Summer cycling in Scotland/UK

[Leighton]

Hello,

I am new to cyclechat so I apologise if this is not posted in the right place! This summer (2nd half of July & August) I am hoping to do some exploring on my bike. I love cycling and I've always wanted to see Scotland fully. I'm interested in going up to JOG's and taking it from there really. I've 6 weeks off and very flexible on plans (both in terms of route/time spent away). If I go through Scotland it's fine, decide to change my mind and check out Ireland, England, Wales. Fine also. I am a relative newbie to cycling but it has always been a wish of mine - to explore by bike. I love the outdoors in general and whilst without trying to seem naieve or dismissive I like to just throw myself in the deep end and see what happens. I think it's easy to find reasons to put yourself off! I'd probably do 60-80 miles/day - I'm in no rush to get from A to B but instead take it all in! My main question is, is it easy to meet other cyclists during trips? Even just for suggestions, or shared routes on certain days? I'm not too stressed about the idea of lone cycle (I've done solo hiking/backpacking before) and realise my plans are very preliminary/flexible that it is hard to ask people to join me! I'm currently leaning towards staying at B&Bs but again, if I manage to rope some friends into it then camping would be great.

Does any one have any advice/recommendations? Sorry for the vagueness of it all!

Thanks,
Leighton

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Do Scotland - £10 ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast - cycle west coast of NI into Donegal into ROI (campsites everywhere)

Then Dublin - Holyhead or Dun Laoghaire | Rosslare to Fishguard

 

[Spinney]

My only tip would be (esp if you have not been to the north of Scotland before) - it is a long way between villages (some of which are tiny) and B&Bs could be quite thin on the ground. If you are not taking camping stuff with you (and personally I wouldn't - too much weight for me) you might end up having to cycle a lot further than you thought to find a bed if you have not booked ahead.

Sounds like a brilliant trip though!

 

[jay clock]

Although there are others out there, the chances of bumping into someone of interest for more than a few miles are slim. Possible exception if doing Lands End to JoG

 

[rualexander]

In July and August, most B&B will be fully booked so you will also have to book well ahead, not convenient for a cyclist as you can't always be sure of getting to where you have booked, weather, mechanical problems, health, can all throw a spanner in your best laid plans. The same applies to hostels during those months. Take camping gear and you can avoid all that hassle.
B&B are not good places to meet potential travel buddies, hostels are best, and campsites can be good too.

 

[Col5632]

If you spend any time in central scotland im sure a few of us will be keen to show you some nice places to cycle

 

[Leighton]

Thanks for the input. Will maybe look into the camping option though I'll maybe have to work on recruiting some of my friends to join! Thanks for the Ireland recommendation. I've never been there before so would be exciting to check out. I regularly am between Edinburgh and Aberdeen so I know East Scotland but want to check out the North/West really!

 

[ianjmcd]

Day 1. travelling from jog first stop i would make would be in helmsdale avoiding the a9 by going via thurso 72.8 miles they have a hostel there http://www.helmsdale.org/helmsdale-hostel.htmlover night stay in hostel

Map My Ride http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/223582603

Day 2 Helmsdale to inverness which is about another 71 miles

http://www.syha.org.uk/hostels-in-scotland/highlands/inverness.aspx

day 3. Next i would travel west along by loch ness heading for fort william 64 miles

http://fortwilliambackpackers.com/


Day 4. Fort william to inveraray 68 miles over night stay

Day 5. inveraray to tarbet loch fyne 38.7 mile ferry crossing then portavadie to dunoon 28.1 over night stay in dunoon

Day 6 .dunoon to dumbarton via strachur and luss 63.6 overnight stay in dumbarton

Day 7 Dumbarton to linlithgow via aberfoyle and stirling 70.3 mile (a few of us could possibly meet you on this leg )


Day 8 and Day 9 Linthigow to glasgow via falkirk wheel 33.8 miles (light day) 2 nights in and around glasgow meeting up with fellow ccers

Day 10 glasgow to ayr 50.6 miles (a few of us could possibly meet you on this leg )

Day 11. ayr to dumfries 60.2 miles

Day 12 .dumfries to stranraer 75 miles


total mileage 696.71 miles
stranraer on ferry to larne

 

[Leighton]

Thank you very much for this Ian! A perfect start!

 

[ianjmcd]

Well thats the way i would do it based on milage per day you could take a couple of days doing each section and do it more leisurely

Plus you would be travelling around some of the best parts of the country but be aware some of the hills are quite hard