You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Off the back of STW suggestions, we are moving our planned Easter trip to Argyll to 7 days time. We have the van build nearly finished and trying to work out what combo of stuff to take. Probably the kayaks and walking boots. Thinking we’ll leave the bike packing stuff at home, but want to take the bikes. Forks on my Soul are too unreliable to take away, though some reading of old threads suggests a 29er hardtail is the best idea. However my Sherpa is probably 2.5 months away, so that isn’t an option. So do we take the full suss, CX (with 38/40 mm tyres), or road? First world problems...
Routes, van stops and general socially distanced wild place recommendations also welcome. We literally have no plans apart from a campsite in Kintyre for 2 nights. We aren’t set on any one place - Arran was just an idea.
If you haven't booked to get to Arran from Ardrossan with a van you might have a problem depending on when you're trying to cross. The ferry is running with restricted numbers with advance booking only. If you cross from Kintyre over to Lochranza, there's no booking and it's generally quieter, but you might have to wait for a space. There's a lot of potential overnight van spots on the Island, but they are busier this year. I can give you some tips if you do come over.
Re. bikes..there's riding for all types of bikes on Arran, Kintyre and Argyll. Probably, and Nobeer will disagree with me :), I'd take the CX, get hold of the Arran Grinduro route and the routes from Wild About Arygyll site, and that will give you miles of mostly traffic free riding all around the area.
I'd just go to Arran for the week, take the CX bikes and Kayaks. Base yourself in Lamlash bay (Middleton campsite) and mibbe Lochranza or Blackwaterfoot for a couple of days too. Take your walking boots, the ridgelines on Arran are amongst the best in the country (and are the most accessible)
Lamlash bay is a marine protected zone, has been for years, get some snorkelling in, or book a dive, it's amazing what's down there since the trawlers were booted out.
If you really wanna MTB, then get in touch with Gerard at Arran bike club, there's some really good stuff, but it's not the easiest to find, or gimme a shout, I'm 20 mins from the ferry and always looking for an excuse to go 'home' 🙂
Edit - I didn't disagree with you Mark! 🙂
Thanks both. Ferry booked. Sat-Tuesday. We’ll get the Lochranza ferry to Kintyre on the way back out. We are seeing if we get a campsite, but will wild camp it if needed (just trying to not annoy locals).
I went to Arran last year, took my gravel bike and (as above) followed some of the Grinduro route. Lovely cycling.
Kintyre is good for cycling, followed some of the Kintyre Way, I would like to go back an bikepack the whole thing. Worth riding to the lighthouse on the Mull of Kintyre, view is stunning.
https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/guides/the-kintyre-way-by-bike/
Also walked up Goat Fell via the Witches Step on a glorious blue sky day. I was surprised how quiet the mountains were. This was late May. I did find a few secluded spots to kip in my van but I think in the current climate I'd rather get a campsite / motorhome pitch. I'm going to Mull in September after it didn't happen in May, booked a cottage rather than van sleeping, as I agree on not wanting to annoy locals.
I live in the lakes and the amount of badly parked motor homes and vans (layby's , passing places...) is unbelievable at moment.
Thank you all. Any links to some of those ridgewalks? They sound fantastic. There’s seemingly plenty of gravel routes available
P20, get on walkhighlands.com, they're all in there. 3 Bens AKA Glen Rosa horseshoe is a good shorter one, my favourite is bus from ferry to North glen sannox car park, up the glen path to Sail an im, Caisteall Abhail, Cir Mhor and back down Glen Rosa to Brodick, or if you've still got gas in the tank, up from the saddle over goatfell.
Stunning island, and once away from Goatfell, you'll pretty much always have the hills to yourself.