You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I was due to be at a friend's this weekend for his wedding anniversary party on the West Coast, events have caused the postponement.
I now find myself with 2 days to ride instead, I'll have my trusty old CX turned gravel steed and will be finishing work Friday around Perth area.
If I can find some reasonably priced accommodation at short notice where should I head?
I'll be heading south afterwards for home so don't want to head to far North.
Aberfoyle seems to be the Scottish gravel mecca.
Haven't done it myself yet as I'm a bit far North in Aberdeen (and don't drive), but it's on the list.
If you're on FB join the Scottish Gravel group and ask for gpx files.
Not sure how Glendevon/sherrifmuir/ochils are for gravel, but they are good for walking/mountain biking so you might find trails around there? Or as mentioned aberfoyle area and queen elizabeth forrest or loch Katrine maybe or if you have the legs to get up the dukes pass then the achray Forrest drive is nice.
I'd normally recommend the Aviemore area but you'll not find any accommodation this weekend as it's the big Harley Davidson rally and the place is already mobbed.
Ochils can be good but it takes some intricate route planning to make the most of them! I live at the bottom of Glendevon and still don't head into the Ochils as much as I might...
OP do you have accommodation in Perth already, can you make it your base?
If not Dunkeld is very close and offers some beautiful stuff, as does Aberfeldy.
Blair Atholl another great shout and nearby, you could do the famous Glen Tilt loop if you were up for a short push DOWN from Fealar Lodge.
Dalwhinnie is the next stop on the A9 and is the start/finish of one of the best 130km gravel loops in Scotland.
I'm near Perth, can provide a couple of GPX if you want some routes, let me know what distances you're up for 👍
Aberfoyle is good, or start your journey south and go to Galloway
I'd be tempted to head towards Glasgow to take you down the west coast to kirroughtree area. Some great stuff there a lot of gravel events in those forests, must be gpx files floating about.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50248630
Dundee Law Audax, starts and finishes in Dundee but very easy to start/finish in Perth instead. Personally I would take the short train trip to Dundee though, it's a nice journey and I love starting/finishing rides in Dundee for some reason, I think crossing the Tay Bridge at the end of a ride always makes it for me.
Tough route though, lots of climbing, if you're interested I had some tweaks that include some extra singletrack and cobbles... 😎
Too late for an edit - expanded Audax route.
Cheers for the replies.
I'm working about 10 miles sw of Perth on Thursday/Friday so anywhere within an hour to that would be ideal. I stayed in Callander for a few days in the summer and rode from town out to Killin and really enjoyed that route, I saw lots of options for rides from there.
50-60km rides are doable.
Sadly MTB ruled out as they were stolen 2yrs ago and I haven't replaced yet.....so gravel only.
Will probably avoid heading to SW, wanted to avoid driving that far.
I'm working about 10 miles sw of Perth on Thursday/Friday
Sounds like you're almost in my back yard! Where are you working?
60km from Sma' Glen, a bit of a punchy climb up from Loch Freuchie (and again up from Loch Tay) but this takes in Glen Almond which is a beautiful gravel super-highway.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3393167625597747626
I put this one together for another poster who was looking for Gravel out of Crieff.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3389694940186350148
Also I'm riding from Synergy Cycles Auchterarder, 8am Saturday morning, route TBC. It's an introduction ride to another CycleCrieff group member so will be relatively gentle paced, just exploring some stuff in the area. All welcome!
@13thfloormonk those routes look pretty good to me, cheers.
Working at Aberuthven. Will try to sort my accom out now and make the most of a free weekend. Might get back to you about that Saturday ride out
Lots of good recommendations from the Monk there - I've ridden quite a lot of the gravel in those routes and enjoyed it. I'd personally give the dundee route a miss, not because the riding isn't good but becuase they spend a bit too much time in the cities for my liking. Far better to make use of all the wonderful rural riding in that part of the world IMO.
Dunno what your options are like for accommodation, but to give yourself lots of gravel choices I'd recommend Dunkeld, Aberfeldy, Killin, Callander or Aberfoyle all within a short-ish drive of where you're working. Aberfoyle is probably the most frictionless option as there are waymarked routes starting in the village and lots of other trails if you want to explore - have a look at https://www.gravelfoyle.com/ if you're interested.
I'd personally give the dundee route a miss, not because the riding isn't good but becuase they spend a bit too much time in the cities for my liking
Absolutely fair comment 👍 I like the city stuff because a lot of the Dunddee stuff is cobbled (in my route anyway) and the stuff in Perth is sneaky singletrack and the railway viaduct, which is always fun to pedal over.
Check out this route on Strava: https://strava.app.link/ElnystMcZVb — Aberuthven 55km
An option from Aberuthven: this takes in a bit more singletrack but all stuff that an MTBer on a gravel bike should probably enjoy. Just be courteous passing through the farmyard near the end, they've had issues with folks smashing through despite the blind corners around their outbuildings (it's a signed 'right of way' so no access issues otherwise).
Accomodation has been quite a challenge being such a last minute thing. Managed to get somewhere in Aberfoyle, so I'm heading there Friday night for a couple of days of fun. If I ever figure out how to post pics I will.
Thats for all the info and help.