Scotland : Argyll, Isles & Loch Lomond Chat for CC Ecosse Islay Cycle Tour 2014

[Brandane]

Just to confirm there is now a place available on this trip in the shared-dorm (probably suit male only) due to the sad withdrawal of @Brandane - reply here or PM me if interested. Cheers, Mark

You can all thank me later, because the weekend for this trip will now be wall to wall ; whereas if I had come along it would be force 10 winds and mucho . As western France will discover soon ..... . Hopefully NOT, this time!

 

[Fubar]

Just a reminder there is are only 12 weeks left until this epic ride, and I'm sure all the participants have been training hard!

There is still a place still up for grabs, post here or PM me if interested. Cheers! Mark

 

[mcshroom]

12 weeks means that train bookings should be possible any time now

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Just a reminder there is only 12 weeks left until this epic ride, and I'm sure all the participants have been training hard!

I bought all the gear, in truth don't even know where we are going, just fancied the idea of a bike tour on an island.
Is it gonna be like riding around Millport?

 

[Scoosh]

What is this 'training' of which you speak ?

Is it necessary ?

Are there inclines in an upward direction ?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Really, joking aside, I must check out the itinerary pronto, do a few long rides on Colombo the spoiled steed, load the panniers to see how heavy the lot is gonna be.
Alas, the garden has been calling, can't wait for the rain to start again so I can ride my bike

 

[mcshroom]

What is this 'training' of which you speak ?

Is it necessary ?

Are there inclines in an upward direction ?

Nah, just a few optical illusions

 

[Fubar]

Really, joking aside, I must check out the itinerary pronto, do a few long rides on Colombo the spoiled steed, load the panniers to see how heavy the lot is gonna be.
Alas, the garden has been calling, can't wait for the rain to start again so I can ride my bike

From memory I think the last day is the longest as we are getting 3 ferries, and by then you'll be climbing like a pro!

 

[Scoosh]

This being a CC Ecosse ride, I assume it is "mostly flat, a few lumps, no real hills ".

Am I correct / being deceived / in denial / kidding myself / without any hope of catching the required ferries ?

 

[Fubar]

This being a CC Ecosse ride, I assume it is "mostly flat, a few lumps, no real hills ".

Am I correct / being deceived / in denial / kidding myself / without any hope of catching the required ferries ?

So long as we are away early enough on the last day we should be fine, I can't remember exactly but my timings worked on the basis of around 10mph - so long as we catch the first ferry we should be fine for catching others, just might be a late finish...

And no I'm not going to kid anyone one - there ARE some hills! But nothing insurmountable for us hardy lot

 

[Scoosh]

I can do long, draggy hills - it's the steepness factor which can do for me. It's not easy riding a 'bent' at < 8kph - it gets a bit too wobbly !

Anything > 10% upwards ? 10% downwards and it's - I'll wait for you at the bottom !

 

[Fubar]

I can do long, draggy hills - it's the steepness factor which can do for me. It's not easy riding a 'bent' at < 8kph - it gets a bit too wobbly !

Anything > 10% upwards ? 10% downwards and it's - I'll wait for you at the bottom !

All the route elevations are in the other thread here: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/cc-ecosse-islay-4-day-tour-2014.147124/

The only one I've ridden is Arran - >10%? Dunno, but I do remember long draggy hills so should be fine.

 

[MikeW-71]

Couple of sections on Arran peak at 15% IIRC, but only a short distance. Most of them are just long draggy hills.

The bike for the job has arrived, may I introduce my n+1 the Giant Revolt CX:
Untitled

Some road tyres are on order for it and it looks like I could still fit the bar bag despite the cross levers. As long as it doesn't interfere with steering, it's all good.

Results of the maiden voyage are that I like it a lot. A little more relaxed than the Defy, stable, comfortable and handles well. I think they employed a sadist to come up with that saddle though, it's torture, and is already replaced with the stock Defy saddle. We'll see how that goes.

 

[Telemark]

That's a Revolt(-ing ) bike, @MikeW-71
Seriously, looks very nice, disc brakes too - no worries on rainy downhills

T

 

[MikeW-71]

Indeed, it will be a very good all-rounder. I do like disc brakes.

It also has 48/34 rings on the front and a huge 11-34 at the back. I was half expecting it to feel a bit sluggish, but no, it's as sprightly as the Defy when you want it to be