 Dingwall-Spean Bridge - 102.2km with estimated elevation gain 1490m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061271



Stage 13 Spean Bridge-Inverarary - 125km with estimated elevation gain 1421m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061287



Stage 14-1 Inverarary-Dunoon - 61.6km with estimated elevation gain 695m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061292



Stage 14-2 Dunoon-Ardrossen - 41.2km with estimated elevation gain 281m

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4061301



Usual disclaimers - if you get lost following these, it ain't my fault (well, technically it is, but if you can't be arsed to do your own and follow some idiot off the Internet's interpretation of the routesheet, then that's down to you!)
Right! What's next?

Ooooh. That sounds like a daft idea.  I am in!