Kilmarnock and Inverness

gazman1
gazman1 Posts: 77
edited August 2014 in Road beginners
Hello all, I'm a relative newbie road rider and don't get a lot of time on the bike, however I am going working away in Kilmarnock for a few days then on to Inverness for a couple of weeks. So I Have decided to take my bike with me, are there any friendly people on here from these two areas who could point me in the direction of where would be good to ride and maybe meet up and ride. Thanks Gary

Comments

  • 47p2
    47p2 Posts: 329
    Nice 65 mile ride from Kilmarnock Click


    For Inverness if you're brave enough you could go down the A82 to Fort Augustus then come back up the B852 to Inverness 66 miles Click
  • Colinthecop
    Colinthecop Posts: 996
    Inverness has quite an active cycle club and seem to welcome visitors up on a jolly.

    They advertise their runs on their facebook page and their forum -

    http://www.invernesscc.co.uk/

    Depends on what distance you're looking to ride, but there's good runs in every direction up here in the Highlands.
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    Don't do the A82 if you go to Inverness. There are plenty of other, much nicer and safer, routes than the A82. Check which club you contact in Inverness. There are two and one has a bigger, and more active membership, than the other. The one linked above is the one.
  • gazman1
    gazman1 Posts: 77
    Thanks for the answers guys I will have a look into it.
  • laurentian
    laurentian Posts: 2,572
    Navrig2 wrote:
    Don't do the A82 if you go to Inverness. There are plenty of other, much nicer and safer, routes than the A82. Check which club you contact in Inverness. There are two and one has a bigger, and more active membership, than the other. The one linked above is the one.

    Apologies for the hijack . . . myself, the good lady and a couple of others were looking at cycling around Loch Ness whilst taking in a long weekend in Scotland. I am interested in your comment on the A82 . . . is it really unsafe? What would the alternative road be if trying to do a "circuit" of Loch Ness?

    Any help appreciated
    Wilier Izoard XP
  • Nairnster
    Nairnster Posts: 602
    The A82 is bad. I consider myself a more than competent driver, but the speed people go round some of the blind bends, suspension wallowing on the point of losing control, makes me wince. I would constantly be on edge riding abike along there.

    I actually think the standard of driving in the area is pretty bad overall in all honesty.
  • Colinthecop
    Colinthecop Posts: 996
    Got to agree with the A82 sentiments...

    Whereas the B862 on the South side of the Loch is lovely, a nice loop along the lochside past Dores to Foyers then down to the Whitebridge junction and back along through Errogie will have you wanting to move here.
  • stueyboy
    stueyboy Posts: 108
    You could try a tour of the Ayrshire Alps if you drive south of Kilmarnock through the Galloway forest
    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4349422
    more on the Ayrshire Alps here
    http://www.ayrshirealps.org/piste/

    Or a longer route to Applecross from Inverness? I only looked at this route because the hill climb is supposed to be one of the best around that area. Bit of a long hike back though or stay at the Applecross Inn overnight
    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5132481
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    edited August 2014
    laurentian wrote:
    Navrig2 wrote:
    Don't do the A82 if you go to Inverness. There are plenty of other, much nicer and safer, routes than the A82. Check which club you contact in Inverness. There are two and one has a bigger, and more active membership, than the other. The one linked above is the one.

    Apologies for the hijack . . . myself, the good lady and a couple of others were looking at cycling around Loch Ness whilst taking in a long weekend in Scotland. I am interested in your comment on the A82 . . . is it really unsafe? What would the alternative road be if trying to do a "circuit" of Loch Ness?

    Any help appreciated

    There is no real alternative by road bike. http://goo.gl/maps/DC8rO is a good as you get. The recent Etape "got away with it" because of closed and partial closed roads.

    I lived in Inverness for 12 years and used to go down the A82 on my motorbike and that made me nervous. I wouldn't do it on a road bike although I am sure there are plenty of people who do.

    If you want the Loch Ness experience without the A82 then consider this: http://goo.gl/maps/qwE0O
  • navrig2
    navrig2 Posts: 1,851
    Or for a really nice route in the area:

    http://goo.gl/maps/xGcJc

    But stick to the footpath approaching and over the Kessock Bridge.
  • scopes15
    scopes15 Posts: 84
    I'm from Kilmarnock and cycle a good few times a week. There are some good quiet roads road Stewarton, Kilwinning, Kilmaurs etc. There is also an ok cycle path up the old A77 which takes you over the eaglesham moor. Send me a message or look up my rides on Strava if you need some decent routes.

    http://www.strava.com/athletes/342914

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