Click to enlarge the route
The weather this morning looked warm and fair with no risk of rain. I had planned several routes up to skip past the urban sprawl of Glasgow by getting the ferry across from Gourock to Dunoon the benefit of which mean we miss rush hour traffic around Glasgow and we get to avoid the ride around Loch Lomond that after past trips I feel is a bit boring after the first few miles usually sat behind a convoy of camper vans without seeing much due to the tree lined A82. Instead the idea was to ride up to Oban using the coast road around the (Sea) Loch Fyne instead.
Out in Dumfries and Galloway
Our friendly host Dave at the Buccleuch Arms was curious of our route up to Gourock so I ran it by him to get his opinion and he felt we would miss out on a great route through the Galloway forest. I adjusted the route extending it further south west to the village of Newton Stewart, Mark being up for the additional miles in order to ride some of the best roads in Dumfries and Galloway too. After a bit of bike maintenance for Mark where the staff assisted in lending a Tyre gauge and stirrup pump to check his pressures we said our farewells and were soon on our way. I have to say what a great place to stay with bike washing facilities, really helpful staff all of which were motorcycle enthusiasts too.
We took a few stops along the way, the route was really good and so glad we took Dave's advice. The Forest section was definitely worth the extra miles though we did get a bit mixed up near New Galloway and Newton Stewart where I lost Mark retraced back only to find the Navigator was dragging me in the wrong direction back to an original waypoint instead of along the A714. Eventually we found each other again, killed the offending waypoint and had a good ride through the lanes up to Girvan for a brief stop and look out across the sea to the island of Ailsa Craig otherwise known as "Paddy's Milestone".
We made it out to Gourock but unfortunately I spotted a confusing sign that suggested the ferry to Dunoon was a few miles further on past a ferry port run by a different company than the one I had originally seen on-line. Mark wondering why I had ridden past the Western Ferries port didn't realise I was looking for the Calmac ferry but on arrival discovered the ferry crossing was foot passengers only. In the end we fuelled up at a petrol station and were told by a local woman that Western Ferries were the best service anyway so quickly returned to make the Western Ferry boarding just in time for the next crossing. A bit confusing and I still have no idea if Calmac do offer a vehicle ferry service to Dunoon as is suggested by their website. Anyway, we were all aboard for the 20 minute crossing costing just under £10 each for Motorcycles. A good opportunity to relax a bit while aboard and admire the view.
Holy Loch
After crossing the Firth of Clyde what followed was an utterly sublime ride around Holy Loch and Loch Eck and then up to Strachur before riding down the wonderful scenic A83 toward Inverary with the 'Sea' Loch Fyne to the left of us before heading North again at Lochgilphead on to the A816 to Oban. Passing that Oyster restaurant on Fyne had me craving for seafood I couldn't wait for a beer and meal in Oban and made me wish I could stop there and get a table overlooking the Loch.
A really good day riding, really pleased with my new bike and we both agreed the longer route through the forest was definitely worth it. A few beers in Oban and Fish and Chips outside admiring the view we were presented with an amazing sunset across the bay to top the day off a treat! (thanks Mark for the photos and that smokey flavoured Whisky too)
