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Post by m40man on May 28, 2012 14:27:26 GMT
As a number of us are travelling up but staying at different places along the way, does anyone fancy meeting-up at a cafe near the Erskine Bridge, for the final leg to Oban on Saturday afternoon? This might be a pleasant suitable place ..... www.erskinegardencentre.co.uk/vanishing-willowsOther suggestions welcome, too. If interested, post here your rough ETA for Erskine on the Saturday & we'll see if it's convenient to meet up  . |
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Post by cam7777 on May 28, 2012 14:46:36 GMT
Planning to be there about 11ish
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Post by Fiasco on May 28, 2012 15:39:21 GMT
Not sure what we are doing yet, as we are probably going out to play with Wullie Will keep an eye on how this develops though Dave |
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Post by m40man on May 28, 2012 15:59:20 GMT
Planning to be there about 11ish Yikes  ! I'm pretty certain that's too early for Andy & I to make. Why not fann y about & take your time a bit? No reason to arrive in Oban too early. |
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Post by cam7777 on May 28, 2012 16:24:23 GMT
Not sure what I am doing yet, as I am probably going to play with myself Will keep an eye on how this develops though |
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Post by m40man on May 28, 2012 16:55:33 GMT
OK - I need to know if anyone is actually interested (IE, prepared to make any allowances, or prepared to find out which way they are going). I was kinda assuming all would need to cross the Erskine Bridge. So it would just be a case of seeing if our timings could come together. Else Andy & I will happily meet up with Roger thereabouts & see you all in Oban later. ..... I wonder if those in 'my' booked bunk room will get past the landlady, without me with them to verify that they are part of the group  . |
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Post by Fiasco on May 28, 2012 16:58:21 GMT
] ..... I wonder if those in 'my' booked bunk room will get past the landlady, without me with them to verify that they are part of the group . I had the pleasure of speaking to her today, she sounded delightful |
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Post by Fiasco on May 28, 2012 17:00:21 GMT
OK - I need to know if anyone is actually interested (IE, prepared to make any allowances, or prepared to find out which way they are going). I was kinda assuming all would need to cross the Erskine Bridge. So it would just be a case of seeing if our timings could come together. Great plan, I will keep an eye on how it develops ;D Joking aside, our tour guide isn't likely to make any decisions until the Friday evening, so probably best to assume we will see you in Oban |
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Post by brandane on May 28, 2012 17:35:30 GMT
I was kinda assuming all would need to cross the Erskine Bridge. You could avoid the boring motorway section betwen Gretna and the Erskine Bridge by taking any number of routes through Dumfries and Galloway, heading for Ayr/Kilmarnock then Irvine and a nice coastal route through my home town to Gourock. From there, ferry (20 mins, £4 if they forget to charge for the bike - which they usually do) to Dunoon and another nice run to Inverary and Oban. Mileage would be slightly less and a nice rounded profile would remain on your tyres! |
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Post by m40man on May 28, 2012 17:40:26 GMT
I won't be using any motorways at all, getting to Oban |
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Post by cam7777 on May 28, 2012 20:25:09 GMT
OK - I need to know if anyone is actually interested Maybe.. You mean, fit in with your plans  You mean, fit in with your plans Ah, so we HAVE to fit in with your plans then...  |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2012 20:33:42 GMT
Willie and I did a wee recce today, (forced ourselves out in the fierce heat and blinding sun) and I'd like to pass on some thoughts. The roadworks just outside Oban was causing severe hold ups and it was nose to tail for 2 miles getting into the town from the north. They may not be working over the weekend, but I'll try and find out. The road in from the south would be 50 miles longer, but very scenic. In case anybody else can't view the Sunday run start point, here it is. (The observant will see why we picked it!) Look out for a Boots chemist sign and shop just before, and a Co-op supermarket across the road.  Re meeting near the bridge, the Erskine Garden shop is good, or the Little Chef 2-3 miles from the other side of the bridge. There's also a MacDonalds in Balloch less than a mile from the A82. Mags and I will probably go via Inveraray and Loch Awe. |
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Post by charlietbird on May 28, 2012 20:44:29 GMT
The Little Chef in Milton is closed, Gordy. The next eatery is the Brewers Fayre at the roundabout after Dumbarton. There's a drive through Costa coffee shop. Interesting on a bike! Charlie |
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Post by Fiasco on May 28, 2012 20:44:32 GMT
Mags and I will probably go via Inveraray and Loch Awe PM  |
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Post by m40man on May 28, 2012 20:47:12 GMT
Ah, so we HAVE to fit in with your plans then... Obviously only a fool wouldn't, but I accept this deserves a serious answer  . There is just no way Andy & I can vacate Pop's place in time for an 11am meet. It would be rude awakening him at such an ungodly hour. (You know - to cook our brekkie for us .) It's no secret that I'm going non-motorway. My holiday starts on the journey up - why would I fly up boring motorways ?? So it would mean leaving Poulton le wotsit by 6am latest, going via Kilmarnock to pick up Billywhizz,no stopping to chat, no breaks. (Even by motorway all the way, it would be nearly 4 hours, no stops. Few of us try to do that.) Unless you want to hit the pubs early (Mr Teetotal ), I don't understand the need to get to Oban so early in the afternoon.( Do you have a fancy woman you're meeting ? ) I reckon we could safely / sensibly make between 2 & 3pm at the bridge. Going to the bridge is actually well out of our way for a preferred route further North (was wanting to follow Billywhizz's idea, West Coast), but I was hoping to meet-up. See - it isn't all about me . |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2012 20:50:02 GMT
The Little Chef in Milton is closed, Gordy. The next eatery is the Brewers Fayre at the roundabout after Dumbarton. There's a drive through Costa coffee shop. Interesting on a bike! Charlie Nice one Charles |
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Post by m40man on May 28, 2012 20:51:46 GMT
Mags and I will probably go via Inveraray and Loch Awe. That's what Billywhizz suggested earlier, on the phone . Any rough times when you expect to be anywhere in particular along the route? As it's clearly not my idea, any chance you can persuade Clive to tag along ? |
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Post by cam7777 on May 28, 2012 20:58:37 GMT
Ah, so we HAVE to fit in with your plans then... Obviously only a fool wouldn't, but I accept this deserves a serious answer . There is just no way Andy & I can vacate Pop's place in time for an 11am meet. It would be rude awakening him at such an ungodly hour. (You know - to cook our brekkie for us .) It's no secret that I'm going non-motorway. My holiday starts on the journey up - why would I fly up boring motorways ?? So it would mean leaving Poulton le wotsit by 6am latest, going via Kilmarnock to pick up Billywhizz,no stopping to chat, no breaks. (Even by motorway all the way, it would be nearly 4 hours, no stops. Few of us try to do that.) Unless you want to hit the pubs early (Mr Teetotal ), I don't understand the need to get to Oban so early in the afternoon.( Do you have a fancy woman you're meeting ? ) I reckon we could safely / sensibly make between 2 & 3pm at the bridge. Going to the bridge is actually well out of our way for a preferred route further North (was wanting to follow Billywhizz's idea, West Coast), but I was hoping to meet-up. See - it isn't all about me . Whatever  |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2012 21:57:41 GMT
Mags and I will probably go via Inveraray and Loch Awe. That's what Billywhizz suggested earlier, on the phone . Any rough times when you expect to be anywhere in particular along the route? As it's clearly not my idea, any chance you can persuade Clive to tag along ? You've been PM'd |
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Post by brandane on May 29, 2012 7:28:41 GMT
The roadworks just outside Oban was causing severe hold ups and it was nose to tail for 2 miles getting into the town from the north. They may not be working over the weekend, but I'll try and find out. According to TrafficScotland trafficscotland.org/map/?x=270000&y=755000&scale=5348388&itemtypeids=3# the road works are only being carried out Monday to Friday until June 8th. That's not to say that they won't just leave them there for the weekend with a contraflow and traffic lights to cause chaos. It is a holiday weekend after all, so the roads department will be going the extra yard to pi55 everyone off . |
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2012 7:41:46 GMT
Whatever You have a PM. |
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Post by billywhizz on May 29, 2012 10:30:46 GMT
I was kinda assuming all would need to cross the Erskine Bridge. You could avoid the boring motorway section betwen Gretna and the Erskine Bridge by taking any number of routes through Dumfries and Galloway, heading for Ayr/Kilmarnock then Irvine and a nice coastal route through my home town to Gourock. From there, ferry (20 mins, £4 if they forget to charge for the bike - which they usually do) to Dunoon and another nice run to Inverary and Oban. Mileage would be slightly less and a nice rounded profile would remain on your tyres! Just saw this route, and expressed it to M40man..... sort of sits in with my route, without having to cross the erskine bridge, SO meeting after the bridge may NOT be an option now, but looks like no takers anyway M40man.... perhaps a slower /later start from my kilmarnock 'base' could accomodate your later departure from popsland ( why would he get up early to cook you an full english??) and perhaps enable Cam to perhaps bimble over to kilmarnock ;D |
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Post by brandane on May 29, 2012 11:27:59 GMT
Just saw this route, and expressed it to M40man..... sort of sits in with my route, without having to cross the erskine bridge, SO meeting after the bridge may NOT be an option now, but looks like no takers anyway M40man.... perhaps a slower /later start from my kilmarnock 'base' could accomodate your later departure from popsland ( why would he get up early to cook you an full english??) and perhaps enable Cam to perhaps bimble over to kilmarnock ;D So is there a possibility of a get together for a run from Kilmarnock, via the Gourock/Dunoon ferry to Oban then? Could meet up at the ferry, or pop down to Kilmarnock as it's only about half an hour away. |
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Post by m40man on May 29, 2012 11:35:52 GMT
So is there a possibility of a get together for a run from Kilmarnock, via the Gourock/Dunoon ferry to Oban then? Could meet up at the ferry, or pop down to Kilmarnock as it's only about half an hour away. Certainly appeals to me. I'll be digging-out my water wings, being a risk-averse 50-something  . |
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Post by billywhizz on May 29, 2012 16:21:50 GMT
It would appear that my saturday travelling 'companions'  are quite happy to dump me for the saturday, and currie favour (creep ) with our illustrious run leader!! and have pre arranged their OWN meet up for the Saturday am run....  with an outside chance of us meeting / passing at Inverarary, but they seem NOT to want to do our little detour down the B676, Loch Awe road! So M40man, cam,,,, meet at kilmarnock? by 12.00 noon, collect Brandane on way to ferry for a 2pm crossing. ;D avoid those that want to be avoided in Inverarary, do our Loch Awe tour and onto Oban for fish supper and shandy ;D |
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2012 16:27:39 GMT
It would appear that my saturday travelling 'companions' are quite happy to dump me for the saturday, and currie favour (creep ) with our illustrious run leader!! and have pre arranged their OWN meet up for the Saturday am run.... with an outside chance of meeting / passing at Inverarary, but they seem NOT to want to do our little detour down the B676, Loch Awe road! Try another bait Roger |
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Post by Doofer on May 29, 2012 16:48:13 GMT
Whatever you guys decide... Have a great time Doof |
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Post by m40man on May 29, 2012 16:56:01 GMT
It would appear that my saturday travelling 'companions' are quite happy to dump me for the saturday, and currie favour (creep ) with our illustrious run leader!! Not sure how you came up with that scenario, my precious - why do you think my last post mentioned Kilmarnock - to collect you, you poor lost soul . Just got to work out how the hell to get to Kilmarnock for midday now  . Awaiting pm reply from my other bestest travelling buddy. |
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Post by Fiasco on May 29, 2012 17:19:51 GMT
It would appear that my saturday travelling 'companions' are quite happy to dump me for the saturday, and currie favour (creep ) with our illustrious run leader!! and have pre arranged their OWN meet up for the Saturday am run.... with an outside chance of us meeting / passing at Inverarary, but they seem NOT to want to do our little detour down the B676, Loch Awe road! So M40man, cam,,,, meet at kilmarnock? by 12.00 noon, collect Brandane on way to ferry for a 2pm crossing. ;D avoid those that want to be avoided in Inverarary, do our Loch Awe tour and onto Oban for fish supper and shandy ;D Bit harsh Rog. I asked you several times if you want to join us on the Sat but you seemed keen to do your own thing, I even asked Willie if we could include Inverary for you ! <edit> Try another bait Roger Obviously the right bait for me, but I am an easy catch > |
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Post by cam7777 on May 29, 2012 17:23:17 GMT
This is going well then |
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! I'm pretty certain that's too early for Andy & I to make. Why not fanny about & take your time a bit? No reason to arrive in Oban too early.
. 
. There is just no way Andy & I can vacate Pop's place in time for an 11am meet. It would be rude awakening him at such an ungodly hour. (You know - to cook our brekkie for us 
.
are quite happy to dump me for the saturday, 
. Awaiting pm reply from my other bestest travelling buddy.