If you're not sure of the route.......

[Brandane]

Having now looked at the OS map for the route I INTENDED to take this morning, I now know where I went wrong! Unfortunately, said OS map was in the house, while I was on some unclassified, un-signed roads in deepest Ayrshire.

I was intending to cut across from Largs to Kilmarnock (using the traffic free minor roads) to meet up with the CTC guys for a ride to Irvine. Checked out the route last night on bikehike and since I know some of it, I thought it would be easy to follow with just a print-out. WRONG! I missed just one turning and that then led me to think I was somewhere else; which then led me to take ANOTHER wrong turn. So at 1030, I realised I had sod all chance of being in Kilmarnock for the 11am start time and ended up doing an aimless exploration of the area until I finally headed for the train station at Kilwinning.

I could have headed to Irvine and caught up with them at the lunch stop, but that kind of defeats the purpose? Home now and can see where I went wrong. One day I WILL get to Kilmarnock!

 

[Coco]

Timely post. I'm planning to follow the cycle route from Kilbirnie to Kilmarnock in the next couple of weeks. Must remember the map.

 

[Brandane]

Timely post. I'm planning to follow the cycle route from Kilbirnie to Kilmarnock in the next couple of weeks. Must remember the map.

The "official" (NCN) route is easy to follow if you're planning on taking the route down to Kilwinning and then across to Kilmarnock on the cycle path.

I was trying to be clever and take the shortest route along all the wee back roads. Especially as the route we were taking (had I managed to get to Kilmarnock!) was along the cycle path, back to Kilwinning then Irvine (then back to Largs for me). That would have made it a nice circular route, but 'twas not to be .

 

[DTD]

I got lost today – am going to have a bash at my first sportive next month, thought I'd have a go at doing a bit of the route today – did about a third and thought I'd turn back and go over the same ground again – you wouldn't think it too hard would you? (had a Google Map with me)

Eventually found a road I knew and got home

I'm pretty sure I'll end up with a GPS, but want to get a bit more experience finding my own way first – think the OS will be selling another map soon.

 

[Banjo]

I did a 30 mile ride on my folder yesterday fine you might say only it should have been an 18 mile ride,didnt really care to be honest but need to take more care at map reading in unfamiliar places.

I would prefer not to get a gps as they dont encourage you to use your brain (combined with a map) but I have to admit I am wavering more and more towards getting one.

 

[DTD]

One OS Wilmslow Macclesfield Congleton OS Explorer Active Map ordered (£9.79 well spent I hope!)

 

[snorri]

I just wish I was fit enough to cycle as far as the great unknown in one day.