Dunoon, Ardentinny, Glen Finart, Hell's Glen,
Rest and be Thankful, Loch Lomond, Balloch, Dumbarton, Glasgow,
Scotland. (4 day bike-pack) Sat 13 Nov - Tue 16 Nov 2021
Heading for Scotland with my bike. I set off to cycle to Preston
Railway Station shortly after 6:30am and an easy and mostly
traffic free ride. I arrived in plenty of time and wheeled my
bike to outside the waiting room where I spent most of my
waiting time. The 08:37 Arriva train arrived and departed on
time. The bike storage was at the front of the train and my bike
was the only one on board for the rest of the journey.
On the train to Glasgow.
It was a lovely sunny day so I spent most of the time looking
out of the window at the passing landscape, occasionally reading
a bit of the free Metro newspaper. It was shortly after 11:00am
when we reached Glasgow Central Rail Station where I headed for
platform 15 and the next train to Gourock. I was expecting a
wait for the 11:36 service but a train was on the platform. A
rail operative lady was there and I asked which carriage for
bikes. She said get on anywhere as the train is about to leave.
I wheeled my bike on and we set off around 11:06.
Arriva train to Glasgow.
On the train to Gourock.
It stopped at all the stations on route and we arrived at
12noon. I was following the station exit sign when I asked a
lady rail person the best way to the Calmac ferry terminal. She
said there was direct access along platform 1 so I followed it
to the office. It was unattended and just a waiting room and a
note on the window saying pay on board. Also no cash, just card
due to covid. It was still a sunny day as I waited with the
other passengers. The 12:20 ferry was passengers only so I don't
know what happens if vehicles need to cross to Dunoon.
On the ferry to Dunoon.
On the ferry to Dunoon.
Crossing to Dunoon.
As we made the 50minute crossing the high clouds began to roll
in and it was overcast on arrival. I wheeled my bike off and
stopped at a cafe at the top of the ramp. There was a seating
area inside but also an external serving hatch were I bought a
tuna sandwich for £1.80. I ate some then set off on my stage one
ride. My route was along the seafront and my first impressions
of Dunoon were rather grim. The seafront houses seemed to be
guest houses but I wondered what would attract visitors here.
I stopped to finish my sandwich then continued to Lazaretto
Point and the impressive War Memorial. A sign said it used to be
a quarantine area. I soon joined the main A885 to the bridge
over the River Eachaig then turned right onto the A880 to
continue round Holy Loch. At Blairmore the road became single
track and I continued north by the west shore of Loch Long. I
could see Shepherd's point up ahead and when I reached
Ardentinny I stopped by the car park and public toilets.
Lazaretto Point War Memorial.
They were open and clear water was
available from the tap in the toilet. I was hoping to find a
camp spot in the field behind but there were too many brambles.
I cycled along a path by the shore but no good camp spots were
to be seen. I reached the road again and continued to the
parking area which was set out for mobile homes. There were
toilets and water in the taps, though a bit brown. At the far
end was a good spot to pitch my tent so after setting it up I
returned to the toilets to get water. There were a few vans with
people staying the night and some were talking till well after
midnight. There was good G4 mobile signal but
no FM for my radio. Long wave was good so radio4 OK. Also a DAB
signal.
