Whisky ride - Islay next spring/early summer

That's entirely up to you.

:s

can i come?

http://www.rapha.cc/velo-club-dardbeg

I met Brian from the Washingmachinepost on L2P. Quirky bloke. As a teetotal and with me trying to smash as many beers as possible I'm sure he thought the same of me ;)

Will you come on this ride if/when it happens Hippy?

I'd love to but I've pretty much shut down my cycling this year. Need to pay off a flat. I'm doing Paris-Roubaix but that's it.

Following on from initial posting on this last year
http://www.lfgss.com/thread31817.html

The Cheevil and I think if we want to make this happen, then we need to organising things now, otherwise a) It won't happen or b) It will happen but at a premium.

Firstly this is Islay: http://www.islayinfo.com/menu-islay-pictures.html

So here's the preamble: a long weekend in Islay over 18, 19 and 20 June, taking the last Caledonian Sleeper train (trains as bike carriage is free) from Euston to Glasgow on Thursday at 23:50 arriving in Glasgow for 07:19 on Friday morning and returning on Monday, with the option of returning via the Caledonian Sleeper or a non sleeper train during the day.

For those that are game, from Glasgow we can bike to Islay (around 80km) taking the following route:
BIKE Glasgow to Ardrossan then FERRY to Brodick, BIKE to Lochranza then FERRY to Claonaig then BIKE to KENNACRAIG then FERRY to Islay (either Port Ellen or Port Askaig) then a final BIKE to base camp (TBC).

Those who can't quite stomach that can get a coach from Glasgow to Kennacraig then ferry over to Islay.

Over the course of the next three days we'll visit some distilleries and tour this beautiful island by bike. We also have the special offer of the ARDBEG GOURMET RIDE on the 19 June with breakfast and dinner at the Ardbeg Distillery in the company of the legend Graeme Obree.

Accommodation will either be B&B or self catering rental - this is dependent on numbers going, availability of accommodation and economics.

TRAVEL COSTS:
Travel - the Caledonian Sleeper is averages around 52GBP each way, however bargain berth rates start from 19GBP each way - but to acquire these we need to purchase 12 weeks in advance - there are limited numbers of these tickets available which means we need to be organised enough to buy on the date berths are released for our journey dates.
Non sleeper trains Glasgow/London are from 13GBP one way.
Flying to Glasgow is also an option, starts at 50GBP return plus airport transfers (only advised if you hire a bike on Islay).

The coach from Glasgow to Kennacraig costs around 15GBP one way or 6GBP for an advance single.(bikes need to be folded or in boxes).

The ferry from Kennacraig to Islay costs 15.60GBP for a return

If you are biking from Glasgow to Kennacraig then the two additional ferry journey costs are:
Ardrossan to Brodick 5.70GBP one way / 9.70GBP return
Lochranza to Claonaig 5.20GBP one way / 8.75GBP return

ACCOMMODATION COSTS:
For three nights accommodation this is highly variable - but around 50GBP per night for B&B is an average starting point.
Renting a self catering cottage is potentially cheaper but need to get numbers to make that work.
Islay quite the tourist destination - we've already discovered many places are already booked up - so the sooner we have numbers the sooner we can find out what our real options are regarding accommodation.

DISTILLERY COSTS:
The Ardbeg Gourmet Ride is 35GBP per person (that's breakfast and dinner at the Ardbeg distillery) with guest Graeme Obree.
Standard distillery tours cost around 5 - 10 GBP per person.

BIKE HIRE
For those that don't want to bring a bike but still want to tour Islay by bike, you can hire a bike for around 10GBP per day.

LUGGAGE LOGISTICS:
If there is a number of you that want to cycle from Glasgow to Islay, then arrangements can be made to to transport your luggage - this can be done for little cost as a Cheevil will probably volunteer to take your luggage with hers - but this means only taking a capsule weekend bag of essentials.

I LIKE THE SOUND OF THIS - WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT?
To achieve the best economics we need to get a meaningful understanding of how many people are interested.
Please can we get a show of GENUINE interest please.
Anything not covered here - please post your question/s on the forum.

Sounds absolutely superb James, fantastic work.

I am however supposed to be sailing around the Med that week :-(

shit, can't do that weekend. will be in sweden riding around a big lake.

otherwise would be in.

Likewise.

I'm very interested, but I would just drive up as I'm half-way there already, living in Chester...

The ferry from Kennacraig to Islay costs 15.60GBP for a return (bikes need to be folded or in boxes).

All got to take Bromptons or big cardboard boxes then?

Can you not put a car on the ferry and bikes on the car?

It does seem a bit odd.
Still,
I'm definitely interested.

I'm very interested, but I would just drive up as I'm half-way there already, living in Chester...

Count me in too

Count me in too

Get a train to Liverpool, I'll pick you up.

I'll be on my new Summer tandem, you want to be my co-pilot?

I'll be on my new Summer tandem, you want to be my co-pilot?

'Stoker' is the correct term I believe. Seasons aren't capitalised either...

In your case, 'Stroker'

In your case, 'Stroker'

In your dreams maybe...

The ferry from Kennacraig to Islay costs 15.60GBP for a return (bikes need to be folded or in boxes).

How does it work? I mean, do I need to carry a box with me, because I don't think I can fold my road bike.

Also, is it better to have a road bike or - in my case - GT Avalache?

argh! you've done this at the end of bikeweek! i'm busy!!!

i really feel that if i keep signing up for rides, 'er indoors will start to worry about me.

Bring the missus damo