Bike ride on Isle of Mull - 72 miles roundtrip

A

Ameriscot

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Husband and I drove to the town of Oban, parked the car, took the ferry over to the Isle of Mull and rode to the ferry which takes you to the Isle of Iona. The day we rode there (Thursday) was gorgeous - low 70's and mostly sunny. The ride back - Saturday - was mild but windy with episodes of showers so we rode in our rainsuits.

I put my Gopro videocam on my helmet and got a few videos.

Got some photos with my phone camera:

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Some of the videos I did with my GoPro: EDIT: best viewed with the volume off. Nothing to hear but the wind or an occasional swearing at cars who pass too close!



 
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Beautiful video and photos. Are the roads that you were traveling on very hilly and steep? Looks like mountains all around. My bad knee would not take to kindly to hills. I do envy you.
 
NancyNGA said:
Great pictures and videos, Annie. Love those bike paths. Beautiful scenery. I don't see much peddling, though. ;)
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Bike paths??? Those are the main roads on Mull. :)

Great pics and videos, Ameriscot. You got a great day of weather too. I am impressed by that wee camera too. And the bikes!!! Those look like fun.
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
Beautiful video and photos. Are the roads that you were traveling on very hilly and steep? Looks like mountains all around. My bad knee would not take to kindly to hills. I do envy you.
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Very, very hilly! I'd guess at least 75% of the ride involved hills. But we have pedal assisted electric bikes to make it easier, still hard but much easier than normal bike.
 
NancyNGA said:
Great pictures and videos, Annie. Love those bike paths. Beautiful scenery. I don't see much peddling, though. ;)
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There was LOTS of peddling!! And as Ossian said, that was the main road. These are single track roads and the pullouts are calling passing places where when a car is coming straight at you, one of you pulls over.
 
ossian said:
Bike paths??? Those are the main roads on Mull. :)

Great pics and videos, Ameriscot. You got a great day of weather too. I am impressed by that wee camera too. And the bikes!!! Those look like fun.
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Perfect weather on the way out. Bad on the way back - very windy.
 
Bobw235 said:
Looks like a great place to ride. I'd love to do that.
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Gorgeous ride. We saw a few on regular bikes but you'd need legs of steel to do this ride all in one day without power. The reason we bought electric bikes (pedal assisted) is because Scotland is so hilly and there are so many gorgeous (and very hilly) place to ride. Having to walk a regular bike up a hill ruins the ride so we gave in and bought these last year. A fully charged battery lasts more than 70 miles. If it runs out, you're in big trouble because these bikes weight a TON.

Trying to get some cousins over as they are avid bike riders. And you can rent electric bikes in some places here.
 
You are making me so envious! That's exactly what I would love to do. I am actually wondering if it would be stupid for a 71yo to get a bicycle, to take advantage of the many cycle paths in the district. My daughter was given a bike, which she has never ever used! I I did, I don't think I would bother with 32 gears like most of them seem to have! Perhaps a maximum of 7 would be enough.
 
Goldfynche said:
You are making me so envious! That's exactly what I would love to do. I am actually wondering if it would be stupid for a 71yo to get a bicycle, to take advantage of the many cycle paths in the district. My daughter was given a bike, which she has never ever used! I I did, I don't think I would bother with 32 gears like most of them seem to have! Perhaps a maximum of 7 would be enough.
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Borrow a bike and try it. You would be surprised how much fun it is. In your area, tho, dont be too dismissive of the importance of gears. You may be better with a mountain bike or at least a hybrid with 21 gears. Three front rings and 7 rear gears. The choice of the 3 rings will make the hills much, much easier!!! Believe me. But try for yourself. There must be somewhere to hire a bike for the day near you?
 
Lovely pics. It's a long time since I toured the Western Isles, but I expect that very little changes there.

Unfortunately my OH never learned to ride a bike so it's the bus, driving or "Shanks' pony" for us. I cycle occasionally on an old Raleigh with 5 speeds. More than enough for someone who grew up with a 3 speed Sturmey-Archer.
 
Goldfynche said:
You are making me so envious! That's exactly what I would love to do. I am actually wondering if it would be stupid for a 71yo to get a bicycle, to take advantage of the many cycle paths in the district. My daughter was given a bike, which she has never ever used! I I did, I don't think I would bother with 32 gears like most of them seem to have! Perhaps a maximum of 7 would be enough.
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No it wouldn't be stupid. Our neighbour is 84 and just bought himself a bike!

I almost feel like a kid when I cycle. Free!
 

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