Planning an Outer Hebrides tour

[andrew_s]

You could then do Harris to Uig after going around Lewis, cycle down to Ardrossan and get on that fantastic train journey back from Malaig. Supposed to be the most scenic in Britain.

I think you mean Armadale.
Cycling down to Ardrossan would be more than just a bit out of your way, unless you fancy adding a trip round Arran to the Hebrides.

[Paulatic]

Re bikes on trains maybe things will change by next summer.
https://road.cc/content/news/243721-ext ... hland-line

Here they are , Scotrail say for 20 bikes and lots of large luggage.

[mikeymo]

I saw this:

https://road.cc/content/news/267921-scotrail-unveils-forthcoming-west-highland-line-carriages-space-20-bikes?fbclid=IwAR1aGGCwbCnpW4I98JmSvXlLmlPoxjXIrLpYllVwG3RxZehTSG8TI-nSXYc

Great move, obviously. Especially for me with my planned trip to the Outer Hebrides. Looks like space for at least 16 bikes in the racks, plus loose ones, if that's allowed.

Can't quite work out how the bikes will go in though. It looks like a wheel "tray" or something? Or is that two? Considering the line it's destined for, I'm assuming the front wheel goes in the slot, because a bike with a rear rack won't. And maybe not front low riders?

Is this a carriage or system anybody has seen before?

[Polisman]

Re bikes on trains maybe things will change by next summer.
https://road.cc/content/news/243721-ext ... hland-line

Here they are , Scotrail say for 20 bikes and lots of large luggage.

Oh, that's a massive improvement. I'm glad Scot rail have finally got they're act together re bikes!

[Will]

I saw this:

https://road.cc/content/news/267921-scotrail-unveils-forthcoming-west-highland-line-carriages-space-20-bikes?fbclid=IwAR1aGGCwbCnpW4I98JmSvXlLmlPoxjXIrLpYllVwG3RxZehTSG8TI-nSXYc

Great move, obviously. Especially for me with my planned trip to the Outer Hebrides. Looks like space for at least 16 bikes in the racks, plus loose ones, if that's allowed.

Can't quite work out how the bikes will go in though. It looks like a wheel "tray" or something? Or is that two? Considering the line it's destined for, I'm assuming the front wheel goes in the slot, because a bike with a rear rack won't. And maybe not front low riders?

Is this a carriage or system anybody has seen before?

There is a better picture in the Scotsman:

https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport ... -1-5031537

Will

[soapbox]

I saw this:

https://road.cc/content/news/267921-scotrail-unveils-forthcoming-west-highland-line-carriages-space-20-bikes?fbclid=IwAR1aGGCwbCnpW4I98JmSvXlLmlPoxjXIrLpYllVwG3RxZehTSG8TI-nSXYc

Great move, obviously. Especially for me with my planned trip to the Outer Hebrides. Looks like space for at least 16 bikes in the racks, plus loose ones, if that's allowed.

Can't quite work out how the bikes will go in though. It looks like a wheel "tray" or something? Or is that two? Considering the line it's destined for, I'm assuming the front wheel goes in the slot, because a bike with a rear rack won't. And maybe not front low riders?

Is this a carriage or system anybody has seen before?

Is it even possible to design a more complicated-looking bike storage system than that? With all the simple bike storage systems around, why didn't they opt for something that is intuiative rather than something that will prompt a "What the hell am I supposed to do here?" from most people?

[Paulatic]

Looks to me like you put a front or back wheel into the tubular bit. Presume that’s to stop it walking forward or back. While also leaning it against the wall or another bike.

[krull]

We often leave the car for up to 2 weeks. Choose a residential area. Not outside someone's house. Preferably a parking spot where there is no pavement so that people have no reason to walk past.It is always a leap of faith leaving your car. I once left it on a busy road in Newquay where the road narrowed on a bus route (only one car can pass at once so plenty or mirror room and outside an old folks home so strangers cars commonplace.It was fine.

I am taking a sabbatical next year The first trip will be Glasgow -Ardrossan -Inner Hebrides, Hebridean Cycle Way, Ullapool, Cape Wrath, but not sure after that. We have 4-6 weeks.
For this trip, full camping gear, one touring bike and a fully loaded big dummy cargo bike so the dog can come (sits in the back), we will use one way van hire. Manchester airport (near me) to Glasgow airport (near Ardrossan). One quote came in at £35

[nez]

You could then do Harris to Uig after going around Lewis, cycle down to Ardrossan and get on that fantastic train journey back from Malaig. Supposed to be the most scenic in Britain.

I think you mean Armadale.
Cycling down to Ardrossan would be more than just a bit out of your way, unless you fancy adding a trip round Arran to the Hebrides.

Of course Mull of Kyntyre to Arran to Ardrossan is a great little tour of its own. I'd add it!

[soapbox]

For car parking for any length of time, consider sgaying on a campsite and asking the owners if you can leave the car there. Offer to pay -some campsites break down charges, and the overnight cost of a car is usually reasonable, and reasonably safe and secure on a campsite.

[Darkman]

Did you see Britain By Bike recently? I'm sure Larry and George Lamb did this trip in the final episode of series 2.

Can't remember much detail but it might be worth a watch if you can find it on catch-up.

[Jdsk]

It's a great trip.

We went from Oxford:
Sleeper train from London to Glasgow, train to Oban, ferry to Barra. Cycled up the islands. Ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool. Cycled to Inverness (actually to a little station just before). Sleeper train back.

No tents. Range of accommodation including Gatliff Hostels:
http://www.gatliff.org.uk/the-gatliff-trust/

Be prepared for wind, rain and midges. But we were lucky and had none of the latter two. : - )

Jonathan

[ambodach]

Just another boring reminder that there are always car parking problems in Oban. On the Oban faarcebook page there is a warning that a Zafira car which has current tax and mot and has been in the Farmfoods car park for two weeks will get towed tomorrow unless removed by the owner. This is possibly somebody off on a ferry. Residents are also getting more vocal about not being able to park their own cars anywhere near their houses due to stranger parking so if coming to Oban by car be wary about parking.

[Sweep]

Just another boring reminder that there are always car parking problems in Oban. On the Oban faarcebook page there is a warning that a Zafira car which has current tax and mot and has been in the Farmfoods car park for two weeks will get towed tomorrow unless removed by the owner. This is possibly somebody off on a ferry. Residents are also getting more vocal about not being able to park their own cars anywhere near their houses due to stranger parking so if coming to Oban by car be wary about parking.

to clarify - these parkers are cyclists?

Am sort of assuming they are otherwise i wonder how they are getting around once on the islands.

[ambodach]

There is public transport on all the main islands so not necessarily cyclists but on this forum Oban parking is a fairly frequent topic so a reminder could save some cyclist problems on return to Oban.