Hi,

We are doing the Lejog in September. We are just sorting out the route and we want to cycle on the great Glen way.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/great-glen-way.shtml

We will be riding road bikes with thin tyres and carry full camping gear.

Do you know what the road surfaces are like? Is it more for walkers and mountain bikes?

Is it suitable for skinny tyres or will we be slipping and sliding and getting punctures?

Are there any other options rather than the a82?

And if we do take the a82 from fort Bill to Inverness what’s it like? Will we die?

Thanks

*paging Scotroutes*

From memory of at least some of the GGW – road wheels and thin tyres are questionable.

that scotroutes had a blog on the whole Caledonian Way – may be useful reading.
http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2016/09/ncn78-caledonia-way-in-day.html

You don’t need a MTB, but CX bike would be more suitable.

There is the minor road on the south side of loch ness for that part of the great glen. there is also the canal towpath for some of it which would be fine IIRC on road bikes but I ain’t certain.

Have a look on geograph for the nature of the trail surface

http://www.geograph.org.uk/

No. You’re not doing the GGW on road bikes.

Follow NCN78. That’s mostly OK, just the bit past Gairlochy will be a bit rough. The canal bits will be fine. The bit alongside Loch Oich will be fine. Then follow the road on the south side of Loch Ness.

Having said that…. loads of folk use the A82 for LEJOG and there aren’t lots of accidents. Certainly unpleasant though.

(for reference – I work doing cycle hire and bike transport(mainly LEJOGers) in Inverness. I handle this sort of query daily. Any other questions, fire away.)

The bit between Laggan and Fort Augustus is smooth packed hardcore and should be OK on road bikes. Ft William, well Clunes, to Laggan is on forest fire road and I wouldn’t like to do it on a road bike. As Kcal says, a CX bike would be better.

We did Fort William to Fort Augustus on road bikes. That was fine.

Thanks everyone