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and onwards to Wales and England eventually heading for a north sea ferry? We will see how the legs arse and head go
I'm heading off tomorrow 15/6 and riding across to the west on the canal. Tomorrow night at my folks in Milgavie then ride down to the Ayrshires coast via loch Winnoch. Camp up at a campsite on the coast. Then head for the ferry at Cairnryan to Larne Heading for my pals near Bantry.
I believe there are some STWers Ayrshire way - who will appear into the daylight? Some route and pub advice on my way thru Ireland would be nice as well. Ill head over west and then south I think broadly
I'm having a little panic now but I think everything is sorted
Part one here for those who missed it
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/tjs-recovery-ride-advice-routes-rides-n-beer/
Ooh wave to my old uni friend Tamsin and her chooks in Lochwinnock when you pass! She has a lovely eeb now due to neurological problems in her legs making it hard to walk. If you a pass a redhead swearing like a trooper say hi!
And enjoy the trip generally…👍
Bon voyage!
Ireland is on my radar for a possible spring ride next year...
Question: how easy/acceptable is wild (roadside-ish) camping in Ireland?
I'll be reading the thread.
Scotroutes - by my understanding not really acceptable / done. It will have to be campsites mainly
Arghh, my home patch Thursday, and my mum still lives in Lochwinnoch..Alas I will be in Birmingham.. 😳
Hope you have a brilliant time TJ
Re wildcamping. On the coast there are plenty of spots. Inland less so. Since there are no footpaths it's pretty hard to get off the road. And there seemed to be quite a few locked gate's and signs. We couldn't really reconcile this with everyone being super friendly. Anytime we needed a spot a polite enquiry did the trick. Didn't really see any campsites, and any that were were massive holiday parks.
@tjagain I'm on my nights so no chance I'll be coming out to play ☹
If you get stuck and need any mechanical assistance I will be available for support if need be!
Tj you'll have a blast ireland is great. We found donegal especially quiet.
Wild camp loads in Ireland, it's finding the spots to do it. Strava and it's heat map is great for finding routes (no public footpaths or bridle paths).
What kind of trails do you want, are you in the north, Dublin or over the West?
I'm based around the Wicklow mtns, potential for giving you a warm shower too.
What kind of trails do you want, are you in the north, Dublin or over the West?
Easy gravel. landing at larne then heading west towards donegal and aiming for Bantry. Whats the best website for sustrans type routes?
Im newton stewart but if your coming north I'm not on route sadly
Whats the best website for sustrans type routes?
Errr, the sustrans website has some for the north and south.
Eurovelo route one has loads of lovely stuff, although there is an overlap with the wild Atlantic way (so a lot of tourists, but good). Tbh, the coast of Ireland is ace for cycle touring, maybe Wexford/Wicklow is a bit shit compared to Galway/Sligo but I still enjoy it.
https://greenwaysireland.org/ might also be of use too.
Hi TJ, this is probably a bit late for the current ride, sorry. I've just been reading the last page of Part 1, and you wrote:
I tracked the first day on my phone and it used its entire battery so did not after that because I had 3 or 4 days between recharging to manage with a powerpack. I am gong to look into better ways of doing this
I've had similar and now track using a Garmin Fenix 3 watch. It takes very little to charge it and you can sync it to your phone at the end of each day to see the track. The Fenix series is now up to 6, and the Fenix 3 can be bought for £40 on eBay, and still perfectly usable.
And he is off
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Bon voyage. Will enjoy reading your updates. New flag?
Look after that flag!
Wait, is that you just leaving today? I totally read that all wrong! Still doing another night but may be able to grab a coffee depending where you are camped tomorrow evening (depends on stupid parental stuff).
Ill be in ayrshire thirs and fri
So, mid-week county mayo?
Have a great time TJ. Some great adventures ahead!
Good luck TJ, enjoyed the first thread on your travels, looking forward to reading more about this stage of your journey.
PS, which lock did you go for in the end?
👍
Oh by the way, if you need to deep-fry your chain you know where to come 🙂
Ta Moley
Im in darkest Paisley heading for Johnston. Wish me luck! Ncn 7
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Lovely industrial architecture
First encounter with a buckfast wielding bam as well
Second lunch. Following a lovely old railway
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No jealousy from my covid jail cell. Love an old rail track on tour.
Have a great trip TJ!
I hope you're having an ice cream every day
Troon tonight in a very weird and dilapidated campsite
St Middens? If it is I didn't even realise that was still going!
What time are you leaving tomorrow? If its not too early I could be down in time for a quick coffee.
Ill not be away too early. Sent you a pm
Ill not be away too early. Sent you a pm
St Middens it is
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I can hear the banjos from here.
Tell me about it
Forecast to rain tonight and in the morning
Bon Voyage TJ- have a good one. Well jealous.
St Middens looks aptly named!
It's actually St Meddens but, well, you've seen all you need to!
The [s]St [/s]Midden looks aptly named!
Looks like a sh*thole.
Met squirrelking. Freshly glowing
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Camped up south of Girvan on the Newtown Stewart road. Only campsite I could find
Murky ailsa craig
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Swim over there and make some curling stones
😉
Ah, you've the delights of Stranraer tomorrow then. 😁
Hope to get to Ireland tomorrow so mybe County Mayo Tuesday or Wednesday sounds plausible
Ah, you’ve the delights of Stranraer tomorrow then.
If he ends up in Stranraer something has gone badly wrong!
My thoughts are with you today TJ, there is one hell of a climb on that road (the one with the caravan park to your right and also the one out of Balantrae) and a couple of rapid descents after that will burn up your brake pads ( just stick yer legs out and shout 'weeeee' as you go down). You will be knackered by Cairnryan
Safe travels Teej .
It looks like things are going very smoothly. More pics please 😀
Andy
I took a devious rote round the coast
Slow progress today. Might have to get the ferry tomorrow.
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Couldn't be arsed rushing for the ferry. Have to camp here instead. Shame but I'll manage
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Oh the hardship!
😉
Thoughts and prayers 🖖
Couldn’t be arsed rushing for the ferry. Have to camp here instead. Shame but I’ll manage
Good man. That's the proper spirit!
Todays bam. Camped at the other end of the beach is couple. I wandered over before i pitched to ask if tbere was a decent water source. He looked like a crusty gadge but kindly gave me a 2 litre bottle which will do me. What a lovely chap
The river looked more dodgy than him. 🤣👌
Lolz@ squirrelking
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The river looked more dodgy than him.
You don't have a water filter? I'd suggest you need one!
Exta weight dear moley
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Exta weight
Not if it saves you having to haul more water.
I have an MSR Trailshot, it's 142g. I'd consider it an essential, you won't notice it with your 13kg of gear but you'll be glad of it when you can use whatever water source you find (within reason) and don't have to go hunting for it or ride way past that perfect site and ride back with 4kg of water.
Mine is part of my ultralight bivi kit, it's that useful.
Let me know if you change your mind I'll order one and bring it to you if you end up in Wales 🙂
This thread is why the forum needs a masshosive like button.
I’m miles away from your intended route, but if you need a roof, I can’t promise a bed because we’ve a full house, a shower, home cooked meal and plenty of beer, then just ask. Herefordshire.
I recently purchased one of these
https://www.ultimateoutdoors.com/16203794/water-to-go-75cl-active-water-bottle-16203794
Basically just to stop carrying as much water with me.
Drove back today from Ireland, got excited and then crushingly disappointed near ferry port in Belfast when thought might have spotted you, it wasn't 😔
Wife was somewhat bemused 😁
😀
Now supping a hot chocolate with a wee dram in it. Night night
I know you're spot tj. Always seems to be a few crusty types knocking around down there. I too thought it was a great spot, but then I went across the ferry to Ireland and upped my standards - next level beach camping!
Sawyer water filter weighs about 50g or so ( I might have made that up but it's very light)
I forgot it was sunday so mucked up the ferries. Still ill get acoss by early afternoon and don't have to use P&O
No rush! Sounds like it got better a couple of hours after you left me, long may it continue.
You forgot to factor in a visit to church?
Ill go when i get to NI. Better pick the right one 😉
Better pick the right one
Which ones that? 🙂
Does it matter🤣
Well that was interesting. Arrived in Belfast rather than Larne as planned so needed a route rethink. Took sustrans to lisburn alongside the laggan navigation which was unexpectedly nice. Lisburn however. I have never seen so many flags. Union flag, red hand of Ulster even st George cross. I felt a bit scared especially as i was flying a saltire until i realised there where some among the umion flags. Someone is confused
Water lilies on the laggan navigation
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Pub stopped serving food at 5.30!!!!!
I have beer and emergency ramen so all is not lost
Camped up near lough neagh
Build up to the glorious 12th so flag central, might find a few pallets stacked along your way too.
Aye there was a mountain of pallets as well