Hello all!
I’m looking for some tips from those who have biked the Hebridean Way or others with touring experience who might want to weigh in!
- Do you think is a train as you go situation? From what I can tell, 185 miles over 6 days seems doable even for people who are not in tip-top shape
*June or September?
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Any tips for bike-camping for someone with little camping experience? It seems like there are no bears/ major predators which puts my mind at ease (im a city creature!) but I really don’t know where to start. Do you recommend a tent or one of those bivvy bags? Do you really need a pad underneath the sleeping bag? Is it possible to do this and just bring food that doesn’t need to be heated/cooked (thinking peanut butter etc) and then just eat at restaurants? Any water related tips?
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Any considerations for doing this solo?
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Any ideas on where to rent a bike in Scotland, london or paris that might be fit for an adventure like this?
And a bit of background –
I live in a country with a war going on, and am dreaming about a nice, green, adventure for my next vacation. So landed on the Hebridean Way as a top possibility.
I’ve done a few bike week-long bike trips in the past, but not in a few years. I think my max mileage per 90/day, mostly around 70-80. I was staying in hostels mostly. I did these with no prior training beyond biking a few miles (3-5) maaayybe a few times a year. I don’t exercise frequently beyond walking a lot.
Thank you so much!!
PS for those that have posted on the Hebrides already in this forum – thank you!! Your trip reports are very inspirational!!
by throwaway6742689
2 Comments
Take a tent. You can wild camp legally in Scotland. You will need something under your sleeping bag to insulate you from the ground. There are three ( I think) hostels run by the Gatliff trust which are great to stay in.
It’s a generally flattish route with only one notable climb so being in peak physical condition isn’t necessary.
You don’t need to take a stove but you might be glad to have one when camping if the weather is bad.
Most people ride from south to north to have the prevailing wind on their back.
I can’t help with rentals but if you Google search for Hebridean Way bike hire/ rentals I’m sure you will find something.
There’s lots to see off the main route too although these are generally riding out and back again on the same road.
Everything is closed on Sundays.
No problem doing it solo, you’ll meet lots of other cyclists along the way.
I did this route back a few years ago. Here are some things I can think of…
The ferry from Oban will be about 6 hours and they serve hot meals. Oban is home to a scotch maker by the same name and it is great scotch. It sells for around $80 a bottle in the US, but much cheaper over there. Maybe 50. I stayed at Roseview caravan park and it was a great deal.
Finding the start point with the sign is not easy. It’s on the side of a hill overlooking a beach with no indication of where it is so look it up before you go if you care to see it.
It’s going to be wicked windy and will probably rain most of the time. Make sure you trust your rain gear and tent. I went south to north and had a headwind most of the time. I had a glorious tailwind for half a day. Make sure you understand how to properly stake your tent. I lashed mine to the bike as well.
You will have to ferry between the 3 islands along the route (Barra, Uist, Harris). I think Barra to Uist ferry runs more than once a day but Uist to Harris and Harris to Ullapool only run once per day. If you miss the boat by 30 minutes, you are stuck and there isn’t much else to explore.
Assuming you will ferry to Ullapool, go left right when you get off the ferry and you will find a campground. Tell them you want a pitch if you are tent camping. There is also at least one hostel there.
For camping, bring a stove to boil water. Fill a nalgene at night and keep it in your sleeping bag if it’s cold. Food options are somewhat limited but you will find stores here and there.
If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me. You are going to have a great time!