UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33719363
I'm interested in this ride but RWGPS flags up various sections as unpaved. I'll be on a gravel bike but with 40mm, slick Pirelli P Zero Race TLR tyres
I'm hoping that it's all just champagne gravel or is that too optimistic? Are there any options to skip out the worst unpaved sections?
(I'm open to other ideas as well!)
Done clockwise I think you would be fine, it's forest roads or cyclepaths at worst, and you would be climbing the loosest bits.
If they're race tyres, are they robust enough for gravel? I tore a chunk of tread off a GP5000 on a short gravel excursion, wrote it off 😖
Absolutely OK. I toured that route in May on 40mm tyres and was fine.
Stunning route. Take your time and check Bridge of Balgie tea room is open.
The descent from the top of the Loch Lyon path south into Glen Lochy is broken up and rough but perfectly doable.
I'd suggest anti-clockwise. Probably depends on the wind as much as anything.
Used to do it as a Cycling UK (CTC) tour years ago. Glen Lyon was a day-ride from Aberfeldy with us doing Bridge of Balgie / Ben Lawers / Killin / Glen Lochy/ Glen Lyon / beers at the Fortingall Inn. One old-timer said it was the best day he'd ever had on a bike. Next day was south along Loch Tay to Callander.
Photies from May here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vPoyE8MHUGApuxvy7
I'd suggest anti-clockwise. Probably depends on the wind as much as anything.
My thinking was that doing it clockwise means you're climbing the loosest/roughest bits (i.e. the climb from Glen Lochay up and over into Glen Lyon). I'm thinking like a roadie rather than an MTBer though, prefer long fast descents with minimal braking and tyre damage 🤣
Also we descended from Lawers dam to Bridge of Balgie on Monday. The good bits of the descent were excellent, but a surprising number of blind corners on singletrack meant lots of braking at times. Climbing from Bridge of Balgie up to the dam gives an impressive view up into the corrie underneath Tarmachan and much bigger views over Loch Tay and significantly better visibility on the descent.
Whatever you do, enjoy! It's a cracking route and one I'm planning again this autumn - best time of year up Glen Lyon.
My tuppence worth: clockwise so you get a good run down Glen Lyon to the Old Post Office for coffee. Plus you normally get the wind behind for that stretch. The broken road on the climb over to Loch Lyon was passable on a road bike last time I ventured that way (and would be less fun to descend on a road bike).
My only caveat is that some of the path up from Callander to Killin is maybe rougher than you might think. Not actually rough, but your tyres sound very thin, light and racy despite their width!
As an alternative, could try starting in Kenmore, down south side of Loch Tay to Killin, then the bulk of your Lyon route before continuing down the Glen to Fortinghall and back to Killin. Think that would be all tarmac.
I'm thinking like a roadie rather than an MTBer though, prefer long fast descents with minimal braking and tyre damage 🤣
My thoughts exactly!
My only caveat is that some of the path up from Callander to Killin is maybe rougher than you might think. Not actually rough, but your tyres sound very thin, light and racy despite their width!
As an alternative, could try starting in Kenmore, down south side of Loch Tay to Killin, then the bulk of your Lyon route before continuing down the Glen to Fortinghall and back to Killin. Think that would be all tarmac.
I'm not sure how robust these tyres are as they are brand new and they were an absolute bastard to fit, so I really can't risk a puncture.
I'll check the route starting in Kenmore out later as I'm not fixated with starting in Callendar. (I got the RWGPS route from a random "best road rides in Scotland" Google😆)
Hah, it's a nice route but definitely not a 'road ride'.
Here's a Killin - Kenmore alternative, similar mileage and elevation gain I think, all tarmac, great scenery, sone tough gradients though!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56408709
Here's a Killin - Kenmore alternative,
Glen Quaich.
Now you're talking...
@13thfloormonk (or anyone else actually)
For clarity, the road between Kenknock and Loch Lyon dam...is that better S > N or N > S?
My definition of better is id rather not slam into pot holes on a fast descent so I'd rather climb the rougher/looser roads/trail and have a "safer" decent on the better tarmac.
Google Streetview only covers about 2/3rds of that stretch as there's a gate near the bottom of the S side but what there is looks like tarmac all the way, though the images are from 2010....
(I think this is the route that @vww is recommending)
That Glen Quaich route...1700m +....ouch. That would depend on whether I've managed to put my big boy pants on that day....
For clarity, the road between Kenknock and Loch Lyon dam...is that better S > N or N > S?
I'm suggesting south to north, rubbly broken climb, possible gate to open/close, but then tarmac to the top and all the way down to the dam.
That Glen Quaich route...1700m +....ouch. That would depend on whether I've managed to put my big boy pants on that day....
Yeah for sure, one of the nastiest climbs in Scotland out of Kenmore as well. But... Ridewithgps says your Glenogle route is 1800m+ 😉
S-N is better imo - both because you climb on rougher, but also the gentle descent down Glen Lyon is great.
Quaich out of Kenmore. Did it once on an MTB. By heck it's a brute. I would do it again though...
But... Ridewithgps says your Glenogle route is 1800m+ 😉
Just for clarity again 😉
It's some random persons RWGPS I found!.
Komoot tells me Killan > Kenknock > Glen Lyon > Kenmore > Killan (via south Loch Tay) is a more reasonable 930m and if the weather gods play their part and I'm feeling strong and well fed, I could always throw the Glen Quaich loop as a cheeky extra but I think I've ruled out starting in Callendar
Quaich out of Kenmore.
Done it many times - including a 200km audax called The Whiteknuckle Ride. Excellent day out.
Took you over every hill in the area: Callander - Glen Ogle - south Loch Tay - Glen Quaich - Amulree Sherrifmuir - Stirling - Earls Hills - Fintry - Roof of the World - Dukes Pass - Callander.
Again - used to take the CTC tour down it from Amulree. Made everyone stop half way to let their brakes cool (we were carrying luggage too). Once managed to melt a rim / destroy a wheel on the descent and had to leave the bike in Aberfeldy tourist office and get a bus home. Medivac'd the bike the following weekend.
. For clarity, the road between Kenknock and Loch Lyon dam...is that better S > N or N > S?
S > N for the OP then. Sigh 😉
No one going to suggest throwing Gleann Dubh into the mix then ?
Lovely route to the west of Glen Ogle (it's more an mtb route but I've seen people do it on CX bikes).
Just don't leave your bag at the top like someone I know (ahem, Matt) 😉
Callander - Glen Ogle - south Loch Tay - Glen Quaich - Amulree Sherrifmuir - Stirling - Earls Hills - Fintry - Roof of the World - Dukes Pass - Callander.
Nice route! Something like this? Could make a nice 'Tour of the falling leaves'...
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56418108
Shame about the Callander - Killin section, if I was on the road bike I wouldn't want to stray onto the Sustrans along here so would be in traffic. An early start required!
Lovely route to the west of Glen Ogle (it's more an mtb route but I've seen people do it on CX bikes).
Errr, that's not going to be much fun on CX. Doable. But on OP's road wheels and tyres, just no.
It's a lovely glen for sure, and a fun MtB ride.
Nice route! Something like this? Could make a nice 'Tour of the falling leaves'...
That's it. We started early from Callander (8am?) so traffic wasn't too bad. I finished in the dark 12hrs later.
Controls at Amulree and Corrieri's IIRC. Happy days.
