Cycling Tour of the Hebrides
July 17, 2008
The sport of cycling is enjoyed by many and increasingly folk are choosing to take cycling tours rather than a more conventional vacation. Obviously the your chosen destination will much depend upon your level of fitness and your abilities with the less able choosing flatter areas while the fitter choosing the more challenging locations. One area of the United Kingdom which offers superb cycling vacations is the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides/Western Isles of Scotland.
The Outer Hebrides (or Western Isles) is a group of over two hundred islands found off the west coast of Scotland in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The vast majority of islands are now uninhabited with only a handful remaining populated. There are two distinctive land masses with the Isle of Harris and Isle of Lewis part of one in the north and to the south the islands of North and South Uist with a number of other smaller islands dotted around. Happily these islands have excellent transport links and it is possible to tour from the very south up to the northern tip via a network of double and single track roads, bridges, causeways and ferries.
One of the best ways to tour the Western Isles/Outer Hebrides is by starting in the south traveling north until you reach Stornoway. Stornoway is the main town of the region and where you will most likely depart by ferry or air however it is well worth exploring even further north if you have the time. The southern parts of the islands appear much flatter with South Uist having long stretches of flat road until you reach North Uist. North Uist is very much like the Isle of Harris which you reach by ferry and by the time you reach Tarbert you are greeted by an ominous climb up the hills of Harris and over to Lewis (which is once again rather flat).
Cycling in the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) necessitates the need to understand a few safety measures and considerations. It is of extreme importance that you fully understand how easy it is to get sunburnt on the islands, even on what appears to be a dull day the UV rays still manage to get through to cause their damage. Please take great care not to allow yourself to become too distracted by the incredible scenery and always pay attention to the road and other traffic. Rather than cause obstruction simply pull to one side, move away from the road and then spend as much time as you like taking in the wonderful views.
Single track roads are still common in many parts of the Hebrides and you need to understand how to use them properly to ensure yours and others safety. The roads on some of the islands can twist and turn and traffic can suddenly appear from nowhere so always keep an eye and an ear out for it. Do not hog a single track road by riding aside each other as this can be dangerous but mostly very annoying to other road users. Use the passing places to allow all traffic (from behind and oncoming) to pass by pulling into those on the left and pulling over to the left when they appear to your right.
The Outer Hebrides are a religious place with the southern parts (mainly South Uist) being mainly Catholic and the northern islands being Protestant. This leads to a number of differences with the most obvious being that in some parts of North Uist and nearly all of the Isle of Harris and Isle of Lewis, nearly everywhere is closed on Sundays. It is therefore incredibly important that you ensure that you will have everything you need over the weekend before Saturday evening.
Although there are now a few places that open on Sundays in Stornoway you should ensure that you arrive before then, especially if you are needing to visit the local bicycle shop for spares or repair (they also rent out bikes). Stornoway is only a small town and should be explored on foot, and, if you have time, make the effort to take a stroll in the Lews Castle grounds if the weather is nice.
If you are unable to face the challenge of a full cycling tour of the Outer Hebrides you may find that staying on the Isle of Harris provides numerous opportunities to enjoy cycling at a more leisurely pace. Many cyclist choose to stay in hostels or camp but if you can afford it bed and breakfast in a guest house or hotel is greatly appreciated after a day’s cycling and even self catering accommodation is far more inviting.
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