Cycling on Mull

Oh it has been a while since my last blog! This has mainly been because of a much needed holiday and a break from the trappings of technology, something I would recommend form time to time for all!

Back in April, I acquired my Skoda Yeti, the perfect vehicle within which to carry my bike where ever I chose go, and my two week late summer holiday in Scotland was to be the ultimate test. It was a close decision to be made between the Roubaix and Crosstrail as to which bike was to accompany me, the decision being made by one of my good friends, Mike, with whom we would be staying a few days and who was competing in a triathlon on the Sunday and suggested we get in a few miles at the same time!

The RideLondon man on Mull

The Friday before the grand depart, I was returning from a business trip to Dublin and so many of the final preparations had been very much left to the 11th hour, one key activity being to clean and ready the Roubaix following the previous week’s AVP 100 miler. Thick with road dust, cow dung and grubby bar tape, the Roubaix was in need of a deep clean and re-oil. Luckily the saddle bag was still complete in its contents of inner tubes, CO2 canisters and tools, such that it was just the cosmetics which needed to be taken care of.

Once in Scotland, the Roubaix’s first outing was a 20 mile circuit, a solo out to the triathlon start, followed by a brisk return ride with Mike a few hours later. Mike had just swam a mile, ridden 20 and run 7 and we still managed an impressive average 18 mph, but then again, I did let him draft me the 14 miles home! Jokes apart, it was great to have this first ride out with Mike, a guy who definitely inspired me to getting back into the saddle and begin my tour de fitness all those months ago.

Our final destination north of the boarder was to be the remote Isle of Mull. It was here that I managed 3 wonderful short morning rides, soaking up the unseasonably warm sun rises and taking in the amazing scenery. This video I took on one of the rides should give you a taste of what I was privileged to experience.

I had planned a circuit from our cottage and managed to ride it in both directions ..