The Arran Circular

Earlier this week I decided to take advantage of the fantastic weather (and the fact that I'm only partially employed these days) and set off for a wee day trip around Arran. I fancied a change of scenery from the usual neck of the woods where I do most of my training rides, and also wanted to do a route that felt like more of an achievement. A bit of web research showed that the 55 mile 'Arran circular' is a popular route with cyclists thanks to the island's rolling hills, cracking scenery and, best of all, quiet roads. Ideal...

Just arrived in Brodick.

A quick train journey from Glasgow to Ardrossan and a smooth ferry crossing landed me in Brodick, the island's largest town/village.  I stocked up on grub and set off South, having decided to tackle it 'anti-clockwise' to make the most of the prevailing wind on the more exposed West coast of the island.

Lunch in Blackwaterfoot.

I stopped for lunch in Blackwaterfoot after about 25 gently undulating, traffic-free miles. It made such a change to be able to enjoy the ride without the fear of mentalist bus drivers, neds in suped-up Corsa's and the partially sighted elderly taking me out (might be something to bear in mind when route-planning for the LEJOG itself). The West coast road was particularly quiet, and I flew the 22 wind-assisted miles up the coast to Lochranza, where I stopped and sat in a sunny beer garden and psyched myself up for the only big climb of the day, which took me up to about 600ft and across to Sannox. The climb was murder in the heat, but the leisurely coast down the other side was great, and carried me over the 50 mile mark for the first time since I started training. I was knackered by the time I made it back to Brodick, and promptly slept like a baby on the ferry back over to Ardrossan. I must've been quite a sight slumped in the corner, lycra-clad and drooling onto my own shoulder.... 


Here's the stats:

 

My total distance for the day was just over 58 miles - by far the furthest I've gone to date. My legs took a few days to recover (not helped by playing 5-a-side on the days before and after) so I've been looking into ways of boosting my recovery. Arran itself was great, I would thoroughly recommend it as a day trip. Hard to believe it's only 2 hours from the centre of Glasgow.


- Cheers.