route timings advice required

[coughan]

Hello folks. Last year I organised a wee trip around southern ireland with about 20 + bikes for downs syndrome. It was well supported and this year I am planning another one, this time in your fine land. I have 22 confirmed and havent advertised yet. The trip is from 1-4 may 2009.
The route I have chosen begins and ends in stranraer and we will spent the night in Ardlui or fort william , ullapool, inverness.
I am seeking your help. Viewing this thread had identified some class roads and Im trying to incorporate some.
I have used aa routefinder to gauge times etc but I find its not as good as experience so here goes:-
1.How long roughly from Fortwilliam to portree and back out to ullapool
2. If time is tight should I forgoe skye and do applecross
3.How long from ullapool to john o'groats (via a836 tongue) and down to inverness
4.inverness to stranraer

If there are any other route suggestions I am all ears. The bikes are a mix of GS' and inferiority

If anyone wants to tag along you would be more than welcome.

Accommodation is yet to be sought, but my original plan was to stay in Ardlui but I think fort william may be better, time wise next day.
Thanks in advance

 

[peter dyer]

Hello folks. Last year I organised a wee trip around southern ireland with about 20 + bikes for downs syndrome. It was well supported and this year I am planning another one, this time in your fine land. I have 22 confirmed and havent advertised yet. The trip is from 1-4 may 2009.
The route I have chosen begins and ends in stranraer and we will spent the night in Ardlui or fort william , ullapool, inverness.
I am seeking your help. Viewing this thread had identified some class roads and Im trying to incorporate some.
I have used aa routefinder to gauge times etc but I find its not as good as experience so here goes:-
1.How long roughly from Fortwilliam to portree and back out to ullapool
2. If time is tight should I forgoe skye and do applecross
3.How long from ullapool to john o'groats (via a836 tongue) and down to inverness
4.inverness to stranraer

If there are any other route suggestions I am all ears. The bikes are a mix of GS' and inferiority

If anyone wants to tag along you would be more than welcome.

Accommodation is yet to be sought, but my original plan was to stay in Ardlui but I think fort william may be better, time wise next day.
Thanks in advance

hi coughan the route you are planning is a cracker for the bike. Some of the best the west coast has to offer. If you check out the RAC route planner it has fairly accurate mileage and timings. Dont miss out the Applecross road!!!!

 

[Klanky]

Ullapool-Lairg is about 45 miles, lots of single track so easily an hour. IIRC

Lairg to Tongue (A836) is actually another single track road, a bit slower, 40 miles-ish, so allow a hour plus. Nice countryside.

Tongue to Thurso is mainly single track 60miles 1 1/2 hours to Thirsa and the another 20 to Goats on good road - 1/2 an hour.

Groats to Inverness 120 miles - 2 1/2 hours taking it steady.

So, at a scenic tour pace, not including fuel, pie and photo stops, around 6 1/2-7 hours. I reckon.

 

[coughan]

thanks mate,
Some of those going will be on theri first away trip so that part of the journey may be a bit harsh on them.
Now considering spending the 2nd nite in Skye, doing applecross and returning down to oban and inverary etc

 

[Klanky]

No worries, one small tweak, it's more like 45 miles from Tongue to Thurso - not 60.

It would be a long day in the saddle, but on the plus side it's a very relaxed ride on very quiet roads with virtually zilch traffic, until you head back down the A9 to Inverness.
You could break it up with a stop at Tongue and then another at Groats.
That would give you manageable chunks of a couple of hours riding between coffee/eats/photies..

Whatever you decide, you'll enjoy it.

 

[boatman]

thanks mate,
Some of those going will be on theri first away trip so that part of the journey may be a bit harsh on them.
Now considering spending the 2nd nite in Skye, doing applecross and returning down to oban and inverary etc

just a wee thought the applecross road is a really good ride but if you have first timers on board be reasonable sure they are good riders as a few wee bits of it are quite nagery (plenty u tube vids) if youre sure, then dont miss it out crackin scenery if your lucy with the weather

 

[Uinneag]

1 Fort - Portree 3 hr

Portree to Ullapool dependent on route via Applecross 4 hrs
via Garve 3hrs
Ullapool to JOG 4hrs
Being generous with times before the I can do it quicker brigade starts