Trip to Fort William, no car, sanity check/help please!

Northwind

So, I have a few days off in August and I'm thinking a couple of days in Fort William would be good for the soul. I'm in Edinburgh so it's 5 hours on the train, so I want to get a lot in while I'm there... But I'm not sure if I'm going about this the right way, it's not something I've done before.

Part of the problem is that there's absolutely NOTHING in Fort William, I'd like to give myself 2 ride days and a recovery day (or bad weather day) but tbh I have no idea what I'd do with the spare day. So I'm tempted to just make it 2 days. One day of Witch's Trials (hopefully 2 laps), one day of lift-assisted red "downhill".

Fitness wise, I'm OK for one 40 mile day but my recovery time isn't great, because my leg's a bit duff, so I don't usually ride 2 long days back to back. I'll probably need to hold back a bit on one day.

No car- I can't drive- so I'll need to ride out to Nevis Range each morning too, which is about 7 miles I think, all adds to the day.

So... I suppose the questions are, does this sound like a sensible plan? Anyone who's ridden up there have any better ideas, or input on the logistics, ie anyone know if there's a bike-friendly taxi company or similiar? Or if any of the bike hire places at Nevis Range are better than they look, I suppose, though I'd far rather have my own bike. (but if I hire a bike there, I can ride up on ye motorised bicycle, which makes things much easier, plus I can spend the rest day riding round and round loch leven)

If anyone's done the new red, how many runs do you reckon it's realistic to do in a day? How much waiting about/sitting about? And what sort of state were you in at the end?

Oh, lastly, if there's anything I can fill a spare day with, that'd be a big help, I'd be much happier with 3 days than 2.

moggy82

Simple, find someone who drives and go with them?

Where were you planning on staying, if you can get in at aonach mor (sp) house b and b its right by the bottom of the lane upto the ski/bike centre. Red run is 9 -15 mins top wall ride on OB track depending on your level of fitness. The track is nice as the boardwalk section gives you a chance to recover. Theres not much to do in the town but we found something to do each evening, involved places such as the grog and gruel, volunter arms etc.

When are you going up as im plannig on going up again 10th Aug for the week!

marinman1

done it 3 times before being 18 dont have a car either. its no problem really you have more than enough time to ride the trails. getting to and from the trails is a bitch but watch out for arsehole drivers. but other than that the trails make it worth the trip.

cee

Fort Bill truly is a cesspit.

dont worry about the ride along to the nevis range... nice and flat with a cycle lane away from the road....

The WC Cross Country course is really short (8.5KM), but tie in some of the original witches trails (including the nessie feature...a big natural cobble berm! Slippy when wet!) for an awesome day out.

Never ridden the red lift route, but did have a bit of a gander at it during the world cup just gone....ridden the black and got about 6-10 runs in each day depending on accidents! although some folks can do 18....I am not as fast as them and needed to stop for a minute halfway down to recoup some power in my hands!

Don't need to stop between runs except for food breaks though as you can get a bit of a rest in the gondola, unless you really are zapped.

Riding will all be about the weather...the gondola will not open if the wind is too strong...but there is so much in the Lennachen Forrest that you could ride a different trail for 3 days and not hit the same bit twice. Ask in off-beat at the gondola station for route info etc.

Have a great time!

Northwind

Yeah, weather's always the issue isn't it. I really want to try the lift assist, who wouldn't abolish gravity for a day if they could But I figure if the weather does turn evil there's plenty of other riding. No way will I be going near the proper DH course though! I'm too gifted to die so young

moggy82 wrote:

Simple, find someone who drives and go with them?

Where were you planning on staying, if you can get in at aonach mor (sp) house b and b its right by the bottom of the lane upto the ski/bike centre.

When are you going up as im plannig on going up again 10th Aug for the week!

Yeah, that'd be plan A but I've got specific dates and my regular chaffeurs are working that week Very inconsiderate of them. (it'll be the week after you, funnily, enough, 17th to 19th if all goes to plan).

Thanks for the tip on the B&B, I'll try them! Sounds ideal in fact.