Torridon – overhyped? (long & pic heavy!) – Page 2 – Bike Forum

grum · 2014-09-24T15:34:17Z

Not really no. :P Had a bloody awesome trip up there the weekend before last - making the most of some fantastic September weather. Stopped off at the Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore on the way up on Friday night, then Saturday morning headed off and over the Bealach Na Ba to Applecross. [url(1 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(56 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr We got a ride in on Saturday - round the coast to Kenmore, mostly on road but with a lovely bit of singletrack to Sand and cracking views out to sea all along it. Then back over off-road to Applecross - about 15km of excellent flowy singletrack through beautiful scenery with a great descent to finish. [url(2 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Only slightly marred by Paul's freehub packing in at the top of the last descent, and us being about 2 hours from the nearest bike shop. Saturday night we camped on the beach in Applecross and spent the evening in the pub. Had a few pints and possibly the best fish and chips I've ever had sat on a bench by the beach. Later on we got on the wifi to try and work out a solution to the bike issue - had some very kind offers of help after a post on here but all involved at least a 4 hour round trip in the car. We had met a local earlier that day on the ride who was supporting some friends doing a duathlon (basically doing our route in reverse but running the off road bit). Saw him in the pub and were telling him of our woes with Paul's bike and he offered to lend us his (and sorted us out some beers from his house to take back to our tents!). [url(3 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr With the new bike collected we set off towards Torridon the next day. [url(4 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(5 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(6 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Stopped off for a quick swim in the sea with some seals (!) on the way. Then we had to do an A-Team style transformation on the bike in the Torridon Inn beer garden to get it ready for the ride we had planned for the next day. Before: [url(8 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr After: [url(9 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr On the way round to Diabaig in the car: [url(11 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr We set off from Diabaig to cycle the 5km or so to the bothy at Craig. It turned out to be fairly techy especially carrying sleeping bags/cooking stuff and it soon got pretty dark. We arrived at the bothy to find one other occupant for the night, who had lit the fire and some candles and got the place feeling nice and cosy! [url(12 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(19 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(20 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(21 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Spent a nice evening chatting to her and making/eating some food. The bothy is well equipped and in an amazing spot. Woke up to a beautiful morning the next day... [url(22 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(13 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(15 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(18 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(14 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr The trail back to Diabaig was more fun in the other direction (and with some daylight). [url(25 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(26 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(27 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(28 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Arrived back at Diabaig then on to to Annat in the car for the main goal of the trip - the Torridon 'lollipop'. [url(29 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(30 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(31 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr First climb up from Annat up to Loch an Eoin [url(32 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(33 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(35 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(36 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Heading up from Loch an Eoin towards the Bealach na Lice [url(37 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Near the top of Bealach Ban: [url(39 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(42 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(41 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(43 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Looking back down at the trail after the brutally steep carry up Coire Grannda. [url(44 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr Then the payoff... [url(45 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr [url(46 of 59)[/url] by [urlWynne[/url], on Flickr I didn't get too many pictures after this point as a) we were getting pushed for time b) I was having far too much fun to want to stop! :) Suffice to say that the bottom section of the trail down through Coire Lair to Achnashellach station is probably the finest descent I've ever ridden, anywhere. Fast, flowy, techy - huge rock slabs to 'wall ride' and plenty ...

highlandman

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Plenty of other, excellent routes to do as well as the Bealach na Lice/ Annat classic, in all of its variations- Beinn Damph circuit, Lochan Fadda, Tolley Path, Applecrossing. And then there's Fisherfield- Quite a committed day out!

Posted : 29/09/2014 9:24 pm

boltonjon

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Cracking photos of a stunning place

I was fortunate to ride in the area back in June and was amazed with the trails and scenery - the Annat pass trail is probably the best i've ridden in the UK 🙂

Posted : 29/09/2014 10:11 pm

grum

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Topic starter

Grum, when you reach that saddle just west of MCD, start your descent off low to your left as the trail down into the coire is not the one that you would be standing on as you arrived..

Thanks highlandman

I would definitely recommend the Coulin to Achnashellach return route, it's a must do half-day out.

Bit confused by this - are you not talking about doing it as part of the main Torridon loop?

Personally I don't think it's worth going round to the west of Maol Chean Dearg. It's a bigger carry than anything else on the route and the descent is not of the same quality as the others.

Think we'll give it a pop next time. I know lowey rated it as worthwhile.

The carry up Coire Grannda isn't too bad as it's quite short - it's just pretty steep. I wasn't blown away by the top part of the descent from there though - admittedly the scenery is great.

Cracking photos of a stunning place

Cheers! It is indeed a stunning place.

Posted : 01/10/2014 8:39 am

clareymorris

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I think the carry up to Maol Chean Dearg is worth it if only for the amazing views of Liathach as you come round the shoulder. Descent is great too!

Coire Grannda is ace - so different. Loose and sketchy. There is now a "Clare's Corner" which I have come off on twice he he!!

Posted : 01/10/2014 11:46 am

scruzer

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Thanks Grum. Brought back some ace memories for me too. Well done and thanks for sharing!

Posted : 01/10/2014 8:35 pm

grum

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Cheers scruzer - glad you enjoyed. Was a great trip from start to finish. Beautiful part of the world.

I think the carry up to Maol Chean Dearg is worth it if only for the amazing views of Liathach as you come round the shoulder. Descent is great too!

Yeah reckon we'll definitely give it a go next time.

Posted : 03/10/2014 5:07 pm

highlandman

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Rode ben damph yesterday, still quite wet along the loch side but a wonderful three hour thrash nonetheless. Happy days... Maybe Applecrossing tomorrow as the forecast looks similarly good and I fancy a mellow ride and a good lunch.

Posted : 14/10/2014 8:07 pm

trail_rat

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Sitting in shieldaig lodge by the open fire after todays 50k loop incorporating a trip to inverewe gardens and the bridge cafe . Wish id brought the fat bike though. Didnt on acount of mrs tr picking loops with longish road sections today and tomorrow 🙁 never mind beinn damh on thursday on the way back to civalisation again 🙂

Posted : 14/10/2014 9:04 pm

scotroutes

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[quote=trail_rat ]Sitting in shieldaig lodge by the open fire after todays 50k loop incorporating a trip to inverewe gardens and [b]the bridge cafe[/b] . * I approve of this post *

Posted : 14/10/2014 9:34 pm

trail_rat

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Fair to say ill be revisiting beinn damh on a different bike - one with gears as thats a pretty grim climb in todays wind.

Was great fun hooning down it on my 29er how ever in the carpark i knocked a brake pad ( ebc no less) off fitting my front wheel 🙁 so hastilly i fitted those to the back , put good ones on the front and carried on.

Metal on metal doesnt slow so well.

Walked up beinm eighe, flowerdale glen and red point for sunset yesterday

Dont you think the owner of the bridge cafe looks a bit like a esser spotted tandam riding jeremy ?

In aviemore at the ardlogie guesthouse on our way home.

Did learn that gino is retiring and has all but sold on sheildaig lodge and in 6 days its end of the season and its closing up for the new owners to make major renovations - i hope they dont take away the "old" thats what made it special 🙁

Posted : 16/10/2014 7:07 pm

grum

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You folks are lucky to have such amazing riding and scenery nearby.

My local riding is pretty damn good so I can't complain really but there's nothing on the scale of the highlands obviously.

Posted : 17/10/2014 2:46 pm

scotroutes

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Luck has nothing to do with it 😀

Posted : 17/10/2014 2:49 pm

trail_rat

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view from breakfast at sheildaig lodge.

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Posted : 20/10/2014 9:32 am

grum

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Topic starter

Nice one trail_rat

Posted : 30/10/2014 1:13 pm

[Closed] Torridon - overhyped? (long & pic heavy!)

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