I've got a week's leave to use before the end of June. I'm doing JennRide (haven't decided which route yet) and I'll be in the van with both my hardtail and my burly gravel bike.
I generally lean towards gravel riding, but I'm open to suggestions. After JennRide, I'm planning to head up to Scotland for the week. I'm not interested in trail centres or really technical MTB riding, and while I can get a gravel bike down rough stuff if I have to, it's not really what I enjoy. I'd much rather do big days out on good tracks and remote roads.
I'm skipping Dumfries as I rode there last year, and I'll give Aberfoyle a miss because I've recently done the Old Grand Duke's route. I'm also not looking at anything around Kielder as I've already done Dirty Reiver and Newcastleton this year.
My initial thought was to do some day trips by ferry to Arran and Mull, then head over towards the Cairngorms. I've got all three Markus Stitz Scottish Gravel books, so I've got plenty of route ideas already.
Fitness isn't really a concern – I'm happy doing 50–60 mile gravel rides day after day, and longer if the route is good. I'm also happy to use the hardtail if there's a route that's a bit much for a gravel bike, but I'm definitely not looking for jumps, bike park stuff, or anything overly technical.
Any recommendations in Argyll, Perthshire, the Cairngorms, the Pentlands, or even around Selkirk for the journey home?
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There was a similar thread a couple of days ago and there were some links to both Perthshire and Argyle gravel-orientated websites which looked interesting
https://perthshiregravel.com/map/
https://www.argyllgravel.co.uk/home/offroad
There is some absolute gold in Argyll but it tends to be minor dead end tarmac roads connected by gravel. The stuff south of Oban is amazing and of course Oban and the surroundings make a good base.
e.g. take ferry to Lismore, ride around/up the island, take different ferry back to Port Appin, ride to Castle Stalker, pick up cyclepath to Barcaldine, climb up and over to Beinn Lora, cook brakes on descent, follow cyclepaths and farm tracks back to Oban.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55473415
Or go east via beautiful Glen Lonan, down to Bonawe and the funky wee bridge over to Inverawe, ride up to Ardmaddy Bay, admire scenery, ride back, up and over to the Glen Nant nature reserve, through to Musdale, back via Loch Nell.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55473533
This one will feel a bit tarmac heavy at the start (a ~20 minute section on a wide but fast A-road) but worth it for the pint overlooking the Bridge Over the Atlantic, the amazing gravel descent to Degnish, the champagne forestry tracks above Loch Avich, and the 'unique' conduit track back to Loch Nant. DISCLAIMER: I haven't yet ridden the conduit track, is planned soon...
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55473610
Apologies for the self promotion but I enjoyed an incredible day in Argyll as part of researching my Python Trail route, Strava links here with photos
Check out this Flyover of my ride on Strava: https://strava.app.link/2rGPOKTTF3b
Sorry, last one from me, just in case you have a rush of blood to the head and fancy a really big day out, I'm looking forward to stringing this one together at some point...
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55473833
Burma Road from Aviemore is a classic loop.
Some great riding around Braemar, Balmoral Ballater . Eds Shootes book gives a few ideas.
So much choice in Scotland planning is fun as well!
Do you mean Mull of Kintyre or Isle of Mull? If you mean the latter, then gravel riding is distinctly lacking, although you can put together a decent mixed tarmac and gravel route around the top of the island. For more remote riding, there's far better options if you head over to Ardnamurchan and Morvern. Before the end of the month is probably OK before the bracken gets too high. Worth knowing that the ticks are really bad this year due to a mild, wet spring. Was over on Morvern recently and the dogs were literally smeared in them.
Fife ,Kinross, East Lothian,Angus, Midlothian, Perthshire,Angus to name a few areas
The further East less rain and very few midges
Just head to Aviemore and you'll have access to many great loops. Burma Road has been mentioned. Ryvoan and Nethy Bridge. Grantown and Dava Moor. Tonintoul. Glens Feshie and Tromie (as a loop or as a route back from Blair Atholl using the Ember bus to get there).
Loads more in the area if you look/ask around.
beinn a'glho circuit?
The 120km circuit from Dalwhinnie to Loch Pattack, Lochan na h-earba, Corrour, Loch Rannoch and Loch Garry is, I'll wager the best in the UK. Food at Corrour Station is the icing on the cake.
The 120km circuit from Dalwhinnie to Loch Pattack, Lochan na h-earba, Corrour, Loch Rannoch and Loch Garry is, I'll wager the best in the UK. Food at Corrour Station is the icing on the cake.
For me it scores over the Alness - Calvie - Attadale - Vaich - Wyvis loop for convenience and the food stop, but for variety and scenery I think the Alness loop edges it.
Check out this Flyover of my ride on Strava: https://strava.app.link/PNMZgubXG3b
"I'll give Aberfoyle a miss because I've recently done the Old Grand Duke's route"
Ah, this was going to be my suggestion after riding it on Sunday.
You mentioned the Pentlands, there's some nice riding there and it can be linked up with routes in the Borders by following the Drove road. East Lothian also has some great riding.
Thanks for all the suggestions, i'll put plan together and share it.
