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Callum - I think we bumped into you on Lochnagar on Saturday. What a day for it! How'd you get on? I'd forgotten how serious it gets by Glas Allt!
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Hmmm. Time for a thread resurrection.
What is the best way of doing the Glen Affric Munros? I need some route advice. Anyone? 😀
Sanny
Great resurrection time... I've a plan with the lads to do some Munro's on bikes this year.
[quote=Sanny ]Hmmm. Time for a thread resurrection.
What is the best way of doing the Glen Affric Munros? I need some route advice. Anyone?
Sanny
How far along are you going?
I started last year with Ben Vorlich (loch earn). Plan to get a few this year, probably the ones closest to Glasgow to start with.
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Glen Affric. Walked the Ceathramhnam group and a bike would not be worth taking except for the descent S from the col to the YHA. Mam Sodhail looks more ridable but have no other useful info, sorry!
Snows all gone, let's get this going for the year!
First three down on Saturday, the three Beinn A' Ghlo tops. Along glen Tilt to the bridge over the Allt Fheannach where there is a stalkers path up onto Meall a' Mhuirich - a bit indistinct at first but gets better. An efficient (steep) way up. Good couple hours in a cloud here wondering what we were doing... up and down Gabhar, up Bhalgain and the cloud lifted. Happy days! All descents are rideable and hike-a-bikes aren't too bad. The final descent down Carn Liath is pretty intense - all rideable but loose and steep. Rewards commitment.
Forgot my camera, but here's a couple of phone pics. Lots more planned for this year.
Holy thread resurection Batman!? Well who has been taking advantage of this fine stable Continental weather, had a great day out yesterday with a traverse of Ben Avon and Beinn a' bhuird, luckily the cloud lifted as i summited Avon, with the final descent on Bhuird really upping the fun quotant, serendipity at its finest, really enjoyed this exploratory outing in these remote wild hills.
How come you don't take a phone with you on these rides Fergal? Not that it's any of my business, just seems an odd choice in this day and age.
Jeeze i'm not that much of a Luddite, i'm even on instagram clarke1738 if you are interested. I like taking the odd interesting snap.
Besides i really tend to be in the moment on my outings, will certainly rarely stop on a brill descent, it ruins the flow dude.
So, which way did you go up and down those two hills Fergal?
I've not been able to get up to Scotland this summer, which is a bummer, as I'm getting ready to move house (back up to Scotland, fortunately) and cramming in a lot of other adventures. Did do some English mountains though and they were riding so fast!
Hi chickenman, descended from the south summit on dry grass and gravel, to join some excellent singletrack around Carn Fiaclach, this was outstanding, great blast all the way to below the ruin at Slugain.
Well of course on Ben Avon i took nothing but photographs and left nothing but footprints.
Ah, I see the confusion: There are two Carn Fiaclachs...I've descended off the one on the NE spur of Avon, good to hear the one off Bhuird is good too!
Big day out yesterday - 8 munros from Glen Isla. Had this in the back of my mind for a while from ideas on here and linking rides i'd done previously.
Route was: Glen Isla, up to Bawhelps then Mayar, over to Driesh, smash it down the Kilbo (bit of work up top, bit more 'Steppy' than I remember?), up the glen to Bachnagairn then over to the pony hut, along the ridge taking in Broad Cairn, Cairn Bannoch and Sagairt Mor (fierce headwind!), down the Callater singletrack, up to the landy track to take in Tuirc and Claise then over to Glas Maol before belting down Monega gill to finish.
Almost exactly 9 hrs car to car - could be quicker if the wind was a bit calmer. If you weren't arsed on taking in summits then you could skip Sagairt Mor and Tuirc and possibly Driesh - the descents aren't the greatest (Driesh one is good though). The rest are on the way anyway. Grand day out though - pretty hungry today!
Couple pics:
was there much in the way of diversion on the kelbo path?
Got a small taste of summer on Tuesday afternoon, wee run of Ben Lawers. Very nice conditions indeed!
What a day! I was up Ben Ledi doing a piece for the mag yesterday. Stunning sunrise!
Too nice not to stay out so went and rode the old school classic that is Glen Finglas.
Oh and great vid!
Sanny
Nice, can't beat a bit of Ben ledi action. Suprised you didn't keep going to Balqhuidder from the Meall loop, best left to a longer day I guess!
What's the recommended route for Ben Ledi? straight up and back or do a circular (which way)?
Cheers
Paul if you haven’t ridden it before I would push up the main path. There’s nothing crazy about it though, especially since the lower/middle section has been polished up a little but it’s always worth checking rather than riding blind I guess! Alternatively ride up Stank Glen and then hike up to the Bealach then head south to the summit, I usually would just do the up and down then tack a run if Stank glen onto the end. If you park at Kilmahog you can avoid the masses and ride up the fireroad to the path crossing, on you return on the cycle path there’s some lovely single track in the woods that’s a nice finisher. Sorry for the wall of text!
Alternatively, you can ride up to the high bealach from Brig o Turk to the east of Glen Finglas which goes up a fire road that is 100% rideable. After that you traverse the northern shoulder to get to the summit. Descend via the main path then back via the most undulating cycle path ever. It is a hard pull for a cycle path!
It is a lesser known route but good if you want to maximise your climbing on the bike.
Cheers
Sanny
frazchops
I saw the trail and was tempted but had to get back to Glasgow to pick my daughter up at three from school. Really great day out - Ledi and Finglas done and dusted by early afternoon. Not bad for February!
Sanny
Seems Tuesday was a popular day to get those early big hill rides in!
No Munros for me, but a full Torridon round. Usually don't get the chance until late March..
Was so warm and totally free of snow, was half expecting midgies!
The route up from Brig O Turk is the best for pedalling, but it’ll add an hour or so to the round trip-especially if you take the undulating path To the north of Loch Venachar. I personally prefer the off piste descent from the summit down into Stank Glen, but each to their own!
Without going through pages is Ben Venue worth doing? I remember a Sanny article on the mag a while back but can’t find it. Is it a straight out and back or is a loop possible? Cheers!
Yes to Venue. A little bit bitty at the top with a couple of walk downs but definitely worth doing.
A couple of ascent options. From the Katrine side, there is a good improved path that goes up to the saddle that is mostly rideable. We did that for the article as an out and back.
Alternatively, there is a big land rover track from the Loch Ard side at Forest Hills. It starts near Forest Hills at a big metal deer gate then climbs up to a shooting lodge. From there head east to join the walkers path that goes up to a saddle then heads north to the summit.
I like both options and reckon the latter is the better option as you can ride the technical footpath down to Loch Ard for the return.
Oh and yes, the Stank option is good too for Ledi.
Sanny
Thanks guys, just been pouring over the map so have a good idea of options. Might just do an up and back first time but sounds like there are other interesting options for a return visit!
Cheers!
Sorry. I meant west from the lodge. What a dumpling!
While I am on, what does everyone have planned for this year?
Come on then, let's be having you. Looking forward to being inspired!
A few things in mind, certainly more revisits with the camera in the bag. Lochnagar/Kilbo/Corrie Fee, another shot at Binnein Mor sans 100mph gusts please!
I'm actually heading to Rosemarkie early next month and then Ullapool, I'd take any bikeable Munro suggestions onboard if you have any?
As for Ben Vane the descent is great down to Loch Ard but the FC have removed the boardwalk section so it's even more boggy!
Also has anyone ridden Gairich at Loch Quoich?
I've not done it but I know it has been done.
Wee walk up Ben Chonzie yesterday, looks like one of the easiest munros to pedal all the way up to me, not techy descent either, if anyone just wants to ride a munro. Up the LRT, down the path off the front would be fun.
Paths going all ways at the bottom to, plenty riding around, and could also be paired with a sesh at Comrie.
Braw hill.
Another one that I reckon woyld be ace, meall nan tarmachan (well, the first top of the munro, nameless, at 923m) as a wee addition to Ben Lawers, starts at same car park. Some absolutely pristine singletrack, flow tastic, and some meaty tight switchbacks at the top.
I'm keen.
Fraz I've done Binnein Mor twice. Once was the same, blown on our asses on the saddle. Secnd time was one of the most glorious days on a bike I've experienced and the views were amazing.
One of the best hills I've been on with a bike.
I noticed Ben Hope was mentioned ages ago, has anyone ridden it?
Heading up that way in June, and keen to get up there with the bike!
While I am on, what does everyone have planned for this yea
Ben Vrackie next week and then Mayar & Driesh in the next month. Will likely do Ben Chonzie to tick it off and quite fancy Lochnagar. Ben Ledi is also on the radar. If I can do another 5 munros plus any corbetts I manage this year I'll be happy.
Not a Munro but I rode the western fells on Arran on Saturday for an upcoming feature. It was mint. The descent via Coire Fionn Lochan was incredible. A bit of every type of riding in one very long descent. The scenery is pretty special too!
Highly recommended.
So a return trip to Binnean Mor last Wednesday. I have to say that it was even better than I remembered it. Went up via the northern corrie which looks like it would be a cracking descent. Blue skies, dusty trails, stunning views.
Everything about the ride says epic. There is scope to properly hurt yourself if you make a wrong turn but it is one of the most rewarding big mountain rides out there.
I was riding it for a forthcoming sponsored piece for Canyon so expect to see it on the front page soon.
Bloody brilliant!
I am not seeing your photos Gavin - get somewhere good?
Cairngorms gold this weekend 🙂
Macdui?
Macdui?
Indeed, via Carn a'Mhaim