String and Ross Roads



The String Road  760 ft

Top of the Ross 952 ft -  Bitingly Cold day

In the local paper this week it stated that 'the String Road' and 'the Ross Road', Isle of Arran have been included in 'the Cyclist's Guide to Hillclimbs on Scottish Lowland Roads'. This book describes the toughest road hillclimbs in Lowland Scotland.  With this mind on Monday, I cycled over the String, from Brodick and returned via the North End. On Tuesday, I then cycled over the Ross from Lamlash and back over the String.  I go over the String at least twice a week normally but the Ross more infrequently.  I don't really like it.  Not because of the climb but I find the road just seems to go on forever and I feel I am never reaching the end. A lovely route, I know, but not one of my favourites.

Saddle, Sleeping bag, Tent

Have now completed 300 miles on the saddle and it is a lot better. I just become slightly aware of it after 25 miles so by the time I go in 4 weeks should be ok. Have received my ' Alpkit Mummy Goose Down Sleeping Bag' and it feels lovely -  soft, warm and surprisingly quite roomy. Says it should be ok down to -5*. Hers's hoping.  It came in a stuff sack 9''x2''. I rolled up the sleeping bag and fought the stuff sack for 20 minutes.  I then watched on You Tube how it was done and off course 'as it says on the tin' you
'stuff' it in.   Easy no problems, so I am getting there. Practising putting up my tent as 'if it is raining' and
 'if it is dry'.. Hope all this gets easier.