Touring Scotland

It's all about the sandals on multi day trips with mixed weather. Can't be doing with putting soggy shoes on each morning. I'm only going as far north as Fort William and temps look warm enough.

@giofox for reference, here's what you're missing by missing out the galloway forest. next time !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_ra1_KaIM4

I'm planning on doing the Wild About Argyll Trail in the next week or so. It is 400 miles with 45,000 feet of climbing. Question is do I do it over three or four days?

For once I am prepped and ready well in advance. I'm even going to test my new tent this evening.

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Sounds a bit keen to me, I'd aim for a week meself.

How different will it be to your usual riding? If you climb a lot, go for it. If not then a loaded bike will be different over multiple days than an unloaded day ride. Sounds fun anyway and that bike looks lovely.

You seem to be a lot fitter than I am but some of it is bloody slow going. Big boggy hills and such that you'll need to push up especially on GK SKs.

Also it's nice around there. There's a couple of good beaches for a mid-ride dip and the pubs will be open again. So I'd vote 4

Sounds dreamy, especially the pushing up boggy stuff, haha!

May head to Helensburgh for early evening, pedal 30 or so miles, camp and then see how I get on the next day. Don’t mind 15 hour days, I’ll be alone so not like I have much else to do other than ride my bike.

That would be my strategy. Grand if your full of supplies et al. Well jel bbz.

Whats the new tent?

Nice edit! The section at 1:38 is to die for!

I am filling with guilt in leaving my wife home alone for 2 weeks on her 8th month of pregnancy, so I have been thinking I might shorten my trip to a week only (10 days) and could therefore spend all of my time in Scotland and forget about riding the 2 city divide down to the Lakes.. I feel lazy about planning as well, next week I will get my ducks in a row, I swear.

Left luggage at Inverness any ideas?
Understand to be lockers but any idea on cost or denominations??

careful, most of them have a maximum of 24/48hrs or some bullshit

Hmm this is some bullshit

For weather don't forget sun screen, just back from a week of non biking on islay and colonsay, burnt, quite badly in places :s
Also seas were flattest I've ever seen them, zero swell and zero wind. That's probably all my good weather for the year now so just gonna reproof textiles now ready for the rest of it.

Do you have a route that takes in all the best bits around there?

I’ve used bag bnb type services in lots of European cities. Normally same shops that offer click n collect parcel services. Cheap, easy and secure.

I'd give Inverness Youth Hostel a call to check; it's a friendly place with bike storage and other services, they may be keen to store your luggage for a symbolic fee.

Not dragging Stu with you?

Just completed this and having a great time. Amazing wild camping spots with views across various Lochs. Much of it has been on road with stretches on paths and logging roads.

Overnight is definitely chilly with clothes on inside sleeping bag liner inside sleeping bag. Probably doesn't help having spent long days in the saddle

https://www.komoot.com/tour/368298993?ref=aso&share_token=abcrccgs86kL7z0CjEiRYk2NNrqOSMbh8XUPTExJ4gOjTERhYo

Is kiwi Jake with a Jones bike on here? Bumped into him and his partner although they were definitely a lot more set up for the rough stuff

looks class - it has been unseasonably cold recently so you were a little unlucky on that front

the bottom half of the faultline trail (http://www.albannach.cc/thefaultlinetrail/) is a good starting point. I've not ridden this route but I assume it would be cracking (from same guy behind the flt): https://www.komoot.com/tour/362446104

I'm also going to keep an eye out for people posting rides on strava with these routes: https://raidersgravel.com/routes/

Thanks! I patched a few bits together and created this.
Weather is supposed to improve from the week after next when I will be up there.

HT550 sets off tomorrow, so will follow for any route conditions update.

I am a bit unsure at km 184, going around the lake might not be the best idea given the amount of rainfall lately. Might follow the HT550 route there or cut West at km 172 if condition are bad. Has anyone got any first hand experience?

Also, I'd like to renew my invitation to nayone living locally wanting to join for a day or few.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36069149

what day are you scheduled to be in glasgow ? your route runs right past my house

fyi the route over the clydeside expressway at the SECC is shut off at the moment as the place is used for vaccinations etc

probably better going a bit further west along the clyde and cross at the Kelvin River, then up Ferry road, then Byres road, and join the kelvin walkway via Kelvin drive. The earlier bit of the kelvin walkway is rubbish for riding anyway as it is so narrow and busy with dog walkers etc

Not sure, depends on many things, I'd say between 3rd and 6th of June

Did you do it?

@Saffronspokes lose any toes to frostbite with your sandals?