Oban is starting point for new ‘bikepacking’ route
OBAN is the official start and finish of a new long-distance trail for cyclists.
The 207-mile (330-km) West Island Trail is a multi-day ‘bikepacking’ route that visits three islands – Arran, Islay and Mull.
It includes six ferry journeys and several overnight stops at SYHA hostels.
Capitalising on the rise in popularity of ‘bikepacking’, the trail is a partnership project of SYHA Hostelling Scotland and Bikepacking Scotland.
Bikepacking is a lightweight and flexible style of cycling that utilises made-for-purpose bikepacks.
The packs, or bags, attach directly to the bike’s frame, fork, handlebars and seat post and allow cyclists to carry food and equipment. There is no need for the panniers attached to a rack of traditional cycle touring.
Bikepackers usually ride mountain bikes or cyclocross bikes and explore off-road trails.
Markus Stitz, who is famous for cycling around the world on a single-speed bicycle, is the founder of Bikepacking Scotland. He said: ‘Bikepacking is a lightweight form of exploring countryside trails – and some roads – on your bike.
‘Bikepackers are fully self-sufficient and usually enjoy longer distance routes.
‘The idea is to spend nights outside or staying in hostels so you can explore further and for longer.’
The West Island Trail is the brainchild of Stitz, who is based in Edinburgh. The route starts at Oban Youth Hostel and visits Lochranza Youth Hostel on Arran, Port Charlotte Youth Hostel on Islay and Mull’s Tobermory Youth Hostel before returning to Oban.
The ride is on a mix of surfaces, ranging from single-track to road and even includes a very short section of sand on Islay.
The islands are linked by six ferry trips run by CalMac, with free transport for bikes. The West Island Trail is suitable for intermediate to experienced cyclists on mountain bikes, with sections that require good bike handling and competent navigation skills and wider tyres.
Stitz said: ‘Cyclists on the West Island Trail can enjoy an achievable bikepacking route amid great scenery and with the ease of overnight stays in cosy youth hostels.
‘At 330km, it is a great week on the bike for less experienced riders and the ideal extended weekend for experienced bikepackers.’
There is no pressure to complete the route in a specific time and some bikepackers might like to stay additional nights at any of the youth hostels so they can further explore the islands.
‘It’s not about riding distance in a specified time, it’s much more about the enjoying the experience of the journey,’ said Stitz, adding: ‘The most important advice for bikepacking is to only carry the essentials you really need, so you should aim to pack light and think twice.’
The West Island Trail is best suited to mountain bikes, gravel bikes or a cyclocross bikes.
Specialist bikepacks rather than panniers are recommended. A dynamo hub on the front of the bike enables riders to charge electronic devices during the day and power lights for longer rides. An alternative is to carry a lightweight portable phone charger.
A GPS device for navigation but you are advised to carry a paper OS map, too.
A satellite tracker, such as the SPOT Gen3, lets family and friends know where you are in remote places and where there is no mobile phone reception.
Many bikepackers carry cooking and camping equipment for overnights in the outdoors but for the West Island Trail the accommodation is in hostels.
There are downloadable maps for each section of the trail at www.bikepackingscotland.com/ routes/westislandtrail/
To find out more check out the following websites:
❒ SYHA at www.syha.org.uk
❒ Bikepacking Scotland at www.bikepackingscotland.com
❒ CalMac at www.calmac.co.uk
❒ Markus Stitz at www.markusstitz.com