ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 10:58 pm
Hi Kate. I've taken a while to respond to this, hoping I might get my thoughts in order but it's going to be a bit of a brain dump instead. Sorry if it's hard to follow.
Thanks for such a long post is so appreciated you and everyone else replying thank you so much!
For context, I've ridden the Hebridean Way, B&Bing it. I have in-laws in Lewis who we visit regularly. My wife and I have been to Uist for our main holidays for the past seven years. My last job was supplying hire bikes and cyclist "taxi" services in the Scottish Highlands and I've been involved with hundreds of Hebridean Way cyclists as a result.
definite kudos
First of all, it's a fantastic trip. Regardless of the weather, folk come back buzzing about it. Many of our customers also highlighted just how friendly and accommodating the drivers were - even those who came from countries we'd otherwise think had better cycling infrastructure. Eight days is a decent amount of time. Too many folk rush through it (I did). When you allow for ferries etc, that time soon gets eaten up.
I think I’m gonna need it!!
the itinerary I looked at which we are going to follow was for seven days and the last day with 62 miles which is crazy for a last day
A Specialized hybrid will be fine. About half of our hire customers used those. The roads are pretty good and a slightly wider tyre will let you explore some of the machair path in South Uist - definitely worth a detour.
I had one £100 more I never should’ve got rid of it… My sister has the low end one, I had the mid range
As already said, try not to take too much stuff. The steep hills aren't long and the long hills aren't steep,
that’s so good to know!
but I've seen lots of folk pedalling glumly as they are just overloaded.
now travelling with my friend who has a van, enough room to sleep for one and we will be alternating wild camp and van I think between us maybe find one B&B I don’t know yet… Will also be bringing all our food… And a camping stove you nearly all anyway LOL will be boring
Do use all the gears - something many folk seem to avoid(?)
always do that
A rack and panniers should be more than enough. If you have access to some small panniers (and the means to mount them) for the front then that can make the bike a bit more balanced.
Yeah that’s what I’m planning on I just found some really cheap ortlieb in small for the front
European cyclists actually prefer to have front and not rear panniers. a small handlebar bag of some sort is useful for keeping day-today items close at hand - money/cards, camera, phone, guide book etc. Something that can be quickly detached and re-attached will be great for cafe stops etc.
There are a number of good campsites. I especially recommend Kilbride on South Uist and Balranald in North Uist. Kilbride also has a hostel. Balranald is in the middle of an RSPB reserve and is next to a fantastic beach. There is a food van open during the day with fantastic scones, cake, soup and fresh crab rolls. I really can't recommend it highly enough.
definitely registered but I’m vegan apart from eggs and leather
If you are camping or B&Bing keep in mind that evening meals might need to be sourced elsewhere and not all B&Bs will have somewhere to eat close at hand. Do some research before you go to make sure you'll get fed.
Love camping with our wonderful rehydrated beans wouldn’t believe how nice they are
If you can, also pre-book your evening meals. The islands have got increasingly popular and restaurants/hotels are often fully booked in the evenings.
we’ll have to find some that case of vegans as we both are
In any case, always carry at least one days food with you.
i’m sure we’ll get bored if we just don’t do anything but eat from A packet in 8 days!
You should be able to top up each day but the gaps between shops can be quite long - and remember that almost everything will be closed on Sundays (many tearooms etc will still be open though - moreso in Uist than in Lewis/Harris on account of the religious differences).
great info!
Usually, you can just turn up at the Barra-Eriskay and Berneray-Harris ferries, but do check ahead. The past couple of years (as a result of Covid) even cyclists have needed to book.
doing that shortly
Following NCN780 is your best option, though detouring onto the machair path for a few miles from Daliburgh northwards is a highlight. When you get to Harris you can either go up the Golden Road on the East side or NCN780 on the West side. I prefer the latter for its extensive beaches, views and a few more facilities.
My experience of the weather is that you'll either have a wet tailwind or a sunny headwind
Take Smidge and a midge net. It's usually to windy for the midge to be a big problem but when that drops they'll want to make up for lost feeding opportunities.
experience that last year in Scotland are quite unbelievable how many there are
I assume you've looked at the logistics of getting to Barra and back from Lewis?
now taken care of with a van
I'm sure I'll think of more stuff afterwards, at which point I'll post again. In the meantime, if you have questions about any of the above (or anything else I can help with) fire away.