The Hebridean Way

I usually visit places with half a plan in place. One plan for this trip is that I wanted to cycle the Hebridean Way – a 130mile national cycle route (blue signs with red numbers on) which goes from one end to the other of the chain of islands.

It’s an end to end trail but without trains it means that I need to either retrace my footsteps (wheel turns?) back to the start of the day’s ride, or if there are other roads on the island then do a loop to get back to where I started. Apart from the fact I just like being on my bike, it’s a good way to be able to see the island without having to drive all of it and a chance to do a recce for places to park up overnight.

I’m now half way through my time on the islands and about half way up the trail having covered 180miles to the Berneray ferry point. It’s a cyclist’s paradise with tarmacked roads and no cars but the wind has been a pain and I’ve had to plan rides around the forecast, riding on the less windy days although this has still meant coming down hills feeling like I’ve got my brakes on. According to the guide I’ve got I’ve now covered the flat islands with the hills still to come, my legs can’t wait!

The blue dot is where I am at the moment, working my way North.