Guaranteed tour with places available
Meet up with the group, have dinner and get ready to start tomorrow.
Starting on the shores of Loch Lomond and cycling up the quiet scenic Glen Fruin, we descend round to Kilcreggan. Then an early dinner folowed by an evening cruise on Loch Lomond, out past the largest island of Inchmurr1n. This is Great Britain's largest freshwater island.
The route is mostly minor roads, with the reward of some lovely cafes in Aberfoyle. Option for a self-led extension out to Lake of Menteith.
Starting with easy miles along Loch Ard, then several smaller lochs, before cycling on limited access minor roads along Loch Katrine. There is a more busy section along Loch Venacher, before joining cycle paths north towards Killin. Optional alternative of a shorter and less hilly 62km route.
Killin sits on the western tip of Loch Tay. We cycle south to ride round Loch Earn, and visit the very pretty village of Comrie.
This is an exciting days cycling, starting up a steep hill of 500m, and then enjoying the descent down the beautiful Glen Lyon. The ride continues for miles along the River Tay before continuing to Pitlochry.
Today is a day for big views. First looking along the length of Loch Tummel from the Queen's view, and then looking north as we climb around Schiehallion.
First we head to Dunkeld which is a very pretty little town, with the ruin of its thirteenth century cathedral on the banks of the River Tay. Then east to Blairgowrie and then over from Bridge of Cally on quiet single track roads (yes it is the A924) to Moulin.
Blair Castle is owned by the Duke of Atholl who has Britain's only private army! The route follows first the River Garry and later the River Tummel.
The hamlet of Amulree is on an old drovers route, then further south the Sma' Glen is just 6.5Km long and is often described as Glen Coe in miniature. It runs along the River Almond
Crossing the flat flood plains around Stirling, we visit both the magnificent Kelpies and the feat of engineering that is the Falkirk Wheel which links the Forth and Clyde canal with the Union canal.
There are a couple of very well known hill climbs to the south of our route, but I managed to resist including them.
We have breakfast together before travelling home. Thanks for coming and I wish you a safe journey.
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National park is a beautiful treasure and includes some 22 lochs. Diane and I have swam in most of them. We also stay for 4 nights in Pitlochry, a small town in the centre of Scotland with its own theatre. Also visiting Stirling and staying very close to the castle. Tour starts and finishes at Balloch at the south tip of Loch Lomond. Most of the cycling is on minor roads.
The tour starts and finishes in Balloch which has 36 trains a day from Glasgow Queen St, trains also available from Glasgow Central.
Hotel accomodation
Accomodation on a shared room basis (due to lack of space to offer single occupancy).
A van will be provided for luggage transfer (up to 8kg), but in case of a medical priority or breakdown, it may be necessary to carry your own luggage.
We stay 2 nights in most locations, so the days when we are not moving on are optional rest days. In practice most of the days that we are not moving on the route is a bit shorter anyway.
The holiday is classified as grade 5 (medium/ energetic)
The holiday is for 12 nights, with 11 days are cycling and there are optional rest days roughly on alternate days when we are not moving on.
This is a moving on holiday staying for 2 or more nights at each locations except 1. So, if anybody needs a rest and repair day, they can sit out on one of the days that we are not moving on. No-one is obliged to ride those days.
Most of the roads are minor (some single track) and used by rural/tourist traffic and are hilly in parts. Though we may need to use some busier roads at times, we avoid them most of the time.
Detailed route notes will be provided before the tour, along with GPS tracks.
Most of each day will be spent cycling. People will be expected to ride at their own pace and often in loose groups, averaging around 10-12 mph, and usually meeting up at cafes for lunch and refreshment breaks. You will be notified of recommended refreshment stops on the group What'sApp each day.
It is expected that you may want to stop for photographs, look at the view or explore some local point of interest and this is okay. You are on holiday.
Inevitably, parts of the route are hilly, so you do need to be fit to get the most out of this tour. It is essential to get out on your bike and do some 50-mile (83km) rides before the tour starts. There are some steep descents too, so you should be able to negotiate these safely.
Please note it may not always be possible to follow the itinerary exactly due to road works or weather etc, as things do not always go as planned. In these circumstances, you will be advised of alternative arrangements.
The Leader and Deputy will share the luggage transfer and ride leadership between them. One will usually be at the the rear of the group, and as we are usually spread out you need to be aware of the route each day. The route information will be provided before the tour, and each day you should clarify any details that you are not sure about.
Like the rest of the UK the weather in Scotland is very variable. On average May is both the driest and sunniest month. Please bring sun screen and waterproofs, as you might need to use both on the same day. There is a possibility of both heat waves and cold, wet weather, so be prepared for all possibilities.
Lightweight clothing, suitable for a range of temperatures, is needed and possibly smarter clothing for the more up-market hotels (though they seem to be very relaxed about what people wear).
Cycling clothes. Two sets of clothing are recommended as you can wash each evening; two short sleeved tops, a long sleeved top, or arm warmers, shorts, longs or leg warmers, two pairs of socks, a cap or helmet cover and two pairs of short gloves with a pair of finger gloves for rain and cold. Helmet and cycling shoes. Clear riding glasses.
Sun cream, lip balm and sun glasses are recommended along with insect bite cream.
Evening Dress. You will not need too much; Two T-shirts/shirts, one pair lightweight trousers, maybe a pair of shorts, two sets of underwear, two pairs of socks, light pullover/top and lightweight shoes. The lightweight cycling windproof top can be used in the evening if extra warmth is required. Swimming costume if you want the chance of an open water swim in one of the many lochs, water temperature are very variable depanding on the depth of the loch and the weather but unlikely to exceed 16 degrees, and in Stirling the hotel pool.
Toiletries; These can be kept to a minimum by bringing very small toothpaste tubes, shampoo bottles etc. A very basic first aid kit of plasters and pain killers etc are always recommended. Some places supply shampoo, but not guaranteed, and a small hotel size bottle is always useful to take and use for clothes washing, which can be done whilst showering. Shaving can also be done using shampoo, as can face washing. A piece of string is useful for hanging washing in the absence of coat hangers.
A touring cycle, hybrid, tandem, recumbent or lightweight road bike would all be suitable for this holiday, since we will endeavour to avoid tracks if possible.
You should ensure your cycle is well maintained, paying particular attention to wheels, tyres and brakes.
A low bottom gear (eg. small chainring the same size or smaller than the largest cog on your rear wheel) is recommended; if unsure about gears, please talk to the Bikexplore Leader about them.
Mudguards are optional but demonstrate respect to those who are following you in wet weather.
Lights are recommended in case of arriving back late, and are useful if walking outdoors at night. A bell is advised and bring a bike lock for security. Water bottles are required to ensure you are hydrated at all times.
You will be expected to carry sufficient spares and tools to deal with punctures and minor repairs, including two inner tubes, a spare gear cable, quick chain link and spare brake pads. There are very few bike shops on the route, and often they are never there when you need them.
You are advised to use 28mm tyres, or larger, to suit the variable terrain.
You will not need to carry luggage except in case of van breakdown or medical priority. The van luggage weight should be no more than 8kg. A rack-top pack or bar bag will be useful for carrying wet weather gear, spare clothing needed for the day, camera, emergency rations and a map.
I recommend bringing a paper backup in the form of relevant pages from an old car road atlas and an ordnance survey map if you plan on hill walking
GPS maps for each day will be provided in advance of the tour.
Please ensure that you are fit and healthy enough to cycle the distances (and ascents) planned for the tour. If you use any medication, please remember to pack it. Use of an electric bike can help enable cyclists to complete long rides, but please do complete some longer hilly rides so you know that you and your battery can complete the day.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.
I led my first tour in 2014, and since then have run tours every year (except one - guess which) and all in Scotland. Visiting almost every one of the larger islands.
Originally tours were through CTC Holidays, but now with Bikexplore.
My style is to help people enjoy their holiday and visit the many beautiful remote parts of my home country. In fact, one of my greatest pleasures is in sharing the wonderful quiet Scottish roads and scenery. My other great pleasure from running tours is the social aspect: seeing people form friendships that transcend the duration of the tour.
On tour, my partner Diane shares the ride leadership and luggage transfer.
Typically people do not cycle all together, but split into small groups of similar speed / interest and we meet at cafes and leap frog along the route.
martin@Bikexplore.co.uk Tel: 07981 100017
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