[Closed] STW Scotland – Glen Clova Ride, April.

I could be interested in this. I'll have to check my rota card and get back to you.
The last time I was up Clova was for a wedding and we stayed in one of the lodges. It's great up there!
Which ride? hmm, It'll depend on me getting my finger out and boosting my fitness again.
I'll be in touch.

Paul.

I've had a few drinks. I'll say "yes".

I retain the right to retract this statement when I see sense 🙂 (or my wifes shifts intervene)

I'd be interested in the shorter Saturday trip, possibly an overnighter but camping. If there's a fast/slow split, I'll be in the latter!

Good show chaps!

Druidh, it can be very flexible and I'm very much open to suggestions. We can have different groups on different rides on each day (my basic thinking was hard day on Sat, "easier" day on Sun). Nothing will be set in stone just now. If lots of people respond, we can have big groups split into 2s or 3s for safety - lots of possibilities.

It would also be good to have someone like yourself who knows his way around the hills. You could even persuade some mlehers (I'm too scared :-)).

id have been keen and im local BUT its SXC rnd 2 on the 26th 🙁

And Kielder Avalanche

OK - date is arbitrary. How about the following weekend, 2nd/3rd May?

I'm easy on when we do this, but late April/early May tends to be the most reliable weather-wise.

Easily changed - post preferences and we'll go with the majority (I'd forgotten about SXC dates despite having sworn to do at least 4 this year..)

1st Weekend in May is a Bank Holiday. That might give some of the Southerners a better chance to get back home? But then the hills will also be busier. Thing is, it's gonna clash with something regardless.

Wouldn't have minded the May date, but we did have it pencilled in for a mountain bike trip to Harris, so would need to check with the other guys. I know they are keen on Harris as we did Glen Clova last year. I'll ask though.

The April date's probably out as I plan to be up at Laggan riding demo bikes all weekend. Overall, later in the summer would be better as weekends over the next few months are fairly booked already. And it would mean I'd have my new bike by then.

Knowing the area, it will be a weekend to remember.....

Sounds great! count me in for drinking/riding/camping whatever. I'll try my luck in a faster group, but will probably slow down for the descents (i treat my hardtail 'hardcore' but it sometimes objects...)

Would have preferred the april dates, as i'm hopefully off touring as of the 1st may.

I too would be interested in a camping or perhaps even a bothy overnight option. Any date suits me.

Hi Stuartie i,d be up for both day's any date,camping /bunkhouse & probably 2 or 3 mate's as well sound's like a great weekend

I would definitely be up for this. I have bookings for the April weekend, and will probably have a trip on the May Bank Holiday (unconfirmed at the minute) but will definitely come along if I'm free.

I have space for 4 or 5 plus bikes and gear in my van, so could give a lift to anyone coming from the North Ayrshire /Glasgow direction.

Phil

Good response so far... Cheers.

Looks like the May weekend is the more popular. Once you've decided can you get details to me by email so I can start planning.

SC

Here's some photos to whet the appetite:

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2449586833_f479cc933f_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2449586833_f479cc933f_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2449595001_95cac8169a_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2449595001_95cac8169a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2449559035_7d462aa037_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2449559035_7d462aa037_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2449576605_7a7f8dc1f6_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2449576605_7a7f8dc1f6_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2449607881_00249d8d7d_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2449607881_00249d8d7d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Some maps.

Saturday ride:

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3298647048_8a4105dabb_o.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3298647048_8a4105dabb_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

and the southern bit showing options:

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3298645808_b82e8ba277_o.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/3298645808_b82e8ba277_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

stuart, do we have a set date for this.
i fancy this mate, for the full weekend.
please let me know.

Yup, a firm date would be good.
The April w/end I can make however I'm nightshift the following Fri, Sat so could make the Sunday if it's not too early a start.

(that said, at this present time the Saturday ride may be out of my comfort zone :D)

I should be up for that, once a firm date has been set.

Hmmmm, doing the shorter Glen Clova saturday route and the Capel Mounth/Loch Muick ride would be amazing. Do-able? How much hikey/bikey does the saturday route have Stuart?

OK - I say we go for the 2nd/3rd May weekend, as it seems to suit more people.

Apologies if this rules it out for anyone, but if it's a success there's no reason why we can't do another one later in the year.

Get those email to me if you are definitely interested.

SC

I should be up for this too but no need for accomodation (camper)

Tom

Shortbread,

Saturday route is mostly rideable as far as Kilbo then it's a push/carry most of the way to the Dreish/Mayar col. If it's dry and you are fit you could ride some of it but I'd be impressed if anyone could do the whole thing without resorting to feet. Having said that, it's not too bad. I seem to recall it being about 45 minutes of steady plodding and it becomes rideable near the top.

The way I did it last time was the westmost dotted line over The High Tree which involved a bit of a bog and a short, sharp carry. The descent to Glen Prosen was a bit sketchy and I'm just speculating that the solid line is a better route (I seem to remember seeing a path coming down the hillside, but I'd need to do a bit of a recce.)

Did I see you say in a recent post that you're in Fife? Whereabouts? I live in Dunfermline.

I'm up for the may weekend. Funnily enough, I was looking at a similar weekend at work last night, staying at the youth hostel in prosen. Spooky.

I reckon I can talk at least one of the guys into this, I'll email you tommorow, Stuart.

Scottishmountainbikeguide, I may be looking for a lift (ayrshire lad as well) depending on the wifes shifts.

stuart - cheers, yes it would be a monumental route. I've done the Loch Muick/Capel Mounth one a few times but I was fitter back then! I'll maybe try the Glen Clova one before attempting anything too daft!

Yes, moved to Dunfermline a few weeks ago. I have done a bit of lurking/research (!!) and noticed you (I think) are involved in the local club. Would be good to get out soon - I've not done much recently aside from a bit of road riding. Some nice quiet roads about here actually.

Cool, I've nothing planned for May 2nd and 3rd. Just need to hone the finer points of childcare so I can confirm.

Can't believe trekster ain't been on this thread yet, must be nightshift!.

Mibbe just Mibbe.

[b]Weather warning[/b]

**Wouldn't have been the first time we've had to bail out of a Loch Muick ride around April due to snow**

Have a plan C

That looks fantastic, how long are the respective Sat and Sun routes?

I'm well interested - not sure if my fitness/big bike would make me too slow though.

Also interested in how long the routes are - did 33k round Grizedale on Fri with about 1400m of climbing and that was enough for me for one day really at the moment.

I don't think anyone need worry about being "too slow". If I can make it, I'll be happy to pedal along at a chilled pace.

Nobeerinthefridge - can't say for definite if I can make it yet, I have a provisional but unconfirmed booking for the May weekend. If I can make it you're welcome to a lift. Whereabouts are you?

Phil

Will the weather be like in those pics? 😛

I'm almost definately up for this, late April / early May would be spot on for me.

I would drive from Edinburgh with space for 1 maybe 2 more, depending on size of bikes. If we're riding loops back to the cars, I'd be a happy camper.

Fitness - a happy medium I'd say.

grumm - Member

Will the weather be like in those pics?

Like this?

[img] [/img]

and this?

[img] [/img]

I thought was just normal 🙂

Those were both taken on 5th May last year.

Bummer. I'd be all over this like a rash but I've got 2 weeks skiing lined up in Apr and the 2nd one finishes on the May weekend. Jojo, you need to do this so I can pick your brains on it, I've got it lined up as one of the club rides later in the year.
As for those enquiring about the weather, I have done the last week of the season in Val d'Isere loads of times. It always finishes on that weekend and it has always been roasting on my trip back!

Devs - if you want to know anything about the Loch Muick circuit, let me know.

Aye, count me in too, I've ridden several loops up there. Keen on a camping option. Talked about it on todays ride and the guys are up for it too.

Damn, I would love to give that rout a go, but as the new familly addition is due in April I dont think me dissapearing off for a weekend would go down well.

I remember well attempting to map Glen Clova and Bowens type section for metamorphic gradation in May. Under about 6 foot of snow..........

Phil,
I'm in prestwick. If the good lady ain't working I wouldn't mind driving, if she is on duty, I prob would need a lift.

Cheers Druidh. Have got your email addy, will drop you a mail closer to the time.

Lordy!

This has grown arms and legs... Great response so far.

I'll get some info. on camping and bunkhouse and then leave everyone to sort out their own accommodation.

I'll also work out some stats for the routes (distance/height gain etc.) and stick them on here too.

Stuart, when I click on your profile, All I get is a log in screen for some blogging thing, any chance of mailing me - greg bowie AT gmail DOT com.

Cheers.

Will do Greg.

My email address [i]should [/i]be in my profile (the blog thing is in the "website" field)

If anyone else is having the same problem it is:
[b]
stuart DOT campbell40 AT tiscali DOT co DOT uk[/b]

i'm up for it ... will just share a lift with other edinburgh people heading up and probably camp as it saves have to organise anything! any length / level of gnarrr is fine with me 🙂 hopefully get a bit fitter by then

Apologies - wrong email address above. It should be:

stuart_campbell40 AT tiscali DOT co DOT uk (it's correct in the profile)

Quality routes! Count me in (on the proviso that I don't draw the short straw, and have to work those dates).

Fitness: variable...very variable - with a large chocolate bar aboard, I have been known to keep going for ages 😆

Email: innerhavenATgooglemailDOTcom

Accommodation: camp, bivy, bunkhouse, kip n car - whatever's easiest, but given the volume of interest so far, the bunkhouse'll be at capacity pretty soon!!

Would be travelling from Innerleithen, possibly with my missus too

I could definitely be in, but it would require me upping my fitness massively I fear, or I'd be left way behind on the ups 🙁 I'd be in Glasgow with room for 1 or 2 more in the car, depending on how tightly we pack the car.

Forecast's looking good around the Glen Clova area this week, and it's been years since I've had a crack at these routes, so got an itch to head up later today and revisit them (snow cover permitting). Driving up later on today from Innerleithen - room in car for one more bike if anyone fancies it (mobile's 07713151773).

Oh, and does anyone know if the bunkhouse is open as it goes straight to voicemail. 😀

I emailed the [url= http://www.clova.com/index.cfm ]Clova Hotel[/url] to enquire about the bunkhouse. Here's the exchange

[i]Can you tell me if the bunkhouse will be available on
the weekend of 2nd/3rd May? Group size TBC at the moment, but possibly
10-12 people.

Can you also tell me if it is possible to camp anywhere nearby?

Many thanks.

Stuart.[/i]
[i][b]
Yes at the moment we have plenty of availability for that weekend

Regards

June[/b][/i]

I'm going to leave it to individuals to sort out their own accommodation arrangements. If you are definitely coming, get your place booked up soon as it's likely to fill up quickly. I'll reply to June to tell her this arrangement and that people can use my name as a reference. I'll also ask the question about the camping again since she seems to have neglected to answer it... 😕

I know a few people expressed a preference for camping, but I've got a feeling that it's not as straightforward as just turning up and pitching your tent beside the hotel (it used to be so, but it has changed hands in recent years and they've tarted it all up).

You might want to book yourself into the hotel itself, if you're feeling flush (I quite fancy this myself, despite being chronically skint)

Anyway - there are your options. I'll try to clarify the camping situation, unless anyone here knows the beta

Clova Hotel website is [url= http://www.clova.com/index.cfm ]here[/url].

Can you let me know when you've made your mind up and keep me updated on your travel/accom. plans just so I know who's actually coming (got 5 emails so far)

Cheers guys!

i'm kinda keen, allowing for exams etc. i'm in st andrews and would more than likely need a lift.

i camped at the hotel in november for a uni field trip, so it is possible, but i dunno how to arrange that.

i'd be the one providing incredibly dull info on the south esk river, which runs through glen clova :s

tam8 AT st-andrews.ac.uk 🙂

tom

Thanks Tom.

If you decide to go, let me know by email. I'm in Dunfermline and there are a few others who are Fife-based too so we can get lifts sorted out nearer the time.

LOL. check the scenery in those pics! why leave the country when it gets this good?! if i was fit enough i`d be into it. how many miles are you talking for each day?

Hi Martin,

The Bachnagairn-Capel Mounth route is 24km and around 1000m of climbing. This is the Sunday ride, though there's no reason why we couldn't have two different rides each day.

The basic Prosen-Kilbo circuit, which heads up the road from Glenprosen village to Kilbo is around 33km with 1400m climbing. If you add on the optional bit over the Cateran Path to Glen Markie I'd guess it's around 45-50km and nearer 2000m of climbing. North Scotland Memory Map runs out here, annoyingly, and I'm too stingy to pay for South Scotland, so this is an estimate.

Been a while since I was last up that way so I nipped up for a couple of days riding last week and stayed at the Clova bunkhouse (mega value at just £11 a night). In good weather like I got, as stunning a setting as anywhere in Scotland.

Took a bit of a gamble with the snow, and had a crack at the Kilbo path route on a sunny but v.blowy Thursday: mostly doable except for the odd snow drift; worst was lots of patchy snow on the Kilbo path descent which was a shame as it meant more carrying than riding 🙁

On the lower section, snow was all gone 😆

New since I was last up, is the Glen Prosen Hostel at the end of the Minister's path - looked really nice(£18).

Roll on April!

April? I meant May 😳

Hi guys,

I've made some enquiries about accommodation for the weekend of 2/3 May. The bunkhouse is available and you might want to book yourself into the hotel (posh option!). I eventually got a response re. camping and the party line is "no camping" in the hotel grounds or surrounding fields... I not sure if they are able to enforce this under our access laws, so you might want to take your chances. Tom (hungrymonkey) was camping hereabouts in November, so he might be able to shed some more light on how to go about it discreetly. Tom? I've certainly seen people camping around here in recent years.

I'm basically going to shift the responsibility for arranging accommodation onto individuals. Best do it soon because it's a popular area and a holiday weekend.

I'll put together a rough outline of the arrangements over the weekend and post it here next week. It should be pretty straightforward - rendezvous place and time, route details etc.

Cheers,

Stuart.

UPDATE - so far I have emails from 8 bods - please get in touch if you are going to be there because I'll send updates by email which will have more detail in them than what is posted here.

BUMP.

is anyone else planning on camping? Alternatively, has anyone booked into the bunkhosue, or is it all individual rooms at the hotel?

I'm in the bunkhouse, but I might upgrade to a room in the hotel since I'm a bit of an anti-social sleeper (I swear and fight in my sleep...). That's you all warned.

I don't fight when I'm awake, BTW, just in case anyone is coming along just for a rumble.

There are a group of us (6approx) from the Kirkcaldy/Glenrothes area that have booked space in the bunkhouse. Fancied the camping option but the lure of a postride shower won out.

Mcmoonter,

good news. Can you drop me an email with names etc. so I know who/how many to expect in total?

Cheers.

(I'm sure I'll know some of them)

Stuartie-c YGM

Stuartie_c

I plan to be up in that area that weekend with a few folk from GMBC. Planning on Beunn a Bhuirdd and Ben Avon on one of the days but the Clova area is on the cards for another of the days.

Can you keep me informed of where you will ride from and when (roughly) so I can see if we can hook up with you guys?

Cheers

Sanny

Sanny,

A you staying on Deeside? Ben Avon from Glen Clova is a huuuuuge ride.

Sanny,

Glad to hear you're interested.

I'm putting a plan together which I'll email out to my mailing list (currently standing at 14!). Send me an email and I'll add you to the list.

I'll just repeat the accommodation arrangements - it's DIY. Bunkhouse filling fast (mostly Fifers!) and camping "discouraged" but you might want to make up your own mind about that...

Cheers,
SC

Inspired by the pics, I re rode the Loch Muick, dubh loch, capel mounth circuit on Friday in scorchio heat (I ran out of water in March in Scotland!), tshirt and shorts with factor 30 on and it was awesome. It is quite simply one of those rides that if you like big mountains and technical trails, you'll be hard pushed to beat. I had planned to head up the Kilbo path on a hike just to ride back down but my mate Ross was pretty tired feling the effects of lots of training for a quadathlon. A storming day out. Oh and the Glen Clova hotel is great for post ride refreshments and food.

Out of interest, has anyone rideen from Braemar to Ballater via Jocks road or up onto Lochnagar. We spotted some interesting trails when we were riding and was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the possibilities?

Cheers

Sanny

it seems ill have most sats off so im keen !

ill just bivvy up somewhere after the ride , i know the area so if any one fancys that option just let me know

Hi All we've two room's booked in Bunkhouse Friday & Saturday night £11 per night a few of our group can't make it now, anyone interested in sharing (single bed's obviously ) 😆

I might be on for this again now. Please add me to the email list.

Will do Devs.

I'm putting a plan together which I'll email out sometime this week (I know I said that last week as well, but I promise this time...)

Standing at 15 people so far.

Get those emails to me folks if you're interested.

My riding buddy has let me doon, again, so I've booked a single bed (hope not to get landed next to the fighting snoring stuartie!, although I've been known to utter the odd snort myself, so i'll bring some top notch ear plugs.)

Looking forward to it, though I'll need to get some proper miles in, only been running in preparation for a couple of 10k's this last wee while.

Excellent.

Andy@Innerhaven - I replied to your email but your mail server has bounced it (mailbox full apparently). Do you have an alternative?

SC

Booked 8)

I'm opting for the breakfast as well, several portions of porridge hopefully!

Time to install the new forks, build the new wheels and maybe try and shake off three months of overtime behind the desk...

@stuartie_c - I just saw this thread. I'm running around London on the 25th/26th April, and then having a long-organised birthday barbecue on the 2nd of May. Have a great time, and I'll be looking forward to seeing the photos.

Just booked us into the bunkhouse 🙂 Looking forward to it. Hope the weather is nice...

Ditto.

Sorry, Jo, but they've put me in with you... will bring some whisky as recompense.

Hi Stuartie c
Could you add me to the email list please. Should hopefully get the Saturday ride. Will confirm once Iget the wifes off duty.

Stuart c, add me to e-mail list + 1 (poss 2) others. Try and make the (long) saturday ride, weekend off is too hard

Hi Guys,

Sorry I've not been responding to this thread recently. I'll add new respondents to the list and I'll get The Plan out soon... (it's the last week of skool term and I'm up to my eyes in it)

Due to numbers, I'm proposing to split the group into 2 or maybe 3 smaller autonomous groups provided I can find others who know the area well. This will hopefully speed things up as large groups are just inherently slower.

Cheers,

SC