In 1998 I decided to buy a bike. I had not ridden a bike since I had been a young teenager. I had discussed the idea with friends, some of whom were cycling enthusiasts themselves, and I made up my mind to take the plunge and paid a visit to the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative in Alvanley Terrace, overlooking the Bruntsfield Links. I found the staff very helpful and knowledgeable and, before I had second thoughts, I had bought my brand new machine.
I was soon clocking up the miles, exploring dedicated cycle routes and quiet country lanes around my home. As time went on, the acquisition of a car rack, enabled explorations further afield. Ultimately the desire to set out on a cycle tour took hold.
As a hybrid, my bike was not the ideal touring bike but, two years on, I was comfortable with it and, with the addition of some rear panniers, did not foresee any great problem. Even my fitness had improved to such an extent that I felt confident in what I was undertaking. After consulting the CalMac ferry timetables, an outline for a few days touring took shape.
This first tour was quickly to lead to another and another. The bug had bitten.
On all the Scottish tours, the weather would play a part, as I do not take a great deal of enjoyment out of cycling in our inclement weather. I am a fair-weather, credit card cyclist. I thoroughly enjoy the benefits of the exercise and the different perspective that cycling brings to the countryside, but I do not feel a need to prove myself in any other way. Consequently I always tried, if possible, to choose a period of settled weather before starting a tour.
Overnight accommodation on the Scottish tours was taken care of by browsing the appropriate tourist board brochures and storing the 'phone numbers of various hotels on my mobile 'phone. 'Phoning ahead and booking that night's accommodation was always the plan. Luggage was taken care of by two 17 litre rear panniers. The credit cards would take care of the expenses!! Easy!!
In planning the Scottish routes I used a combination of leaflets and Ordnance Survey Sheets, as well as the trusted Caledonian MacBrayne ferry timetable. Several free leaflets, available from the Glasgow Tourist Information Centre or Glasgow City Council, I found to be very useful:
The first of these, as suggested in its title, gives an overview of the all routes available in the area plus information on places of interest, train stations near the routes, Tourist Information Centres and where Ferry Information can be obtained. It also gives a useful enough map of Arran.
Both of the guides give detailed maps and notes of the route from Glasgow to Ardrossan, as well as notes on cycling safety and maintainance, and the type of signs used along the way. For the islands of Arran and Islay, I relied on Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheets 60 and 69.
The simple maps I have drawn to accompany these pages are just that. More detailed maps, such as those in the guides above, should be consulted in planning similar tours. The various books mentioned in the Contact Information pages are also worthwhile consulting in this respect.
I have also included Youth Hostel and campsite details in the Contact Information pages for those hardy souls willing to put up with less of live's luxuries. I am getting soft in my old age and need my comforts at the end of a day's cycling!
Each tour I looked upon as an adventure with not too much pre-planning in the way of accommodation. I wanted my itinerary to be flexible within the time period. As I have said elsewhere, it may not be the best way considering that accommodation is limited in some of the quieter parts of Scotland. During busy spells this accommodation may be more difficult to come by. Anyone undertaking something similar will have to bear these things in mind.
The planning for the tour of the Mosel was less thought out beforehand than the Scottish tours. The tour actually evolved from a spur of the moment decision to get on a 'plane. In the few days leading up to my departure the German Tourist Board website helped me to decide on a route and details like maps and accommodation were very much dealt with when I arrived or as I went along. Not an ideal way to undertake such a tour far from home but, in keeping with the ethos of the Scottish tours, it was another adventure.
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