A Cairngorm Loop – Page 2 – Bike Forum – Singletrack World Magazine Forum

josemctavish · 2012-10-10T19:48:33Z

Thought it might be time for one of my sporadic poorly framed picture-fests, so here you go! Seeing as the weekend looked like being the last one that would feel remotely summery this year, I made a last minute decision to pack up the bike and go for a ride after dropping the wife at the airport on Saturday. This meant a late start, but these things normally are when I'm concerned! I'd been dying to try out my bikepacking gear from that nice chap Pavel, so I packed light. [imgI set out from the Linn of Dee at 2pm, hoping to get all the tricky bits out the way in daylight. [img[imgI was quickly over White bridge and passed Geldie bothy at the start of Glen Geldie. [imgThe estate track ran out opposite the ruin of Geldie Lodge and it was on to singletrack, gradually petering out into random stretches of bog. It all seemed wetter than the last two times I'd passed this way. [img[imgEventually, I slipped and slid my way up to the bridge over the Eidart. [imgWith the watershed crossed, I could make my way onto the fun narrow track into Glen Feshie. Don't bother with the land rover track here, it's a boggy mess. [imgI made my way further down the glen, coated in autumn colours. [imgThe bikepack setup made negotiating the landslides a simpler job than the panniers usually do. [img[imgOnce the Ruigh-aiteachain bothy was reached, it was simply a question of making as much distance as possible through Inshriach Forest towards Rothiemurchus with the remaining light, before making camp. [img[imgIn the end, I got a bit carried away and ended up slinging up the hammock in the dark by a ford just off the track near Loch an Eilein. I cooked up some dinner, made myself a hot chocolate and jumped into bed to watch the amazing starlight - no need for a tarp tonight. [imgNext morning, I knocked the frost off the hammock and packed up after more hot chocolate. The sun was still warm, despite the cold air. [img[imgI crossed the Cairngorm Club footbridge on my way to Loch Morlich. [img[imgAfter a quick stop for some snacks, I quickly passed through Ryvoan and took a right - my target being the Lairig an Laoigh. [imgFirst up was a climb up the flank of Bynack More, which looked imposing but was surprisingly rideable - feeling easier than the last time I ran this way! [imgLooking back to Meall a Bhuachaille: [img[imgWith the final steep section requiring some pushing I got up onto the plateau feeling hot and sweaty, but was rewarded with a rough and rocky downhill into Coire Odhar. [img[imgUnfortunately, this was rewarded with a similar push up the other side. [imgThe next drop would take me to the final stretch before the Fords of Avon. [imgUp close, the going was not as smooth as I'd like. [imgMuch tripping and swearing brought me to the Fords of Avon refuge, which the MBA have done a great job of renovating - last time I was here it was pretty grim. It was a good spot to have lunch - this is about as remote as it gets. [imgNext up were a couple of river crossings and a whole heap more pushing up and over the Lairig an Laoigh. At the top, the riding improved and the views into Glen Derry and Coire Etchachan were even better. [img[imgSoon enough, I was looking back towards Beinh Mheadhoin from the floor of the glen. [imgFrom here, the going was much easier and I could enjoy the late afternoon sun as I made my way down very familiar tracks. [img[img[imgThe final stretch was the usual quick dash along the main track to the Linn of Dee to complete my loop. [imgA bit long winded, but in summary the weather was great, the scenery breathtaking, the bikepacking gear flawless and the tracks rough to smooth!

flatfish

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http://www.bikepack.eu
http://wildcatgear.co.uk
http://www.bike-bag.co.uk

Don't be tempted to go big with bags, smaller ones don't tend to sway as much.

Posted : 12/10/2012 12:29 pm

Sanny

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Great stuff!

That's a route I've fancied as a day ride for a while but the attraction of heading up the Munros with the bike has been a big draw for me of late. May try and squeeze it in before the clocks change if the weather opens up. Loving your pics. It looks like you had a grand old time.

Cheers

Sanny

Posted : 12/10/2012 2:39 pm

MadBillMcMad

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truely inspirational

Posted : 12/10/2012 6:22 pm

MadBillMcMad

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I must be being dim.

How do I download those endomondo routes either to my phone or PC.
I have just created an endomondo account & installed it on my phone, but can not suss how to get the GPX.

Posted : 12/10/2012 6:44 pm

druidh

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[quote=MadBillMcMad ]I must be being dim.
How do I download those endomondo routes either to my phone or PC.
I have just created an endomondo account & installed it on my phone, but can not suss how to get the GPX.
You can't. You'll either need to draw them out again using a package of your choice or ask the OP to Export them to GPX and send them to you or to make an Endomondo "Route" from it and let you know what it's called.

Posted : 12/10/2012 7:29 pm

MadBillMcMad

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I think this is pretty well it.

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=arwacwsffnysealf

or on getamap if you prefer

http://www.getamap.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/?key=OWojKh10l3QfhyfxupOagA2

Posted : 13/10/2012 12:02 pm

josemctavish

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Topic starter

Looks right to me! I can upload/email the gpx files if anyone would like them - I'm sure there's a site I can use for small files?

Posted : 13/10/2012 7:24 pm

stevenmenmuir

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That looks like a great couple of days out.

Posted : 13/10/2012 7:53 pm

MadBillMcMad

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Josemctavish,

If you could email them to me that would be great, just in case I have got some of the route wrong.

email in profile. thanks

PS; my son has a teddy called Mctavish !

Posted : 13/10/2012 8:33 pm

deepo

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Splendid!

Posted : 13/10/2012 8:55 pm

druidh

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[quote=josemctavish ]Looks right to me! I can upload/email the gpx files if anyone would like them - I'm sure there's a site I can use for small files?
Just us the "To Route" function in Endomondo and call them something relevant. That way you don't have to host/email them at all.

Posted : 13/10/2012 9:06 pm

josemctavish

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Topic starter

Thanks Druidh, routes have been created called "Glen Geldie - Glen Feshie" and "Lairig an Laoigh", it's pretty easy to work out with a map too - Explorer 403!

Posted : 14/10/2012 12:35 am

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