[Closed] A weekend long UK MTB adventure for the discerning gentleman.

Swindon.

Cairngorm circuit?

Mary Towneley Loop, spread over two days?

CaptainFlashheart - Member
Swindon.

FFS... 😀

😀

lakeland 200

Trans Cambrian
Coast to Coast
Pennine Bridleway

For a weekend, Snowdonia. Compact, rugged, gorgeous and relatively remote.

For a weekend we have stayed in Hartsop, Patterdale in the lakes. Loads of proper lakeland routes from there. Plus it is away from some of the more touristy areas such as ambleside and keswick.

poss ot for you but have you considered following a canal (and train back - could add some detours) - we've seen some fantastic sites (rural and city) on our bimbles

I'd vote the Lakes too. However I would stay in Borrowdale in a really bloody good Hotel we found. Use this as a base then pick some 7-8hr route(s) in the knowledge that a) you'll have a fab nights sleep b) a stonkingly good breakfast c) uber stunning scenery d) head back to Hotel for astonishing supper e) lock your bike up in thier Drying Room f) shower until you become waterlogged g) sip whiskey or real ale from the bar h) fall asleep in a bed so comfy to the sound off..... Nothingness.

That's what I'd do, in fact I'm doing it again in September.

Let me know if you need the Hotels name.

Cairngorms. Sleeper train (£150)or coach (£50 - if you can put up with the misery). Head to Aviemore (really easy if you live near London).

Do whatever route you feel like - camp/B&B whatever - inner or outer Cairngorm Loop is good.

I did the outer loop over 2 1/2 days. Thurs night coach from London Victoria (11pm), arrived 11.30am. Left my bike bag at one of the outdoor shops in Aviemore.
Wild camped just past Tomintoul on day 1. Camped just past Blair Atholl on day 2. Got back into Aviemore around lunchtime on the Sunday and then got the Sunday night (7pm) coach back into London for around 7am on the Monday morning. If camping isn't your thing there is accommodation in both towns.

Route was around 130 miles I think.

You could potter up the Pennine Bridleway for a couple of days and see how far you get then call your private helicopter to pick you up from your finish point. Or the Coast to Coast mtb maybe. Backpack it for added interest?

Bikebouy - yes please that sounds perfect for what I'm after, email in profile .

I appreciate we've only just met :D, but purely in the interest of safety would you consider a ride buddy in September?

Ah bless, you've gone from 'just a man alone' to 'bromancing the stone' in just 15 forum posts... I hear there's a Village People convention being held in a luxury spa hotel in the north Lakes in August if you'd like the details 🙂

Lol!

I'm thinking of the saftey aspect - and a potential guide :-). I'm happy to stay 100yrds away from Bikebouy at all times and keep my mutterings to myself...

What I'm trying to avoid is a lads weekend away at a typical trailcentre with competitive/pressurised riding and beery-leading-to-sambuca's evenings. I just want some soul searching quiet time with natural inspiration around me.

If you want a genuine adventure the Cairngorms are the place to have it.

You can park up at the Linn of Dee-

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And from there you won't see another person or tarmac for around 35 miles by riding up through Glen Feshie-

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Which then descends on some lovely singletrack to the other side of the Cairngorms-

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From where you can go up, and then down, Carn Ban Mhor, which is a lovely mountain with stunning views-

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Before you arrive in Aviemore-

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And go to the pub for the night-

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The next morning you can then use your sore legs to climb Cairngorm-

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Then descend Cairngorm toward Ben Macdui-

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Then descend Ben Macdui to Glen Derry-

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Then go home. Two days, around 80-90 miles, around 75% off road and two of the best descents of your life, as well as staggering views.

Yes - that ^^

Can we all come then that looks fab

It was 8)

An alternative would be a big tour of Lochnagar, Glen Clova and Glen Doll but if you're allowing yourself two days it seems like a good opportunity to do a ride that can't be reasonably done in one, like Ben Macdui and Glen Feshie.

The nature of it is that the first day is mostly a long bimble on relatively untechnical terrain, soaking in the alone-ness and the views before sticking on a big fast mountain descent to liven things up. The second day is a vast amount of climbing followed by a similarly vast amount of descending. One of my highlights of the last year.

Nothing to add- just marking for future reference

Let me know if you need the Hotels name.

What was the name of the hotel in Borrowdale? I've got overseas visitors coming today for four days.

here is the cairgorm loop

We actually did the inner loop

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do;jsessionid=5A9F073D99DF61FBFEF0780B35AFACEC?fileId=dgfuxyexrekfrcxf

Awesome w/e.

Cairngorms.
Last year we did Kingussie - Braemar Day 1 via Loch Buig and back to Braemar Day 2 via Glen Feshie.
It's not at all technical but there are two long descents (the one at the end of day 1 is huge), again not technical.
Stayed at the YHA in Braemar which was fine.
Two absolutely stunning days but you do need the weather.....
Saw one other person day 1 but on day 2 we met a C2C walking holiday coming the other way!

Mid-Wales either based at Builth Wells or the Elan valley, Rhayder. If the later pop in to Clive Powell's shop, [url= http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/thebikeshop.php ]Elan Cyclery[/url], for some route maps. Beauty of the Elan Valley is it's all rideable and natural trails with plenty of fun fast downhills to reward the climbs!

Also quite a few bike friendly B&Bs if that is your preference!

just a quickie, anyone on here done the lakes 200?
if so, which is the best way to do it.
I have a few days hols in june, might go up and bimble round at a steady pace, with a aim to just finish it. get digs where I end up each teatime.

Nothing to add- just marking for future reference

+1 🙂

CaptainFlashheart - Member
Swindon.
FFS...

Mary townley loop is great, can be done nicely in 2 days. With nice bug out points.

Did this a year ago. Great time.

Well you may s**** BUT you can get out of Swindon pretty quickly and onto some great riding (6km southward to the Ridgeway) and northwards to the Cotswolds

How long would I have left after I've negotiated that sodding roundabout...

Why limit yourself to the UK though?

I don't fly, and I have only enough leave / family permission for a Friday morning to Monday morning away period.

Maybe focus on wales then as you'll get more riding time. Mid wales (Elan etc) or south wales. Stay in Talybont on Usk and do some loops from there.

Drive up to Scotland can be done on the Thursday night and the riding will be superior.

How long would I have left after I've negotiated that sodding roundabout...

The West Highland Way seems to tick your boxes. A classic ride. The train journey back is spectacular in itself.

If you wanted to be based in one place the Aviemore is good but so is Kinlochleven. Devils's Staircase and the Tour de Ben Nevis route on the doorstep. But the answer is usually Torridon.

@ Kryton..

Sure I'd be up for a riding buddy..

Take this offline though, this lot will think we're getting married or something 😆

I agree with many that have suggested north of the border.

West Highland Way in 2 days is very pleasant and you'll be able to book the train for your journey from the south. The route is that well walked that being on your own would not be an issue from a safety perspective. I stayed in a very nice B&B near Tyndrum which allowed me to travel sufficiently light to enjoy the riding.

Alternatively, as suggested use Aviemore as a base. Awesome riding.

Not that the Lakes is not awesome too

bikebouy - Member
@ Kryton..

Sure I'd be up for a riding buddy..

Take this offline though, this lot will think we're getting married or something

In internet land, you're now already married.

Ps get a room 😆

Kryton - you wouldn't happen to have a GPX file for that trip you started at Linn Of Dee would you?

Unlikely as it wasn't Kryton who did the ride .

Oh aye!

MussEd- Sent you an e-mail with them on.

Munrobiker, sorry to be a pain, but could I request your GPS files as well? I'm dead keen to go back to glen feshie and this could be the inspiration I need! Thanks.

More Cairngorm options - just shy of 300km

http://www.gmbc.org.uk/cairngorm-loop-ride-report/

munrobiker said...

And from there you won't see another person or tarmac for around 35 miles

Seriously, though, looks absolutely brilliant - incentive to get my fitness back up to a decent level for an adventure along those lines.

Munrobiker, would it be possible to get the gpx file too please? Cheers

Belugabob- I'm behind the camera in most of them!

I'll send out some gpx files now. Spektraken- what's your email?

the Cairngorms trip looks awesome, might take Shropshire off the list and head up there instead.

Bookmarked

Munrobiker, it's spectraken@gmail.com thanks!