[Closed] The vagaries of touring

I take it you're camping? Or are you planning to try and stay in B&Bs, hostels etc?

Islay/Jura/Arran? Take a train to Oban then ferry down to Mull/Islay? Just an idea, no info, it's just something I'd like to do one day.

Parvis; Aye, its the easy way for me hostels when I can, pub grub cold beer etc.

1961Bikie; Thats the kind of thing Im thinking of. Going higher though, definitely taking in Stornoway, then mibbes ferries all the way down the West coast to Ardrossan. Then cycle up the road.

I'm heading up the east coast to Orkney and Shetland starting next week. I'm camping and planning to just accept that I can't take any real change of clothes with me. I will have two panniers, a bar bag and a wee saddle bag. Tent will go on top of the rack. I reckon a couple of changes of socks and cycling shorts + merino will see me through, and one set of 'normal' clothes for the rare pubs I'll be in.

I've never done anything like this before so no idea how its going to go, and not even tried to pack anything yet!

Outer Hebridean islands will be my next trip if this one goes well, but couldn't work out how to get back again easily within a week...

Kit

All the best for your trip. I'm getting an idea of how to get home now. I would appreciate feedback regarding what you take/use/forgot.

May the wind be behind you!

Here's hoping! I might put up a kit (ha ha) list before I head off. Got most stuff, but its the small details like anti-sickness pills for the ferry crossings to/from Lerwick that I still need to sort.

Are you using a down filled sleeping bag? My synthetic one weighs a ton.

Yeah I treated myself to a Terra Nova Laser Competition tent (920g) and PHD Minim Ultra Down sleeping bag (345g). Sleeping bag cost more than the tent, so it'd better be good!

I use a similar set up when touring alloys me to get away with a seat post rack, a rucksack and a small bar mounted bag

Kin hell! Just checked out the price of that sleeping bag, ooft.

Straight run up through the Uists. Ferry to Leverburgh. Then cycle down to Rodel and continue up the east coast of Harris until you come to a sign directing you back to Leverburgh (that gives a flavour of one side of Harris) then continue up the west coast of Harris and see some of the best beaches in the world. Camping facilities available at Horgabost. You'll arrive at Tarbert.

If you fancy a bit of offroad and your tyres aren't too skinny, you can head east of of Tarbert to Laxdale Loch and follow the old track from there to the Maraig road from where you head up the hill to join the main road to Stornoway. (If it's been raining this may not be a good route unless you don't mind a wee walk).

Stuff you can see from Tarbert
1. go west to Husinish and see the Island of Scarp where the world's first rocket mail experiment was conducted. (Winding steep road, good scenery). This also takes you past the old whaling station and also right past the front door of Amhuinnsuidhe House (JM Barry connection).

2. go east to the Isle of Scalpay and hike across the moor to see the Lighthouse. Also connection to Bonny Prince Charlie.

From Tarbert it's a fairly direct haul to Stornoway - all the hard climbing is just after you leave Tarbert. Make time to head up the west coast to see the Callanish Stones and also Dun Carloway. Free headwinds are provided to keep you midgefree. If you have the time head up to Ness. Another good lighthouse and if you have any Morrison ancestry, the remains of their stronghold.

Once you've done that pop into the real estate office in Stornoway, buy a house, sell up at home, and think about occasional visits to the mainland 🙂

Merak, I've done maybe 5 Outer Hebridean tours, plenty more elsewhere.

I haven't read all the above, but in summary.

Go onto the islands in the south (e.g. Oban), and take advantage of the prevailing winds. I've been unable to proceed on the flat in granny gear on Harris due to the wind. Make it work for you.

Do research before hand. Develop an interest in antiquities and wildlife if you don't already have them.

Don't pass a cafe. It might be run by a nutter incomer but it'll be worth visiting for a laugh.

Take one luxury.

Don't be scared to take a day off the bike, you'll come back stronger.

You can eat whatever you want. Be a mobile festival of food.

If you carry alcohol, be weight efficient. Whisky or nothing. 🙂

have a look on here - [url= http://www.bikepacking.net/ ]Bikepacking[/url]

Many thanks for the advice. It is exactly what I'm looking for. So I'm starting to understand a bit more the practicalities of a west coast tour. I am in Glasgow so day 1 would be a big one. Glasgow to Oban, stay overnight ferry to Barra? Then I come unstuck. I realise the best way is south to north but at a steady pace how many days from Barra to Stornoway? Is there a need fror ferries going up the Uists?

Ferry to Ullapool, cycle to Inverness and the train home.

The Uists are all connected by road now. Just the ferry to Leverburgh in Harris from Berneray.

I'm setting of on a tour this Thursday. My itinerary, to give you an idea:

Glasgow - Mark Bothy
Mark Bothy - Oban
Oban - Barra
Barra - Eriksay, a few miles up the Uists
Day on the Uist's.....machair campsite if possible.
Ferry to Leverburgh, wild camp at favourite spot at Luskentyre.
Day or two hillwalking on Harris
Ferry from Tarbert to Uig, to Lookout Bothy on Skye
From Rubha Hunish to mainland

And then things get a bit woolly, I've got three weeks max so could go anywhere.

P.S. Consider booking your bike on a train to Oban given your limited time; you'll need to cycle either from Uig to Kyle of Lochalsh or Ullapool to Inverness for a train home. You need to pre book.

Waderider; Many thanks for your input. Its appreciated. I take your point re; train.