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Quite fancied seeing some of the World Champs Downhill on Aonach Mor but hadn't sorted anything, so last Thursday I hatched a daft plan, packed badly and drove to Rannoch Station.
I rode the 'Road to the Isles' over to Loch Ossian, then on to Loch Treig, mostly pushed up the lovely Abhain Rath to Meanach bothy. The bothy was deserted and despite planning on camping somewhere the empty bothy was too much of a treat to pass up. An incredible spot.
Headed up to Druim nan Sac and down to Leanachan in the morning. Had a ticket, but arrived pretty early via the forest road up the hill so was trackside by the road gap enjoying a bacon and black pudding roll with a coffee as practice began. Wandered down to meet some friends whose daughter had qualified for a 'Race The Worlds' Mini DH event running on Wild Goat. Very cool to see so many talented kids getting this experience alongside the best in the sport. Really hope this isn't the last of the racing at Nevis as rumoured.
Following qualifying runs and the excitement of the juniors finals I was tempted to stay over for Saturday too, but after a day in the crowds and noise of Nevis Range (albeit modest compared to finals day) I decided to ride back into the peace of the hills.
After popping a talismanic tenner on the wee minister's (mountain rescue) collection plate I trundled back up the Lairig Leacach and followed the discontinuous track/singletrack/bog by the Allt na Lairige. There is some sublime rocky technical singletrack punctuating the descent but it's definitely not the overriding narrative. At least when you're off the bike, the views are stunning.
Towards Creaguaineach this absolute gem of a path cuts through a wee twisting, rocky gorge near Easan Dubh. When I stopped to take the photo I wasn't expecting to ride it at all, but it goes with a balance of care and commitment and left me grinning like an idiot … before I realised the wind had dropped along with the altitude ...
Due to midge apocalypse there was no stopping for a while and after abandoning my plan to camp by Loch Ossian, I pressed on to Corrour Old Lodge. Was a little better up high and was midge free in the morning before the descent to Rannoch Station ... which was resoundingly not.
Distance and elevation pleasingly ticked over to 100km/2000m ascent simultaneously as I cruised along the tarmac into the station car park. Stopped at Ballinluig for second breakfast on the drive back and was on the sofa at home with a beer and third breakfast in time to watch the downhill finals.
It's been a while since I've done any hopefully-follow-the-dashed-line-in-the-mountains riding and I think it's time to plan some more.
Brilliant!
That looks utterly brilliant. I really ought to look out my bikepacking gear again...
That looks class!
As for the elite finals apart from the atmosphere I could have gained the same experience watching the TV from a cold bath! Don't think I've ever been that soaked through.
Excellent.
Absolutely wonderful!
Amazing! Photos are top-notch to boot - thanks for sharing.
Looks amazing 😊👏
Tremendous, thanks for sharing!
Excellent! Recognise a few of those spots, we might have done something similar years ago en-route to a world champs or world cup event, especially that wee rocky path snaking into/out of the Lairig Leacach.
Also, do NOT go for a pee outside Meananach without your headtorch, out of respect I wandered a bit far across the relatively featureless terrain outside the bothy for a midnight wizz and looked back and couldn't see it any more! Brief panic...
Brilliant, inspired me to plan some trips with my new bike!
Great stuff, lovely pics.
It doesnt get much better than that, hats off to you.
Chapeau.
Great post!
:applause:
Was thinking of having a second breakfast, but then reminded myself that I've not been riding in the wilds this morning, so it'll wait until lunchtime.