3 Ferries – a wee report

16 MTBers dug out the lycra and in some cases the full carbon bikes 🙂 and turned up for the 3 ferries, like the 5 ferries but with less… ferries! There was no faffing and we were ready to roll when the GMBC hardcore passed on their way down from north of Glasgow, the pace was brisk all the way to Wemyss Bay. Once we had bought out all the hopscotch tickets and filled the ferry with bikes, it was time to empty the cafe of caffine – the CTC were there too, and the carradice saddle bags had to be centred to stop the boat rolling.

The grand peloton departed from Rothesay – with a gentlemans wave as we passed the CTC we has a wee blast round bute, Simon controlled the bunch and the pace was wound up, having a comfort break, meant 10 min of uncomfort on a chase – I think there has been secret training, even Gav’s DH pedals on his ‘rental’ Trek did not dispel those suspicions!!! Then disaster – Alan’s spoke could not handle the torque, every cloud though… a well timed break. Sadly the CTC did not appear with spare spokes, so experienced roadie Simon fashioned a swift repair. Back in business, it was heads down to the pub, I clocked about 27mph on the flat average in the chasing bunch, if only they had a beer stop on every ride.

Colintravie has one pub and not much else, but what else do you need? The waitress nearly ran away at the sight of so much lycra and the impending order, thankfully we all fitted in – just – and the local ‘salty seadog’ recommended some fine ales. We stayed a bit longer than we should and the legs waved a little white flag on the road up to loch striven. After some time trialling on the descent we hit the real climb up over to Dunoon. The bunch blew apart but it did not take long to reach loch tarsan and the showpeice descent, 5 miles of snakey tarmac bliss towards the last ferry. I went for a break and was being chased down by the peloton, it felt like a TDF moment and was brilliant.

The bunch went into full pelt on the last few miles to Hunters Quay – every last last bit of strength was used to hit some pretty big speeds on the race to the ferry. I arrived to a lot of happy faces, still buzzing from the sprint finish.

As the legs seized up on the boat we all spared a thought for the 3 heroes that were riding back to to Glasgow, riding double the miles that we had done – respect.

Barry made mention of the 5 ferries and judging from this ride I am sure there will be more closet roadies ‘outing’ themselves – but this time we better book a pub!