Sunday 19 July 2015

More bike rides! Gourock to Glasgow - and Isle of Bute

Sharing more photos of this beautiful country while on our bikes:



Gourock - Paisley - Glasgow

Isle of Bute


























Roman legion soldiers guard the mile 17 marker on the bike trail



























Ominous clouds over Gourock as take from the ferry


Sunday 5 July 2015

Bike trips during a one week stay in Oban

We rented a cottage in the town of Oban for a week.  It's an excellent base to use for long day trips by bike.  Our house (bothy) was very pleasant and in a great location....up a hill overlooking the CalMac ferry terminal in Oban Harbour.  It was an easy walk to town, and more importantly, to the Wetherspoons for ales and beers and a couple of meals.


View from the B & B in front of our bothy










On some of our rides we used this two-bike wide tarred national bike trail.  The trail is not yet complete but it was being worked on in several places we passed.  Sustrans Scotland


Sunday, 28 June - Isle of Seil - 39 miles


Our first full day began as drizzly, but became mostly sunny around noon.  We've been to Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil many times, mainly for trips on Seafari boats.  Lovely ride.

Cycling often feels like freedom to me.  It's even better on our electric bikes as we can go very long distances on hilly routes with much less work than on a regular bike.  

Bridge over the Atlantic

































Monday, 29 June - Ardchattan Priory - Connel Bridge - 34 miles


Cover on grave - looks like she died in childbirth


















Connel Bridge which we cycled across


















Tuesday, 30 June - Isle of Lismore- 46 miles


Beautiful island.  Very un-touristy.  There is a cafe with delicious homemade food, and a heritage centre on the grounds. Most of the ride on the way to the Lismore ferry was on the national cycle trail.   

Castle Stalker near Port Appin and ferry to Lismore

A happy cyclist















































Wednesday, 1 July - Isle of Mull - Salen - 35 miles

Isle of Mull

Trips to Mull entails taking a 45 minute ferry trip from Oban to Craignure.

Looks like a holiday cottage

















Macquarie Mausoleum - Father of Australia













Bike hit 400 miles in about 3 weeks

A welcome bike ride break - scone and coffee or tea - Salen tea room










































Thursday, 2 July - Isle of Tiree - (oops, flat tire Weds. night) - walking instead


The ferry to Tiree takes 4 hours.  We were surprised at how much traffic was on the island and were actually glad we were walking instead of riding our bikes.  Stunning beaches and countryside.

Lismore lighthouse taken from the Tiree to Oban ferry


































One of many beautiful beaches on Tiree


















Friday, 3 July - rest day - bus to Tobermory on Isle of Mull

We took a hike to a lighthouse even though a sign said it was closed.   Very muddy but otherwise walkable.  Tobermory is very colourful!


Taken with my phone camera!



















Twice we went past the village of Benderloch on the national bike trail so stopped at this cafe which has gorgeous homemade scones, other goodies, meals, and cappuccinos.