The Ride of the Falling Rain 2021, around 100 miles (162km) or less, ride along the roads of the Isle of Islay, Scotland, will take place on Sunday 1 August, leaving from Debbie's Café in Bruichladdich at 10am (ish) and finishing at the same point several hours later. Basically there are several of us out for an August Sunday ride, and we're inviting you to join us. There are no organised feed stations, no technical backup, no timing or transponders, and no entry fee. We do, however, respectfully recommend that each participant donate £10 to World Bicycle Relief
This year's event will revert to the original route, with Ardbeg's Old Kiln now re-opened, but in a slightly different format than regulars will have previously experienced. Rather than seating and serving inside, the distillery now possesses the 'Ardstream', a converted Airstream mobile home serving many of the usual treats. This will form the approximate half-way point. And if you're really good, they may offer a dram. You can download this year's map from here
if you're swithering whether or not to join us, take a look at trevor ward's excellent write up in the guardian's cycle blog
if you'd like to take a look at the gps info for the 100 mile ride, you can do so here, kindly supplied by bart dereu.
Since August is a busy time on the island, and ferry capacity is presently reduced due to social-distancing restrictions, I can't really stress enough how important it is to book your accommodation and ferry travel as far in advance as possible. You can find more information on island accommodation at islayinfo.com and travel via calmac.co.uk
If you prefer to hire a decent bike rather than bring your own, contact jim lutomski at islay cycles. alternatively, if you'd like to undertake at least a part of the route on an electric bike, you might wish to contact islayewheels@hotmail.com
we will be repeating a run of 2021 debbie's long-sleeve jerseys, cost of which is approximately £96 (made by endura). if you're interested, drop me a line puddles@rideofthefallingrain.net
