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All booked up for outer loop in August. 4 days, so nothing too mental and accommodation booked each night.
Struggling with my bike choice.
29er hardtail (120mm) or 29er fully rigid (29x2.6)
I would go fully rigid for the outer loop. We did it on our rigid gravel tandem no issues. The glen tilt ST is not tandem friendly but will be fine with rigid or HT.
More importantly pack Crocs for the river crossings.....
What would be the downside of taking the hardtail? It's just that if you're not used to 4 days on the bike then a little bit of additional comfort might help stave off the effects of fatigue.
Suppose I would be able to take either, but handlebar comfort over multiple days is what's niggling me. With the rigid I've got Jones (ish) bars on there which I find very comfy. Don't think they'd really work on the hardtail tho.
Four days?! You walking it? Seriously though, it will be nice to trundle along taking it in. I’d take the hardtail personally.
Ridden it... take the hardtail.
Cheers all.
Originally planned on taking the hardtail... So I'll stick with that.
Know 4 days seems kind of long, but all our wives are away on holiday together, so a good opportunity for some bikes and beer. Few of the party have never done any bike packing/touring before either.
4 days seems to split it up well for hostels.
Day 1 - Blair Atholl to Braemar. Pub.
Day 2 - Braemar to Tomintoul. Pub.
Day 3 - Tomintoul to Aviemore. Pub.
Day 4 - Aviemore to Blair Atholl. Home.
your going backwards.
I cant think of a single bit of trail on the loop that would be better in that direction.
Accommodation options, or lack thereof, necessitated such.
Hopefully it won't detract from our enjoyment too much.
I did aviemore -Blair Athol , Blair athol to Braemar, Braemar to Aviemore in 3 days in November on a gravel bike. I think it would have been more fun on a 120mm hardtail but probably slower. You get quite remote at times so you need to take care. River crossings were a bit edgy too. Tomintoul is probably a good extra stop if you want to do it in 4 days. Nowhere really between BA and Braemar to stop and the second day is a big day!
I kinda did the route the other way in June.
Distances each day are perfect if you want to enjoy yourself.
Used a 120mm Hardtail and that worked.
Did the Gaick last year on my touring bike and it was brutal. Going N-S didn't help but previous rides on a HT were a lot more fun.
The main driver for the best direction is the tailwind. Whistle and you'll be fine.
Top tip: Don't bother with detouring around the capercaillies between Tomintoul and Aviemore:
ENjoy!
Photos and stuff from each day on my IG:
Day 1 (Gaick, 2024):
Day 2
Day3
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLDDuplo316/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Day 4
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLFn0fsob-n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Having done it this year on a gravel bike with 44s: either rigid ATB or hardtail, but yes to big tires. Rigid with Jones would probably be a good call, my riding partner was on a 120 HT and it seemed Ideal. We did it clockwise, and agreed, can't think of anything that would be improved by going the other way around. River crossings were low in spring, but be prepared for some damp feet whatever you put on them. The remote bits are proper remote, the haul from Tomintoul to Braemar was punchy and rugged.