Cairngorms
Anybody been to the Cairngorms for cycling? Looking to do a 2 day loop of some sort.
I realise that its the sorta place you go with a map and just sort of wing it but I would like a rough idea of where to start and a general push in the right direction.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated.
I realise that its the sorta place you go with a map and just sort of wing it but I would like a rough idea of where to start and a general push in the right direction.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated.
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Research it first incase I'm talking a load of bull but I am fairly sure.
Sorry for being horribly vague.
The two best runs are from Nethy Bridge over the the Ryovan Pass, past the famous bothy, or the trip from Rothiemurcas Forest to Loch Einich. I think there is a Cairngorms map in this month's MBR.
Specialized Tricross Sport
My Dad's old racer
Trek Marlin 29er 2012
That said, it was an unforgettable, fantastic 2 days riding in spectacular scenery with brilliant weather
You will also end up doing quite a bit of this in the dark now, and be warned that the weather in this area can change quickly and be extreme at all levels - for large parts of the route you are very exposed at over 2000 ft with no bail out options, so not much fun in high wind, rain or snow.
Also be aware that in Braemar, virtually all places - even the hotels and bars stop selling food at around 8 pm - even the chippy closed at 8.15 pm on Saturday night! There are a few places taking orders to 8.30 or 9.00 pm but these need to be prebooked. the gerneral store closes at 7.30 pm I think.
Here's a link to the circuit mapped out in Bike Hike: http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=21630
My Dad used to be right into his mountain climbing and walking so has been giving me all the warnings and will teach me compass and map reading for when the time comes. Where did you stay for the night then?
I use bikehike a lot so thanks for the link too.
Ordered a book on the area so will give that a read.
P.s. Strange that you were up there this weekend because thats when I decided I wanted to do this. Was travelling up to Inverness for the football, you certainly got great weather.
Pink Orange 224
Humble but Defiant Roadie
Pink Orange 224
Humble but Defiant Roadie
+1 - and the terrain is challenging enough without snow on the ground. It's skiing country up there.
Wonderful cycling - can't really add anything to the routes described above except to recommend that you do it. Also suggest you take a friend or two and don't forget a really comprehensive repair kit: there aren't any handy villages from where you can get a taxi.
This might give you some ideas. It's the route I did earlier in the year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/j ... s.scotland
....although if you buy it, you'll get a free hat which will help keep your ears warm while you're up there. Plus a memory-map of a cracking days ride out of Aviemore!
Yeah dont worry I think its more of a spring thing now.
Will check out the magazines lads cheers.
Pink Orange 224
Humble but Defiant Roadie
I'm an ICT supporter btw. 2 points dropped on Saturday :roll:
Oh and Glen Feshie is beautiful, some of the path has dissapeared because of landslides and you have to carry the bike but it's well worth it.
The Treks
Moi
First of all, I would definitely wait until Spring. Our route worked out 88 miles in total, about 44-45 miles each day, but they were tough miles and unless you start off really early, you will be riding in the dark. It was about 9 hours from we set out each morning till we finshed – and that wasn’t a lot of long lunches or breaks.
Supplies. On the first day, with a break at Tomintoul, you can get grub/drinks there, but on the second day, there's nothing, so you need to have enough with you for the day. Shops in Braemar close at 7.30pm and don't open till 09.00 am the next day, so if you don't get there in time, you will need to have all your grub for the full day from the start. Bottom line - you need to carry a lot of food and drink to cover eventualities. :?
Weather: you don't need me to tell you that at any time of year this can be a really exposed region with extreme and changeable weather. So you need to be equipped for the worst. At the weekend, even though the weather was great and I wanted to leave a lot of gear behind, it just was too risky, so more stuff to carry round.
Navigation: you really will need to be hot with a map/compass and/or have a good GPS. There are many non-obvious and counterintuitive turns that if you miss you will be heading in completely the wrong direction for miles before you realise.
Company: One of the good things about this route, but could be a down side under the wrong circumstances, is you are so away from everything. Once you are out there, you can be easily10+ miles from the nearest road or village in any direction. If something goes wrong, you could have a real problem. Best to have a mate with you, if not to help each other out in the event of a problem, you'll keep each other going when the blood sugar gets low.
Accommodation: we stayed in the Youth Hostel in Braemar, but there are also a lot of B&Bs and some of the hotels have bunkhouses.
Trails: mostly good surfaces, but the trail beside the Geldie Burn is a muddy nightmare in places and a rocky nightmare in others. Very heavy going after the first day and faster walking in a lot of places. There are a lot of river crossings. Many are rideable, but some are just too deep so you need to pick your way across from stone to stone or just accept you are going to get very wet. Not ideal at this time of year when you have another 4-5 hours in the saddle ahead of you. Some fantastic riding, good downhill , but you really have to work for them!! AS I said earlier a huge amount of climbing
Scenery: What can I say?
Pics - sorry no - my pack was so full I didn't room for a camera :oops: , but the memories will do me!
Timings: Each day was about 9 hours from starting off to finishing, including lunch and snack breaks..If you’re an XC whippet you will be faster, but the gear you will need to have will slow you down. We left Edinburgh at 06.00 on Satyrday am, got back 11pm on Sunday. So you might want to plan the Monday off, if only to appease your other half
I've packed in a lot of cautions above, but overall it was a fantastic 2 days and I would do it again in a minute! Please just make sure you take all the preparations and remeber the clocks go back this weekend! I would do some one day routes until Spring. Some of the guys at Bothy Bikes will give you good advice if you scope out a route and want to know if its do-able. If you want more details about this particular one, don't hesitate to pm me.
Aye for us. :roll:
Myopic, thats really helpful thanks. It sounds perfect for what i'm after. I'm really quite fit now but by spring it will be easier in terms of fitness and conditions.
Just took delivery of a book that has 30 routes outlined from the area so a day route might be done in the near future.
Can't wait to get up there and start enjoying it.
Thanks again.
Pink Orange 224
Humble but Defiant Roadie
Its this one here.
Pink Orange 224
Humble but Defiant Roadie
a group of us did a big day in deeside back in may (not sure if thats still officially the cairngorms or just south....)
we stayed in a bothy on the banks of Loch Muick and took in 3 munros, 2 munro tops, some of the grounds of balmoral castle, including the alpine lodge where the queen has picnics in the summer!.....
The descent from the top of Carn an T-Sagairt Mor to Loch Callater was particularly magnificent!
public photos here http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=125464&id=756407393&l=d40be08780
I can only re-iterate the advice from myopic.....we were in the saddle for about 10 hours that day covering about 45 very hilly and difficult miles......
but i would definately do it again!
H.G. Wells.
That looks like a good day out, Cee.