Johnny 5 is Alive

So the Lone Biker is continuing the old cyclists equation for how many bikes you should own - N+1 where N represents the number you already have.
So number 5 is my brand new Kinesis Crosslight 5T.
Its my second cross bike as the other one is 5 years old and its on its last legs (wheels).
It is also my first foray into the world of disc brakes on the cross bike......it is also bright orange which is very cool!
So welcome number 5 and roll on CX Season 2015

Podium Podium Podium

On Tuesday I went along to take part in Glen Afton Mountain Bike Club's first crit at Woodroad Cumnock.
It was a good wee circuit and after being in the lead for the first few laps of the adult race I was able to hang on for 2nd place and a very rare spot on the podium.
It's nice to remember being a mountain biker and what it feels like to get a medal!

Tour of the 7 Ferries

I recently tried my hand at a bit of touring for the first time. I got some panniers and a rack for the winter bike and set off with my mate Tony.
Our intention was to reach Islay by ferry. We made by crossing from Ardrossan to Brodick, on to Lochranza to Clonaig where the lateness of the ferry made us have to catch a later ferry to Islay. This proved we could cycle/ferry to Islay. The change of Islay ferry however was a bit of a shame as the original ferry was the one to Port Askaig which would have allowed us to cycle through the island to Port Ellen. The later ferry went straight Port Ellen which meant little of the island was seen.
Our second day we headed to Rothesay, again with some ferry hopping. We sailed back to Kennacraig, cycled to the Tarbert- Portavadie ferry then through the Cowal Peninsula (including a tough climb out of Tignabruach) to the Colintraive- Rhubodach ferry onto Rothesay.
Day 3 was the last of our trip and we sailed from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay before cycling home.
It was a great idea and much more interesting than Tony and I's annual sportive which usually costs more than its worth to cycle on roads we could go on anyway.
We will definitely do another trip next year.
Check out the route below and some pictures.