Miles and isles: "our" big Scottish bike ride

[mercalia]

Miles and isles: our big Scottish bike ride



A father-and-son cycling tour of Highlands and islands found the scenery, ferocious weather – and midges – all on top form


https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/sep/26/miles-and-isles-our-big-scottish-bike-ride?

[keithg]

A good read, thanks.

[Enigmadick]

Great read that brought back many memories. But is "Miles and Isles" referencing Joni Mitchell's live album of a similar name?

I've done a "Refuge of the Roads" tour and my pals did a "Last time we saw Richard" when I couldn't make a trip a few years back.

Anyone else name their tours?

[Mick F]

Anyone else name their tours?

I had a Grand Tour.
http://my-grand-tour.blogspot.com

I began a ride called the Two Daughters Tour, but due to a mechanical problem with my trailer, I had to abort before I even got as a far as Bristol.
We had one daughter living in Manchester and the other in Bedford at the time.

[mikeymo]

You've put the our in quotes. Is that you in the article then?

I have to say, I've never been bothered by midges that much in the Outer Hebrides, and we've been for the last 8 years. I think I cycle faster than they can fly, and the house we usually rent is on the west coast, only yards from the beach, and fairly high up. So the wind is coming direct from America, and probably keeps the midges off.

There was a programme about Scotland on the television the other day. An expert on insects was saying midges are another important pollinator, and it's only the females that bite - they want your blood for their eggs.

[matt2matt2002]

Great read that brought back many memories. But is "Miles and Isles" referencing Joni Mitchell's live album of a similar name?

I've done a "Refuge of the Roads" tour and my pals did a "Last time we saw Richard" when I couldn't make a trip a few years back.

Anyone else name their tours?

I give my tours cryptic names.
Pamir Highway: Behind bars with the 'stans.
Western isles: I land on an island.
Ethiopia: Hills and hippos.
Sri Lanka: Welcome to the jungle.
All on crazy guy.

[mercalia]

You've put the our in quotes. Is that you in the article then?

I have to say, I've never been bothered by midges that much in the Outer Hebrides, and we've been for the last 8 years. I think I cycle faster than they can fly, and the house we usually rent is on the west coast, only yards from the beach, and fairly high up. So the wind is coming direct from America, and probably keeps the midges off.

There was a programme about Scotland on the television the other day. An expert on insects was saying midges are another important pollinator, and it's only the females that bite - they want your blood for their eggs.

not me that was the title of the article I thought using quotes would prevent the mistake you just made.

[mikeymo]

You've put the our in quotes. Is that you in the article then?

I have to say, I've never been bothered by midges that much in the Outer Hebrides, and we've been for the last 8 years. I think I cycle faster than they can fly, and the house we usually rent is on the west coast, only yards from the beach, and fairly high up. So the wind is coming direct from America, and probably keeps the midges off.

There was a programme about Scotland on the television the other day. An expert on insects was saying midges are another important pollinator, and it's only the females that bite - they want your blood for their eggs.

not me that was the title of the article I thought using quotes would prevent the mistake you just made.

Hah, yes. Silly me.

[Jdsk]

An expert on insects was saying midges are another important pollinator...

In the UK?

Jonathan

[Oldjohnw]

An expert on insects was saying midges are another important pollinator...

In the UK?

Jonathan

Yes, apparently. It was on Landward, the very much superior Scottish equivalent of Countryfile.

And they are themselves part of the food chain

[Jdsk]

Thanks.

"Landward"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m994
but I can't speed read TV!

They aren't mentioned in the Pollinator Strategy for Scotland:
https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2018-04/Pollinator%20Strategy%20for%20Scotland%202017-2027.pdf
https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2017-10/A2360104-Pollinator-strategy-technical-annex.pdf

Jonathan

[mikeymo]

An expert on insects was saying midges are another important pollinator...

In the UK?

Jonathan

Chocolate

[Jdsk]

: -)

Jonathan

[cooper_coleraine]

Thankyou. A good inspirational read.