Andybg: I grew up in Fairlie, and went to school in Largs. My trip was
Dump car at my mums in fairlie, ride up to Weymss Bay
Ferry 1 to Rothesay
We did a wee tour of Bute and up to Rubodach
Ferry 2 to Colintraive
Rode round to Tighnabruaich then on to Portavadie, overnight at the new marina there.
Ferry 3 to Tarbert
Rode over to Claonaig
Ferry 4 to Lochranza
Rode round to Brodick, overnight in Brodick
Ferry 5 to Ardrossan and rode back up round the coastal path at Portencross back to Fairlie.
Put some pics here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24775321@N02/I've done this trip a few times, though most often as a day ride of around 100miles. This time, it was definetely a 5-Ferries for softies trip, and none the worse for that. The luxury overnight stops were the best way of persuading my wife and family to come along.
Re the bike, that transmission (all on RHS) used to be more common on tandems. In fact the rear chainset has 4 rings on it. The timing chain is on the outside and runs on 34T rings. The drive chain is on the inside and has a 22/34/46. It all fits in quite well.