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Arran Weekender

September 12, 2014 @ 5:00 pm - September 14, 2014 @ 5:00 pm

£36

Summary

A weekend enjoying some of Arran’s fantastic trails staying at the NTS bunkhouse at Brodick Castle.

Logistics / Accommodation

The plan is to meet up in Ardrossan and get the 6pm ferry over to Brodick (there is a later ferry at 8pm for those that can’t get away early). The idea is to leave the cars in Ardrossan as the ferry is pricey for cars. The hostel is only a couple of miles ride from the ferry, so only take the essentials.  There is co-op on route to pick up food and drink. The plan would be to get the 1640 ferry back in the Sunday, or the earlier one if you need to be back.

We will be staying at the 14 bed National Trust for Scotland (NTS) hostel at Brodick Castle. It’s a nice hostel with good facilities and plenty of space. The cost if £18ppn so £36 total.

The Riding

There is a lot of good riding on Arran, and most of it accessible from Brodick. The terrain is very varied and it can be quite technical in places so a reasonable level of fitness and bike handling are recommended. That said, there are options to cut most of the bigger loops and there are some easier rides starting from Brodick. If you’re unsure please ask.

Some possible rides on Arran:

The “classic loop”. A big ride taking in some of the best riding to the south if Brodick. Highlights include the spectacular Glenashdale Falls and the descent to Clauchland Point (see pic below).

Cock of Arran – spectacular views following the coastline around the north of the Island.

Goatfell – Drag the bike up and bash down. Also other hike-a-bike options like Glen Rosa and The Saddle.

P1010668

 

Booking a place

There are 14 (Update: 18 places now available) places available in the hostel on a “first come first served” basis for paid up club members. To book at place please email me or post up on the calender entry.

Update: The deposit has been paid. The NTS require full payment by the end of June so I’m starting to chase people up now.

It would also be possible to come over for a day if you can’t manage the whole day, but it would involve getting the early ferry.

Details

Start:
September 12, 2014 @ 5:00 pm
End:
September 14, 2014 @ 5:00 pm
Cost:
£36
Event Categories:
,
Event Tags:

Organiser

Tom Downie

Venue

Brodick

29 Comments

  1. Provisionally, I’m in!

  2. In. Love Arran. 🙂

  3. Sounds good to me. Im in.

  4. I’m in too! Never been to Arran really (passing through on tarmac on Robin’s flat tyre bike doesn’t count!) So fancy hitting it with an MTB. Looking forward to it,

    Gav

    • Current roll call:

      1. Graham
      2. Nick
      3. Me
      4. Greg
      5. Ieva
      6. Barry
      7. Sam
      8. Dawn
      9. Davie
      10. Gav
      11. Garry
      12. Alden
      13. Erin (TBC)
      14 ?

      I think I’ll give them a call and check availability on the camping pods for a another 4 spaces.

      Tom

  5. Sam_I hate hillclimbs_Groves

    Yes me too.

  6. Count me in please Tom. It was cracking last year and there’s plenty still to explore.

  7. I’m in! I’m also a member of Arran bike club for my sins, It would be good to get something organised with them too, their a smashing bunch.

  8. How do you want to be paid Tom?.

  9. Can people stop slagging me off please.

    Thanks.

  10. Thanks for all the replies. I will wait a couple of weeks and then email everyone with payment details.

    1. Graham
    2. Nick
    3. Me
    4. Greg
    5. Ieva
    6. Barry
    7. Sam
    8. Dawn
    9. Davie
    10. Gav
    11.
    12.
    13.
    14

    • Hi, I’ve had a note of interest via email from a prospective club member (Erin). She said she’d be interested if all the spaces don’t get taken up by current club members. Are the camping pods available if we need more space?

  11. Tom, I wouldn’t imagine those spaces won’t get filled, but if they don’t, there’s a few of my ‘usual suspect’ shire buddies who would fill the gaps. I may even eventually talk them into joining, ye never know!.

  12. Tom,
    You can add my name to list.
    Sounds like an awesome weekend.
    Cheers
    Gary

  13. Sam_I hate hillclimbs_Groves

    Yeah, I don’t think it will be a problem either. Bearing in mind, we are still not into the Spring, when new/more folk will start to come out….

  14. There’s a couple of us going over a week on Thursday (20th March) weather permitting, if anyone wants to join us. Probably get the 0945 ferry, so anyone coming down from Glasgow can get the train. We’ll see what the conditions are like before deciding on a route.

    Another option for our weekend in September is a route round the west coast, starting from mid thundergay, up to the wee lochan, then up onto beinn bhreac ridge. Gerard assures me the descent is a hoot, and over half an hour. It means a fair bit of road work, and a fair old hike a bike too though.

  15. If there are still spaces available can you put me down for one please. Cheers, Alden

  16. I’ve reserved one of the 4 bed camping pods as well, so up to 18 spaces available now. The camping pods are right beside the hostel and share the facilities. They sleep 4 adults pretty comforably and have heating.

    Tom

  17. Awrite tom if there is any spaces left can you put my name down too full weekend cheers and ill square you up asap

  18. Hi,

    I’ve sent an email to those above who expressed an interest. I need payment now to pay the balance of the booking. If you haven’t got an email give me a shout.

    Still places left, please post up if interested. It’s also possible that some places will become free if people’s plans have changed.

  19. An update for those coming. The bunkhouse has now been fully paid up by me. I’ve received money from the following people who are definitely booked in:

    Davie H; Nick; Richard; Scotty; Sam; Alden; Graham A; Gary, Gav, Me (Tom)& ieva.

    There are three more places to be filled, see the post on the main page.

  20. Hi Tom
    Did you get my payment?
    Who is getting the 8pm ferry? Think 6pm going to be impossible for me as in Edinburgh with work in afternoon.
    Am I in a camping pod or hostel? Just wondering what I need to bring (sleeping bag?)
    Thanks for all the organisation
    Elizabeth

  21. Sam_I hate hillclimbs_Groves

    Hi Elizabeth,
    I think I will be getting the late sailing on Friday too, so see you at Ardrossan. Mad, that this has now come around!!
    Sam

  22. I’ve sent an email out to those signed up, give me a shout if you haven’t got it.

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