May 30, 2005
To Lochranza
We arose about 5:30 and left our B&B a bit before 6, in time to catch the 6:30 train to Kilmarnock. We were pleased to see that the innkeeper had packed lunches for us in place of breakfast, and had left them bagged and hanging from our handlebars in the hall.
The plan was to bike the 15 miles from Kilmarnock to Ardressen in time to catch the 9:30 ferry to Arran, but plans went badly awry when 15 became 20 miles instead. Not having my own watch, I was unaware of the futility of our ride and raced madly on anyway, Rachael in my tow, but we arrived 10 minutes late.
Which was fine. We caught the next ferry instead and once we got to Arran just biked the direct, east side route from Brodick to Lochranza rather than the longer one around the south end of the island. The east coast ride is lovely - initially a flattish roll along the coast through spectacular expanses of violet rhododendrons - the predominant plant in the wet lowlands, as we were to discover in the coming days - followed by a long, gradual ascent of a saddle on the shoulder of Goatfell, the principal land formation of the north island, and then a long, gradual drop to Lochranza.
Our room was in a converted church, and very colorful and pleasant. Before dinner we took a short walk circling the golf course and bay and were amused by a herd of red deer, some with enormous racks, loitering on the golf course.
Today's ride: 40 miles (64 km)
Total: 326 miles (525 km)
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