The Bicycle Island

I was in Glasgow over the last week or so, and had a few days of excellent cycling. Here's a short
report of my visit to Sandy's Bicycle Island of Cumbrae last Saturday.

I got up at 6:30 and was at the Boulevard(A82) for 7:30. Sadly the Fort William coach didn't stop
for me, so I couldn't make it to see the world mountain biking championships at the Fort.   So back
home for a second breakfast, and plan B - a visit to Millport. This is a classic Glasgow day out -
train, then ferry over to the island of Cumbrae. Its also most people's yearly contact with a bike -
hire a bike and ride round the island.   So at 11:30 I caught the Renfrew ferry, and sped off at
18+mph along the road to Paisley to catch the 11:56 train with 1 minute to spare. Good space on the
train for bikes. Arrive Largs around 1pm for the short ferry ride.   I then set off on the 4 miles
to Millport, and popped in to see Sandy Morton. http://www.sandymillport.fsnet.co.uk/Bikes.html
Sandy has all sorts of bikes for hire - including trailers for small children, tow along bikes and
tandems, which were very popular. With two other shops,over 1000 hire cycles on the island. Truly a
cycle paradise - the bikes outnumber the cars no problem. He was doing a roaring trade when I was
there, with people coming in every five minutes. Sandy works out of a shop at the bottom of his
garden, where the house overlooks the Firth of Clyde (some people have all the luck!). Great to meet
him.   Off then for a pub lunch, only to run into the group of women from the ferry who seemed to be
on a mission to drink the place dry of Bacardi Breezers...   Then off for the quick 11 mile circuit
of the island - on flat roads! No hassle from cars, and loads of family and leisure cyclists in
various states of puffing and panting to chat with. Pride comes before a fall though, as the 16+
miles an hour I was bowling along at turned out to be due to a big tailwind. Turned round at the
ferry slipway for a return at a reduced pace. A 99 ice cream in Millport fueled me for the last lap
round to the ferry. Coffee in Nardinis in Largs.   And yes, as a good London cyclists I dragged my
heavy D-lock across to an island where everyone has a bike, and rows of bikes sit untethered outside
shops, pubs and cafes. Duuhh....

 

In article <[email protected]>, John Hearns <[email protected]> wrote:

much snipped but greatly appreciated.

> And yes, as a good London cyclists I dragged my heavy D-lock across to an island where everyone
> has a bike, and rows of bikes sit untethered outside shops, pubs and cafes. Duuhh....

Thanks John - where do I send the comisssion

Seriously this is a great explanation of the Bicycle Island - which you are all welcome to visit.

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A T (Sandy) Morton on the Bicycle Island In the Global Village http://www.sandymillport.fsnet.co.uk