The "Photos From Today's Ride" thread...
Discussion
Returned Sunday from an 8 day self-supported tour of West Scotland and a few Isles, starting Glasgow and finishing Inverness.
Route took in Ardrossan, Arran, Kintyre, Oban, Mull, Mallaig, Skye, Torridon, Gairloch, Ullapool, Achiltibuie. Stayed entirely at youth hostels which were fantastic for our group of 3 boys and 2 girls. Could eat in at the remote ones and they all had far better washing/ drying facilities than a B&B would offer. Also we were able to juggle bookings at one day's notice when we realised our plan to overnight on Harris + Lewis would be thwarted by weather (as was our proposed ascent of Bealach na Ba with 75 mph winds on top!).
Weather very pleasant first few days then degenerated into typical autumn gales and winds. One of us was blown over onto a grass verge, another fell backwards off the new wooden 'pods' at one hostel on the final evening, making the 85 mile last leg stressful. We all learned a lot about our kit in those conditions, and the need to carry provisions as cafes and shops are few and far between in the remote areas, and to have a 'Plan B' at all times. Just one midge was spotted - my Smidge canister must have warned them off!
Stunning scenery. Far to many photos to post but here's a random few:
Route took in Ardrossan, Arran, Kintyre, Oban, Mull, Mallaig, Skye, Torridon, Gairloch, Ullapool, Achiltibuie. Stayed entirely at youth hostels which were fantastic for our group of 3 boys and 2 girls. Could eat in at the remote ones and they all had far better washing/ drying facilities than a B&B would offer. Also we were able to juggle bookings at one day's notice when we realised our plan to overnight on Harris + Lewis would be thwarted by weather (as was our proposed ascent of Bealach na Ba with 75 mph winds on top!).
Weather very pleasant first few days then degenerated into typical autumn gales and winds. One of us was blown over onto a grass verge, another fell backwards off the new wooden 'pods' at one hostel on the final evening, making the 85 mile last leg stressful. We all learned a lot about our kit in those conditions, and the need to carry provisions as cafes and shops are few and far between in the remote areas, and to have a 'Plan B' at all times. Just one midge was spotted - my Smidge canister must have warned them off!
Stunning scenery. Far to many photos to post but here's a random few:
millen said:
Returned Sunday from an 8 day self-supported tour of West Scotland and a few Isles, starting Glasgow and finishing Inverness.
Route took in Ardrossan, Arran, Kintyre, Oban, Mull, Mallaig, Skye, Torridon, Gairloch, Ullapool, Achiltibuie. Stayed entirely at youth hostels which were fantastic for our group of 3 boys and 2 girls. Could eat in at the remote ones and they all had far better washing/ drying facilities than a B&B would offer. Also we were able to juggle bookings at one day's notice when we realised our plan to overnight on Harris + Lewis would be thwarted by weather (as was our proposed ascent of Bealach na Ba with 75 mph winds on top!).
Weather very pleasant first few days then degenerated into typical autumn gales and winds. One of us was blown over onto a grass verge, another fell backwards off the new wooden 'pods' at one hostel on the final evening, making the 85 mile last leg stressful. We all learned a lot about our kit in those conditions, and the need to carry provisions as cafes and shops are few and far between in the remote areas, and to have a 'Plan B' at all times. Just one midge was spotted - my Smidge canister must have warned them off!
That sounds and looks great- are you planning to do a more detailed write up? I for one would appreciate it, and I'm sure others would too.Route took in Ardrossan, Arran, Kintyre, Oban, Mull, Mallaig, Skye, Torridon, Gairloch, Ullapool, Achiltibuie. Stayed entirely at youth hostels which were fantastic for our group of 3 boys and 2 girls. Could eat in at the remote ones and they all had far better washing/ drying facilities than a B&B would offer. Also we were able to juggle bookings at one day's notice when we realised our plan to overnight on Harris + Lewis would be thwarted by weather (as was our proposed ascent of Bealach na Ba with 75 mph winds on top!).
Weather very pleasant first few days then degenerated into typical autumn gales and winds. One of us was blown over onto a grass verge, another fell backwards off the new wooden 'pods' at one hostel on the final evening, making the 85 mile last leg stressful. We all learned a lot about our kit in those conditions, and the need to carry provisions as cafes and shops are few and far between in the remote areas, and to have a 'Plan B' at all times. Just one midge was spotted - my Smidge canister must have warned them off!
First ride in Lanzarote yesterday, with a torturous 43miler.
Started near the villa in Macher, headed out to Yaiza then onto the El Golfo loop. Then headed down into Playa Blanca for a beer, coffee and cake and to see the place. Yup, it's full of fat english groups with tops off, fatties dragging around children and is just a bit of a hole. Got punished on the 10k climb back north into a horrible headwind, before looping around to Porto Calero and back to the villa.
Really felt it after not riding the road bike since the same trip in 2017
Great views along the west coast of the island along with excellent tarmac, flowing roads and incredibly respectful traffic. Makes 80% of the traffic in Aberdeen seem like maniacs who want to kill you :
Started near the villa in Macher, headed out to Yaiza then onto the El Golfo loop. Then headed down into Playa Blanca for a beer, coffee and cake and to see the place. Yup, it's full of fat english groups with tops off, fatties dragging around children and is just a bit of a hole. Got punished on the 10k climb back north into a horrible headwind, before looping around to Porto Calero and back to the villa.
Really felt it after not riding the road bike since the same trip in 2017
Great views along the west coast of the island along with excellent tarmac, flowing roads and incredibly respectful traffic. Makes 80% of the traffic in Aberdeen seem like maniacs who want to kill you :
-Ad- said:
First ride in Lanzarote yesterday, with a torturous 43miler.
Started near the villa in Macher, headed out to Yaiza then onto the El Golfo loop. Then headed down into Playa Blanca for a beer, coffee and cake and to see the place. Yup, it's full of fat english groups with tops off, fatties dragging around children and is just a bit of a hole. Got punished on the 10k climb back north into a horrible headwind, before looping around to Porto Calero and back to the villa.
Really felt it after not riding the road bike since the same trip in 2017
Great views along the west coast of the island along with excellent tarmac, flowing roads and incredibly respectful traffic. Makes 80% of the traffic in Aberdeen seem like maniacs who want to kill you :
I did a loop to the north and back from Playa Blanca, forecast southerly wind to back round to a northerly didn't materialise and had a head wind all the way back, nice loop from El Golfo? Have you did done the climb to Femes, I recall the bloke in the shop telling me that plenty people head up that way but never make it. It isn't a big climb circa 330m climbing in about 5-6km from memory. Started near the villa in Macher, headed out to Yaiza then onto the El Golfo loop. Then headed down into Playa Blanca for a beer, coffee and cake and to see the place. Yup, it's full of fat english groups with tops off, fatties dragging around children and is just a bit of a hole. Got punished on the 10k climb back north into a horrible headwind, before looping around to Porto Calero and back to the villa.
Really felt it after not riding the road bike since the same trip in 2017
Great views along the west coast of the island along with excellent tarmac, flowing roads and incredibly respectful traffic. Makes 80% of the traffic in Aberdeen seem like maniacs who want to kill you :
Wrt to Tiede, I think I need another fix for the year. Bike Point are great for sorting out bike faff from any issues if you bring your own bike and have some great rental bikes.
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