Starkly beautiful and dramatic, the Outer Hebrides' quiet roads are best enjoyed on two wheels
No wonder it was so popular when the pandemic prevented many riders from jaunts abroad. But never mind 'abroad': sometimes the Hebrides' empty singletrack roads picking their way through the treeless wastes - home to some of the world's oldest masses of rock - can feel more lunar than earthlike. Rather windier than the moon, of course: gales are frequent, and however you structure the ride, you might have all-day headwinds.
It's not all exoplanetary sparseness. Cosy villages and hamlets offer cafes, pubs and lodgings with a vibrant community feel, and the sugar-white beaches with clear turquoise waters can look positively Caribbean on a sunny day... albeit 20 Celsius cooler. At least the chill won't be obvious on Instagram. You may well spot unusual wildlife, and not just on the 'otters crossing' road signs. For the adventurer, wild camping here is easy, and special.
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Cycling Plus UK.
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This story is from the March 2023 edition of Cycling Plus UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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GANARY A COALMINE
The James Brown tune 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' comes on the radio, filling the coach, and does nothing for my pre-event nerves as I sit surrounded by serious-looking, wiry, tanned men in Lycra. It's 6.30am, pitch black outside and I'm feeling very out of my depth as a relative newcomer to the world of clipless pedals and hurting for fun. Last night's stress dream involved being very unprepared to get married and being handed my great-grandmother-in-law-to-be's hideous silver dress with lace trim to wear minutes before the ceremony was due to start. I'll let you psychoanalyse that one.
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