cycle the great glen way

stevercp
stevercp Posts: 113
edited May 2007 in Tour & expedition
[:)]
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"

Comments

  • nashcom
    nashcom Posts: 255
    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
    stevercp Posts: 113
    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
    stevercp Posts: 113
    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"
  • How was the bike?

    george

    _________________________________
    Trip
    www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

    2 Bikes
    http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes
  • stevercp
    stevercp Posts: 113
    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
    AndrewClark Posts: 209
    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
    daowned Posts: 414
    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
    stevercp Posts: 113
    "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
    pw1brown Posts: 243
    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
    stevercp Posts: 113
    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
    pw1brown Posts: 243
    Thanks for that. And for the pics. Glad you had a good tour.