Here at Appin E-Bikes, we have a number of mostly e-Bikes for hire. Based in Portnacroish an easy ten minute ride from Port Appin, we have been hiring out e-bikes to visitors for ten years now. As the most intimate and exciting way to explore this historical and scenic part of Argyll, e-bikes will help you get further, faster, and fresher; and they really are a lot of fun too.
You bring the camera, we have the e-bikes, just five minutes walk from here.
TO THE GLENS, HILLS AND FOREST
Hi, so you finally got here, APPIN CENTRAL where everything that's worth doing here in Appin on two wheels at least, begins in a state of chaos, weariness and confusion, and ends in a happy glow of a worthwhile, daylong expedition through or over some of the best cycling country north of Brighton. Venture deep into splendid solitude of the glens skirting the highest mountains in Britain with waterfalls cascading their way down to darkened lochs where the seals warm themselves on the shoreside boulders munching fresh fish suppers and the great golden and sea eagles whirl high above watching everything that moves far below.
Biking on LISMORE
Though not a high island, many will appreciate an electric bike to help with the frequent climbs and rough tracks involved in accessing the timeless beauty of the islands unique archaeology; this is where Christianity first came ashore. The island is about 12 miles long from the ferry in the north to the lighthouse in the south, and to get there or to any other ancient fortress or broch on this island usually requires taking to the tracks. We try to provide reasonably stout tyres for the road/field transition and you have the choice of low/medium/high electric assist which not just helps with hills or headwinds but is a whole lot of fun as well. E-bikes are great for Lismore because they push you that bit further but if the rain starts blowing in hard, you know you can just turn up the power boost and get back to the ferry terminal super-fast.
Pricing
Our e-bikes are normally £50 per day. That is from 9am to 9pm, sometimes overnight as occasion demands. We also have a couple of brand new, off-road, higher powered mountain bikes for experienced riders (£75) and also a couple of older hub-drive models at £35pd. We do have 3 or 4 push bikes and a kiddy buggy at £20 pd.
Delivery is possible currently but only in special circumstances. Hopefully we shall be able to extend that service for all by mid May.
Electric bikes have evolved substantially over the last decade and are now out selling ordinary bicycles throughout most of Europe. The motors are quiet, reliable and efficient, the batteries have increased in capacity threefold, giving you much more range. You can get from Fort William in the north to Oban in the south on the "Sustrans" cycle route 78. It is a pleasant and un-challenging way to access most of the coastal plain along the south side of Loch Linnhe, but equally a very convenient way to reach the quiet but vast areas of mountainous wilderness where the red deer roam, the salmon migrate and buzzard or eagle soar. Only by taking these routes far inland and away from the relentless traffic will you encounter this world hardly changed over the millennia.
