One more target reached....

[Brandane]

Always thought that cycling up the back road from Largs to Loch Thom would be beyond me, but since I got my new found enthusiasm after buying my Tricross, today I decided to give it a go.

Most of you won't know the road but basically it is a quiet single track, with an uphill stretch lasting for the best part of 5 miles (measured today). Not a drastic climb, but quite tough in places.

After getting to the top, I went on to Loch Thom then cut across the Garshangan track to Kilmacolm, NCR 75 then to Johnstone. Train home (as it was dark by then and TBH I had done enough!). It brought my mileage for November past the 200 mark, which I am quite happy with.

I know it's probably a walk in the park to most on here, but it's given me a great buzz and a desire to do more! Pity I have to work for next 4 days now...

 

[postman]

The buzz is what it's all about.Well done.

 

[MrRidley]

Well done that man, every mile is a good one, whether it be uphill or downhill.

 

[BearPear]

Well done - how far in total did you go? I'm guessing quite far if you needed to get a train home!

 

[Brandane]

Well done - how far in total did you go? I'm guessing quite far if you needed to get a train home!

26 miles, average speed 11.5mph. So a bit of work to be done yet!!

 

[Randochap]

Very well done! What lights are you using?

 

[Brandane]

Very well done! What lights are you using?

Not very good ones! CatEye TL-LD130 that I transferred from an older bike I had. They are ok for being seen but no use for giving a beam on the road.

To be honest I probably won't do a lot of darkness riding as commuting is a non-starter.. 25 miles each way (on fast, hilly trunk roads) before and after a 12 hour shift that involves driving 330 miles; no way!!

 

[scook94]

Ooohhh! I nearly did that route a couple of weeks back (Largs-Loch Thom- Gourock-Largs) but decided to do Largs-Troon-Largs instead.

My mate and I did that route (then back to Largs via the coast road) when we were kids ~14yrs old. It was one of those epic adventures that often gets recalled when we meet up!

 

[Brandane]

Ooohhh! I nearly did that route a couple of weeks back (Largs-Loch Thom- Gourock-Largs) but decided to do Largs-Troon-Largs instead.

My mate and I did that route (then back to Largs via the coast road) when we were kids ~14yrs old. It was one of those epic adventures that often gets recalled when we meet up!

I presume you are from Largs originally?

Ahh the joys of youth! When I was about 19 (1981) and living in Bute, my cousin and I did the "3 ferries" route. Rothesay-Colintraive-Dunoon-Gourock-Wemyss Bay and back to Rothesay. It degenerated into a bit of a pub crawl as I remember, but what a great day out! Cycling along the A78 from Inverkip to Wemyss Bay after more pints than I care to think about was a sobering experience and not one I would repeat these days!

 

[scook94]

Yeah, my Dad and Sister still stay down there. I usually take my bike down there when I'm visiting for the weekend. Sometimes ride out on Sunday mornings just up and down to Ardrossan, sometimes down through Kilwinning over to Dalry and back down Haylie Brae.

The trip to Troon was highly enjoyable and one I'll be doing again. Nice and flat!

 

[Brandane]

The trip to Troon was highly enjoyable and one I'll be doing again. Nice and flat!

Yes, I like that run too. Have done Largs/Ayr (or vice-versa depending on wind direction ) a few times.

 

[Chrisc]

Nicely done. Just checked that on Bikehike and it's 900 feet up in five miles. My hills are about the same, 200ft per mile so I know how much that hurts me!