Day 7 – Dumfries to Arran – 114 miles

An early start today, we’ve a ferry to catch. I’m concerned as it won’t wait for stragglers. I’m told we’ve got to make the last ferry at 6pm or cycle to Glasgow! So we make the decision to set off early and do our last minute prep in the hotel carp park.

Today’s our first full day in Scotland. It is also the part of the trip I’ve been looking forward to the most because we cycle up Arran. Between Dumfries and the ferry is 85 miles of the Galloway Forest Park and hills.  

Like yesterday, it was a tough initial slog uphill for the first part. Jelly announced he felt fantastic. Names were called as he disappeared up the hills in front. He’s got a lot of stick for his announcement but in truth he’s owned the King of the Mountains jersey for this trip and rocketed up the last gruelling climb on Arran

It’s a fast decent to Ayr and Prestwick for lunch which I make before the others have yet to eat, which is a first. However, just as my food arrives and before I can relax Jelly announces they’d like to make the 3pm ferry, or we won’t make our hotel until 9pm!! I finish my tea and ask for a take out. It’s now a fast 20 mile belt, via Troon, to the Arran ferry. 

By 3pm we are on the ferry having covered 85 miles. It’s a great feeling and deserving of a drink and a cold pre packed Panini.

 Arriving on Arran the boys organise themselves and are soon at pace and invite me to hop on the back as they pass. Not today thanks, I’d every intention of enjoying this ride as a tourist and was not disappointed. Despite still averaging 16mph, the boys soon disappeared covering about 20-22mph if not more. Later in the bar they joked how Jelly hadn’t noticed the mountains until Kit pointed them out! 

I had intended to not take pictures but the temptation became too great as around every corner was a better and more jaw dropping scene. If you’ve not been I recommend you go, though I can’t guarantee the great weather we received.