A Hebridean Adventure.
Captain slows adventure
The first chills of autumn have just begun and I am already dreaming of some challenge to look forward and help get through the bleak winter months.
Inspired by Euan McGregor and Charley Boarmans Long Way round Trips I want to plan and execute a trip of my own. Neither my wife nor the bank balance would stand a round the world trip but I’m sure she would let me off for a week treading the tarmac of the Outer Hebrides. So As I dream of what I could achieve, a plan formulates in my mind and its time to sketch down a few notes. Where will this lead I do not know but now I have something to occupy my mind for the coming winter months.
The first part of the plan is to decide which way I will do it and what to include on my trip. North or South.
The latter decision is already confusing as, on one website it suggests a south North run due to prevailing winds being South Westerly. But my brother says he recalls the prevailing winds to be Nor westerly which would suggest a North South Run. I would prefer to get the more mountainous crossing of Lewis and Harris over at the beginning of the trip but further research is required on this aspect that’s for sure.
The other main consideration is Ferries and timing arrivals at the appropriate terminals this is by the far simpler choice as I only have one carrier to choose from good old Caledonian MacBrayne .
The whole trip does not look so hard when viewed from a fairly small scale map as the one shown here.
The first chills of autumn have just begun and I am already dreaming of some challenge to look forward and help get through the bleak winter months.
Inspired by Euan McGregor and Charley Boarmans Long Way round Trips I want to plan and execute a trip of my own. Neither my wife nor the bank balance would stand a round the world trip but I’m sure she would let me off for a week treading the tarmac of the Outer Hebrides. So As I dream of what I could achieve, a plan formulates in my mind and its time to sketch down a few notes. Where will this lead I do not know but now I have something to occupy my mind for the coming winter months.
The first part of the plan is to decide which way I will do it and what to include on my trip. North or South.
The latter decision is already confusing as, on one website it suggests a south North run due to prevailing winds being South Westerly. But my brother says he recalls the prevailing winds to be Nor westerly which would suggest a North South Run. I would prefer to get the more mountainous crossing of Lewis and Harris over at the beginning of the trip but further research is required on this aspect that’s for sure.
The other main consideration is Ferries and timing arrivals at the appropriate terminals this is by the far simpler choice as I only have one carrier to choose from good old Caledonian MacBrayne .
The whole trip does not look so hard when viewed from a fairly small scale map as the one shown here.
The other consideration is that I find road cycling quite boaring and so feel that I need to challenge myself to do that what I actively try to avoid at all costs, cycling on roads. So where better than the stunning Outer Hebrides.
So where am I in the Plan?Well I have A Route.....I think
Stornoway Callanish Tarbert Leverburgh.
The Uists
Barra
In that order
When?? Probably Mid May 2009
Time Frame:6 to 7 days
Well I was going to use my long suffering Giant NRS but after considering I think it would be 
more prudent to use a Hard tail as I will be pulling a Yak trailer for the Gear. I will post up soon what I end up with as I find Frame Wheels and other bits to build my Hedridean Steed.
more prudent to use a Hard tail as I will be pulling a Yak trailer for the Gear. I will post up soon what I end up with as I find Frame Wheels and other bits to build my Hedridean Steed.Accommodation
Camping where possible.
That's the plan lets see how it changes over the coming months
