Day 1, avoiding the airshow

Details

Hits: 8452

We hadn't realised when we arranged this trip but the Ayr airshow was planned for the day we were going to Ayr. With a dangerous building at Ayr railway station meaning a limited service we re-routed to Gourock, a nice simple 35 min jaunt from Glasgow.

We headed down the coastal cycle route, this is sometimes on pavements making it slow going. We stopped at Nardini's in Largs and enjoyed their ice-cream. At Ardrossan we found that one of the ferries was off resulting in long queues of cars, luckily for us there was plenty of room for bikes so we got straight on the ferry for Brodick, Arran.

The island was much quieter, in fact I only realised how noisy the day had been when the noise stopped.

A picturesque climb up Glen Sannox took us to the lovely hostel at Lochranza.

Day 2, heading north to Inverneill

Details

Hits: 8371

We had a relaxing start to the day because the first ferry from Lochranza doesn't leave until 09:30 on a Sunday. We followed a couple going up the road from Claonaig to Tarbert and ended up sitting next to them at the café for lunch. All the cafés were busy, the sun was out and people were making the most of it.

After shopping at the coop we took the coast road B8024, the wind started to die down which would have been against us at this point. It became overcast but stayed dry until second lunch at Clackbreck. The rain started as we were sitting on the beach, the temperature dropped suddenly so we packed up and took in the three mile climb to 193m in waterproofs. From the summit it was all down hill to Aygyle Backpackers at Inverneill. It's a very well equipped bunkhouse, great kitchen, good to get out of the rain. Chilli for dinner and an electric organ to play for entertainment, lovely place.

42.7 miles today.

Day 3, over the hills to Oban

Details

Hits: 8047

It was a lovely sunny morning as we set off north to Ardrishaig. Here we joined the Crinan Canal, a Thomas Telford design. We enjoyed wide open views across to hills, as we approached the sea we took a right to Kilmartin. We stopped for a while to look at neolithic remains then we had first lunch at a café in Kilmartin which rapidly filled up with elderly folk from a coach.

We got on the road asap and apart from a cold northerly breeze it was perfect. After Ford we headed up the west side of Loch Awe, the hills started to kick in, short and very steep with a view at the top. A moment to enjoy the scenery then back down to water level and repeat.

We had second lunch at Dalavich, a lovely spot, great café. The short sharp hills continued as far as Kilchrenan really sapping our energy levels. The B road to Taynuilt was much faster and the sun persisted. We then took the minor road up Glen Lonan, possibly the best part of a superb days cycling. At the end of the day there was a fast and technical descent to Oban, arrived at 18:00 and headed straight to Tesco. Had a plain meal of fishcake and boiled veg followed by a pint at The Oban Inn.

57 miles today.

Day 4, Tobermory

Details

Hits: 1937

Sunny again at breakfast and a slow start waiting for the ferry. Got to Craignure on Mull about half ten and headed south east. We had to stop a lot on the single track roads as they were so busy. After passing through Glen More we turned right and the B road was a bit quieter. We had first lunch looking out to Aird of Kinloch. The wind when it blew was cold but the sun was out most of the time.

There was a BCQ at Gruline then second lunch at Salen just after four. The single track to Tobermory was very busy and needed a lot of stops. Andy shopped an we had Mexican wraps for dinner.

50 miles today