crimsondynamo - MemberEverything ive ridden on the suw is boggy
disappointing to hear that. Every time I go to Inners the SUW tempts me.
I have ridden the sections of the suw near innerleithan towaerd selkirk and found it fine
Bike Forum
Cycling the West Highland Way
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Posted 10 months ago #
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Thanks for the turn around Proteus. Constructive info is always well received. I kind of thought this was research, asking my forum buddies online where a lot of people congregate to chat i thought i would get plenty of info with regards to where they had gone wrong, or right for that matter as opposed to scanning a few random sites and getting the points of view of one individual person per website. Really happy with all the great stuff everyone is putting up now
Posted 10 months ago # -
Ive ridden that too After a little rain it goes to rat shit and the stuff on the west coast just stays boggy
Shame cause it would be a good ride
Speak to coast kid he has done more of it than me
Posted 10 months ago # -
South to North. Rode in July a few years ago and didn't see too many walkers, but did startle a couple "at it" on the path along the Loch in the early hours, comedy moment that had us laughing for a few miles! Set out at midnight and finished after 18 hours riding/carrying and an hour long stop at the Green Welly. I was riding an Orange Patriot and now wonder how I ever managed. Its a great ride/adventure and I'd highly recommend it. Maybe ride it over 2 days next time and bivi.
Posted 10 months ago # -
haggis brief review and pics from our trip at the end of May
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/west-highland-way-with-pics
Posted 10 months ago # -
Did it S to N in 2009 over 2 days on a glorious weekend at the end of May. Had ideal weather, was fit and rode a relatively light full suspension bike (Cannondale Prophet). It was enjoyable but hard and I wouldn't want to it in 1 day in crap weather.
There are plenty of escape routes to villages, pubs and hotels all along the route but go prepared. There is no access to bike repairs so make sure you take spares and tools (and know how to use them).
If I was to do it again I'd forget the lower half and just start at Tyndrum. Proteus is bang on in pt 2 - the carry up the side of Loch Lomond is not worth the hassle.
I've read on other forums about people who have rode up the Devils Staircase, don't believe them. IMHO unless you're a pro (and able to hop large drainage ditches) you won't manage it.
After a good 70+ miles of riding, don't underestimate the cycle from Kinlochleven to Ft Bill. It looks easy on a map but I remember it taking a good 3+ hours.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Do fancy giving it a go in a day from N to S. Reason for that direction is simple, live a couple of hundred yards from the southern startpoint, so would be cycling home from FW. Have walked it all, done the Caledonia Challenge twice and ridden fair chunks of it. What puts me off is the Bhien Glas to Inversnaid section, and not sure it is worth doing it, but don't think ferry times would fit in with a 5.30am start from FW. Will think about it over the winter and "may" attempt next June.
Posted 10 months ago # -
You have a section of carrying for about 10 - 15 miles
Nowhere near 10-15 miles.
Posted 10 months ago # -
The comments about the descent from the top of the staircase into KLL are a bit wide of the mark IMHO, it's a really good descent until you hit the waterpipe for the blackwater dam. Wide, rocky, plenty of line choices and drops.
Posted 10 months ago # -
until you hit the water pipe, aye, it is great, but when you do it's a bit of a downer, i think devils staircase would be a better descent.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Why not start at Crianlarich (there's a train station) and continue on past Fort William up the Great Glen Way to Inverness?
Posted 10 months ago # -
a lot of people don't rate it but i like most of the WHW and have done it as a whole and as single sections over the years, all weather with no map reading needed and well spaced rest stops.
i would say S->N. although you lose a lot of "gnar" by climbing/pushing devils staircase and the path out of kinlochleven you gain mostly longer faster smoother desents. and you end up in the highlands not in milngavie.unless you really want to say you have done the full thing i would start in crainlarich as the previous 50miles are not worth it for the hard work along a lot of lomond and the boring farmtracks leading to it.
unless you are super fit the 50miles from crainlarich to FW would be tough for most in a day never mind the full 100.
if you have 3 days free (40-50miles a day)i would suggest the cairngorm circuit instead, not as tough and still very good.
Posted 10 months ago #
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