Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
Steve X
Posts: 254
Joined: 14 Apr 2021, 7:47am

Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Steve X »

Bit of a piece of string question, but my plan is to do it in May, but April would work well for me and I will only go if I can see a weather window, and just wondered if any one had a personal experience of doing it in April.
rualexander
Posts: 2639
Joined: 2 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
Contact:

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by rualexander »

No but done it in winter a few times, (including before it was known as the Hebridean Way).
Steve X
Posts: 254
Joined: 14 Apr 2021, 7:47am

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Steve X »

rualexander wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 12:18am No but done it in winter a few times, (including before it was known as the Hebridean Way).
Was it good, I could imagine a crisp winters day sublime, a wet windy cold one, less so.
I feel your pain at the naming and commercialising of things, but these things do tend to keep people in one area, I often roam the Lake District on a Bank Holiday and see barely another soul on the fells, as most people are at the honeypots.
Jdsk
Posts: 24639
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Jdsk »

Rode it in May: never put on waterproofs when we were on the bikes. And no midges. The locals said that this wasn't unusual.

How much notice do you need to decide when to go? If it's more than a couple of weeks I doubt that you could spot a suitable window from the forecasts.

Jonathan
rualexander
Posts: 2639
Joined: 2 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
Contact:

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by rualexander »

Steve X wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 10:44am
rualexander wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 12:18am No but done it in winter a few times, (including before it was known as the Hebridean Way).
Was it good, I could imagine a crisp winters day sublime, a wet windy cold one, less so.
I feel your pain at the naming and commercialising of things, but these things do tend to keep people in one area, I often roam the Lake District on a Bank Holiday and see barely another soul on the fells, as most people are at the honeypots.
Yeah, great, various weather conditions, can always sit out the bad weather for a day or two if necessary.
User avatar
al_yrpal
Posts: 11537
Joined: 25 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
Location: Think Cheddar and Cider
Contact:

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by al_yrpal »

In 2008 I cycled right up and down the outer Hebrides in April. 450 miles. One day got absolutely soaked when we arrived at North Harris and all our kit got dried by a Harris Tweed weaver and his Mrs. Apart from that it was wonderful . Thoroughly recommend that time of year, midge free and nice temperatures for cycling.

Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
Steve X
Posts: 254
Joined: 14 Apr 2021, 7:47am

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Steve X »

Jdsk wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 10:51am
How much notice do you need to decide when to go?

A day or so. I reckon 4 day forecasts are very good now, and 7 days give a good feel for it
Steve X
Posts: 254
Joined: 14 Apr 2021, 7:47am

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Steve X »

al_yrpal wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 6:46pm In 2008 I cycled right up and down the outer Hebrides in April. 450 miles. One day got absolutely soaked when we arrived at North Harris and all our kit got dried by a Harris Tweed weaver and his Mrs. Apart from that it was wonderful . Thoroughly recommend that time of year, midge free and nice temperatures for cycling.

Al
Thanks Al
gloomyandy
Posts: 1140
Joined: 16 Mar 2012, 10:46pm

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by gloomyandy »

Something to keep an eye on is the current state of the ferries. Calmac have just cancelled a load of early April sailings into Lochboisdale and all passengers are being routed via Barra, they are putting extra sailings on the for the ferry over to Eriskay, but the extra traffic may mean that these crossing are pretty busy. I think some of the crossings will only run if there are bookings, so you may want to book that ferry in advance!

I've not ridden the route in April but have done it in very early May and also in November. Both were ok but the weather can change very quickly and if you have not been to that part of the world before the wind can be a bit of a surprise. On my last trip I was literally blown across the road and into a ditch when starting the climb over the hills north of Tarbert, up until that point the wind had not been particularly strong. The other thing is that some places may not be open at that time of year (especially cafes etc.) so worth checking if you are expecting to pick up food etc.

My last comment would be not to rush the route and in particular not to rush through the Uists and Berneray, some of the best places are off the "official" route. Same goes for Harris really.

Have fun! It has been a couple of years since I've been up there and that is too long, but Orkney and Shetland are tempting me this year!
Steve X
Posts: 254
Joined: 14 Apr 2021, 7:47am

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Steve X »

Well, looks like its a go.
Bike packed, train booked, just got to book ferry.
I hope this does not sound too stoopid a question, do I actually need a map?
I have the route on my Garmin, and I would need several OS Maps to cover the Western Isles. I am guessing I will pick up tourist maps for sights of interest, and I always think asking directions is a great way to meet people.

Also I have heard getting water can be an issue, I have 3 water bottles, and if pass a shop I will make sure I buy and top up, but any tips on other places to get water please?
maximus meridius
Posts: 791
Joined: 14 Feb 2023, 10:55pm

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by maximus meridius »

Steve X wrote: 16 Apr 2023, 10:03am Well, looks like its a go.
Bike packed, train booked, just got to book ferry.
I hope this does not sound too stoopid a question, do I actually need a map?
I have the route on my Garmin, and I would need several OS Maps to cover the Western Isles. I am guessing I will pick up tourist maps for sights of interest, and I always think asking directions is a great way to meet people.

Also I have heard getting water can be an issue, I have 3 water bottles, and if pass a shop I will make sure I buy and top up, but any tips on other places to get water please?
It's pretty well signposted, at least the parts I know. To be honest most of the time there's very little choice. The Outer Hebrides hasn't got a lot of roads.

I've got this:

https://theoffcomers.co.uk/product/the- ... idean-way/

It's got OS sections (1:50,000) for all the bits you need. Plus lots of other useful information. It's perfect for your needs. It's a good size to fit in a bar bag or similar. And it's spiral bound with glossy covers, and a book mark type back cover to keep your place. Even the pages inside look like they might stand a bit of rain. Not that I'm saying it rains a lot in the Outer Hebrides. Of course you can't open it fully to get an overview, like you can with an OS map. But I'm willing to bet good money that the first time you do that, in the open, your OS map will be torn out of your hands. You'll probably see a sheep wearing it. Not that I'm saying it's windy in the Outer Hebrides.

If you haven't got time to buy one before you go there'll probably be somewhere in Barra that sells it. Yes, the big shop on the hill, on RHS, opposite the police house. I'm willing to bet they'll sell it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@56.9551642 ... 2!1b1!2i38
Shop details here:https://www.buthbharraigh.co.uk/ It calls itself a food store, but it sells all sort of things, including lots of Outer Hebrides orientated books. You could always ring, ask if they've got it, and they'll keep it for when you arrive, maybe?

Though I think I bought mine from the Kildonan Museum, which is on South Uist, a few miles up. You'll be stopping there for a meal anyway, probably.

I don't know why water would be a problem. There are shops and cafes every so often. Assuming that you actually buy something from them (and you should, to support the local economy), I don't suppose they would resent filling your water bottle for you.

Of course there's lots of water all around the place, but I'm not sure about whether drinking from streams and lochans is advisable.
maximus meridius
Posts: 791
Joined: 14 Feb 2023, 10:55pm

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by maximus meridius »

And another idea. A lot of the roads are single track with passing places. At certain times of the day there will be a little rush of traffic when the ferries arrive/depart. Especially at each end. For instance when the ferry arrives at Eriskay from Barra there will be 5 minutes or so of "heavy" traffic. "Heavy" being a relative term in this context. There are about 5 "small" ferries a day from Barra to Eriskay and Berneray to Leverburgh. Most of the other ferries, the "big" ones, are once or maybe twice a day.

It might be worth printing out copies of the relevant CalMac times, so you can time your breaks to coincide with ferries. Just a thought.
Steve X
Posts: 254
Joined: 14 Apr 2021, 7:47am

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Steve X »

Thank you for those very helpful replies.
F70100
Posts: 139
Joined: 4 Dec 2013, 10:33am

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by F70100 »

Steve X wrote: 16 Apr 2023, 10:03am I hope this does not sound too stoopid a question, do I actually need a map?
I have the route on my Garmin, and I would need several OS Maps to cover the Western Isles. I am guessing I will pick up tourist maps for sights of interest, and I always think asking directions is a great way to meet people.
If you’re a smart device user, the “GB & Parks” app gives you nationwide coverage, on- and off-line, of all of the UK OS maps at 1:50000 and 1:25000 for £15 per year. Better viewed on an iPad size screen of course but useable on iPhone.
Jdsk
Posts: 24639
Joined: 5 Mar 2019, 5:42pm

Re: Anyone done the Hebrides Way in April?

Post by Jdsk »

Steve X wrote: 16 Apr 2023, 10:03am ...
Also I have heard getting water can be an issue, I have 3 water bottles, and if pass a shop I will make sure I buy and top up, but any tips on other places to get water please?
It wasn't for us.

Where will you be sleeping?

And do you already know about Sunday observance?

Jonathan
Post Reply