The Five Ferries Challenge

[@RodUrquhart-by7hk]

Great video Doug. For those of a certain age and who don't fancy a full on 75 mile day with big climbs, I did this a couple of years back over 2 days with a stop at Portavadie. Takes the stress of chasing ferries out, time for extended coffee/cake stops, plenty photo stops and enjoying the scenery. More costly, but a great relaxing way to enjoy a fabulous ride in amazing scenery.

[@specializeddoug]

Thanks Rod. I’ve heard a few people saying that it’s much more enjoyable doing it over two days. We’ll have to consider that for the next time.

[@glasgowcycles]

I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now. Love this video

[@specializeddoug]

It took me a long time to get round to doing it too @glasgowcycles. Try to get a nice clear day for it, it’s well worth it.

[@MalkyMcMillan]

I've met lots of fellow cyclists while doing this route, and everyone of them has missed the best of what it has to offer by chasing ferries. There are fantastic camping spots - wild and less wild - en route. Glendaruel camping site is now my favourite bikepacking stop off site in Scotland.

[@specializeddoug]

That’s a good shout Malky. We actually spoke about camping over the night and about how much more enjoyable that would be.

[@robyeomans1137]

I did this route (cw) 22 years ago, with the incredible John Clark of the RSNO, who introduced it to myself and many others. From basking sharks to nuclear subs, we saw it all on the many times we ventured onto this route. Cracking route. Amazing memories.

[@specializeddoug]

As I said @robyeomans1137 I have been meaning to do this for a few years. I loved the route and will repeat it, but clockwise this time though.

[@HughDWallace]

It was a bit bitter-sweet to watch this video! This route (also for my first time) was on my schedule for the weekend after I crashed & broke myself & my bike. Ah well, next year I guess... What a day you had for it!

[@HughDWallace]

p.s. that pub in Lochranza has some cracking (& expensive) whiskies to sample. I'll not share the story of just how ill I felt the next day other than to say I will remember that ferry crossing less than fondly! 🤣

[@HughDWallace]

p.p.s. If you are going to do it again in the traditional direction, the ride to Lochranza will make or break the ride. Previously the ferry staff used to let cyclist off before the cars in Brodick but I heard that they were keeping us back until after the cars this year & this was making the timings very tight.

[@specializeddoug]

We were super lucky with the weather HDW, apart from that headwind. 😂

[@paulwright65mtb]

We did it a few years ago, great route

[@specializeddoug]

How did you enjoy it Paul? I thought that the Comer climb and descent were something else!!

[@bendenisereedy7865]

Jeeze! Skin of the teeth on ferry timings! Well done though, it looks like you had a challenging day.

[@specializeddoug]

😀Cheers BDR, there were a few adrenaline spikes over the day. 😀

[@snab80]

It's a cracking ride with some astounding views if you get the weather, the CW version of this was my first ever 'big' ride in 2021. I'd only really started cycling during CoVid and had never considered even attempting anything like this before. We added about 20 miles and turned it into a 2 day ride as charity fundraiser for a mate who'd suffered badly with CoVid, we ended up raising over £2800 for his charity. Since then a few of us have had boys weekends riding London to Paris and a couple of circuits in the Netherlands. Not bad for a big lad at 47!

[@specializeddoug]

The visibility is a huge thing @snab80. You’d feel deprived if you did this route in poor weather. The extended route over 2 days is a good shout as well though. Covering it at a leisurely pace, with more time to drink in the scenery, sounds perfect. Well done on getting on the bike, it’s quite addictive isn’t it.

[@thoff-jn7mr]

nice run ty for sharing

[@specializeddoug]

Cheers @thoff-jn7mr, pleased that you enjoyed it and thanks for the thanks. 😀

[@weegiewheeler]

great video. I organise this in our weegiewheelers group 2/3 times between april and end sept. keep an eye out.

[@specializeddoug]

Will do WW.

[@fionaedwards5750]

Done it 4 times the "traditional" way, the 1st ferry is a bit of a deadline (we were on the 945 departure) but once you make that, the others are easy! You had a smashing day for it. Oh, and 1 time I did it, it was a hellish northerly so we battled it until the road to Colintraive!

[@specializeddoug]

I’ve heard that Fionaedwards5750. I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy it better with a little bit more time to take in the spectacular scenery. 😀

[@fionaedwards5750]

@@specializeddoug yeah, it's stunning! I like that wee shinty field you commented on, smashing wee ground

[@specializeddoug]

That has to be one of the prettiest views for a sports field, although most of the kids that play on it probably don’t “get it” yet!! 😀

[@tommay1959]

Always wanted to do this

[@specializeddoug]

Go for it Tommay1959. It’s a quite beautiful route.

[@grahamelliott6041]

Whose elastic snapped, yours or theirs ?

[@specializeddoug]

😂😂Theirs. They were with us for a wee while in the flat but dropped off on the first climb.

[@grahamelliott6041]

@@specializeddoug just checking in case you’d been dropped 😉

[@specializeddoug]

😂Thankfully not @grahamelliott6041. 😀

[@Tearlaich64]

Magic wee video. Sad to see Polis Scotland prioritising cars. All the worse for you having a ferry deadline. Don’t really think it was your pal who had the attitude!😂

[@specializeddoug]

@@Tearlaich64 totally agree. I think she got that one wrong to be honest. Her holding us back really made things difficult for us again. Pleased that you enjoyed the video and thanks for the feedback.