Has anybody ridden this as a loop?
Just doing some on the map route planning and wondering how much of an encumbrance the bike will be getting between the heads of the Glens, looks like about 4k of push/carry/wade through bog.
I'll take that as a no then.
I will report back once I have dragged myself out of the bog 🙂
Yeah, sorry DrT, am very interested to hear how it goes, but can't offer any advice. Was thinking about exploring in the area over winter.
Looked on Geograph (a fool returns to his folly etc..) but it doesn't give much away.
Interested in the 'Eagle's Fall' gorge, looks quite exciting.
Cheers monk. Took your advice on the north shore of Loch Etive, probably better than 95% rideable with only a few short sections of pushing. It was a stunning couple of days I had too.
From the end of Glen Kinglass
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4967281324_a7c9d5d09f.jp g" target="_blank">
Morning
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4967279092_d0026d8d8c.jp g" target="_blank">
From the North shore
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4967283808_54037af1f2.jp g" target="_blank">
Haha, I've got that first photo too, except I was mid-bonk at the time, and it shows...
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Nice morning shot too, I can feel the chill in the air!
Hi Dr T
What was your route for Glen Etive?
Great pics btw. What camera are you using?
Cheers
Sanny
Monk, I suspect that is a popular spot to photograph, its about 3/4 of the way up the first climb after the cruise down Glen Kinglass, the point where you realise that the last few k along the Loch are going to hurt and a wee stop is due.
Sanny, I did it over two days, Day 1 was Inveronan/Glen Kinglass/Connell. Day 2 was Connel/Bonawe/Track Along North Shore of Etive/Kingshouse for Lunch/WHW to Inveronan. The track along the north shore is all good going apart from a couple of very short pushes up steep/loose parts of the track and a short bogggy/rocky section as you near the end of the Loch.
Camera is a Pentax Optio WS80 waterproof. Pictures are only good in good light, or underwater, but its pretty robust and obviously doesnt mind the scottish weather. It's also nice rinsing the camera under the tap if it gets caked in mud.
Dwayne,
When are you planning to ride it? I've not had an MXCT for a wee while and might be interested.
al
Al, probably towards the end of the month, Sunday 26th is the next free day I have or the following Sunday. You free then? Ill start a thread on mtbscotland nearer the time.
I should be free both days, I'll wait to hear from you.
al
Dr T, was brought up in the Royal Burgh of Inveraray. Not sure how enjoyable that would be. You can travel up a track starting on the left hand side of the Dubh Loch on Glen Shira all the way to Elrig Beag ( The RHS is tarmac) From the locked Hydro gate at Elrig Mor its tarmac all the way to Shira Dam. Having climbed Ben Bhuide I cannot imagine it would be much fun carrying the bike over that terrain. However there is now a pretty large windfarm up there now so there could be tracks over towards Glen Fyne. The turbines look like they head towards the start of Glen Fyne but would be a pretty steep descent. From Loch Shira Dam over towards the start of the River Fyne at the head of the Glen would be pretty heavy going I would guess. If I remember its pretty much tarmac all the way down Glen Fyne but at least you can stop at Glen Fyne Brewery for some refreshments!!
Thanks pete. Im not sure if your description puts me off or makes me more keen.
I found the following description of Eagles Fall on t'internet which sounds interesting, [i]'The route took me up the dank, claustrophobic ravine leading to the Eagle's Fall, the floor of the defile a slimy, slithery obstacle course. Exit from the depths was an adventure in itself. That few people pass this way was obvious - yet what an unearthly, eerie underworld this was, quite unique in the southern Highlands.'[/i]