Yep, I know it's a big place, and don't mean to imply it's one homogenous little bike park.... but I'm hoping to take next week off and do a wee Tour so can go whenever is good.
( actually not quite true. Much as I'd love to, I don't think I can muster the energy or diesel money to get to Torridon)
Thinking there must be something good in D&G for the trip up. @duncancallum got any recommendations in your neck of the woods? Got any time?
I was thinking of a bit of Golfie, but not really convinced it's my thing. Or is that just because im doing it wrong?
Fancy a day at Dunkeld, so will try that out.
Was planning to do the Glen Tilt loop, but keen to know of any variations/ additions to make it a bit less fireroady.
At this point it all gets a bit vague....
I'd like to reverse the route I did on Ben a Bhuird, and possibly add on Beinn Avon, but conscious that it will have a shit load of snow on it and be very high consequence.
Likewise want to do Lochnagar and find a different descent than LochCallater ( awesome though it was). But again Lochnagar, in March, really?
Top of the list is Macdui, but descending Coire Etchachan this time, but as above... snow March.... as @nobeerinthefridge would say... "jist naw"
Heartbreak Ridge is a definite. And Mastermind if it's drier than last time.
Could try out Aboyne... never been there.
Quite like to try Burma Road, just cos...
Would happily do Lolipop and explore some of the other minor tracks, but long way away.
Bein Fhadda loop is on my list.
Want to try the Nevis loop, but perhaps too wet.
Could do the Kieran path.. loved it last time.
That's all I can think of. What am I missing?
What's great awesome and doable next week?
Jocks Road any good?
Perhaps take a look at McTrails channel...
Tell me....
Ooh, Adrenaline Uplift appear to operate Monday and friday
Big peaks in the Gorms will likely be too snowy. Torridon loop and Beinn Fhada loop should be fine.
When you say Nevis loop do you mean the Tour de Ben Nevis route? It should be fine as it's mostly good tracks and doesn't go that high. River crossing at Luibeilt should be ok.
When you say Nevis loop do you mean the Tour de Ben Nevis route?
Yep, sorry was being vague as I don't know shit about it apart from guessing that it goes up the end of glen Nevis and past Steall Falls ( I think) Good to know the track are good.
about it apart from guessing that it goes up the end of glen Nevis and past Steall Falls ( I think)
It doesn't. 🙂
Or at least the TdBN route doesn't.
Braeriach yesterday
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/KzQyFJtC/PXL-20220321-102527141.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/KzQyFJtC/PXL-20220321-102527141.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
I reckon any high Gorms routes will have to wait.
Or at least the TdBN route doesn’t.
Sorry, rewind. Forget my half baked memories of a route that may or may not have Ben Nevis in the name. 🙂
Tell me a good route that you know of 😉 please
Braeriach yesterday
I reckon any high Gorms routes will have to wait.
That does look somewhat challenging !
/ mentally adds skis to packing list/
It's a great day out but not a huge amount of technical interest.
You could do the Glen Tilt loop anti-clockwise and once down into the Glen add on Carn Chamlmain (McTrail rider did it). I don't think you miss out much of the fireroad of doom into the wind but it would add much ore techincal riding onto the route. Bear in mind though the loop itself is a good 35 miles so adding on a munro would be a pretty long day out (although it sounds like you're made from the right stuff!)
Sounds good dander. Got new lights so gives me options. ( I'm a bit of a plodder)
There appears to be a LRT up the sw ridge from Clachghlas and then is it down the trail to the east then zig zags south to forest Lodge?
Looks great.
Yes, up from Clachglas and descend singletrack from NN 920756. I have no idea what the snow level is like but it should be shifting quickly with recent mild weather. Tilt hills get less usually than the Cairngorms.
Check out SAIS blogs for snow photo's and levels generally.
I would guestimate at patches from 600m upwards Glencoe/Lochaber, closer to 800m Cairngorms and Torridon.
Could do a wee tour of Dunkeld Monday or Tuesday if that would work?
D+G still pretty affected by trees from Arwen I think.
Golfie probably in awesome nick and getting easier than it used to be with continual trail development (my perception may not be your reality!).
Deeside is just brilliant but not been since Arwen. Morrone from Breamar is a good wee loop which should be snow free.
Loads of other fun woods to play in - Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Ballo, Kinnoul etc
Happy to offer advice RE Tweed Valley riding. Golfie is amazing, but depends a bit on what you classify as amazing!
I had eyes on Lochnager and Ben a Bhurid on Sunday, full snow covering at that height. Pretty though! I'm in Aberdeenshire and we are still really affected by the past few storms, still lots closed/not rideable
Yes higher routes are snowy. I was out at Loch Muick/Balmoral estate way on Sunday all fine lower down but high plateaus were snow covered.
I think the Fungle/Glen Esk/Mount Keen will be ok. Burma road will be ok I think. I’m planning on going over there next week and doing that.
Top of the list is Macdui, but descending Coire Etchachan this time, but as above… snow March…. as @nobeerinthefridge would say… “jist naw”
Heartbreak Ridge is a definite. And Mastermind if it’s drier than last time.
Could try out Aboyne… never been there.
Quite like to try Burma Road, just cos…
Would happily do Lolipop and explore some of the other minor tracks, but long way away.
Bein Fhadda loop is on my list.
Want to try the Nevis loop, but perhaps too wet.
Could do the Kieran path.. loved it last time.
That’s all I can think of. What am I missing?
What’s great awesome and doable next week?Jocks Road any good?
Macdui is covered in snow.
Heartbreak Ridge is great, although I don't know about how they are after the storms. If you're in that neck of the woods and it's only got snow at the very top then Lochnagar is the real hot ticket in that area. You could also do the Corrie Cash descent and the Glen Callater loops which are both excellent.
Not ridden Aboyne or the Burma Road.
Beinn Fhada - the loop's alright but going up and down the mountain itself is a better bet. It's one of the all time Scottish descents. By the time you're there you're basically at Torridon too so you may as well.
Nevis Loop may have dried out in the last week or two.
Ciaran Path is on my re-do list this year. It is very good. It's also worth doing Binnean Mor and tying that into the Dudes of Hazzard enduro trails while you're there.
Top of the list is Macdui, but descending Coire Etchachan this time, but as above… snow March…. as @nobeerinthefridge would say… “jist naw”
Heartbreak Ridge is a definite. And Mastermind if it’s drier than last time.
Could try out Aboyne… never been there.
Quite like to try Burma Road, just cos…
Would happily do Lolipop and explore some of the other minor tracks, but long way away.
Bein Fhadda loop is on my list.
Want to try the Nevis loop, but perhaps too wet.
Could do the Kieran path.. loved it last time.
That’s all I can think of. What am I missing?
What’s great awesome and doable next week?Jocks Road any good?
Jock's Road is shut due to tree fall at the moment - there's no way you'd get a bike through the bottom of the wood unfortunately.
Golfie is fine. People get very excited about it but the trails at Inners are better to ride when it's wet. They're my local really and I only ride Golfie once or twice a year. There's much better stuff to do if you're on a tour of the country. Inners is worth a go on the way up if you're passing.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51954946962_dfcc57d6fa_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51954946962_dfcc57d6fa_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2na5FDC ]LRM_EXPORT_77449235002161_20190721_214244561[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/183377889@N06/ ]Luke Bradley[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51956524075_5bc789b561_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51956524075_5bc789b561_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nadLte ]LRM_EXPORT_77315012260769_20190721_214030338[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/183377889@N06/ ]Luke Bradley[/url], on Flickr
Dunkeld is great though. There's some much longer, more technical descents in there and it's a nicer place (Tweed Valley forests are very dark and not very scenic). The original DH track is still my favourite but Rake and Ruin, Pink Floyd and Cairn to Cottage are all very good. They're also all open - there's a lot of trees down up there.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51955926446_f1a44efa09_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51955926446_f1a44efa09_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51955936881_6711fc93d1_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51955936881_6711fc93d1_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2naaKVc ]IMG_20211126_150623[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/183377889@N06/ ]Luke Bradley[/url], on Flickr
If you want a bit of mountain feel and some enduro trail type stuff then Ben Vrackie in Pitlochry followed by the trails in the woods there is a good idea - they're all open, the tree fall there isn't so bad. Snow cover isn't much either just now.
[url= https://flic.kr/p/2naaGPh ]LRM_EXPORT_121659013732755_20181027_164218561[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/183377889@N06/ ]Luke Bradley[/url], on Flickr
I was eyeing up doing the Glen Lyon munros this week - they had a little snow on them but not too much. It'd be a good ride I think.
You'll need to do more thorough snow research yourself for some of these routes - I've not been out west to Kinlochleven or Glen Shiel, or north to Braemar/Ballater/Glen Muick this month. My other snow/tree reports are fairly up to date though.
Whoah, shotloads of excellent ideas people. Will have a reread later on with a map, and also start negotiations on when I can leave.
Also particularly interested in the potential meet-ups. Will post again.
Morrone from Breamar is a good wee loop
Agreed
https://flic.kr/p/2mhCCK8
.
https://flic.kr/p/2mhHMUr
Though it was tempered by having to push 2.5 bikes up that bloody land-rover track. 🙁
https://flic.kr/p/2mhHMPw
Lochnagar is the real hot ticket in that area. You could also do the Corrie Cash descent and the Glen Callater loops which are both excellent.
Could I get a bit more info on this. I did a (The?) Descent to LochCallater from Sagairt Mhor as part of a Munro bagging evening ride from Glenshee ( weirdly enough, the same day as Morronne). The Vertibrate book has this descent on the Lochnagar route.
I'm not sure if I'm reading your post correct that these are three seperate options. Assuming they are, what's the best descent from Lochnagar ?( ie excluding Loch Callater)
Could you give me a bit more info on where Coire Cash is?
< edit, having reread it ithink perhaps Cash and Callater are parts of the Lochnagar Loop?>
They are three completely different things for me.
The Callater Loop I do by going up the pass between Carn an t Sagairt Mor and Carn an t Sagairt Beag from the north (which has some big trotting, and as it's north facing maybe snow), then head west then north west along the trail to Glen Callater which you've done already.
Lochnagar is best descended by Glas Allt which heads South East from the summit.
Corrie Cash is the descent heading north right at the south western tip of Loch Muick. It can be done as a big loop by going from the Glen Muick car park over Chapel Mounth into Glen Clova, then head north west and up from Bachnagairn heading north east. Or you can just take the land rover track right to the top of it and descent from there without dropping into Glen Clova.
Cheers MB
The description of Glas Allt here sounds utterly nails.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/lochnagar-to-loch-muick/
The video here.... can't decide....
Have a suspicion that might turn into a walk, especially if solo.
Hmmmmm
The last bit is pretty rowdy but that's near the bottom and there's only a few sections where you might feel the need to walk for solo safety's sake. The stuff up the top is all straightforward.
Might all be moot if it's covered in snow though.
South facing, so I guess will be a better bet than some stuff.
Though of course it's hard to appreciate how snowy and cold it is from the current sweltering heat of Manchester.
Ahhhh ****. It's all gone a bit to shit. Stupidly had my C8vid Booster on Wednesday then had 4 hours sleep due to an overnight release.
Been gubbed ever since and didn't manage to get the work finished on Friday.
In parallel with that the forecast für latter half of the week has completely changed. Might be OK fir biking, but equally might be overcast pissy miserable in one place with 20cm of fresh powder in another.
So I'm completely missing the good weather now, and need to work Monday. Then have to decide whether to make the huge drive on Tuesday or just stay local.
****ity ****.
(1st world problems and all that )
😆
Right. Managed a very mellow 20km/700m with the family today, so I'm hoping to be betterer by midweek.
Need to work tomorrow morning, then depending on how that goes will maybe climb in the afternoon, then cycle with my good lady on Tuesday. Then assuming the forecast doesn't deteriorate further, head north on Tuesday evening.
I seem to be heading east at present, mainly as I can think of some routes there, but will obsessively watch the forecast the next few days and then see.
Could do a wee tour of Dunkeld Monday or Tuesday if that would work?
Really sorry, was hoping to make Tuesday, but my other half has booked that say off too and she'd be understandably pissed if I went off on Monday night. Are you free later in the week?
url= https://flic.kr/p/2na5FDC ]LRM_EXPORT_77449235002161_20190721_214244561[/url] by Luke Bradley, on Flickr
Aha, it's all falling into place. 😆 I have no idea when I started stalking you on Strava. Perhaps you linked to your strava maps on here.
Really sorry, was hoping to make Tuesday, but my other half has booked that say off too and she’d be understandably pissed if I went off on Monday night. Are you free later in the week?
No worries, I'm trying to gather motivation to go tomorrow. Only got 2 trails to do to finish all the Trailforks segments in the area! Another time perhaps. Have fun if you do come up,looking chilly.
Just finished riding in Staveley. Going to head up to Glasgow then check the thread again to see if anyone fancies meeting up tomorrow or Thursday for anything, perhaps:
Ben Vrackie looks awesome
Glen Tilt maybe
Perhaps with that munro added on ( unlikely though)
That mountain above Kinlochleven described above.
That loop from Kinloch described above.
Lochnagar ( very unlikely given the weather, but if someone has recent weather knowledge saying there is no fresh snow today then I'm up for it.)
Or something else entirely.
Likewise if anyone fancies meeting up Fri, Sat or Sunday then shout.
Cheers
I'm nightshift but could do a quick ride (11 to 4) localish to Dunblane if you fancy. Gonna be cold on the hills, snow showers almost anywhere but more focused on the East. Ben Ledi might work tomorrow if you're keen to get up a hill.
Hi LD
Think you must have posted just after I left Perth 🙁
Am currently parked up at Dunkeld with plan to try Ben Vrackie tomorrow if possible.
But would do Dunkeld if that's better for you. Think Ben Ledi is a bit of a drive from here.
Shame, would have loved to try Ben Ledi. Must be 35 years since I was there
#oldgit
I did the capel mounth / Corrie chash loop on Sunday. There was still a small patch of snow to cross on the Corrie chash descent. Still looked to be plenty of snow on lochnagar including down glas allt.
Aha. Cheers Stumpy. Any snow will be like iron later this week i guess, so maybe one to avoid.
Meeting LD at Birnam Station at 11:45 Wednesday for a wee tour of Dunkeld. If anyone is about then come along.
Might venture a bit higher up after that if it looks ok
An inch of snow in Inverness at sea level this morning. Check the roads/weather if heading north as Gorms etc must have a fair amount now.
@thegeneralist
If your happy doing the Uplift at Inners then the Golfie ain’t out your comfort zone
NY NY Repeat offender right side Clyde are all great trails
Inners has Angry sheep salmon journey etc
Done Aboyne last summer
Great trails and pretty techy in places
Heartbreak ridge was mind blowing
Outstanding trail
New Blue at Fort Bill plus other stuff
Tweed valley,List is endless for good steepish techy trails
Dunkeld,Pitmedden Ballo woods Pitlochry Comrie Croft in Perthshire
Ride yer bike and enjoy
Cheers Andy for a great day. ( am I allowed to use real names...?!)
You picked some great trails, which gave a great flavour of Dunkeld. Interesting, but not desperate. ( objectiveky speaking. I still found them taxing :-))
And that weather.....rainshadowtastic!
Currently camped at Grandtully in the gorgeous sunshine.
Thinking Tilt or Ben Vrackie tomorrow. TBH I'm pretty gubbed, and the prospect of 54km is unnerving me slightly 🙂
If anyone fancies meeting up any of the next 4 days then that would be splendid.
An inch of snow in Inverness at sea level this morning. Check the roads/weather if heading north as Gorms etc must have a fair amount now.
Eek. Sounds grim. Been OK here so far..
Hi hainman. Righto, noted. I was mainly looking for big XC rides or mountain days rather than Enduro really, but I may stop at Inners on the way south if it gets to weathery here...
PS, Glen Tilt best anti clockwise, right?
Clockwise
I like it both ways 🤪 Both a bit frustrating though - clockwise you descend on the road at the end and climb up the nice singletrack above the Falls of Tarf. Anti-clockwise features 10 miles down Glen Tilt, usually into a brisk wind. Can’t deny it’s a good ride in the hills though. Re snow - Fealear Lodge, high point of route, must be pretty high up?
Clockwise
Tsk, show your working. 😉
(As opposed to show you're working!)
Also, since I being so demanding 🙄 .... anyone know if the kittle loop round Dun Mor is any good. Heads off the loop just SW of Falls of Tarf on a LRT and then drops down behind the Falls of Tarf on a bit of perhaps singletrack.
Tsk, show your working.
Does his username not qualify him to give non qualified advice? ;-P
Great to meet you today Alex!
(a) the descent down the Allt Fearnach to Daldhu
(b) the descent to the crossing of the Allt Coire Lagan
(c) having to face the Glen Tilt road at the end of the day.
I was over in Aviemore today. Trails are running well. The plateau and tops are obviously covered in snow but lower down it’s all good. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51971706801_029153b075_k.jp g" target="_blank">
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51971706801_029153b075_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nbyzLn ]3021FA63-2724-4A35-819D-579B88395413[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/93025454@N03/ ]Aberdeen_lune[/url], on Flickr" alt="Sluggan trail" />
Weird microclimate stuff going on, looks like the sneck had more snow than Aviemore. All pretty much melted up here now anyway.
Weird microclimate stuff going on, looks like the sneck had more snow than Aviemore. All pretty much melted up here now anyway.
Aye, it was just localised showers, Wyvis had less than Inverness!
We had more on the way to Crieff than we left in Aviemore.
(a) the descent down the Allt Fearnach to Daldhu
(b) the descent to the crossing of the Allt Coire Lagan
Gotcha. Many thanks.
Oh my god, what have I become.....
https://flic.kr/p/2nbPxxL
Best day evah, and not a mountain in sight*
(* bar the first 9km)
PS those photos are selfies!
Quite pleased with that.
Tomorrow looks like being innerGolfieLiethen or something....
PS, it's just started raining. Can you believe it.
Having had a road to Damascus moment on the road to DD's, I've decided to try a bit of this famous Inners/Golfie business on Saturday. I might book the inners uplift....
Are either of you about Saturday?
I'm over the Golfie with some mates in the morning.
I'll keep an eye out for you.
Hi Stu
In the end I'd booked Inners uplift. If i survive that I'll take a look at Golfie later but I guess you'll be finished by then.
Cheers
Yep.
Back home now.
Was busy over there today.
Snowy at the top but good fun.
Might be about tomorrow for some Feed the Pony/Glenduro action.
Ah, I'm currently in Corbridge.
I realised that I needed to break up the journey home otherwise I'd be ( even more of) a mess Monday.
Going to try and do something in the Lakes tomorrow I think.
Might take a gander at Seldom Seen... or is that a midweek only venue?
Hmm
Only ridden Seldom Seen twice but never seen another soul on it - once was a midweek evening admittedly but the other was a summer early afternoon. Even if you don't summit Helvellyn fully first, it's at least worth going up to Raise and doing the top bit of Sticks Pass before traversing to Seldom Seen.
Back in sunny Manchester, and pretty cooked TBH. Had a great few days away and barely thought about work at all. Didn't get quite as many big mountain days as I was after, but given that it was only March, it actually all worked out splendidly.
It looks like the plan to sit in the Cairngorm snowshadow worked fantasically. Many thanks for the weather reports from further north Scotroutes, Bri et al, looks like I did the right thing staying south. Apart from a few snow flurries and some spots of rain at Inners it was completely dry. But OMFG that wind, ouch. My eyes feel like they've been sandblasted.
After a session with LD at Dunkeld, I did the Glen Tilt Loop. I've got to be honest, I really didn't rate it. As expected, the north wind was howling down the Glen with a vengeance, which meant it took over two hours to Falls of Tarf. There looked to be some lovely singletrack just after that point, which I pushed up to get to Felear, or whatever its called. There were some rideable bits, and it was objectively pretty dry, but didn't really do it for me.
https://flic.kr/p/2nca1bA
Followed the Land Rover along the Land Rover Track. Bits of snow, but not much.
https://flic.kr/p/2nc7v1i
There was a semblance of singletrack at one point, bit it was stretching the definition really. I was counting myself lucky TBH, it must be hell on earth when it's actually rained recently.
https://flic.kr/p/2nc78dD
Then the 3km tarmac downhill back to the car. If I did it again I'd be inclined to try it the other way (anti-clockwise) but TBH I think I'll best avoid it.
Next day was much betterer. Did Ben Vrackie, which was excellent. Lovely rideable uphill to the lochan
https://flic.kr/p/2nc7v3s
followed by a short steep carry to the summit. Biting wind as ever. Did most of the descent, but bottled two sections and a few waterbars. I might have managed a bit more if the temperature and wind hadn't been so consequential. (who am I kidding!)
https://flic.kr/p/2nc8xP8
In the afternoon I went to the Pitlochry woods and had a brilliant time. BenC's DH is an absolute work of art (pics ~7 posts above). Did a few other trails and was about to do BCDH again when a timely text from LD sent me off to DD. It was bloody marvellous. The bits where it drops into the gully.... lovely. Also managed to clear 3 small trees from trail.
By this time even the nearby Munros has a fair dusting of snow, and the wind was still huge, so any thoughts of big mountain days were out the window. I was also feeling knackered having hit my 10km MTB monthly target. Was also keen not to lose the recouperative effect of the holiday with a 7 hour drive home, so decided to do it in stages. I headed south....
Innerliethen uplift. TBH I ****ed this up big style. The van driver reckoned my back tyre was a bit low, so I tried to pump it up, but was mid faff by the time the trailer was fully loaded. Jumped in the van and found the rear wheel totally empty and resting on the rim when I got to the top. Fannied around trying to seat the tyre with my shitty little pump whilst the van left, so waited for the next trailer to take me down. Airshotted the tyre back up and got another shuttle. Went to unload my bike, only to find it flat again. The guy who lent me the Airshot reckoned my valve core was bent so I rode the shuttle back down again and swapped the valve core (FOOL). Then back up to the top and guess what.... so I rode the bus back down to the valley for the third ****ing time. This time I did what I should have done the first time and swapped the wheel out, refilled it with tubeless gunk and left it for half an hour so see if it stayed up. Anyway, did 2 more runs, to make a pissmeasly total of five. Angry sheep was great, the one next to it was good. Cresta was fun and either Old Gold or Black Gold was phenomenal. Lovely steep (well, it felt steep to me :-)) bits where you had to carry speed and then brake on the flat bits. Loved it, and my carbon XC rim didn't break either.
Once the shuttle stopped I headed over to Golfie and span up to the top and did Repeat Offender, Flat White and some other thing right at the bottom. They were really good. Much less blown out than Inner Uplift (obviously).
Would have loved to do more, but had to head off to see my mum in Corbridge.... then over to the Lakes this morning. Another piss poor decision on my part saw me doing the Dodds ridge into the teeth of the SW wind from hell. The ground was soggy as well and so I ended up doing a lot of pushing. Anyway, Sticks Pass was very good.
https://flic.kr/p/2ncjcwg
and Seldom Seen was amazing. Never been that way before and it seemed far longer and sustained that the Sticks/Mines descent. Really good way to end the week.
Then a leisurely 2 hour drive home 🙂
Looks like I did about 6km over the 5 days, which was ok given how rubbish I felt last week after my jab. Also probably accounts for some of the dodgy decisions! Was also interesting how the constant cold drains the energy.
Very different outcome from what I expected, the two main learnings were:
* Riding steep stuff through woods is amazing. Utterly brilliant.
* If you ignore the RoW designations, some of the riding in the Lakes is really damn good compared to anything in the UK.
Key thing was that I managed to find some new stuff to ride and explore. I know the bits to take the kids on next time we're up (Ben'sDH) and the bits to definitely not ever take them on pain of long slow death (Glen Tilt).
As Continuity has correctly spotted, all my posts these days are asking about different areas to ride. I've had enough of doing the same trails again and again and it's brilliant to be able to get out and explore.
(Still want to do Lochnagar though !)
Many thanks for all the suggestions, weather reports and tips.
As ever, if any of you are in the Peak, or Lakes then shout...
Great write up, inspiring trip. I definitely echo that thought of having had enough of repeating the same trails. Would be interested to hear what you rode at Dunkeld, heading up there in May and not quite sure where to start. Thanks
Yeah, most of the classic low level routes in the Cairngorms are a bit crap really, the inner Cairngorm loop (really good bits spoilt by long turgid sections), the low level one around Ben Avon and Beinn a Bhuird but the tour around Beinn a Ghlo in particularly meh.
I agree completely with McTrail Rider's assessment of the Glas allt Shiel descent of Lochnagar so watch that before deciding. I like to Start in Braemar, ride through the royal forest, anticlockwise round Ripe Hill then up to join the walker's route up the summit that stats at Loch Muick. Callater descent back to start point.
I think for the first time ever I'm going to disagree with Scotroutes on the best way to ride a route..!
I much prefer to do the Glen tilt circuit anti-clockwise. Climb from the village centre, on tarmac up and around to the south of the Beinn via Shinagag. The Allt a Coire Lagain singletrack rides fine eastbound, the lumpy track descent towards Daldhu is fine and then the climb up and over to Fealar is a manageable pain on a very good track. The key to this direction of travel is then the descent to the Tilt gorge; this is a wee gem when dry, getting gradually more tech as you approach the final switchbacks. Cross the river and then more rideable singletrack to and past the Fall of Tarff bridge. Off down the track in the glen is unarguably a pain but at least this way, you then get to ride the fun, mellow wee 1km of riverside singletrack back to the car park beside the chip shop, instead of finishing on steep downhill tarmac.
Sorry Colin, and my respects to you sir.
Meanwhile: on another day, carry your bike straight up Carn Liath, over Beinn Mhaol and down via Allt Coire an Saobhiadh. Short but really lovely ride, once the snow has gone.
@spacey Dunkeld is an amazing location with 4 entirely different hills.
Birnam Hill has a great wee warm up area around Electric Beaver and Dougs and Dan's. Fun mellow built trails. 15minute laps. Then head up to top for Rake and Ruin or Pink Floyd. R and R probably best red in the country IMHO and pretty weatherproof. Pink Floyd also good but trickier in the wet.
Craigvinnean is great but steep technical and hard in the wet, takes a long time to dry! Classic runs are Cairn to Cottage which is hard (and a mission to get to) but OK in wet. Or Commit cry into bambis facts and 9.8, defo more fun in the dry. DH area and life insurance etc are proper serious but great if you like steep rock features. Further up towards Dalguise there are some newer runs which are good fun and some proper long trail sequences.
Atholl Hill goes from the sublime (Yer maw area, twas dugs, cave pass) to the ridiculous (precious, rock hudson). Lots of loam, roots and just the right amount of rock. Probably my favourite Hill. Also worth heading up to Loch Ordie for a bimble/picnic and the wee trails up that way are remarkably good and less travelled.
The Mast is steep, pretty techy with rock and root drops a plenty. OK in the wet. The climb straight from the bottom is brutal, better to go up from Town.
Parking/starting lots of folk use the Station and there is a great food van there now. Can also park in town or at Hermitage. Lots of good cafe/deli type places in Dunkeld and Birnam including a bake off winner! There's a lovely wee garden to sit and eat in by the bike shop off the main St.
Several days or weeks of fun to be had. Great to either stuck to one hill for the day or try a four corners challenge. When moving between areas use Riverside where possible, its lovely. Also a wee xc gem between bottom of R and R and back to the station.
Enjoy when you get there.
I think for the first time ever I’m going to disagree with Scotroutes on the best way to ride a route..!
Disagreement is fine. There are definitely pros and cons to both 🙂
Since we're here... Burma Road? Ryvoan Loop? Harris Postmans Path? I've seen decent arguments for both directions though I have my own opinion.
Schweet week.
(I agree over Tilt, better anti-clockwise, but even then not as good as just going up the Beinn A'Ghlo hills and back down)
Burma road is a tricky one; I think most folk will ride it clockwise to get the feel of the long, gentle trundle down the strath, a remote feeling glen with eagles and a sense of peace every time I've been there..
Although my ex had a really weird 'ghost rider' experience down the glen by the monument one time; she was convinced there was a horse and rider following her at speed, turned around and there was no-one there. I heard nothing; but then, apparently I'm a bit insensitive....
Going the other way around gives the opportunity to finish the ride with the singletrack descent to Ballinluig, beside Loch Alvie. It's a few years since I've done it, it was dry that day and I loved it. What's that like these days?
Thanks very much @LD exactly what I was after. Watching videos has left me a bit dizzy with choice, that summary is spot on!
Sorry for the delay Spacey. I typed it in yesterday and then lost it before I submitted. LD was leading so his info above will be spot on.
We did a slightly more XC orientated loop than proper endurobros would chose I think.
Electric Beaver then across and up a tricky but rideable climb onto Birnham Hill.
Down Rake and Ruin, which very much had a lake district slate mine feel at the top.
Then through the village and up to Yer Maw's Erse, then up again and along a brilliant traverse line half way up a cliff/ embankment - very scenic. I think this is marked as Athol Hill Path.
Up to top of that hill, then down Cave Pass into the Real Cave Pass. The former had some excellent little rocky sections. The latter had a few trees down but was still great
Thanks again, off to trailforks to get plotting, roll on next month
Glen Tilt clockwise? Heresy I say. I was up there a couple of weekends ago to ride Carn a Chlamain. Now that is a mountain that you can bike both up and down with virtually no pushing or carrying if you have the legs for it. The descent is epic. I reckon most folk would enjoy it more and find it easier than Beinn a Ghlo. The stalkers path is just terrific.
Cheers
Sanny
There appears to be a LRT up the sw ridge from Clachghlas and then is it down the trail to the east then zig zags south to forest Lodge?
Can confirm that this is indeed very good fun, but the track up is a bit hard going at times
Some video here
Heartbreak Ridge is great, although I don’t know about how they are after the storms. If you’re in that neck of the woods and it’s only got snow at the very top then Lochnagar is the real hot ticket in that area. You could also do the Corrie Cash descent and the Glen Callater loops which are both excellent
So I've ended up here from the week away in May thread... if I'm reading it right, the suggestion is lochnagar in preference to heartbreak Ridge?
A dig on trailforks only turns up the one route headed clockwise, but oddly no indication of the descent at all (other than as part of the route), heat map suggests people predominantly up and back from Balmoral - section off the lrt and up to the summit is shown as a climb on tf which seems odd. Had anyone got any pointers (or gpx as I'm lazy) on a decent route?
I'm planning on being up that way end of May and would be good to get a proper day's ride in. Was thinking to do heartbreak Ridge and then some stuff on the other side of the road - I found a gpx, yay - but maybe (weather etc) lochnagar should be the preferred one?
Ta!
Hi brain
I may be wrong on this, but I don't think people were really directly comparing HR and LochnagR
I think someone was commenting on HR and then going on to say that Lochnagar was the mountain pick in the area.
One is an awesome low level, easy to find trailcentrey trail and the other is a huge ****off dangerous mountain.
I'd be wary about using the same nav/planning approach on Lochnagar as you might on HR.
I've realised that I'm coming across like those tedious old men you occasionally find in the mountains, so I'll shut up.
But be careful 🙂
I’d be wary about using the same nav/planning approach on Lochnagar as you might on HR.
Agreed, the main thrust really is having much of a clue where to start/go then plan from there. Much as Scottish access laws are great, the lack of dotty lines on maps is actually a bit of a pita if you don't know the area! (as you've no doubt discovered if you've travelled to Yorkshire [the riding here is all poo 😉] even the most promising collection of contours can easily, regularly in fact, transpire to be insipid shooting track or impassable bog, potentially both)
Also my mince, carry, mince approach is entirely adaptable to all trails 🙂
Cool.
Alas I don't gave Gpx for them but apparently the two key descents from lochnagar are.
Head westish past Suggairt Mor and down the Lochcallater descent. I think this is the route in the VB book. I've done the LC descent from Saggairt, and it was great but not from Lochnagar.
https://flic.kr/p/2ncSpNQ
The other option, which I hoped to do last week, but binned due to snow, is Glass Allt. Which goes largely southeast. The vid and link above describe this route.
Ah grand ta, was thinking that parking at the Loch then heading up that way might be the choice to come down the track via miekle pap. Stupidly that being glas allt had completely passed me by as I was looking for a hill by the same name rather than a water course. Wally.
Will take a look at the videos this evening, I tend to dislike watching people ride but it does really help with the route planning when you feel your testicle retract from the comfort of your desk
Well now I'm not in the office head chance to watch the video. It solved that, even on the push up i thought "ugggh, water bars, I flippin hate water bars"
Looks stunning, and water bars aside, exactly my sort of thing, however lacking the ability to magic the drainage ditches away that's a no from me.
Heartbreak Ridge it is.
