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Evening,
Looking for some inspiration, got a few days away from the family and want to make the most of it.
Can anyone recommend a 3 day ride on gravel/tourer bikes.
Ideally I'd like to ride between train stations in Scotland. Somewhere with stunning scenery and mainly off-road.
Not looking to wild camp as carrying tonnes of stuff/going without kegs seems unpleasant.
Any suggestions please?
Badger divide? (Inverness - Glasgow or other way round)
https://www.strava.com/clubs/thebadgerdivide
See also:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/scotland-routes-wild-but-mild/
The Caledonian Way, Oban to Inverness?
Both of those look brilliant.
Accom is thinly spread, esp if mainly off road. Bikepacking will only add 4-5kgs, gives you so much more flexibility and is funner.
Great Glen way, Fort William to Inverness. Plenty of accommodation even Hostels or Glamping pods in Fort Augustus and Drumanadrochid.
Thanks all
I was planning on using panniers, I know I won't look cool, but they work. I'll have to look at accomodation, but don't have any light enough gear to bikepack with.
Looks like everything points to Inverness, train works well too.
Loch Ness 360?
Not sure about accommodation or suitability as I haven't done it yet but this is on the cards for me soon.
https://bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-scotland-the-capital-trail/
The Capital Trail should be doable on a gravel bike providing it's dry. We did it at May Day BH weekend. The bits of Innerleithen and Glentress might be interesting though!
Picolax.
Thanks all, gone for the Badger Divide. Train booked & accommodation almost sorted. Just apprehensive about the distance now!
I just did the Badger Divide last weekend over 5 days riding. I stopped overnight in Killin, Kilvrect campsite, Loch Ossian Hostel and a pub in Fort Augustus.
Should have dropped the campsite and ridden straight through to the hostel. Despite being a short distance, the ride from FA to Inverness has got some pretty steep uphill climbs.
Definitely recommend staying in Loch Ossian Hostel or Corrour station - great little restaurant and amazing scenery.
Cafe 82 in Drumnadrochit is worth a stop too - haggis and cheese toastie, nom nom nom.
Hi Jim - I'm doing "The Badger" at the end of August, starting in Glasgow and doing it in 3 days. Were staying in Killin and Fort Augustus. I'm riding a Giant Anthem 29er, any tips or recommendations ?
Glasgow to Killin was pretty straightforward. Look out for some big birds on prey in the forest above Killin, I might have seen an eagle but my bird recognition skills are poor!
Killin to FA will be a big day out - 180km, nearly 3k of up. Have your lunch at Corrour. Once you’re over the Corrieairack, there’s still quite a way to go!
I took too much stuff, but was planning on camping more than I did. Travel light, there’s a lot of up.
Cafe 82 in Drum is one of my favourites. I used to stop there a lot when driving up and down the A82 and treated it as a moment to relax and restore my sanity. Brilliant selection of food, quite different from the usual fare, and very lovely staff.
Going for stops in Fort Augustus , Bridge of Gaur and Callander. 60 miles two days in a row...
Stick with the weighty croix Der fer Or am I better on the FS XC bike?
Yes.. I'm still torn between a Giant Anthem 28er Full Susspension and a gravel bike. We are travelling light and staying in accomodation. Any suggestions please ?
Coconut, if all else fails, I'm doing it before you. I'll let you know what I think
I would go 29er (I did it in a Canyon Nerve) but think about what rubber - there’s a fair bit of road. I used Nobby Nics, could have got away with something a bit less nobbly.
There are a lot of places where a gravel bike would be fine but you’d have a lot fewer line choices on some of the lumpy (fun) stuff.
Did the Badger (sort of) on the Croix de Fer. I'd definitely do it on the Anthem if I get the chance, yes there some road (5%), but most of it is far more suited to the Anthem. Not least because I wanted more gearing.
We actually ducked onto the train to miss about 40 miles, which took the pressure off and was a great decision.
The route is great, stunning scenery, keen to get back and do it all. Maybe next year.
Saw a big bird of prey after leaving Killin and two Pine Marten, fantastic area.
As a result of this thread I jumped on my bike (Suzuki) last week and rode to Cafe 82 for lunch 🙂