Our top tips for cycling on Mull
If you aren’t used to cycling on Mull or on single track roads, there is a lot to be aware of.
Somerset and Simon (who helps us out on the farm one day a week) are both keen cyclists so over lunch today, so I picked their brains for their top tips for cycling on Mull’s single track roads.
- A mirror is useful. Be mindful, it can be difficult to hear what is coming up behind you.
- Pull into passing places, rather than trying to slip past vehicles on the move. Single track roads are not really wide enough for a vehicle and a bike to pass each other without stopping.
- To make yourself more visible to other traffic, don’t ride at the very edge of the road.
- Watch out for sheep running out the Bracken onto the road.
- Watch out for potholes.
- Watch out for loose gravel on steep sections of road.
Where can you cycle?
There are nearly 300 miles of tarmac road on Mull, so there is plenty of scope for exploring. Remember that most of it is single track and in the middle of the summer there can be a lot of traffic during the day.
Forest tracks
There are several good routes for cycling off-road in north Mull. Have a look at the Forestry website. There is a forest track on community woodland ground from Langamull over towards Dervaig. It has wonderful views.
Our track
The surface of the farm track is loose gravel and rock. Cyclists doing the Treshnish Headland path (and many of our guests) cycle up and down the track, but if your bikes have narrow tyres you might decide to walk them to the main road.
Mull Sportive
The Mull Sportive takes place in early June each year. Run entirely by volunteers it is becoming a very popular event – it takes place on Mull’s beautiful scenic roads, and is a welcoming and friendly event. There are 2 routes of different lengths, both which come past the Treshnish turning.
Hiring Bikes
You can hire electric and ordinary bikes from Cycle Mull in Salen. I would advise arranging this before you arrive on the island.
Charge your electric bike
You can charge your electric bike for free here at Treshnish. Please call at the farmhouse and we can tell you where the socket is.
Favourite routes
I asked Simon and Somerset what their favourite routes were. Simon’s is to cycle from Glengorm to Quinish on the forestry tracks. Somerset’s favourite is the road from Gribun to Knock and then back to Treshnish – such beautiful scenery.
Cyclists welcome at Treshnish!
We are members of the Visit Scotland Cyclists Welcome scheme. There is space in the Recycling Shed for you to store your bikes under cover.
