cycle the great glen way

stevercp

[:)]
any one cycle camped this route
off on friday camping at borlum
then "bught" park in inverness
then cycling back
plan to cycle as per the harvey map guide
should be good as first cycle camp with our thorn nomad's with roholf hub [:D]

any one got tips for these "boil in a bag meals" can you cook em in a "msr titan kettle"
or is it too small ???
hope the weather is ok


"once a rockape always a rockape"

nashcom

I've walked a little bit of it about two or three years ago. I didn't have a map, so I got a bit confused just above Inverness. I think the trail through the woods peters out, then it's on to the back road high above Loch Ness to Abriachan. I also did the bit from above Lewiston. That was really nice. Some of the woods are quite dense (fine for bivvying, but not a tent), but I'm sure you'll be fine with a bike - you can cover the distance and hop down to green fields... (to find a suitable spot).

I think the MSR Titan is a bit small. I've tried the Wayfarer meals, and they need a bit of room to boil in! You can fold the pouch up a certain extent, but if the water comes too near the top it can bubble over the sides and extinguish the flame (depending upon the stove you're using). I did some ultra-lightweight camping on Harris at the end of last year, and took a Titan with a home-made meths stove. I emptied the contents of a meal into it, and tried to heat it whilst stirring it. However, the flame was a bit fierce, and I don't think titanium is the best material for that. It made a bit of a mess. Luckily I only had to make one meal, so I just left the burnt bits stuck to the side, and handed it to my Dad for him to clean it once I'd returned to civilisation!

I'd be interested to hear how you get on!

stevercp

thanks for reply
I will post photos
on my picassa pages
when we get back
http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.rooney
re stove its a msr
pocket rocket

re food were sticking
to dolmio and pasta
breakfast will be t
and
fruisli bars
yum yum

"once a rockape always a rockape"

stevercp

now back at base
only made it one way
we stuck to the great glen way walking route

quite rough going is a very big understatement !!!

still took 2 days then cycled the last 12 miles or so on day 3 in the morning...

then chilled out for 3 nights at a great campsite
the photos are on the link http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.rooney/TheGreatGlenWay

"once a rockape always a rockape"

Unknown

How was the bike?

george

_________________________________
Trip
www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

2 Bikes
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes

stevercp

bike performed superbly
we had quite a bike of gear in the ortleib panniers
also a super c bar bag

the bike felt really stable off road
the only upgrade i would consider is disc brakes
but not right at this moment due to lack of dosh [:(]
but apart from that i was well impressed


"once a rockape always a rockape"

AndrewClark

You might have warned us about the nude shot, I was eating! [:0]

Glad you had a good trip and reassuring to hear the bikes were OK. Mine's only seen smooth tarmac so far.

daowned

Thanks for shareing the pics Steve, love that makeshift shower must have cost the best part of 50p from B and Q yeh [;)]

Do you reckon you someone can do the run with some kevlar 700x23's? I know some parts of the GGW can be a bit rough on the tyres.

Cycle Gallery

stevercp

"You might have warned us about the nude shot, I was eating!"[:I][:I]

sorry about that
after 2 days nae showers i was really stinky
[:D]
btw shower worked really well
they use it all year !!!!! brrrr

re the tyres we ran with marathon xr 2.25's
could have done with more grip but you have to weigh it up i suppose
with the on road performance
i think you would struggle with skinny tyres
and without suspension yer teeth would rattle out

if i had to do it again i would travel much lighter
but carrying the gear ie tent makes less hassle about where to stop
one possible method would be lighter sleeping bags and use my gore tex bivvy bag and tarp


"once a rockape always a rockape"

pw1brown

Could I ask what are those dinky bar-end things on your handlebars? In the photos they don't look like regular length bar-ends. Do you find them good on a long ride?

stevercp

http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 81fru1.jpg
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-0-Er ... -11706.htm
grips are really comfy the bar ends are small but also comfy
they are good on a long ride
links above for better images and url for st john st cycles re more info [:D]

"once a rockape always a rockape"

pw1brown

Thanks for that. And for the pics. Glad you had a good tour.