New cycle trail - last research ride

Last research ride to find objectives on the Isle of Jura
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[@andygolborne5747]

Thanks for all this amazing work on this trail. Already looking at doing it in 2025.

[@fionaridley5011]

We loved Jura on our first west coast tour after Islay (used the passenger ferry to get back up to Oban for Outer Isles) so went back a second time camped at the hotel and did an out and back to the end of the road with no luggage....we were quickly defeated by the track on 28s. Had a lot of seaweed eating cows that looked medieval, and a wonderful shelter from a storm at Tea on the Beach, not sure if the honesty horse box cafe is still there at Inverlussa as local children made the cakes in their summer holidays only and have probably grown up now. I'd like to take the hardtail and try to get to the end of the track and walk out to the point....but we got eaten alive by midges waiting for the passenger ferry in the morning, I can understand the grumpyness! It's all part of the adventure. looking forward to trying your route.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

This is exactly what I was hoping to convey Fiona - whatever you do in Jura seems to turn into a memorable adventure!

[@fionaridley5011]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Definitely other world-y

[@Grandadgreyhair]

Love it not all trails are equal it’s more the curiosity and experience of trying that is so satisfying then when you finally nail a great route or link up section it’s even better. I was out today and found three new trails within 5 miles of where I live, not long but great fun and it’s unbelievable that I have ridden past or near them for ages and never spotted the entrance start points in the woods but there you go.

[@gabscar1]

I visited Jura for the first time this summer for a day trip from Islay. I cycled from the ferry terminal to Corran Sands (stunning!) and back, while the family drove. I wondered about returning and cycling to the far end for a view of the Corry Veckan whirlpool. But, alas, it seems you have spared me the pain! Great piece of research. Thanks!

[@armyofcats]

Was my first visit to Jura this year for the Fell Race, back end of May. It's a few hundred runners and nearly everyone cycles over, via both ferry options, and camps outside the hotel so its much busier than other weekends. Might be worth mentioning in your route notes to bear in mind the date of the race if headed over - you may well have had this info already but thought I'd mention just in case. Another enjoyable vid, and look forward to the next one. 👍

[@Bikesandboots64]

A great island, did this in 2011. You could camp on the hotel lawn. Blue sky sail to corryvrekan. The only downside I had a nasty tick bite which gave me a hard time. Need to go back🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️👍

[@daveebert7747]

I appreciate your comment about changing your mind in the morning. I have found through many a mile and days of bike packing to never make my decisions, plans, conclusions at the end of a day. Especially with wet feet and insect bites.😅. The old saying "things will look better in the morning" is so true. Thanks again for another excellent video, love the scenery you captured

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks. You’re absolutely right.

[@pendodave4661]

I was in Jura this summer (both days!). Camped at the hotel. Seemed like a bit of a cheek to have to put money in the showers after paying for a pitch on a field of tick infested grass. I had thought if going along the road like you, but contented myself with cycling round to the headland at the far end of lowlandmens bay and watched otters and seals. Wonderful. Also stopped off at the beach you showed at the end. Lovely as well. Bizarrely, given the eventual state of the road, the bit from the islay ferry to craighouse is immaculate.

[@awaedin]

I cycled that track to Barrhill a few weeks ago and it's hard going with largish sharp rocks forming the track in places. And at one point a herd of huge cattle standing right on the track. I think you're right to exclude it from your route.

[@weeringjohnny]

An engaging video in the search for a new trail. So many outdoor videos on KZbin are as beautifully and patiently shot as this one but the narrative is often untutored and dispersive, belittling the content. Simon's videos are a refreshing antidote to this and never try my patience except anything to do with digital tech but that's me, not Simon. I should add that I couldn't make a vid to save my life.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks.

[@simonguard5087]

Its mind blowingly beautiful Thankyou so much from here in Southern England ❤

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks Simon

[@bigmadmentalbaz]

Great to see the hard work that's going into this, it looks like it will be amazing when it's finished - no google street view to help you plan your routes up there!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

😁

[@mcbishopuk]

I lost my first ever pair of spectacles in a bog on the south coast of Jura whilst peat coring there. Haven't cycled there but did take a tandem and trailer (and surveying gear) to Islay.

[@scottsheridan278]

Definitely full suspension mountain bike country. Great video.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I'm not so sure... 80ml of road with only some of it rough and all do-able on a gravel bike.

[@charlesmccusker8309]

Cycled from port Charlotte to corrievcan on whyte glencoe gravel bike camped then back to port Charlotte 4weeks ago hard going but worth the views Had to leave bike and walk last 2miles

[@MalkyMcMillan]

Thanks for this. I suggest not only making the Tayvallich passenger booking a first priority, but also keeping an eye on the weather for the crossing. There were some very distressed and ill people by the time we reached Craighouse on my July visit! Also, I made the mistake of letting the guy 'secure' my bike and it was thrown about quite a bit. Still, Jura is lovely and I was rewarded by a fantastic view of a sea eagle on my hilly ride from Craighouse to Feolin.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Great info!

[@KeefandCo]

Always enjoy your videos. Better than anything on mainstream tv. From a non cycling hiker 👏 ☺️🏔️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@marcproudfoot]

I did a round of the Paps of Jura in July, taking the mtb over on the passenger ferry and using the camping facilities at the Jura Hotel. I used the bike to get as far as the Three Arch Bridge, but from there the route into the paps was much like the one you encountered tying to get to the Corryvreckan viewpoint - just wouldn't be worth it. Looking forward to seeing the final route!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Makes sense to use the big for the initial access.

[@weegiewheeler]

Just catching up. -Great video. I was on jura again 2 weeks ago just for road bike, on a saturday. disappointed the hotel and distillery were shut. latter only m-f which i find bizzar. the wee food place would not take my order as they shut at 3, so my only option was the shop. Assume jura does not want weekend customers. apart from that the sun shone and i loved my cycle !

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

That’s not good! Thanks for letting me know.

[@weegiewheeler]

@@alwaysanotheradventure (its Alex, we met at ride to the sun, prob wont remember...) maybe was time of year and just day 3-5pm (ref hotel) people were camping

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I remembert very well - and appreciate the info!

[@Jamiehurd]

I'm heading to Islay and Jura next week, with the bike. I'll have to have a double portion of porridge on the Jura day!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

They do a good second breakfast at The Antlers bistro in Craighouse.

[@thepainterdude1]

No fails at all if you hadn't shown us how would we know Great video

[@HughDWallace]

Islay & Jura are on the list! Stunning. I see you were riding your Camino in this one? How are you finding all your different bikes? I'd appreciate a video offering side by side comparisons of them all. You know, if you have a gap in your copious amounts of free time!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

They're great Islands! And such a contrast between the two. Thanks for the video idea. There's a lot of overlap between the bikes Hugh and, while I know I'm lucky, putting all three in one video might come across a bit boastful. I'll think about it.

[@HughDWallace]

@@alwaysanotheradventure If you have only got three bikes you are half way to my collection! Remember, N+1... I doubt anyone will think you are being boastful, Simon. Many of us might feel a bit of envy as you live the life that we might like to (without really knowing what that entails on a daily basis) but you come over as a very modest man. Personally, I am looking for that one gravel bike that will tick most of my boxes but I am always wary of reviews published in magazines as they are not usually by people who have bought and lived with the bikes for any length of time. The Camino is top of my list for a number of reasons but you have clearly found it to be less than perfect hence your small collection of alternative bikes and I would be very interested in your views and experiences.

[@a.a.duncan]

We were staying on Islay in July and were considering cycling to the Corryvreckan viewpoint -- the plan was to take the car over and drive a bit of the way so we could get over and back in a day. For one reason and another it didn't happen though. I've cycled on Jura a few times in the past and I was a bit disappointed not to take the bike over again -- your video has quashed my disappointment of not trying for the viewpoint though 🙂.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Ah well - it’s a great island but you do get the idea rather quickly !

[@sureshchinnappa2290]

Great video Si. Beautiful as ever.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks

[@jackwelch1273]

A comment on the video around land ownership would sometimes provide context for Scotlands landscape. Wouldn't a gravel trail to the Corryvrechen be fantastic. It will never happen unless the people of this land become more aware and without becoming political your channel has a part to play. Best wishes and continue to inspire. Jack

[@jackwelch1273]

Google the raised beaches on Jura. Astonishing and pertinent in our climate aware times.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks Jack - land ownership is an area into which I don't want to stray on this channel. I'm pleased with our access rights, and yes, we need to hang onto them given the way rich folk can buy and sell vast tracts of the country.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Agreed - sadly most on the west coast and not easily accessible on a bike from this route. There's also the story of the skull...

[@petergilbert72]

Really enjoyed the realism of this exploration. Will the finished route be suitable for e-bikes? Bridge-less river crossings are extreme hazards for electric motors (except in drought) and the bikes are too heavy to carry!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I’m acutely aware of the e-bike situation. I’ll try to explain the options in the Trail Notes that will accompany the final route.

[@petergilbert72]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Much appreciated

[@davejack3054]

As always, a great video. Rumour has it this summer was really a poor one even by local standards. The summer, or lack there of, was the talk of all of Scotland when I was there earlier in the year. Do you think that your trail would be different in other years and that you would suggest going to the bothy and corryvreckan viewpoint in drier years?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Best we've managed all 'summer' is about 4 consecutive days of decent weather! Some sections of the route would be easier - in particular the Loch Lyon section with a river crossing that I did in June. I wouldn't include either the bothy or viewpoint on a cycle trail because you can't cycle to either, as I've now established. As someone already commented "no-one wants to have to haul a loaded bike over a gate". In the overall context of a long ride I like offering the option of either road end, gravel road end, island end or viewpoint - people can then set their own challenge. If they're staying in, or camped at, the Jura Hotel in Craighouse it could be a challenge for some folk to ride to the end, hike the Corry, then ride back all in one day.

[@davejack3054]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Thanks for the detailed reply!

[@FoobsTon]

I would love to do such a remote adventure but I'm a bit paranoid about getting a "technical" on the bike and being stuck.... Am i unduly anxious?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

You have just given me an idea for a video. When sea kayaking were encouraged to think through “worst case scenarios” and have a plan - and kit - to deal with each. These have to be moderated by likelihood of them happening - I never had a plan for dealing with a giant squid attack. It’s a similar approach for, quite frankly, any outdoor activity. Walking is easier to imagine because the problem is likely to be an injury - limb sprain or burn from a stove. However travelling I always carry enough to handle both. But the prospect of something going wrong with my bike used to hold me back too. I put myself through a two-day field repair course at Glenmore Lodge, but still I’m relatively useless at fixing anything more than a puncture. And yet - things are much less likely to go wrong with a modern bike provided you look after it. But based on this I’m going now to head into my LBS and ask what’s the most common field problems they see (lots of LeJOG) and how to fix them. Thanks for the idea and watch this space.

[@FoobsTon]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Great reply thanks. I enjoyed the Vielo interview you did and I'm now considering getting one. Have you put together any kind of "kit" videos... Things like seat bag vs panniers etc? Be good to tap into your knowledge acquired at the coal face so to speak... Save us amateurs from expensive mistakes. Anyway, love the videos and I admire your patience and tenacity to film them. Can't be easy to set up the shots when you're a bit knackered or not feeling it.

[@pendodave4661]

Just to say that if you're still on the tarmacked roads on jura, there's normally enough traffic to allow a bail out - this is true of a lot of Scotland in my experience (which is much less than Simon's). Also, I find that folks are just generally more helpful. Like Simon says, a bit of planning, some basic maintenance skills, a basic toolkit and a weather forecast should give you enough to get out there!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

We’re shooting a piece which might help tomorrow.

[@MartyPhysics]

What tent did you use on this trip? @AlwaysAnotherAdventure

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

It’s a TarpTent Rainbow

[@billclark1983]

What tent do you use?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

This one is a Tarptent Rainbow

[@esthertacke1901]

I think you went by the spot where Bill Drummond of the band KLF burned £1 million in cash - worth a note in the guide.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Good point - if they did 😁. Great doco on KZbin about it.

[@M_J_Hammer]

Ren (UK independent artist extrodinaire) also filmed a piece here last year about a treasure hunt to promote his album Sick Boi and a trilogy called Money Game. He is a fan of Orwell and I think maybe inspired by the KLF money burning.

[@Crowthius]

That last two miles is definitely not for bikes.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Or for my water logged feet. Damn chilly all night!

[@ruairidhalexander7631]

That gate needs to be reported to the local council access officer as in breach of the access laws. Access is restricted for cyclists and God knows how you'd get a horse past it 😂

[@infocuslearning]

Yeah, nobody wants to have to haul their bike and luggage over a gate!

[@graykardinal2930]

Прави ги тези видеа поне по 30 мин. дълги. Таман си направя чая и свършва.