The bike bus - it's the only way to travel
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All buses should be like this one. Modern and comfortable, with a bike trailer on the back, it’s a fine example of integrated travel.
What a shame this sort of thing isn’t replicated on normal bus services, so you could hook your bike on, jump off at your stop and ride the rest of the way to your destination.
For now, the Highland Bike Bus is something different, a chance to take your bike — or just yourself — to some wonderful parts of the country without getting in your car.
Every day, service 804 Inverness to Durness travels out west to Ullapool via Strathpeffer before continuing up the north-west coast to Lochinver, Kinlochbervie and Durness, where it turns round at Smoo Cave for the return journey.
Subsidised by Highland Council, the service is vital to the many communities along its route — and for outdoor enthusiasts it provides access to some phenomenal locations to explore and enjoy.
I used the service recently to cycle a road circuit I’ve had my eye on for some time.
It was the perfect day for it as I gently rolled down to the bus station to meet the 8.50am service. The sun was shining and it had that lovely morning fresh feel to the air. It turned out to be a scorcher. I just wish I had remembered my sun cream, which I foolishly left in a different bag.
Today’s trip took me to Lochinver, where I had a gap of around five-and-a-half hours before the bus came back to pick me up.
It was a fantastic journey out west and I really enjoyed being able to look out at the changing landscape rather than having to watch the road, as I would if I’d been driving myself.
Our bus driver was superb, very friendly and helpful and — importantly — careful with my bike! Mine was the only bike on the back on the route out, though we had a few more on the return journey — a couple from London who had just returned from a cycle holiday on the Western Isles.
Having caught the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool, it was just a trip on the bike bus then the Sleeper home for them.
My journey went up the coast to the beautiful village of Lochinver, from where I cycled the rather hilly coastal route to Drumbeg and Kylesku, returning on the main road, which is pretty hilly itself for a while.
The views of Suilven and the impressive Quinag were phenomenal in the sunshine. A German tourist I met in a layby summed it up as he leapt out of his car and announced: "Wonderful, isn’t it?"
I had to agree. The north-west is such a beautiful place to come and to enjoy it by bike is a fantastic experience. To enjoy it over and over again by bike and on foot is even better, for those of us to have regular access to such an astounding place.
Last year I took a trip on the bus for Active Outdoors as far as Ullapool and rode to Lochinver via Achiltibuie, a superb cycle ride passing under the impressive Stac Pollaidh.
The bus route also passes some great mountain biking areas at Strathpeffer and Contin, perfect for a long day out around the single-track and forest roads in that area.
And if hillwalking is more to your taste, you can access the Ben Wyvis car park, as well as a number of Munros through the Dirrie More, the likes of Beinn Dearg and Cona’ Mheall.
The Active Outdoors team has even used the bus to do a cycle route through the hills from the Black Bridge through Strath Vaich and Gleann Mor to emerge near Croick and follow the public road to Ardgay.
In the north-west the summits of Ben More Assynt, Suilven, Quinag and Foinaven are all tempting along the route, and one walker I met on the bus this time was going backpacking for a few days at Cam Loch, taking in a few hills before walking through to Lochinver to get the bus back home.
There are so many options for walkers and cyclists, right up to Durness where Smoo Cave is worth a visit at the turning point, or even a trip to Cape Wrath.
There’s so much to choose from it’s hard to decide what to do next. But my hilly bike ride from Lochinver is one I’m glad I’ve got round to doing. The views from Drumbeg over the sea and of Quinag for most the way were beautiful and had me dreaming about more trips to this part of the world in future.
The bike bus is just one way to get there, but for me it’s a service those of us who love the outdoors should support because it offers something special to locals and tourists alike. The Highlands would be a lesser place without it.
On the buses
? The Highland Bike Bus travels between Inverness and Durness every day during July and August and Monday to Saturday in September.
? A return ticket to Lochinver cost me £21.60 plus £5 each way for the bike - £31.60 in all.
? Bikes should be booked at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee space. Call 01463 222444 to reserve room for your wheels!
? See www.decoaches.co.uk for full timetable (click on Durness Summer Timetable)
