Summerbridge

A great ride out for Dom and JP on Saturday. Phil quite rightly absent doing parenting duties but this is one to repeat in future. New found respect for JP - I didn't realise how far away Alwoodly is! Must arrange a better snack stop next time...

Ilkley etc

Did the route below this morning with Dom. Really good workout as my road bike is still poorly so I tried to tag along on the expedition bike. Not easy and the legs (and lungs) feel like they've had a proper workout on this hilly route.

Dalby Forest

Headed up to Dalby Forest today with Briony and the girls for a spot of mountain biking. Despite the torrential rain, the girls completed the blue 8 mile trail.

Hebridean Loop

Just back from the cycle through the Western Isles. What an epic ride! (somehow) we had no idea it would be a 350 mile hilly route. I did have an idea that it would take in some of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful scenery however and I wasn't disappointed.



Here is a brief summary of the trip:

Day 1 - Oban to Barra

Not much cycling today which is lucky as I had not slept much since Turkey and was still feeling the unwelcome effects of drinking Turkish water :(

Left Oban in sunshine and had high hopes for the weather. Barra changed all that. Tried to find Iain who had been there for 2 days already but at 10.30pm we gave up and took shelter in the tent. It was now blowing high winds and horizontal rain.






Day 2
Woke up to sunshine and calm. A guy on a motorbike stopped to ask us if we were looking for someone from Tain. We guessed this had to be Iain. The motorbike guy said he'd drive back to him and tell him we were on our way.

We all cycled to the ferry together and headed up through the Uists. Lots of causeways, beaches and beautiful scenery. Had lunch paid for by a huge UB40 fan (!) and ploughed on to a bay we had found on the map. Beautiful long beach (known locally as Stinky Bay!). Bad flies in the morning but a great place to camp.







Day 3
Headed for Harris today and Luskentyre Bay (a bay that Iain knew about)
Wind on our backs and sun in our faces. Felt good!
Camped on the croft of a fierce Gaelic speaking 90 year old. We were all terrified of her - especially when she came to throw a dead rabbit into the sea at 9pm (random).








Day 4
The wind had turned around today and was coming from the North. Exactly the direction we were heading. We headed up to Tarbert and over the first hills for breakfast. Found a good cafe in Tarbert (First Fruits cafe) and had a full on breakfast (this would later come back to haunt me!!)

We then carried on to Stornoway. Strong wind, horizontal rain, busier roads and tiredness made this the least favourite stage of the journey. Eventually arrived in Stornoway and saw Iain onto the Ullapool Ferry. Treated ourselves to a 'luxurious' night in a bunkhouse on the edge of town and dried out and slept well.







Day 5
Craig and I were dreading the return trip to Tarbert today after yesterday's slog through the hills but it turned out to be much easier going - in fact like riding on a different island. No late ferries to Skye on a Thursday so we camped on the grassy bit next to the pier and treated ourselves to a gig in the evening at the Harris Hotel. Saw the band The String Contingent (Great!)







Day 6
Early ferry to Skye. We weren't sure where to head for today. Ended up doing Skye in one (57 miles) via the lovely town of Portree and the not so great town of Broadford. Skye is such a beautiful island and once we were off the main (bridge) road, the scenery and lack of traffic was great. Got to Armadale too late for the last ferry so ended up camping in a field. Watched the Film The Hangover on Craig's Iphone!!







Day 7
Early ferry back onto the Mainland today. Not sure what to expect. Hills, hills and more hills! Stunning scenery through Glenuig and Ardnamurchan. Decided to do this in one again and try and make the last ferry from kilchoan to Tobermory. Last hilly 24 miles in 2 hours to make it by the skin of our teeth! This would mean a meal and some beers on Mull! Great meal at the Mishnish Hotel followed by a meteor shower as we walked back to the tents.



Day 8
A relaxed day as we cycled along the coast of Mull from Tobermory to Craignure and the ferry back to Oban. This had been a fantastic trip with many challenges and the most stunning scenery I have ever cycled in. Somewhere warmer and drier next year?!

Winds of change...

A cracking ride out yesterday with Dom although it was very windy and appeared to be always in our faces! A good distance and some cracking views. I also did a couple of 25 milers last week and felt good although a week of sun, sea and sangria will probably take its toll!

Dom does de lakes

Here's a ride I did last week in the lakes....whetted my appetite for some more lakeland peaks. The climb up Kirkstone passs was not as long as Hartside but definitely steeper.