After leaving Brodick in the rain, we enjoyed our last CalMac crossing.to Ardrossan in the company of a neighbouring passenger's lovely lurcher-labrador cross. We've really enjoyed the CalMac's (especially Hannah with her ferry fascination), and it seems a shame not to be catching any more in the journey.
It did feel like a mile stone though to be back on the mainland right up until Land's End. Our first cycling back on the mainland was, however, underwhelming to say the least.
We'd expected the size and industry of Ardrossan to be a bit of a shock to the system, and we were fully waterproofed up, ready for another day of squally rain, however what we hadn't counted on was one of the most frustrating cycle routes ever designed.
If you ever feel inclined to cycle along Sustrans national cycle route no. 73, don't.
We were aiming for national route no. 7 (which is really good), and saw no reason not to follow 73, that led onto 7, and promised a traffic free route through the Glasgow sprawl. On that front it delivered but otherwise we had to endure an indirect, inconvenient, badly signed, and badly surfaced path through the unsightly backstreets of some already unpretty towns.
By far the biggest annoyance was just how long it took to get anywhere on it. We were directed across busy traffic flows, along pedestrian walkways and footbridges (unsurprisingly full of pedestrians), through gates, through dog parks, and on narrow windy singletrack paths.
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| Let me out of here! |
After much frustration we emerged at a t-junction in Prestwick opposite a bikeshop and took the opportunity to get the tyres pumped up and get niggling problems looked at. Hannah - gears, a new tyre, and new chain; me - truing my wonky back wheel and replacing the tent peg pannier rack fixing with a proper mono-stay adapter. Whilst the bikes were being looked at, we followed a lunch-spot tip and got a toastie and wrap refuel.
Onwards, we endured the last of 73 before meeting the much better route 7 for a few hills and relatively direct cycling.
This took us to the night's campsite just south of Croshill (near Maybole), a 17th century former walled garden full of caravans. The sheltered pitch amongst nearby woodland and good facilities really impressed us (e.g. classic fm piped into the shower block, and a home made putting green) but we were most taken aback by just how friendly the owner was!
Jim met us when we arrived, gave us the tour, and even supplied a few tarpaulins for under the tent. He then told us of a good local pub that did two for one meals and drove us out there (at breakneck speed) and waited whilst we ate (fajitas, nachos, kullen skink and steak pie) before chaffeuring us back again whilst regaling us with local info, funny stories, and route advice for the next day.
A comfortable nights sleep in the sheltered walls with only a barn owl to disturb us set us up well for more of route 7. Onwards to Kircudbright!
