Largs Ice Cream Run. Discussion

[STRAMASHER]

Would not bother with the cal-mac ferry as its further away from where we want to be (not something I would normally argue against but its practically all congested town work) , a longer ferry journey, but most importantly not "bike friendly".

Hunters Quay is closer, usually much cheaper "in real life". Nudge,nudge etc. and you get on the twisties in 2 minutes.

Most folk I know use HQ, cal-mac is a bigger boat so would maybe tend to be tourists and freight. Anytime we have turned up en masse we get a bloody good deal, so even with 20 bikes I would not let them know when we are turning up. Don't know if either has tie-downs as I have never been daft enough to use the crossing in the middle of winter but I would imagine they will throw you some rope. Really all you do if its rough is stand next to your bike on the side-stand in 1st gear. (I'll just make sure I'm no' parked next to Alan and the 'Busa£££) and bend zee knees surf style.
Tons of room for bikes as they tend to squeeze you in at the sides away from the car "spaces".

Its no drama and its only 20mins tops.




Although a mate with a Fazer600 on a cal-mac to Uist (proper journey,proper ferry, proper sea!) did'nt get his bike tied down and after it fell over the company accepted responsibility and paid him cash for the damage, avoiding using anybodys insurance company and is now scooting about on a Aprilia Futura after his payout. Nice.



It would be rude not to use the A760 Kilbirnie road on the way back too, its a classic.




Boozer at the Hurlett just outside Bawrheid is a good shout as its huge inside so plenty of room to lose some layers,terror-masks and life-preservers etc.

Route (A' La Tiger55)

1. Meet at Hein Gericke "272 Greart Western Road" 10am for 10:15 departure. (A) Ride west A82 (great western / dumbarton Rd) 11miles

2. Regroup at little chef Milton (pick up Kate) Fuel if required. 10:45 11am departure. (B) Continue A82

3. A82 to loch lomond, 12 miles, left turn (Glen fruin / military road) to Gareloch head, 9miles. Must mark this junction!!

4. 2nd exit at roundabout A814 to Arrocher (Wibbly Wobbly)Watch the drain covers. 9miles, Regroup at roll hut (C).

5 A83 (rest and be thankfull) 11miles, Left turn, Regroup at viewpoint A815 to Hunters Quay via Loch eck and Ardbeg 30miles. Must mark this Junction!!

6 .Regroup Board ferry at hunters Quay, every 20 mins, 20 min cruise. No on board romances please.

7. Rt Turn onto A770, then 3rd exit at roundabout onto the A78, through Inverkip to Largs, 10miles. Nardinis (D) for ice cream. 13:30 - 14:00 apx

8. Head to Hurlett inn?? for burger and a blether, route by someone that knows where the hell it is please then homeward bound.

Well thats the plan, Route to and location of eaterie please by whomever feels qualified.

Originally Posted by Kilted Ginger

??? Local knowledge please, do we stay on the direct road to ardbed along loch eck or take the "shore road" along loch Long???

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

Well, local knowledge I've got so...the A880 Shore Road through Ardentinny looks lovely on the map but in real life it's like a stage on the Rally of Finland.

What I meant by that was it's narrow, gravel strewn and best approached on an XR400 or better still in a Citroen C4 WRC. Loch Eck for us I feel

As for the route to the blether, Largs - A760 to Kilbirnie - B777 to Lugton via Beith - A737 to Barrhead. The reverse of Carelesschucca's Largs route last year but without the coil failure. Linky.

We'll need to mark the Kilbirnie turn off for the A760 on the A78, the Beith turn off onto the B777, the roundabout on the A737, the Lugton turn off back onto the B777 and the Barrhead turn off on to the A737 and then go follow-me through Barrhead to The Hurlet, so I suggest we get our ducks in a row marking wise! We can talk about that over ice cream of course...

Sorry Al, missed that.

[peterco]

Dozens queue up for reopening of Nardini's ice cream parlour - despite winter weather

Dec 7 2008
A LEGENDARY ice cream parlour sold more than 2000 cones in two days despite freezing weather.
More than 100 people queued at Nardini's in Largs, Ayrshire, when it reopened after four years.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_mcc/3144248045/page2/


just some info
pete