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I've been to Islay on cycling trips for the last two years, and it can't be beaten! Brian from the washing machine post and Jez the Islay wilderness guide are the most welcoming people I've ever met. Most of the distilleries will let you have a dram (or two, or three) without paying for the tours as well...
Islay's not really all that great for mountain bikes - a lot of the off-road routes are through estates where the gamekeepers aren't always delighted to see you. Stick to the road bikes and make sure you get to Debbie's cafe in Bruichladdich. There's a cycling shrine in the corner!
Also, if you're on a fixed and arriving at Port Askaig rather than Port Ellen, make sure you're geared for 14% climb...
I think it does apply to mountain bikes as well as walkers, but I wouldn't like to be the one to tell a gamekeeper who's carrying a shotgun!!!
I don't want to give the wrong impression here - Islay is perhaps my favourite place in the world (ok - so I don't get out that much ;-) ) and the people are brilliant but my advice is to stick to the roads, or ring ahead to the estates and be prepared to get 'no' as the answer...