Past Cycle Rides from 2012
Loch Fyne & Kyles of Bute in reverse
12th - 13th May
A weather forecast of sun for the Saturday, and more wind and rain for the Sunday, triggered a last minute change of plan, as suggested by Tiana. We altered our route to an anti-clockwise circuit, starting at Gourock/Dunoon to Portavadie (48 mls in the sun), and Kyles of Bute to Rothesay on the Sunday (30 mls in the predicted rain!).
We travelled by train Edinburgh to Gourock, and sailed to Dunoon on the small Argyll Ferries boat –foot passengers and bikes only. Then set off from Dunoon at 10.45, round the Holy Loch and on to the Ben More Botanic Gardens Tearoom for our first cuppa! Then some easy cycling along Loch Eck in sunshine, to Strachur by Loch Fyne for lunch at the Bay Cottage Tearoom, where we encountered more hungry cyclists!
Then by beautiful Loch Fyne to Otter Ferry, and a cuppa outside The Oystercatcher, before tackling the big hill up out of Otter Ferry! Despite the hills, we enjoyed some nice evening sunshine and a more sheltered road, and at long last I heard my first 2012 cuckoo!!
Then some welcome downhill to our turnoff to Portavadie, where the road proved to be more up and down than I’d recollected! We arrived at the new Portavadie Marina at 7pm to a friendly welcome from The Lodge staff, and were impressed with the facilities –comfortable dining area and soft sofas by a log fire, and a modern en suite “bed and locker room”, (£22 pppn with continental breakfast). Another group of 6 lady cyclists who had come from Ardrossan were also guests.
Sunday morning started dry and windy, but the forecast rain soon arrived!! After Tighnabruaich, there were more challenging hills to the Kyles viewpoint, then down and round Loch Riddon, and on to the welcoming haven of the Colintraive Hotel for delicious soup, apple and cinnamon cake, teas and coffees –and dried off a little by their fire!
We caught the 2pm ferry to Rhubodach and battled on towards Rothesay and (much to my surprise!) made the 3.10 ferry to Wemyss Bay!
The train was already in so we relaxed for the rail journey home, after an energetic weekend with mixed weather, good company, and as usual unsurpassed scenery!
Thanks to the Fab 4 - Tiana, Jan, Barbara and me!!
Sheelagh
Springtime in Argyll
14th - 15th April
From all corners of southern Scotland we met as planned for coffee in Helensburgh. There were 11 for the weekend plus 3 day riders. Most of us came from Edinburgh, testing out the excellent half-hourly direct train service via Bathgate/Aidrie and Glasgow Low Level. Thanks to those who went on an early train to ensure we all got on. The bikes (5 on one train) did not appear to be a problem – ticket collector friendly. The train journey was very pleasant. Some people spied The Waverley paddle steamer at SECC.
We set off via Rhu, Garelochhead and Rosneath Bay round the peninsula – four people taking the short extra above the coast road: Balfour Road. Lunch, booked at Café at Kilcreggan, (16 miles done) on the waterfront (where the Gourock ferry comes in), offered an excellent menu. In good sunshine, we proceeded north alongside Loch Long (B833). 8 people decided to visit Linn Gardens, a unique natural garden, by all accounts. Stopping to enjoy views south, almost to Arran, the rest rode on to Coulport. Climbing through Garelochhead Forest and north to Whistlefield roundabout, we took the B872 to descend into Garelochhead. The others arrived later – having turned east earlier, near Peaton House.
(Total about 27 miles.)
In Garelochhead, we soon found Centre 81, the outdoor centre where we were booked for dinner, bed and breakfast. We were delighted with the welcome, the immaculate rooms (for 2 - 6 in bunks) and showers and dinner – especially the dinner. We’d been sent the menu so had chosen our meals in advance but did not expect such excellent cooking both dinner and breakfast. Centre 81 is definitely a great find. (Our bikes were stored in the drying room.)
Sunday dawned bright and we were soon off, climbing back to Whistlefield roundabout and on north (A814) above Loch Long, planning to take Glen Douglas east. After about 4 miles, at the jetty, we decided to take the MOD road (tarmac) through the forest as the gate was open. This proved a stroke of genius, saving us a steep climb, and we were soon in sunny Glen Douglas (descending for 5 miles) with brilliant views of snow on The Cobbler and other peaks.
After photos and snacks we continued to Inverbeg and Loch Lomond. The off-road track began on the pavement but soon it was separate from the road, a good surface and not too noisy. Lunch in the sunshine at Luss Visitor Centre was a delight followed by a look round the village (of TV fame), especially the church.
Continuing south, we were heading for the beautiful Glen Fruin. Most of us took the B832, soon turning right at a crossroads for Highfields and almost to West Kilbride. One person took the A817 new road through Glen Fruin. Others continued on the B832 to Helensburgh and home. Those heading for West Kilbride, crossed the Fruin Water at a small bridge and climbed to Drumfad, then right to Helensburgh. Some people visited Hill House in Helensburgh (Rennie Mackintosh/NTS) and others visited Geilston Gardens in Cardross.
(Total approx. 30 miles.)
We were a very cheery group. The four newcomers to Mellowvelo have all said they were delighted with the welcome, the routes, etc. Long may it continue.
Barbara Darcy
Midlothian day trip
Sunday 25th March
On a clear and sunny day a whole six of us met at Middle Meadow Walk, the photo shows Geoff returning the compliment of having his photo taken by an interested amateur photographer who collects photos of bike groups, runs or unusual bikes.
We had an uneventful run down to Musselburgh in fine sunshine checked at the station for other potential members – found none, then continued to Oldcraighall then round through Dalkeith Park to admire the folly summerhouse and Celandines on the verge, point out the café, when open, to Simon to whom this was new territory and continued up the Penicuik trail to Bonnyrigg and then to Cockpen. From here we were on roads albeit very quiet ones through farmland past Rosewell admiring the gorse in the hedgerows as we went and through Rosslynlee Hospital where our only mechanical, a puncture in the inside of a rear tube caused by a misaligned rim tape happened. At this point as in one or two roadside stops some of us were only too glad to get into shade – so strong was the sun. At this point Simon made his escape via Auchendinny as he needed to be home early.
The remaining five continued into Penicuik via Kirkhill and the last section of path for lunch at Craigiebeild as planned at around 13.15. A very pleasant lunch was had before setting off for home the short way, straight down the A701 where I got a “nice bike” comment on the Mercian from someone who had been around this earth less years than the Mercian. The telling thing was he didn’t know they did refurbishment work, at least he knew what it was which I would reckon unusual for someone of that age. “Thank You” seemed the appropriate answer before we went our separate ways.
Monday morning and the heat in my face and arms told me that sunscreen would have been a useful thing to carry and use the day before – who would have thought it.
Neil R