Coast and Castles Cycle Ride 2010

[daubechie]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I haven't got full details as my old PC is in storage whilst we move - but I did use this site a lot:
Cycle Hebrides - dedicated to cycling in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
and I borrowed the route plan below from an organised holiday website as a skeleton plan (There were probably 8 couples doing the same route - some staying in B&Bs and hostels and 3 of us with tents - 1 couple on a tandem)
The mileages are lower than I remember but we were back home in Hertfordshire in 8 days so we cut out the rest day and did Portree to Armadale - Skye wasn't such nice cycling to my mind as it is a lot busier than the hebrides - with all the extra tourist traffic etc.
We didn't book anything in advance - even buying the ferry rover ticket in Oban.
Day 1. Arrive OBAN - afternoon ferry to Barra
Day 2. EXPLORE BARRA 16ml(25km)
Cycle round this quiet island and its linked small island, Vatersay. Perhaps visit the four Catholic Churches, Kismul Castle,the ancestral home of the Clan MacNeil, the Thatched Cottage Museum at Craigston and the airport on Cockle Strand Beach. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity, the birds and the flowers together with the quiet welcome of its people.
Day 3. CASTLEBAY - BALIVANICH(SOUTH UIST) 41ml(66km)
Take the passenger ferry to Ludag on South Uist and continue northwards to Benbecula. The main road takes a fairly flat, straight path with many links on the west side to the “machir” and the beautiful silver sands which occupy the west coast of South Uist. By the road is the peaty moorland and many lochans, noted for their trout fishing. Traffic jam >>>>
Day 4. BALIVANISH - BERNERAY 32/42ml(51/68km)
Cross the causeway to North Uist and take the road up the west coast on the longer route. If time permits visit the Bird Reserve at Balranald. Alternatively the easier journey is by the east coast to Lochmaddy and continue to the beautiful quiet island of Berneray now linked to the mainland by a causeway.
Day 5. BERNERAY - TARBERT(HARRIS) 23ml(37km)
Take the ferry to Eriskay and cross the causeway to Harris is an interesting trip as the boat navigates the narrow channel between the many small islands. Follow the road on the west side of Harris past many white sandy beaches and fertile grasslands to reach the main town of Tarbert. In contrast to the flat west coast this part of the island is dominated by its mountains-huge chunks of desolate grey rock with little soil or vegetation. Tarbert, Harris >>>>
Day 6. Rest day TARBET
Explore eastwards to the beautiful Island of Scalpay or cycle westwards to visit the beach at Hushnish from where there are scenic views to the island of Scarp. Alternatively take a bus trip around the neighbouring island of Lewis. The Island of Scalpay >>>
Day 7. TARBET - PORTREE(SKYE) 18ml(29km)
An early morning ferry takes you to Uig on the island of Skye. From there climb the hills to cross the plateau and reach the east coast at Staffin and on south to the island’s capital Portree.
Day 8. PORTREE - BROADFORD 26ml(42km)
Make an early start to leave time for a visit to the unspoilt island of Raasay. A short ferry crossing will enable you to explore its history, forest paths and wildlife. Return to continue the short distance to your overnight stop at Broadford.
Day 9. BROADFORD - ARMADALE 26ml(42km)
Across the island to Sleat “the Garden of Skye”. In this soft, green and wooded southern peninsula you can get a real feel of a Highland community at work. Leave the main road at Toravaig and visit the typical crofting community at “Cod Bay” and continue via Tokavaig and Tarskavaig to Armadale. At Armadale there is the Castle and the Clan Donald Visitor Centre.
Day 10. Depart Armadale by ferry to MALLAIG

The ferry arrived in Barra around tea time and we wildcamped by the beach... near a village hall with a toilet, sink and water tap with an honesty box... my kind of wildcamping!
I'll see what else I can round up!

[davecatt]

Thanks a lot very useful, I'm particularly interested in wild camping and campsites, did you encounter any problems with camping wild from locals or land owners?

Again thanks for your help.

Dave

[foxy mars]

Just ordered a new tent for my forecoming bike ride "Coast and Castles c/w with a ride down to Blackpool" for next year. I thought about the 1-man tent I have at the momnent, but I've decided to go for a 3-man tent. This is real luxury for me and hoping to get the bike inside if it does. What is the tent, it is a Vango Banshee 300, it's even got a gear loft and zipped boot locker. Can't wait to see it.

[davecatt]

Sounds like a tent for the man who has everything, you'll need a trailer for the kitchen sink and dihwaser though

[foxy mars]

It may be right in the trailer, that I may be getting a Carryfreedom Y-Frame. I do have the Ortlieb panniers already, but the tent weights 2.5kg and will be taking the Trangia 27 stove. But I love the Ortlieb panniers so much, that I can't really see me getting a trailer. Then you never know.

[welshcameraman]

Its great to read of the enthusiasm for cycle touring on here.I have done quite a lot in the past and find it a great way to spend a holiday...well, in good weather anyway.

I have used the ortlieb panniers for years, and although expensive when I bought them, they have never let me down. I would recommend a few easy rides to get used to having them on your front wheel though.

As for camping wild in Scotland.I walked the West Highland Way a few years ago and spent quite a few nights camping wild on that...Had no problems at all, though did pick secluded spots away from houses and farms....Keep your camera ready though..the wildlife,particularly early morning around a wild camp can be stunning.

Martin

[foxy mars]

I find the Ortlieb Front Roller Classic panniers excellent for cycle-camping, never failed me as yet.

Yes, you are right in recommending a couple of easy rides to get used to the weight on the forks, can be a bit tricky on fast descenting the sharp bends.

I think the load formula is 66% on the rear and 33% on the front to counter balance the total load on the bike.

The Ortlieb's are very expensive to buy, but once you got them, there are friend's for life. 100% robust and waterproof. I have both Bike-Packer and Back-Roller panniers as well as the Front Roller's.

Anyway, the good news is that I have my new tent which arrived this morning. This is the Vango Banshee 300, very roomy and will be a joy to pitch as the fly sheet is linked to the inner, I've had it up in the bedroom and must say it's a beauty of a size I will probably replace the pegs with some titanium pegs and take out the gear loft or maybe leave it in

[welshcameraman]

I am not sure about the percentage of front to back, but make sure you balance left and right sides equally. I also used to put tons of kit on top of the back rack as well.

I also used a Jack Wolfskin bar bag for my camera kit...an old olympus om system at the time.The reason for that was the interior sizes matched perfectly the camera bag I used to use, so it was just a matter of transferring the dividers back and fore.

Like you I used to use a vango... a micro 3, which was terrific. You could leave the inner attatched and it went up in seconds, but did need to have at least 4 good fixings. Eventually changed it for a Terra Nova voyager,which is 10- 11 years old now and I am still using it.

[foxy mars]

I probably sash the tent on the top rack, which will keep the weight to a t.

Bar-bags were never a favourite item for me, trouble is too much weight on the handle-bars. That is when the bike is stationary, it's tricky to keep the forks how you want them. I just have a map-trap and keep the camera in a Topeak Tri-bag on the top tube, rest of the stuff is in the front pannier for easy access.

You have good taste in tents, welshcameraman. I did have a couple of years ago, when I did the Coast to Coast in 2007, a Vango Micro 100. Again it's all linked up and a matter feeding the pole through and pegging it out. The trouble was, the colour -too Blue for me. So I replaced it with a The North Face "Particle 13" tent, but I use that for cycling instead. I did get a Terra Nova Laser Comp and used that one for my recent Coast to Coast in May, very lightweight and would recommend it. I got the Vango Banshee 300 for £50 in the sale, a bargain.

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by davecatt

Sounds like a tent for the man who has everything, you'll need a trailer for the kitchen sink and dihwaser though

Yes, I was tinking the idea of getting a trailer, but the cost of them I will instead stick to the panniers for what there are, the tent size of the Banshee 3000 is pretty good for a 3-man tent. I've had the tent up in the garden this sunny afternoon and could'nt believe the room inside, sheer luxury.