I am thinking about this as an alternative to watching the telly all day -)
A group of us from work did this late summer last year. Quite a bit of riding, some nice techy stuff (if you can ride all of Mugdock you can ride this), and a biggish day. We went over on the 0950 ferry and just made the 1640 return. If there is reasonable interest I am ken to do it and having been round before can just about remember the way (and teh maps are pretty good so as long as we have a few printouts..)
Here’s the ferry timetable : (haven’t checked that there isn’t a reduced timetable due Public Holiday, but will do)
http://www.calmac.co.uk/timetables/summer-timetables.htm?id=summer-arran–ardrossan-brodick.png
Last time we met at Ardrossan, where we left the cars and went on the 094o and returned 1640, which was just about enough time….. if we are delayed, we can get the later one back.
route wise, last time, we started out from the ferry terminal and did a variation of this, to marker point 6 :
http://www.arranbikeclub.com/documents/ABCClauchlandsroute_000.pdf
and then tied into the classic route, from marker 3 (which is the same as 6 on the other route) :
http://www.arranbikeclub.com/documents/ABCClassicroute_002.pdf
a cracking day out indeed. Post up if you fancy it and we can see what the interest level is.
Iain
just checked with CalMac – normal sailings, so the 0945 from Ardrossan would be the ferry of choice – nice bacon rolls too !
Hi,
i can vouch that this is indeed great for a day out! Arran is great for a day trip- feels like you really are on holiday! Would love to join you, but going there the day after for a hen weekend! Taking the bike though….
Sam
Worth doing for the singletrack from Whiting Bay (point 12 on the map) alone, some of the loveliest flowing forest singletrack I have ever ridden.
Could be in for this one… sounds good.
Oh no, can’t do this as childcare is called for… thought my wife was on holiday too! Fancy a wee Arran trip in summer though.
Stephen – no worries, I know the feeling !
I am hoping there is some interest in this ride, as it really is a cracker. I’ll keep it active till middle of next week and then see how the numbers are looking. If we are 5/6 plus and the weather is reasonable then I’d say it’s a go’er
Liked the look of this ride however, like Stephen, I am on holiday but the housekeeper is not. I will therefore be on child minding duties on the day of the Royals (God Bless em, One and All) big day. Still like the sound of the ride maybe do it again / instead later in the summer.
Hi Iain, as I said tonight after the ride – I am interested in going over to Arran on the 29th. I’ll check back next week to see how the numbers are shaping up.
Thanks to you all for looking after the old guy tonight, I really enjoyed it, glad I stuck in.
Steve
Cheers Steve – if we can get a few more up for it and the weather holds it will be a go’er. Glad you enjoyed tonight – was a crackin night for riding and a good laugh.