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I'm staying in the Trossachs for a few days in July - on Loch Achray, pretty much at the bottom of the path up Ben A'an. What's the area like for riding? I've seen the video of Joe Barnes on Ben A'an (looks a bit out my comfort zone on a hardtail on my todd tbh) and I've ridden Ben Lomond a few years ago, but that's a bit of a drive away.
At the moment I can take either a hardtail (456) or gravel bike with quite high gearing (it's pretty flat around here) but I could feasibly stick a smaller chain ring on the gravel or build up my Rocket.
Any recommends / suggestions?
Ta.
Personally, I'd take the gravel bike. Pretty much the ideal location for one. Even if you only do the loop of Loch Katrine you'll have a grand day out. Lots of forest track in the area too, right over to Aberfoyle
There's a Tour de Ben Lomond route if you've time. Pretty obvious on the maps. It takes you on a wee bit of the WHW between Inversnaid and Balmaha. You could opt for the main track/Road through that bit to avoid any complicated lochside sections.
There are MTB routes in the aberfoyle forest park http://www.biketrossachs.org.uk/aberfoyle-bike-park.html I have no idea how good and there are various "natural" routes in the area as well
Oh - I googled "Tour de Ben Lomond" and found this 🙂
http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2011/10/tour-de-ben-lomond.html
There is singletrack, but it's quite nadgery in that area, or lovely forest path and swooping paths. I would take the gravel bike, unless you are into steep.
See
Interesting, sounds like gravel is the way to go. I'll ideally be riding from the door so it'll be ideal for a loop of Loch Katrine.
Has anyone ridden Ben Venue? That looks pretty close and I've seen a few vagueish reports.
Ben Venue - top section from Bealach to summit would be beyond a gravel bike i’d imagine, but the path from the bealach back towards Loch achray has had major work done and should be substantially rideable.
Glen Finglas reservoir circuit is just next door. You can also extend that down to Balquidder and make a loop by riding back along the cycle path that runs down the West Bank of loch lubnaig.
There’s a bit of gravel riding in the woods below Ben Ledi
Ace, cheers. Worth taking the mtb for Ben Venue? Probably won't have loads of time to ride so quick blasts (or blast) would be ideal.
If it's a quick blast you're after, it's worth taking the mtb for Aberfoyle. The red-graded stuff on Trailforks isn't bonkers, but still lots of fun. It's easy enough to loop together the Go Ape descent, Apeshit, Bathouse and Log Jump. If that seems do-able, head up to the viewpoint and try Noodle Soup for something a bit steeper, rougher and longer.
It's a great little collection of trails in a pretty compact area.
The "bike park" isn't a bike park. It's just a fun little cluster of jumps and drops to play on. Nice way to bookend your ride.
Loch Katrine, Stronachlachar, Loch Ard, Aberfoyle and back via the Dukes Pass is the best road/gravel bike loop in the world.
The bit to Stronachlachar is closed to traffic with stunning views, the bit back to Aberfoyle is high speed fun, and the Duke's Pass is awesome.
The bike shop Wheels of Callander is worth a visit and you need to watch The 39 Steps (1959) featuring Kenneth Moore as it's filmed in that area.
http://www.scottish-cycling.com/
@StirlingCrispin that looks pretty amazing - round Loch Katrine on the track then road the rest of the way? Or is it worth exploring the forest trails.
I think I'll need to put a smaller ring on my gravel bike mind...
I'll be living there by the end of 2020. Can't wait.
Jealous. I've not been up there for years but it's a beautiful area.
FMC - It's tarmac all the way to Stronachlachar on the closed road.
Then public road back to Aberfoyle.
The detour down to Loch Lomond and back is worth doing if you have time. Crap Lochs And Glens hotel I think so don't expect a cup of tea.
Do NOT attempt to link directly back to the Loch Katrine capark on tracks south of the loch.
Dukes on tarmac is superb. There are off-road loops via forest drive etc and Sustrans routes beside Loch Venachar to Callander. There's also a gravel route looping back from Callander via Glen Finglas.
Tea rooms at Stronachlachar and several by Loch Ard. Also make sure you visit the Byre Inn at Brig O'Turk and the Lade Inn at Kilmahog. Excellent wee day out!
There's also a steamer along Loch Katrine to Stronachlachar, although it's infrequent and expensive. . Fun day with the family cycling back - that said the hills are steep and my then 5-yr old whinged all the way.
Awesome, looks like I have plenty to be going on with. We did toy with the idea of meeting MrsMonkey / MiniMonkey at the end of Loch Katrine then all going back via the steamer, but it might be more faff than it's worth (we could all just get the steamer together)...
Looks like a lap of Glen Finglas (something like this) could be quite fun too.
I'm definitely going to need a smaller chainring. And possibly bigger tyres.
You can mostly avoid the road back from Stronlachlar on gravel tracks (<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">though I did manage 3 punctures there while using Maxxis Raze tyres.)</span>
Did you know that as you pass the derestriction signs north west of Kilmahog you cross the Highland Boundary Fault and go from the Lowlands into the Highlands? Look at the area on Google Earth and you'll see obvious signs of geological shifting and in Comrie, a few miles east of Loch Earn, small earthquakes are quite common.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Boundary_Fault
I did not know that. Pretty cool though, might have to go for a look...
Lovely, some of those look like right corkers. Looks like I have plenty to go on with.
Couple more to chip in
Albannach.cc's Make Gravel Great Again double loops from Aberfoyle, https://www.komoot.com/tour/57777244?ref=wtd
also Callander > Glen Artney > Comrie > South Loch Earn > Glen Ample / Bogle / back to Callander...don't have a route handy but probably slightly milder than the MGGA one
If you're going to Comrie you can take in the Earthquake House.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/comrie/earthquakehouse/index.html