by gorty » Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:52 pm
Jura is very rugged, probably the most rugged terrain in all of Scotland. I've been to Ruantallain via Cruib but opted to ditch the bike at the end of the metaled road. Transferring the contents of your panniers into a rucksack and hiking is by far the best method for this trip unless if you like kayaks or boats. However, if carrying a pack is painful for you, you may find riding and pushing the bike to be an attractive alternative. Exactly how hellish the journey will be depends mainly on baking heat, heavy rain, high winds, clegs and midges, fortunately they don't all occur at the same time. Take a rucksack, then if you decide the pushing is not great, lock your wheels to the frame and hide the bike in the bracken and finish the journey on foot.
Assessing the terrain for a bike trip to a new place is common place. You can figure out a lot from satellite view on google maps combined with viewing photos of individual squares along the planned route using geograph dot org dot uk.
When going biking to Jura, consider the Tayvallich ferry or the water taxi from Crinian. The ferry operator and the Craighouse Hotel on Jura will be able to tell you who is offering what and put you in touch. Good luck, take plenty of whisky, it soothes most things.
