A romantic Team e-Matilda kiss to celebrate the anniversary at the very spot of their beach wedding.
This blog is the story of my dynamic crew having a truly epic first anniversary “overseas” trip to Millport to celebrate their amazing wedding on the beach a year ago.
The three day trip saw the “old git” and the “old gal” – accompanied by e-Matilda – returning to the “scene of the crime” for a mini break to celebrate their nuptials. There was also lots of madcap fun photo frolics as Team e-Matilda tried to recreate a number of their stunning wedding photographs, with varying degrees of success!
There was really only one place that my crew could celebrate their anniversary – and thankfully the Isle of Cumbrae lived up to its “Costa del Millport” reputation with some tropical sunshine!
So it was up early on the Sunday morning for a near 80 mile drive from Matildas Rest to the west coast town of Largs for the 10 minute Cal Mac ferries trip from the mainland.
Big excitement for my crew as they boarded the ferry with e-Matilda – the new Gepida Bikes Thoris Voyage e-tandem, some 9 feet high on the excellent e-tandem carrier supplied by JD Tandems.
e-Matilda 9 feet high on the e-tandem rack on Matilda Transport on the Cal Mac ferry to Millport.
Arriving on the island my crew immediately felt on holiday as the Isle of Cumbrae lives up to its slogan: “Millport – in a world of its own!”
The “old git” and “old gal” dropped their bags at the Old Bank luxury bed and breakfast – the venue where they stayed for the wedding a year ago.
Ready for the off – e-Matilda outside the Old Bank luxury bed and breakfast.
A quick change, e-tandem off bike rack, a quick photo outside the Old Bank, and then a pedal anti-clockwise round the island for my crew to re-acquaint themselves with the wonderful coastal views all the way round the 10 mile perimeter of the island road.
You can check out the details of our e-tandem routes on Day 1 of our anniversary break by clicking on the Strava map below.
Millport is known as a cycling paradise due to the virtually flat and quiet circumference route. The round the island route is always very busy with visitors. It is not an official The National Cycle Network route – but it certainly should be!
Back in the town my dynamic crew had a quick coffee at Crocodeli. Then they headed clockwise to Team Matilda’s fabulous “table with a view” – a picnic table which overlooks the spot that the “old git” and the “old gal” had their wedding ceremony. It is a wonderful beach – between Fintry Bay and Bell Bay on the island, with views across to Rothesay and Arran.
A fun wedding shot from a year ago – with Millport looking like the Caribbean in the sunshine.
The “old gal” pointing to the “scene of the crime” on the beach on the far side of Millport.
There was a bit more sunshine a year ago when my dynamic crew got married, but the cloudy weather didn’t stop Team e-Matilda having one of their signature prosecco picnics. Except, that as this was such a special occasion, there was a special bottle of pink champagne saved from my crew’s tandem tour of the Champagne region a few years ago. How apt!
E-Matilda sporting her la bouclee wine carrier with a bottle of pink fizz to celebrate the anniversary!
Team e-Matilda’s picnic lunch at their very special picnic bench overlooking the marriage spot.
The anniversary trip also coincided with what Team e-Matilda call their 11A – the 11th anniversary of the first contact between the “old gal” and the “old git” – so it was a double cause for celebration. And it proves that couples who tandem together, stay together!
First anniversary toast, and also 11A toast, overlooking the wedding beach! Cheers!
The romantic “old git” presented the old gal with her 11A card at the picnic lunch spot!
The “old gal” telling the “old git” to stop taking photos so she can taste the champagne!
The “old git” looking very pleased with our anniversary present to each other – e-Matilda!
After lunch my dynamic crew had a walk down to the actual spot on the beach where the ceremony took place, which brought back some wonderful memories.
A selfie on the beach at the waters edge, the spot for the wedding celebrations a year ago.
So after the fizz picnic celebrations, my crew continued their clockwise loop back into Millport town, for a loo stop and coffee and cake at The Dancing Midge Cafe.
Then it was time for the speed lap – a tradition when on Millport. The current record is 35 minutes and 01 seconds for a clockwise lap from the Millport Pier hotel (formerly known as the Royal George) set on a day with zero wind back on the 1st of August 2021 when my crew were much fitter than currently.
With there being quite strong winds, the “old git” knew breaking the record was unlikely – and so it turned out to be – with a time of 39 minutes and 06 seconds for the 10.02 mile circuit. But it was a good work-out!
So back to the Old Bank for showers and a rest. As a faithful Captain, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike activity. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed 30.29 miles with a moving time of 2 hours and 06 minutes. The average speed was 14.4 mph over the relatively flat terrain. Elevation was just 112 feet. The maximum speed was 21.1 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 1,240 calories and produce an average power output of 147 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below.
A great first day of my crew’s mini break came to an end with dinner – a mouth watering meal at the new Edwards at the Harbour restaurant – which focuses on seafood and steaks.
Day 2 dawned with the promise of sunshine in the afternoon. My crew were set up for the day after a great sleep on the mega comfortable beds at The Old Bank plus a hearty breakfast.
The plan for today was a warm-up lap of the circumference route then an attempt at going over the top on the Inner Circle route to test the benefits of the battery assist on e-Matilda, some more photo fun, then a final speed lap in the afternoon to try and improve on yesterday’s time.
You can check out the details of our e-tandem routes on Day 2 of our anniversary break by clicking on the Strava map below.
The first lap showed the “old git” and the “old gal” that the wind was still around – and they felt they had already earned a coffee stop at The Garrison cafe – part of the stylish building in the centre of the town which was once the Old Custom House.
The stylish Garrison building in Millport – the old Customs House.
After the coffee break it was time to tackle the torturous Inner Circle route – which features a Category 4 climb which hits a 13% rise in places. It was a great test for the battery assist as previously this is a route where Team Matilda had to get off and push.
Half way up the Category 4 Inner Circle route – smiles with the battery assist!
That’s quite a climb – nearing the top of the Inner Circle climb to the viewpoint.
But my crew made it to the top – with smiles at how (relatively) easy it was! The “old gal” was once again heard to mutter: “Why did we not get an e-bike years ago?!”
As for the “old git” he was delighted to see that (not surprisingly) Strava had awarded my crew new personal best records for the Millport to Glaid Stone and Breakthrough Farm to Glaid Stone sections.
The “old git” having a breather after the climb to the Glaid Stone – the highest point on the island.
At the top – at the Glaid Stone viewpoint, which is the highest point on the island – there was fun as my crew decided to try and recreate one of their stunning wedding day photos – taken by the talented Amanda R Tennent Photography.
Fun at the Glaid Stone recreating a famous wedding day photo from a year ago!
The (in)famous wedding day photo from a year ago – just a bit sunnier!
The Inner Circle descent was a blast – and a good test for the disc brakes – with my crew breaking their own record for the downhill section while hitting speeds of over 30 mph.
Time for lunch, so team e-Matilda pedalled to the Fintry Bay patio cafe and restaurant where my crew enjoyed tasty tortadas. The views from the restaurant are just sensational – looking across to Rothesay and Arran. And the sun decided to come out to play which added to the appeal.
You’ve been framed! Frolics as the sun came out to play at Fintry Bay.
e-Matilda, a Gepida Thoris Voyage e-tandem at the fab Fintry Bay restaurant.
The “old gal” and the yellow broom in the bright afternoon sunshine.
A cycle back into Millport and a visit to the recommended Driftwood and Dahlia – a garden centre which features a superb wood workshop which makes home and garden furniture and accessories from driftwood and reclaimed wood.
After the “old gal” dropped her purchase of new plants off at the Old Bank, it was time for the speed lap. Having failed to beat the record of 35 minutes and 01 seconds the day before, the “old git” was more confident with the sun beating down. But there was still a wind.
And the verdict after a clockwise loop from the Pier Hotel was the stopwatch stopped at 37 minutes and 50 seconds – an improvement on the first attempt but still just under 3 minutes slower than my dynamic crew’s record. Guess Team e-Matilda will need to come back on a flat calm summer’s day when they are fitter!
Recovery time was spent enjoying the late afternoon sun on the pier which has great views down the Clyde estuary.
On the pier at Millport after the pedalling – amazing views and sunshine.
My dynamic crew also decided to recreate a wedding rings shot, using the benefit of the sun.
Wedding rings shot reflecting the clear blue sky – recreating another shot from a year ago.
The original wedding rings shot from the wedding ceremony on the beach.
On return to the Old Bank, The “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike ride. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed 31.37 miles with a moving time of 2 hours and 22 minutes. The average speed was a healthy 13.2 mph given the inclusion of the Category 4 Inner Circle climb. Elevation was 620 feet. The maximum speed was 31.0 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 1471 calories and produce an average power output of 154 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below.
Day two ended with a specially cooked private evening meal at the Old Bank – which offers Scottish hospitality at its very best. It also rekindled some great memories of a year ago when Trish and Linda brilliantly handled all the catering arrangements for the small wedding party at the Old Bank.
Private dining with a sea view! Super romantic dinner for two at the Old Bank.
Day 3 started with Millport looking tropical in the bright sunshine, but the wind had strengthened. So my dynamic crew decided on a relaxing day – with lots more photo fun – after another loop of the hilly Inner Circle. But the vote on whether to attempt another speed lap was a unanimous “no” from the “old git” and the old gal.” There just didn’t seem to be any point given the strong wind.
You can check out the details of our e-tandem routes on Day 3, the last day of our anniversary break by clicking on the Strava map below.
First up, the “old gal” wanted to make a purchase of the new Maura gin from the Isle of Cumbrae Distillers. Sadly the distillery was closed, but a bottle was sourced in the nearby supermarket as a souvenir of the anniversary trip.
Then the “old git” spotted that the iconic Crocodile Rock had been given its annual coat of paint and was looking quite splendid. Naturally both venues provided ideal photo opportunities in the sun.
Let the fun be-gin! The “old gal” at the fab gin distillery on the island.
One of the iconic attractions on Millport is Crocodile Rock – looking good after a paint job!
Next on the list of photos was a trip to the gardens of the Cathedral of the Isles in Millport, reputedly one of the smallest cathedral’s in Europe. This is where one of my dynamic crew’s favourite wedding photos was taken, amongst the trees and wild garlic.
Recreating a shot amongst the wild garlic in the Cathedral gardens.
The gorgeous original photo from a year ago – understandably a favourite.
Time for some cycling now as my dynamic crew headed up hill on the trying Inner Circle route, which is a Category 4 climb hitting 13% inclines. And it was much easier than yesterday – with Team e-Matilda again breaking their record for the Millport to Glaid Stone and Breakthrough Farm to Glaid Stone sectors.
The “old gal” taking in the spectacular views from the highest point on Millport.
Smiles from Team e-Matilda after the Category 4 climb to the Glaid Stone viewpoint.
The viewpoint was the venue for some sensational wedding day photos a year ago, so naturally my dynamic crew had to try to replicate one since the weather was almost identical.
Another fun replica wedding shot – the “old git” being Tarzan on the Glaid Stone.
The original Tarzan shot as part of the post-wedding photoshoot.
An enjoyable downhill blast took Team Matilda back down from the highest point at speeds of over 30 mph. A quick stop for coffee at The Garrison cafe almost turned into disaster as the “old gal” went over on her ankle, tripping down a small kerb step, on the way out.
My stoker was obviously in pain and the staff at the cafe immediately jumped into action to help, bringing an ice pack for some relief.
The trooper that she is, the “old gal” rallied and decided to continue with the schedule – albeit with a slower than planned pedal round to the beach where my crew got married. The plan this time was to take advantage of the Caribbean weather to recreate another of their favourite wedding day photos.
A selfie shot trying to replicate us walking away from the sea on the beach overlooking Rothesay.
And the actual wedding day shot – untouched showing just how tropical a day it was!
Team e-Matilda then found a lovely spot to sit and bask in the glorious sunshine, while romantically reading over the Order of Ceremony for their wedding service on the beach. Both the “old git” and “old gal” took the opportunity to re-visit their wedding vows and read them to each other. It was just a lovely moment as my crew reflected on a truly wonderful occasion – with both saying it was the best day of their lives!
Feeling buoyed by re-reading the vows, my dynamic crew decided a late lunch was in order and stopped again at the Fintry Bay restaurant – where again both the “old git” and “old gal” had delicious tortadas looking out at the simply stunning views.
After our late lunch, it was a slow pedal back into Millport for one last photo opportunity – trying to get a similar shot to one taken on a celebration ride the day after our wedding at the small boat slipway.
Not quite getting the angle right on this one – Team e-Matilda on the small boat slipway.
And the professional shot – at the correct angle. A year go, with no battery assist then!
Pictures done, it was time to put e-Matilda back on the tandem rack, get changed, say our farewells at the Old Bank, and head for the ferry slipway.
Back on the ferry, the “old git” checked Strava which officially recorded the ride as an e-bike activity. The detailed figures showing my dynamic crew tandemed a leisurely and modest 11.56 miles with a moving time of just 1 hours. The average speed was a sedate 11.6 mph. Elevation was 574 feet due to the Inner Circle climb. The maximum speed was 32.7 mph and Team Matilda managed to burn up 722 calories and produce an average power output of 180 W.
As always the route is brought to life in our Relive 3D mapping video – so click here to view or on the image below.
After the short ferry crossing, it was a drive back to Matildas Rest to take e-Matilda off the roof carrier and unpack.
Thankyou Millport for what was quite simply a fabulous first wedding anniversary weekend trip on a bicycle built for two! And Team e-Matilda can’t wait to be back out in #tandem very soon. Here’s to the next blog!
Matildas Musings 