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So i have 4 days off next week as my mrs is away with the little one and ibwas duebto put in a new bathroom but it hasnt arrived.
Weather looks ok so going to head up to Scotland but where to go? Have ridden a fair bit at golfie and love it there but is there anywhere else thats worth heading up to?
Go and ride some big mountains! The Cairngorms, around Loch Tay, Loch Lomond and Loch Venacher are good places to start.
Good idea wont ben lomond be mega busy this time of year? What routes on cairngorm? Love ski touring up there
Good idea wont ben lomond be mega busy this time of year?
We set off up at 5pm. Saw about 3 people, all on the way down...
We are up here at the moment, had four great days riding from Banchory and then called at Ballater yesterday and did Heartbreak Ridge. At the southern end of Lock Tay now but not finding much local on Trailforks
At the southern end of Lock Tay now but not finding much local on Trailforks
Ben Ledi/Stank Glen and Aberfoyle are easy reach though
OP, how far are you wanting to drive? The Tweed is obviously very good, but if you like the Golfie then the likes of Dunkeld and Pitlochry will also be well up your street.
Schools are all back here so mountains are likely to be pretty quiet. Morning/evening still makes the most sense though
Im happy to drive and im not set on being in one place all the the time.
Pitlochry etc is somewhere i was thinking of heading as ive seen a few videos and it looks good.
Was thinking of driving up to fort william have a afternoon early evening spin out the back of the north face car park either some of the offpiste in the woods or head up to the cic walked up there with winter climbing gear a thousand times never been there on a bike. Next day have a blast on the gondola(not been on it in years top chief was red giant when i went).
Then drive over to Pitlochry is it worth a day or 2 there and is it easy to navigate with trailforks and a open mind?
The Fort and Pitlochry aren't really an ideal combo. Pick a side, east or west.
PS, can anyone see my photos and other such crap in the thread. Tried to post some stuff but can't see it.
Was in Pitlochry today , lovely. Wet next couple of days then clearing.
@thegeneralist your posts contained so many links to images that the system flagged them as potential spam and changed them to pending.
your posts contained so many links to images that the system flagged them as potential spam and changed them to pending.
Ah right. Well hopefully they add a bit of inspiration. Though not the same quality as Matt's 😉
Thanks for letting me know. I'll try to remember next time.
《 EDIT Hmmm, photos gone again. I guess I'll take the hint》
Anyway OP, go to Braemar.
Pitlochry and Dunkeld make for a fantastic couple of days. A lot to go at.
Ben Lomond is an amazing descent and we also did it late and saw virtually no-one.
Around Loch Tay Ben Lawers is the main one, descending it and Beinn Ghlas is one of the best rides in the country.
Pitlochry is alright for a day but it's just more Golfie type stuff rather than stuff you can only ride in Scotland. You could combine it with Ben Vrackie though to make it a bit more special.
As above Dunkeld is great, with lots of different hills with their own character. Further north, Ballater area is great and if the weather is nice, Heartbreak ridge is an absolute masterpiece. Plenty of other good stuff up there too.
Don't forget though, that the Tweed Valley has loads of spots other than golfie. There's Inners hill (now with daily uplift), Glentress, Cademuir, Thornilee and Yair all within 25-30mins drive.
We are up here at the moment, had four great days riding from Banchory and then called at Ballater yesterday and did Heartbreak Ridge. At the southern end of Lock Tay now but not finding much local on Trailforks
Aberfeldy is an amazing up and coming area, easily fill a full day. Great mix of built features and natural tech. Balqhuidder worth an explore too.
Then drive over to Pitlochry is it worth a day or 2 there and is it easy to navigate with trailforks and a open mind?
The Pit is fairly easy to navigate, you might end up on the wrong trail but they're all good so no loss. Easy get a big day trying to cover everything. Probably wouldn't bother with Totam but rest are awesome, don't get stuck with just riding Cathro's track.
As already said Dunkeld gives a brilliant variety of riding and would take several days to explore everything.
Some great stuff at Kinnoull Hill and Pitmeddan just down the road too. Laggan not far up the road.
Basically you're spoiled for choice as you would be on Deeside, Tweed Valley, Aviemore, Torridon etc etc
Thanks, I assume this is the route, clockwise, weather permitting might give it a try tomorrow
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I personally prefer the descent around the back of Ghlas - so you end up doing anticlockwise.
That said, the descent from both summits when going clockwise are superb. Sustained, steep and varied. Some lines to scope out if you want to ride it all.
Last time we were blasted off by the wind making riding difficult.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51116505617_ff89f3c3b1_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51116505617_ff89f3c3b1_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kSZsfn ]Beinn Ghlas MTB[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt Robinson[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51116506072_602b679b7a_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51116506072_602b679b7a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kSZsod ]Beinn Ghlas MTB[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt Robinson[/url], on Flickr
That's the one Tracey. Both descents are good, it depends what you want from the ride. Down Beinn Ghlas is more technical with bare rock sections while the traverse that skirts around Beinn Ghlas is mellower and flowier (for a Scottish mountain!).