My recent Hebridean Way trip was supposed to be a bit of a 5-6 day bimble up the islands but the bad weather meant that I beasted up the road on the first day and found myself in North Uist a day early. Didn't make sense to delay so just kept going and did it in 3 days instead. I had planned to return home off-road from Ullapool and to be honest this was actually supposed to be the highlight of my holidays. However, said beasting was not easy on my nethers so I decided that, what with the weather and everything, to cadge a lift home from Ullapool instead. In the van on the road back a plan was hatched to come back and ride the most interresting section (i.e. Ullapool to Garve) the next week.
So, on the autumnal equinox myself and Scotroutes headed off out the back of Garve crossed the A835 and on to the HT550 route, i.e.through Longart Forest, nip back over the road and up Strath Rannoch, up Loch Vaich, along Gleann Mor to Alladale. we took the road round to Croick, stopping at the Broch/Church as I'm into that kind of thing. It's a bit tumbled down and, well, just a ruin. Guess the locals must've robbed the stones over the years...
Croick Broch (and church) by Metalheart-UK, on FlickrWe carried along Strath Cuileannach stopping when the view West opens up... as you do
Looking West by Metalheart-UK, on Flickr
Croick Estate road by Metalheart-UK, on FlickrWe then took the short cut to the Schoolhouse bothy then turned down Strath Mulzie. We carried along until the 'red arrow' then took the single track hike a bike section (it was pretty wet) to the head of Loch an Daimh then down Glen Achall/Loch Achall scoping for potential bivy spot(s). We spied one just past the bridge at Loch Achall so carried on into Ullapool in search of food.
We stopped at the Seaforth (we could sit in full view of our fully ladden bikes) in what was now darkness.
Then in true HT mimicking style we headed for the Tesco to stock up before heading back to our bivy spot. Forecast for Ullapool on the saturday was 20 degrees!
Once pitched we illicited the interest of the local estate workers (our flickering headtorches) who thought we might be poachers/up to no good (I shouldn't wonder) who turned up with spots on their truck on and a thermal imager! However on discovery that it was just a pair of aul mannies camping they were aswaged and after a bit of banter left us to our own devices.
Bivy spot (am) by Metalheart-UK, on Flickr
Lunar Solo in all is (damp) glory by Metalheart-UK, on Flickr
Mornin'! by Metalheart-UK, on FlickrSunrise was quite pleasant....
Sunrise head of Loch Achall by Metalheart-UK, on FlickrBreakfasted and packed up (there was masses of condensation on the tent/tarp) we set off around 8.30.
The intention was to retrace our steps except that we would take the north road along loch an Daimph as it was all rideable. It was good fun too (i.e. just on the nice/easy side of technical for fully laden bikes).
As it was a much nicer day we stopped pretty much the same place as on the way over for photo's...
Looking back West somewhere in the Croick Estate by Metalheart-UK, on Flickr
Looking East from same place... by Metalheart-UK, on FlickrWe met a bunch of mountain bikers at the end of Croick. Colin, as ever, knew one of them...
We then turned South. And into a headwind... Oh boy. I was struggling big time by now. My nethers were once again feeling discomfort and every pedal stroke was affected... And did I mention the headwind? Oh boy...
Still we were going to head down Strath Vaich as an alternative and the road section was much easier on me physically.
We roadied it up until Little Garve before we cut the corner and arrived back into Garve.
Finished! by Metalheart-UK, on Flickr
Scotroutes telling me if I hadn't been so keen he would have come back on the road... Now he tells me... by Metalheart-UK, on FlickrWhere Colin told me that, if he was being honest, that if I hadn't been so keen (and adamant) he would probably have taken the road back to Garve... Now he tells me! But we both agreed that it was the toughest thing we'd done together (and in a while) and it was good to push ourselves (in a type 2 way). Not sure my arse thought that mind.
Still, a good trip, good company and my conscience about missing out the end of my HW trip asswaged. Just don't make me get back on a bike for at least a couple of days though...
I think this sums up how I felt... (the horror, the horror...) by Metalheart-UK, on Flickr
