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Great news Sanny - congrats!
I'd be up for an overnighter in the spring as well. As for point-to-point logistics, might be worth giving [url= http://go-where.co.uk ]Andy@Innerhaven[/url] a bell.
Routes coming up once I've finished my sausage, leek and apple casserole. Yum.
OK - here's the main objective:
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4090200863_26953b3110_o.jp g" target="_blank">
As suggested by Captain Mainwaring (sorry you can't make it, though I'm pretty sure I've got the same cold).
More ideas to follow once I have them...
VitalSpark or ItalSpark - I'm up for Italian on Saturday if you're making a booking.
Which is it anyway?
[img] 
[/img] or
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http://blog.cafeyogi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/spark.jp g"/> [/img]
Sunday - how about the classic Capel Mounth - Bachnagairn circuit. I'll never tire of this one.
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/4091024968_ea1d6dc2b5_o.jp g" target="_blank">
Concurring with the Sunday idea.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
I am contemplating joining you guys for this but won't know if I can until the last minute - again! Work and stuff. How fit and fast are you guys going to be?
The saturday route - some of it does not even have singletrack marked on my map - is there a track and how rough is it?
What is it like in comparison to say the Glen tilt route in terms of toughness?
i,ll book for 8 people and we can make changes when we see harry.
meanwhile the italspark is off to see 80,s jamacian dancehall legend yellowman ( dont suppose thrers much call for that kinda stuff in buckie ?)
sees and secklle
TJ - YGPM
TJ - fitness will vary quite a bit within the group. Previous rides have had some fast wee ****ers (Raddogair) and some plodders like me 😳 I'm just getting over a cold and was feeling it last weekend hillwalking on the Fisherfield hills.
Everyone is catered for and there are always opportunities to split the group if the pace doesn't suit some (this route lends itself quite well to variations/shortcuts). Much will depend on the weather and how much snow/ice there is on the Lochnagar plateau on saturday.
We'll need to make an early start to get as much daylight as possible and it may be an idea to chuck in some lights, just in case...
sausage apple and leak casserole you strange strange man!!
Might, and mean might, make one of the days, depending on work time. Driving up in morning if am. Let you know soon so we can make the long day the day i can make 😀
Oh and Stuart, you aint slow by any means, certainly no plodder!!
couple of highland classics there stuartie, love the 7 mile climb to start the sunday "easy day"
if the radoggair is coming i,ll be sure to look out several pairs of gloves and armwarmers for multiple costume changes
Radogair, the plodder crown is mine. I survived a six hour epic in the Sidlaws on Sunday. The bonk made its annual visit.
Still, its the first time I've ridden a hardtail for nearly 20 years. The SLR saddle has been ditched in favour of a more comfy WTB. I figure its good to have a good bonk before an epic epic. Now if I could translate that into German, I might be in with a shout with the nymphettes.
I'm a single parent this weekend - and dragging a two and a four year old round that in a Burley would not be a good idea.
Have fun.
Stuartie, I'm going to be leaving from Kirkcaldy on Friday afternoon, early evening. Do you want to car share? Alex and Mark are thinking of joining us for the Sunday ride.
....or we could all hook up with the rickmeister?
TJ, I've done both some of this route and the Glen Tilt circuit. If you can do Glen Tilt you won't have a problem with this. The main differences are steeper climbs and descents:
1) The climb to the Lochnagar plateau from the landie track is a 45 min + push/carry (70% carry) whereas GT has very little pushing
2) The Glas Allt descent is a bit like the steep bit of the Fearlar Lodge to Tarf section but about 4x the length
3) Some other push sections to get back up to Broad Cairn
In total about 10k less than GT, but 200m more ascent
Thanks Captain.
We did end up walking the tandem a fair bit on the glentilt circuit so this might be a step too far. The problem is you cannot take a dab - and its 30+ seconds each time you are on and off it - so if a solo rider would be dabbing or getting off now and then we end up walking as its quicker. Carrying it is an utter pain
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Depends if Mrs TJ wants to play really
stuartie_c - did the Capel Mounth ride on sunday and it looks like Glen Clova doesn't see the sun anymore so most of the boulder climb was covered in ice. Made for careful walking never mind riding! Capel Mounth descent was fine though 😀
TJ, absolutely would not recommend it for the tandem then. The path from the landie track to the bealach is 50% carry. From there to the top is 100% carry up a steep rock staircase. On the descent there are 3 rock staircases I would have thought not doable on a tandem, and a lot of water bars. I don't know if you can get tandems over water bars?
Edit - you could still do most of it though. Instead of doing the Lochnagar bit, just carry on the track and down into Glen Muick, leisurely snack break and meet the others at Glas Alt Shiel
Captain - I tend to be limited by the screaming from the back seat 🙂
We can get over step ups about 10" high and steps down up to 18" or more.
I am sure i could ride it down carn ban mor - but mrs TJ would kill me for trying.
Cheers for the info
Edit - I had already spotted that - and a possible landrover track escape back to the north
Shortbread and Stuartie_c
Cheers for the kind words. I was already planning on chatting to Andy about my route ideas. I've got lots of possible routes that we could try as a bit of a mission in the Spring. One option could be a super lightweight bothy trip using Ryvoan as a mid point with the short ride down to Glenmore Lodge for dinner being a viable option to minimise the amount of food we carry. Alternatively, we could just stay there meaning we could eliminate the need to carry sleeping bag, stove etc.
Do me a favour and mail me your contact details. My address is in my profile. I know Shearer and McMoonter will be up for some damn fool mission too.
I re rode the Capel Mounth loop back in May having taken a Friday off work. It was absolutely fantastic taking in the Dubh Loch climb and descent on a perfect Spring day. Dusty trails <sigh>. Still, with winter approaching, we can always take lights for all day epics! 😀
Cheers
Sanny
We did the Glen Clova route yesterday and same as FG I thought that the upper Glen probably won't see the sun until April. There was a lot of ice there and in fact all over the route apart from the final descent from Capel Mounth (thankfully). In fact we noted that Coire Chash didn't get the sun on it so descended the LRT further along which had it's own thrill with sections covered in sheet ice. Top day out though, which I'd like to repeat sometime only without dragging our bikes to the summit of Broad Cairn. What were we thinking?!
If that's the easy day then the weekend is probably a bit out of my league - although I do like the look of day one.
Kunstler - MemberIf that's the easy day then the weekend is probably a bit out of my league - although I do like the look of day one.
My thoughts too. Count me out of this one.
Glen,
There might be some more amenable routes for either day which would open things up to riders who feel put off by the routes I've posted above. I'll have a good look at the maps and she what options there are, but any ideas you might have yourself would be welcome.
Travel-wise, there are a few heading up from Edinburgh/Fife so car share makes sense. I got a text from JimCollins67 who's heading up with another mate Paul so that means me, McM and Rickmeister going up on friday. Can you email me Rick and we'll try to get all 3 in one vehicle.
Cheers FG and Kunstler for feedback on conditions - very useful information. We'll need to make some judgements on the day as to what is going to be rideable.
Sanny - I'll email you contact details soon, though I'm having trouble accessing my account just now.
Sanny,
can't see your email address in yer profile. Send me an email on
stuart.campbell40ATtiscali.co.uk
Cheers,
SC
ive booked the italian for 6-6.30 on the saturday night for 8 people, which harry said we can alter when we see him.
im officially opening the ballater buttery eating contest for the weekend
im have inside info that the queen and the corgis have a dozen sent in for sunday breakfast, can you beat this ?
Do not try to out eat italspak......it will end badly for you. Be warned! 😯
I hear the forecast is pants 🙁 Wet and windy. Ah well, lots of costume changes for me then!
Ladies and gents I give you....
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Thought it best to post a small pic to avoid distress!
It happened on a training day at GT, I hoped I would be better after Arnica tabs and cream but I spent the whole of last week standing at work. Maybe flat pedals not clips are a good idea to practice Manuals, so when the bike loops and you don't cover the back brake fast enough, you don't get dumped on a stoney forest track like a sack of spuds...... Twice. Doc says that the clotted blood should re absorb over a bit of time but my coccyx still feels like I have been kicked really hard up the ringpiece, hence the problem sitting.
I am sorry guys, I'm out. I know how much goes into sorting these things but I cant ride.... It sounds like a great weekend and a chance to eat pizza [s]look at girls[/s] meet forum folk as well as a cracking, bold route late in the year. Also apologies on the transport front too. Waiting painfully for the write up..... and pics.
**** **** ****.
😯
Lordy.
weather forcast according to mwis.org.uk isnt so bad, it says were in for a good buffeting up the cairngorms....ooo er missus
guys could i ask what you are doing on saturday, would posibly be up for joining you if i can get there, i live in aberdeen. cant make sunday though.
guys could i ask what you are doing on saturday, would posibly be up for joining you if i can get there, i live in aberdeen. cant make sunday though.
Maps above.
Right guys - here goes with final arrangements. [b]READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY.[/b]
[b]Saturday[/b]: meet at the car park at Crathie at 9am ready for a 9:30am start. Map [url= http://www.multimap.com/s/RmcuMeUR ]here[/url]. From memory we might have to pay for this car park but it's worth it to keep Her Maj in the comfortable lifestyle to which she is accustomed, I'm sure you'll all agree...
[b]Sunday[/b]: meet at the Loch Muick car park at Spittal of Glen Muick. We can be a bit more relaxed on the start time for this as it's a shorter ride. Let's say 9:30 for 10. Map [url= http://www.multimap.com/s/RhifiZK7 ]here[/url]. Another pay per park one, I'm afraid, but this one at least goes to the upkeep of the mountain environment, I think.
As with all of these rides, I'm working on the assumption that all riders who turn up are competent on a bike, properly equipped and can look after themselves in a mountain environment. Ask yourself the question: "Would I be comfortable doing this myself?". If the answer is "No" then please think twice about coming along because I'm not a mountain bike guide. I'll happily take responsibility for not getting us lost, but if I think someone is holding the group up significantly I'll send them home because we can't afford to be hanging around at this time of year. Similarly if the weather is going tits up, I'll cut the ride short and probably err on the side of caution so be prepared for diversions or shortcuts. There are a number of escape options early on the Saturday ride, though it becomes a bit more committing later on. Ultimately everyone is responsible for themselves and for staying with the group unless we decide to split into smaller groups.
Finally, bring lights, just in case; seeing lights for the front, be-seen light for the back. Map and compass handy too in case we need to split up.
Assuming we're OK with this, lets have a roll-call.
(bossy bastard mode off)
Right guys - here goes with final arrangements. [b]READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY.[/b]
[b]Saturday[/b]: meet at the car park at Crathie at 9am ready for a 9:30am start. Map [url= http://www.multimap.com/s/RmcuMeUR ]here[/url]. From memory we might have to pay for this car park but it's worth it to keep Her Maj in the comfortable lifestyle to which she is accustomed, I'm sure you'll all agree...
[b]Sunday[/b]: meet at the Loch Muick car park at Spittal of Glen Muick. We can be a bit more relaxed on the start time for this as it's a shorter ride. Let's say 9:30 for 10. Map [url= http://www.multimap.com/s/RhifiZK7 ]here[/url]. Another pay per park one, I'm afraid, but this one at least goes to the upkeep of the mountain environment, I think.
As with all of these rides, I'm working on the assumption that all riders who turn up are competent on a bike, properly equipped and can look after themselves in a mountain environment. Ask yourself the question: "Would I be comfortable doing this myself?". If the answer is "No" then please think twice about coming along because I'm not a mountain bike guide. I'll happily take responsibility for not getting us lost, but if I think someone is holding the group up significantly I'll send them home because we can't afford to be hanging around at this time of year. Similarly if the weather is going tits up, I'll cut the ride short and probably err on the side of caution so be prepared for diversions or shortcuts. There are a number of escape options early on the Saturday ride, though it becomes a bit more committing later on. Ultimately everyone is responsible for themselves and for staying with the group unless we decide to split into smaller groups.
Finally, bring lights, just in case; seeing lights for the front, be-seen light for the back. Map and compass handy too in case we need to split up.
Assuming we're OK with this, lets have a roll-call.
(bossy bastard mode off)
up keep of the mountain envioroment........you mean building large waterbars dont you?
im mad for it both days
me and missus italspark and the little italspark are coming, were staying in the camper on the friday night and in the bunkhouse on the sat,
anybody know a quiet spot that i can park up for the night in the area
I'm guttted I can't make this, looks like a couple of fantastic routes.
Sunday's looking good weather wise so I'm off to Laggan with the gf.
You put in a leave request yet shortbread? 😉
Packed and ready to go Stuartie, Paul is also coming along. Do you have the route as a gpx file Stuartie, if so send it to me and i'll load it onto the gps as back up.
Jim
Mailed it to you Jim.
Stuartie-c, YGM
I'm mad for this. I've just driven down the A9 from Aviemore in the mother of all rainstorms. Hopefully it hasnt landed as snow on the tops.
No one is going to beat italspark if there is a scranning competition.
is anyone going from aberdeen on the friday night or saturday morning? fancy giving me a lift. il bring you some cake 🙂
of topic, i've just ate some chicken pakora that was cack, but the frijj chocolate fudge brownie milkshake was deeeelicious to wash it down with
Stuart, is this a new H&S thing you have to do when arranging rides cos i dont like it ??........ never new you were so bossy
Will i make it, Saturday : NO, COS I'M WORKING, Sunday possibly. Need to check with Duggie stylee first. Feel i've lost some fitness recently tho so may struggle to keep up
I'll be heading from Dyce at about 3.30 on Friday afternoon and will have room for one.
I have no way of checking the forum after 5.00 tomorrow morning though!