Fatties beach holiday – Western Isles style

Posted on Posted in bikepacking, Fat bikes, Hebrides, moonlander, Mukluk, pugsley, Surly, Uists, Western Isles

Three fatties set off to sample the salty sand (and stinky seaweed) of the Western Isles, heading from Lochmaddy along the north and west coasts to Eriskay and Barra.  Multi-day beach riding in the UK – cool – where else do you get to ride along a runway and a beach at the same time?  The bikes will never be the same again – the Moonlander lost a front wheel bearing, seized its BB and got rusty (I only rode through deep salt water once!). 

Stuff we learnt:

It’s true, sand does get everywhere!
Wet seaweed has no grip at all.
Seaweed stinks.
Stainless steel does rust.
Sand.
You can’t free-wheel on a beach.
Calmac food is tasty.
Syrup waffles – 2000 calories per pack, yum.
Was that sewage – no just rotting seaweed.
If you need to get rid of your old car just drive it into the sea – it will be gone in no time.
Sand
Baile a’ Mhanaich translates to Livingston with a beach.
Benbecula – “not so grim on a sunny day.”
Eriskay – never has so much been consumed by so few.  All the better for it though. (see Whisky Galore)
The rocket range is a let down – I’ve set off bigger fireworks!

 Sand

 Sand

 Sand

What’s that itchy bit? – oh more sand.

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