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I know the area relatively well, am a veteran of the Glen Loin/Coiregrogain loop (albeit a long time ago) and have also circumnavigated the Ardgartan Peninsula more than once (also a long time ago).
I've been tinkering with a long loop taking in the best of the area, so up Coiregrogain and back via the pylons, then up the 'old' Rest-and-be-thankful, down the Lochgoilhead road switchbacks, up Hell's Glen, follow the road to Ardentinny and then follow the forest roads and dubious looking singletrack to Carrick Castle and back to Lochgoilhead.
From Lochgoilhead climb the 'Duke's Pass' forest track and return home on the Ardgartan forest roads.
My question is whether it would be a good idea to take several riders who are effectively roadies with new gravel bikes down the Glen Loin path (I remembered it being quite 'fun' on the MTB which makes me think a bit dodgy for newbies on gravel bikes).
Also, what is the Carrick Castle path/singletrack like, greasy and rocky or OK for people on large volume slick tyres?
If it was me I would happily just suck it and see but don't want to be responsible for inflicting lots of hike-a-bike on others! This would be spring/summer next year BTW
Ta
This would be spring/summer next year BTW
Take midge repellant.
The Carrick Castle midge is the fiercest of all God's creatures.
Oh jesus yeah, I forgot how bad the Lochgoilhead midgies could be, it's such a secluded wee glen I could almost believe they are their own evolutionary sub-niche!
No doubt that is where someone will have some sort of tubeless related mega-faff requiring a half hour stoppage...
Took me a while to work out what bits of track you were referring to, I've only ridden in the area once so it was all a bit new.
We rode the Wild about Argyll route around there which is roughly your route in reverse. We were on rigid 29ers. The path past Carrick Castle is fine, there's one or two bits where you'll be walking in either direction as you'll be going up steps but they are obvious. I thought the Duke's Pass (I assume this is the track south of Lochgoilhead on the east of the loch) was harder and it would be about the limit of gravel bike (for me). One or two steep bits that will probably be a push up when going N-S along it.
Not done Glen Loin so no comment on that.
My question is whether it would be a good idea to take several riders who are effectively roadies with new gravel bikes down the Glen Loin path (I remembered it being quite ‘fun’ on the MTB which makes me think a bit dodgy for newbies on gravel bikes).
The descent is a bit more washed out than it used to be, still not too bad but probably a bit intimidating to a newb, it's only a short section though so no harm getting off and walking down. Rest of route is suitable, but be aware, last time I was on the forest roads running along Loch Long to Loch Goil earlier this year there was some work taking place in preperation for harvesting, some sections of the forest roads had been relaid and were a bit rough. Should be compacted in now right enough if the wagons have been going back and forth.
Good stuff, thanks folks.
Sounds like the Duke's Pass climb might go down like a bucket of cold sick at the end of a long ride, and at least one of the guys is on a 1x (actually, my boss, hence the excess of caution!) so might run out of gears.
I'd perhaps save this one for my more experienced buddies, or just head north again from Lochgoilhead, maybe descend via the forest road on the opposite side of the glen from the RaBT.
What I do want to do is expose some of the guys to some proper big mountain stuff, my boss and my super fit co-worker are both getting into gravel but I doubt either has properly been out in the mountains. Perhaps take them from Fersit to Bridge of Orchy via Loch Ossian and Rannoch Moor...
Glen Finglas loop from Brig o'Turk could be ideal, could also be combined with a more gentle trip round Loch Katrine.
The dukes pass climb climb is a bit easier these days as the surface is a lot firmer. The Glen loin Singletrack is a bit rockier and ruttier than it use to be certainly. You could miss it out and head down the road to the hydro electric plant and then round to Arrochar on the road.
We did a ride a few years ago, parked at Tyndrum up the whw to the south end of Rannoch Moor then across to Loch etive then we jumped on the train at Taynuilt back to Tyndrum. I'm not a gravel rider but I think you'd be fine on it, maybe as an out and back, Tyndrum to Loch etive and back.
Yeah I've got a couple of variations of Loch Etive loops planned, I quite like starting and finishing at Taynuilt, up the east shore, across to Rannoch Moor, along to Kingshouse, back down the Loch Etive road and back to Taynuilt via the east shore, Ardchattan road, then over Connel Bridge. I remember the west shore path being a bit fiddly with stream crossings etc. but it's only a short distance until double track again.
Glen Finglas has been on my radar for ages now, although the guys are quite familiar with the Aberfoyle area so I want to try and show them some proper hairy-arsed highlands!
Isn't all gravel 'for beginners'? 🤔😂
Isn’t all gravel ‘for beginners’?
Not if you go fast enough or far enough! 😉