Let’s go cycling

1 June, 62km, rainy, windy but otherwise lovely!

So, while in Carlisle we did a bit of shopping. I splashed out on some waterproof pants to the tune of £80, justifying them to myself with the rationale that they’ll be great for sailing when I get home (??) 🙃

Anyhow they were well used today  (and so were Neil’s £15 version 🤣)

Drizzly rain set the scene for the day, followed by particularly brutal head winds for much of our ride.

Followed the riverside for quite a bit- if this is a taste of Scotland scenery I’m probably going to love it. Wind aside. Cos there’s lots of that, so far.

Tonight’s campsite is basic but picturesque (oh, and windy!!). Near the little town of Auchinleck, an ex mining town which seems a bit down on its heel.  But very pretty on the outskirts.

We thought we’d head into town for a pub meal- a 3km walk but we took a shortcut.  The longest shortcut we’ve found so far…across creeks, boggy grass, under a pine forest and finally found the road!

Great, but the pub had no food. So Tesco’s (supermarket) it was, and a long and hungry walk back.  Via the “shortcut” again.

2 June, 28 km of headwind

A slow morning, Neil installed his new handlebar tape, a process which took considerable time and care.

Then a quite short ride to the seaside town of Ayr. Nice and flat, but another morning of brutal headwind!

Nice to see the sea again, a TESCO sandwich by the seaside before we checked on to our B&B- a nicely cheap but delightful place, cosy (compact!) room but perfect for us. 

Decided to have a rest day in Ayr- a bit fortuitous as the weather was atrocious!

4th June

Another speccy breakfast at our new favourite B&B “ByTheSea”.  Then out into the elements…including serious winds and a dose of hail.

A flat easy ride up to Troon to catch the ferry yo Arran.  Had a couple of hours up our sleeve so wandered the town, stocked up on food supplies and found a very expensive coffee…

Then scored a few free km for today’s route while we sat on the ferry 🙂

The isle of Arran is really quite stunning!  Our campsite is minimalist but beautiful- right next to a lovely flowing creek.

Couldn’t think of a more perfect spot to camp…

…Until the MIDGES found us.

5th June

A “little” 20km circuit walk including Goat Fell, the highest peak on Arran. Such stunning scenery- it really does take your breath away! Wasn’t so keen on the ridge walking in the mist, but Neil was in his element…

We’ve escaped the potential for a midge infestation tonight and walked another 3km into town for a pub feed.  Hoping the critters might have calmed down by the time we get back…and if not it’ll be straight into the tent to escape them!!

Tomorrow we head to the north of the island, then off up to Ardfern to catch up with the Fuller folks again 🙂