Just wondered if anyone on here has taken their e-bikes to Loch Ossian hostel, as we’ve got an overnight planned there and are wondering about charging our eebs (batteries on our bikes can’t be removed, so bikes have to be in fairly close proximity to a mains socket). It looks like the hostel have dedicated bike store, but we wondered if it has power. Guess it’ll be a proper PIA for other hostel users if we have to drag the bikes into the hostel.
FWIW, we’ve had the trip planned for ages (as OH’s retirement/birthday treat) and been training to use our acoustic bikes, but then picked a really bad virus about 2 or 3 weeks ago and it feels like we’ve lost all our fitness……hence the emergency Plan B to use our eebs!
Can anyone advise please?
p.s. we’ve emailed the YHA, but no response.
Unless you hear differently from the hut guardian, I'm afraid it may be awkward or worse.
At latest visit, about a month ago, the bike storage was a simple rack outside and without an outdoor plug that I remember seeing. There's no inside space for a couple of hefty bikes and the place is usually pretty busy too. batteries wouldn't be a problem but indoors may not be possible; mind, it's a very small hut.
If you're coming and going from the north, it's not a particularly difficult ride on acoustic bikes.
Suggestion: your other option would be the Corrour Stationhouse Cafe, they might be able to help while you're busy re-fueling yourselves indoors in the evening and again at breakfast..?
Oh blimey, I’m glad I asked - thanks for the info. Our plan is to have our evening meal and breakfast at the station cafe, so sounds like thats probably our only option for charging (Don’t think we’re ready or able to spend £700 on a pair of range extender batteries). Hmm, might have to have a rethink and use our acoustics on the easier route in & out.
Thanks again for letting us know.
I took my bike on the train and got off at corrour, could you make it 1 way ?
A few of us rode in and out from the A86 a few weeks ago. Two of the ladies were on ebikes. They both managed there and back on one charge with power to spare. It's only 25km each way and half of that is downhill 😉
Last time I was there (about a month ago), it was very popular with the eebs. Mostly oldjuns so were ridden sensibly. Can't see it being an issue battery wise. Just use it on eco 🤷♂️
I'd ride in from the south so you can ride down the lovely descent to Loch Eigheach.
Ta for the feedback. I like the extension lead suggestion, I’ll ask the warden about the feasibility of using one if they get back to me.
We’re a bit fixed with the route, as we’re going to be in a small group who’ve made all the arrangements and ridden it before. I forgot to mention that our e-bikes are of the light (er..relatively!) lower power type with smaller batteries, so even on Eco all the way, I don’t think we’d get there and back. Since my original post, we may have found a way that we could share a range extender.
Urgh, we’re really fed up of getting this virus - but that’s what 3 hours sat next to a busy soft play area gets you eh?! (b****y snotty germ spreading kids!)
I rode Edinburgh to Inverness many years ago.
Looking at the maps I could buy at the time I wasn't convinced I could ride my bike+ rack and panniers all the way, so got the train.
Its the only place I've had to have a wash with prown peaty loch water and then boil some more lock water to cook with.
That was in 1997, is it still the same?
Quick update on this. I’ve spoken to the warden at the hostel and she’s got an extension lead, and sounds like there are other options if the extension lead is kaput. Phew!
Courtesy of the Corrour estate hydro electric scheme, there are showers, electric light and even sockets suited to recharging duties at the hostel. Meanwhile, very pleasant grub is available one mile away at the Corrour Station House restaurant/bar. The hostel at Ossian still has limited facilities, bunks, composting toilets and a woodstove but is always friendly and warm; at least now you can use the supplied bedding and towels. Swims in the loch are optional.
Oh man, optional swimming in the loch - I think I’m going to have to dunk my junk while I’m there (I might need to after the ride in! 😁)
Sounds very luxury! Showers!
The routes in are all fairly easy but obviously if you’ve got heavy ebikes charging is helpful (ours are lightweight Fazua and Mahle and we’d not used power on the way there so it wasn’t an issue). It’s more the 'other' people you might find surprising - I’m an early riser so was out by the Loch after sunrise when a German (or similar sounding mainlander) woman came out and very politely asked “do you mind if I skinny dip?” , then she stripped and hopped in. Each to their own.
Ah, thanks pyranha, that’s good to know. According to my OH we’ve got about 50ish km and 600-650m ascent on the way in to the hostel, but only about 350m on the following day (where we’ll finish). Our eebs are light-lower power (Mahle hub in my gravel/commuter thing, OH is using her Orbea Rise). I think most of the group will be on acoustic bikes, so we’ll hopefully be just cruising along in Eco most of the time, taking in the views etc. If we can get away without charging that’ll be a real bonus, but I’ll chuck the chargers in my panniers just in case.
The warden lady there is lovely. Kipped in the shed to the side of the hostel for a tenner, it has power for fridge heater and kettle there lol. And a big double bed. Book that!
Would love to go there with my Rise... I must organise something.
The warden lady there is lovely. Kipped in the shed to the side of the hostel for a tenner
Yeah. A crowd of us went swimming there last October and the weather was wild but she let us use the "shed" to get changed into dry, warm clothes.
