A858 Lewis, Stornoway, Marybank, Achadih Mor

[island girl]

This June I'm cycling from Stornoway to Callanais Stones. Instead of using main road A859 I intend to cycle on the A858 from Stornoway, Marybank, coming out at Achadih Mor then onto Callanais. I know it is tarmac and single track but looking for further information. I do not want to use Pentland Road.

[Nealc]

I've ridden it with a then 9 month old in the trailer with no concerns for traffic.

[island girl]

Thank you. That’s good to know.

[Wakemalcolm]

I've driven it in a van thanks to an errant satnav so there's no guarantee of solitude but it's clearly not a road for fast driving.

As with most of the island, your enjoyment will largely depend on the strength and direction of the wind.

[gloomyandy]

We stayed at Breasclete for a week a few years ago and as a result I've ridden those roads a few times. The A858 to Achadh Mòr was always very quiet, once you hit the junction and turned west things got a little busier, but it was still pleasant cycling. I'm curious as to why you do not want to ride the Pentland road, which is one of my favourite roads in the Hebrides. Oh and from what I remember it was hard to actually tell the difference between the Perntland road and the section of the A858 to Achadh Mòr, both very similar from a road surface and traffic level (hardly any) from what I recall.

Oh and I'd certainly second the comment about the wind, that section of the A858 like the Pentland road is higher and more exposed than some of the others.

[island girl]

Thanks for replies. As a group we are cycling from Stornoway, to Calanais, then onto Bragar where we are staying. I thought I was taking the shortest, safest route. The Pentland Road seems to join the ‘main road’ further west than Calanais so we would be doubling back to Calanais. Also a local told me there are no passing places and drivers would get irritated with us. The local is a non cyclist and although I listened I wanted a cyclist opinion. I have cycled in the Outer Hebrides before, looking forward to returning.

[slowster]

Also a local told me there are no passing places and drivers would get irritated with us.

See for yourself. First passing place is 650m from the fork in the road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@58.213722, ... FQAw%3D%3D