I've got to head from Edinburgh to Loch Insh on friday afternoon. Bit dull in a car.
Turns out I have nothing to do on Friday, so I figured that I could hand a bag to some mates and take my bike 🙂 Mountain bike is out of action, so it's going to have to be the crosser.
I know there's a route from Dalnacardoch Lodge up to Kingussie, but I was wondering if there's a slightly more exciting route from Pitlochry?
OS map regrettably doesn't have "cyclocross friendly" path markings 🙁 I don't mind a bit of hike-a-bike, but don't want to walk the whole thing. If anyone knows the area and has some handy knowledge that would be fantastic.
Thanks, Pete
You have a couple of reasonable options - Comyns Road and the Minigaig. The former involves a fair hike up a hill before finding bits and pieces of a VERY old track.
Both start from Blair Atholl, then Glen Banvie. Comyns Road carries on vaguely North Westerly, up the ridge of Sron a Chleirich. Once you start descending this you'll find sections of the old track. Carry on over Bac na Creige to the route of the Gaick (the Dalnacardoch track you mention in your post)
The Minigaig heads in a more Northerly direction from Glen Banvie, past the bothy at Allt Scheicheachan and then Bruar Lodge (you can get here directly from Calvine if you want to avoid the Glen Banvie section).
Neither of these routes could be classed as simple and both go over some very high and exposed terrain which still has large fields of snow. Make sure you have all the right gear with you - including a map and compass (and the skill to use them).
the gaick is fantastic.
wish i was doing it this weekend.
Nice one druidh, thank you very much for that.
I'll have a look over the map in the morning and figure out exactly which tracks you're talking about and see what I fancy. You think that apart from the climb up to the ridge (and maybe a sprinkling of some of the cold white stuff), the Comyns Road route is mostly rideable on a cross bike? Sounds quite nice.
Yeah, don't worry - I was kind of sharking for a bit of a long-day out: a cross bike, a backpack, and a challenge has become a bit of a penchant of mine 🙂
Pete
Comyns Road is the oldest (and hence the least defined) known track over this area, for large sections it is no more than a grassy/heathery terrace on the hill. In some ways, this might well be the best time of year for it as there will be less new growth to obscure the route.
Ralph Storer has this to say...
Of course, that was written in the 1980's......Mountain bikers will find this route one of the toughest in the Highlands. There are several long unridable sections where wheel-grabbing heather makes pushing strenuous, while struggling uphill through the heather with a bike on your shoulders is no easy alternative. Only fit and capable mountain bikers should aspire to tackling the ancient Way of the Waggon Wheels.
This might help http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=222224
Just been looking at the routes and some photos on "Heritage Paths" - what a cracking site.
Yes that sounds ominous - but i'm all the more tempted for it, and i'd say i'm pretty fit (not wanting to sound like stug45 on that post about him and his blue pig!).
I think i'd need to plan for it to take most of a long day if I went the Comyns Road way then...and might strap some trail shoes on my bag for the long walks. The Minigaig looks like it'll be a similar story, though at generally higher altitude. Hmmm... Or just be sensible and blast along the Gaick?
It sounds like you know it well, so if you had a day to get out on a bike and enjoy the hills, which one do you think you'd opt for?
I've walked Comyns Road a couple of times but never been up the Minigaig. My understanding is that the latter is generally more sheltered apart from the one high crossing, so it's gonna be about 50:50. Either should be a great day out. It's worth noting that there are probably more deep fords on the Comyns Road option.
If it's some decent riding you're after I'd opt for the Gaick then nip over to Ruthven, but be prepared for rivers/burns being in full spate.
😉
Well, having had a good look at the maps, I think i'll go for Comyn's Road on friday, starting off up Glen Banvie - armed with warm stuff, knee-length sealskins and prepared for a long day with heap of carrying, and then head back across the Gaick on sunday evening. Return on the train from Edinburgh to Pitlochry is £17 or so - sorted!
Thanks for the advice and enthusiasm guys 😀
When I get back, i'll put up a post with some photos and info for future reference
Pete