Any advice which way to ride it? Mrs and i have a week in Scotland next week and would you believe it, she said I could give it a bash! I know it's in a very mountainous environment so will take all the necessary clothing, survial blanket, food, phone etc. I've never seen the route before and wondered how well marked it is? I'll have 1:25000 maps. I know I'm physically fit enough but am I pushing my luck?
Bike Forum
West Highland Way - in a day
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Posted 9 months ago #
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No need for maps really its all way marked. I think 2 days would be easier. I did it in 3 but two would be ok. I think you would need to be very fit to do it in one day
Posted 9 months ago # -
Its been done in a day certainly, some guy from Mull managed a silly impressive time of 11.5 hours I think! That said, he rode from Ft William to Milngavie, I reckon the proper* way to ride it is Milngavie to Ft William, which I reckon would also result in a slower time as you hit the big hills when you're more tired.
I managed 12 hours to the Kingshouse hotel which would have resulted in something like 15 or 16 hours to Ft William, but in my defense it was raining the whole time.
Don't encumber yourself with too much extra gear, you're never too far from a road/shop/village.
*no rationale for this, it just 'seems' the right way to do it.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Why do it in one day? Take your time and enjoy it or if you only have one day then only do the northern half (don't forget teh hikabike along loch lomond.)
It passes thru some great scenery - take the time to enjoy it.
Posted 9 months ago # -
It's the north part of Loch Lomond that gives me the willies. I've heard/read horror stories. Is it dangerous, or just a ball ache? I've read 10miles of carrying your bike? I've no issue with this, just don't want to underestimate it!
Posted 9 months ago # -
Its not dangerous, just a right PITA and really tedious. I think that bit took us about 3 hrs.
Posted 9 months ago # -
i started a thread on the WHW a month or so ago. you might get some good stuff in here
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/cycling-the-west-highland-way
Posted 9 months ago # -
It's the north part of Loch Lomond that gives me the willies. I've heard/read horror stories. Is it dangerous, or just a ball ache? I've read 10miles of carrying your bike? I've no issue with this, just don't want to underestimate it!
Unfortunately its also the Loch Lomondside sections which produce some of the nicest (short) sections of singletrack on the whole Way, think the wee descent to BeinGlas farm in particular. Its nowhere near 10m miles, I had remembered 1.5-2 hours, and its pretty tiring (lots of manhandling the bike through crevices/over rocks/between tight squeezes.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Did it a few years ago over two days which was ok, if i was to do it again i'd do it over 3days to properly enjoy the scenery.
If you've only got a day then prob best from Crianlarach northwards would be a decent option, bout half the distance but some of the best scenery / remoteness on the whole trail.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Here's a video of my mate Rab Wardell trying it. Just to let you know he had to absolutely bury himself to do it in 12 hours. He is a an elite level rider and had support. Not trying to put you off, just for your consideration. anyway it's a nice video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypoudqKAlLgPosted 9 months ago # -
I've never done the bit south of Glencoe/Devil's Staircase. The bit north from there can bash you about a bit despite it's tame reputation. I managed an involuntary dismount coming down into Kinlochleven before the Alu works road, and even that "road" has the potential to be hairy if you don't treat it with a bit of respect.
It'd be a LONG HARD DAY.PS I'm not an ultra skilled rider...possibly a piece of piss for a ride god
Posted 9 months ago # -
yeah, thanks Wee-al. Yeah had seen this. It's a great wee video. I had planned for it to take as long as it takes, so I as thinking 14hours maybe, allowing for wee stops and photo oppotunities weather permitting??
Posted 9 months ago #
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