Earlier this week I received an email from WarmShowers, the accommodation sharing website aimed at cycle tourists, about their ‘forums’. Whenever I think of forums my mind turns back to the early days of the Internet when things were a little more ‘clunky’ than they are now. But they must still be a ‘thing’ and the fact that WarmShowers have them on their website would suggest that, actually, they are still widely used.
Iโve been taking a break from the website and social media but before I return in early 2022, hereโs a short video about a recent trip to Scotland. In late November 2021 I attended a Cycling UK event in Stirling, where I had been asked to give a talk about โCycling Europeโ. It was the perfect excuse to embark upon a wee bit of winter cycling โ from Stirling to Edinburgh along the northern bank of the Firth of Forth โ with a little time to explore the two cities at either end of the routeโฆ
Britain offers some amazing places to explore on a bicycle, but there can be few locations within the UK that offer the remoteness, drama and sheer spectacle of the islands of The Outer Hebrides. The Hebridean Way takes cyclists from Vatersay in the south to the Butt of Lewis in the north: โ10 islands, 6 causeways, 2 ferries and 1 unforgettable adventureโ. The writer Andrew P. Sykes attempted the ride in the summer of 2021. This is his story.
In episode 038 of The Cycling Europe Podcast, Andrew Sykes spoke to a number of travellers about their experiences of cycling The Hebridean Way. Now itโs his turn to get onto his bicycle, Wanda, and cycle from Vatersay in the south to Lewis in the north along one of Britainโs most spectacular rides.ย In part 1 of this episode of the podcast he travelled from the island of Vatersay to the island of Berneray.ย In this second part of the podcast we see him complete his journey across the Isles of Harris and Lewis to the Butt of Lewis and the end of the Hebridean Way.
In episode 038 of The Cycling Europe Podcast, Andrew Sykes spoke to a number of travellers about their experiences of cycling The Hebridean Way. Now itโs his turn to get onto his bicycle, Wanda, and cycle from Vatersay in the south to Harris in the north along one of Britainโs most spectacular rides.ย In part 1 of the podcast he travels from the island of Vatersay to the island of Berneray.ย Part 2 of the podcast will see him complete his journey to the Butt of Lewis and it will be published on Sunday 19th September 2021.
Iโm now in Glasgow and heading back to Yorkshire later this afternoon. Time to look back on the past two weeks. Here are some Hebridean Way statistics (including travel to / from the Outer Hebrides).
Another interesting day on the road, and back on the railsโฆ Itโs been day two of my three-day return to Halifax and not without incident nor cycling (which is why you are here I assume). Indeed there was just over 50 km of the stuff followed by a long two-stage journey back to Glasgow. Thatโs where today finished but it started back in Ullapoolโฆ
Not much text today, the story is told once again in video and photographic form. Highlight of my visit to Stornoway must surely be the excellent museum next to Lews Castle. Well with a visit if only to see the Lewis Chessmen, or some of them; the pesky British Museum are at it again keeping hold over the other 90 or soโฆ
