r/Hebrides • u/mrrrrrrrrrrf • 8d ago

Hebridean Cycle Course

Hello everyone! I’ve seen a couple posts in here in similar regards, but my husband I are American and attempting to cycle the Hebridean Isles. We’ve pretty much figured out most of it : flights, trains, ferries, and lodging : but I can’t for the life of me find a place to rent bikes. I’ve seen Barra Bike on the tourist website but googling specific locations from Florida has proven difficult. We’re also wondering the logistics of getting the bikes back to the beginning of the course once we’re at the finish. If anyone has any insight, I’d be greatly appreciative!

Our plan so far is plane to Glasgow, train to Oban, and ferry to Castlebay. Would renting a bike in Glasgow be the best option and just bring them with us for the travel? As we’d hopefully be flying out of Glasgow back home at the end and can return the bikes that way? Any and all advice accepted 😅

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4

u/Dry_Tiger_2795 8d ago

Barra Bike will retrieve the bikes from Stornaway for you for an extra fee.

3

u/mrrrrrrrrrrf 8d ago

Oh that’s amazing! Barra Bike seemed the best option but I just wanted to be sure before we were on foot

4

u/MyPhoneismisbehaving 8d ago edited 8d ago

I found BBs wonderful. Booked them online, chatted via WhatsApp, and they met us at Barra airport (the beach) as we were flying in from Glasgow. They talked us through the particulars of the bikes and as we were flying home after our holiday, he instructed us just to leave them in a bike shed they have the airport and as the previous commentator said they will agree with you a suitable point for you to leave them. Strong advice is to pre-hire them from the Hebrides... Unless you really like to lug bikes here there and everywhere.😃.

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u/mrrrrrrrrrrf 8d ago

No I’d prefer not to lug if I can manage 😂 Thank you so much! This is exactly the info I needed. We are so excited to be on an adventure again after a very long time!

3

u/MacDougall_Barra 8d ago

When you get to Castlebay say hello to my childhood home. I envy your adventure. Be safe - the roads are typically single file

1

u/mrrrrrrrrrrf 8d ago

We’ll do our best to get there :) I have faith

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u/Near_Fathom 3d ago

‘Single track’

Best read up on how that works

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u/mrrrrrrrrrrf 1d ago

Thank you :) We’re from Florida so single track paths are common

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u/MacDougall_Barra 1d ago

I’m from Barra. We always referred to the roads as single file. Go visit to confirm

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u/Near_Fathom 1d ago

In Shetland we call them single track; interesting variation

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u/DeaconBlues1989 2d ago

Tony at Barra Bikes is the best. He met us at the ferry in Castlebay with great bikes with no problem. We dropped them at Stornoway. Good bikes, good guy, great ride! Enjoy.

1

u/mrrrrrrrrrrf 1d ago

Thank you so much!! All this feedback has us very excited that we might pull it off. It’s hard these days!