[Closed] STW Scotland ride - follow up to Stuartie C cairngorm thread

Good show, old chap!

29th Aug good for me as it's post-Transalp. I'll either be a) dead, or b) a riding god.

Suggested venues:

Aviemore
Torridon

Wherever we go, midges will be hellish so it's vital to start before dawn, keep moving, ride 'til nightfall and then get pished. None of this nancy-boy Skin So Soft nonsense.

i naturally expected no less than a 14 hourathon ride

Stuart - could you possibly come up with a route, and we'll agree 29th August as the date

Roll call everyone, who's interested??

Based upon my performance and mental state on the previous Glen Clova SWTathon ride, I think I shall keep my hand lowered for this one..!

why not come to the highlands and do the 3G Challenge - thats on that weekend. It's ace - [url= http://www.naturalhighguiding.co.uk ]www.naturalhighguiding.co.uk[/url]

I am OK for the date, but if you guys are doing 9-10 hours with serious climbs it probably counts me out.

Midges will be bad, but get worse further west - Torridon will be hellish. The other thread also suggested Ballater/Braemar - Ben a Bhuird, Ben Avon, Lochnagar circuit

I'm game, will try to restrain my natural instinct to crash in front of people this time...

I would look at doing Braemar out past Mar Lodge and down to Blair Athol through Glen Tilt (magic bit of ST on route), up by A9 to Dalnacardoch Lodge. Then upto Sronphadruig Lodge, Gaick (another lovely bit ST by loch) and down to Weir above Bhran cottage.

Here is the crux, we went onto down towards Kingussie, Feshiebridge round the lochs and back to Glenmore near Aviemore. BUT there is a track showing that takes you into Feshie where you can do the run up Geldie burn and back to Braemar.

We did a longer loop out through Abernethy to Tomintoul, Inchrory and past Culardoch to Braemar then onto described and we did it over a few days but I am an old fart and you young uns could probably beast it in no time.

Have been looking at a route from Glenmore, Ryvoan, Strathnethy, Fords of Avon refuge (could be well named) Glen Derry to Linn of Dee and then back via Feshie. The best bit about that way would be the fast ST round Loch Gamma & an Eilein and then Morlich at the end.

Then of course there is Skye, Arkle loop, Evanton to Ullapool via Croick Church etc.

Whatever you do hope you enjoy. 😀

i hope to be involved as long as my health / fitness is in tact from the next 7 weeks of library action. Sit me on my bike and give me a shove...

BTW, I'm more than keen for anything Aviemore way.

HH - MTFU and get yourself out!

i'm a maybe, depends on how training for my sportive in September is going (and how much mtb'ing i'm still doing)

All good suggestions but Torridon is where I'd like to go:

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

I'll put some route maps together and post them here later (going oot on ma bike - hooray for end of term!!)

+1 for Torridon. Fingers crossed for a wee breeze and loads of sun to keep the midgies away.

Hi all Torridon is where i'd like to go as well,definetely up for that weekend as well, as long as 13th floormonk keeps away from me 😆

Haha, was that you on the silver stumpy that i kept crashing in front of/into? Sorry about that...

Another vote for torridon, if i ride it unencumbered this year i can justify skirting around the nasty stuff when i'm touring fully laden through there next year...

Torridon photis look good. Im on school hols too, abroad in alps, but may join u guys, bck in falkirk 07-08.

Nick

*where's stuart and that map*

Where: Torridon
When: Saturday 29th August
Time: 10am
Route: Stuart C to confirm and post

For those who wish to come along and have never done one before, it will be a mix of abilities (or non abilities if you ever watch me), and generally it should last 4 - 6 hours, maybe a tad longer depending on the route Stu will provide, but this will include plenty of stops, photo's, watching people crash, talking absolute nonsense, plenty of clothing changes (if girls decide to come 🙄 , and generally mingling amonst everyone. The pace will be whatever but will mainly have the faster ones (with carbon HT) leading until the next stop point, which judging by the last ride was only about 5-10 minutes away, so 75% time everyone will be together. Most importantly it will be hugely fun unless your househusband and decides to crash within 5 minutes of starting before we even got offroad :wink:.

P.s. bring insect repelant

Most importantly it will be hugely fun unless your househusband and decides to crash within 5 minutes of starting before we even got offroad :wink:.

Was it even as long as five minutes..?!

Was it even as long as five minutes..?!

What we talking about here?? 😉

Sign me up, I'm up for anything, as long as I dont fall off and hurt myself. Off riding to California & Oregon in Sept

Off riding to California & Oregon in Sept

showing of and making us jealous does not, i repeat does not, earn you brownie points

I'll be flying and not riding across the Atlantic!

What we talking about here??

You were just plain lucky to get some foreplay - I was feeling remarkably generous*. 😉

* Ever noticed that 'erogenous' is an anagram of 'generous'..?

cant commit .... need a job to pay the way.

SAAS have awarded my missus a loan of 25 quid a week to live on while at uni next year ..... so i have to support us both in aberdeen and thus i may have to curb back on the Riding excursions unless anyone has a job for a graduate engineer .... as a bike shop mechanic in the smoke starting at the bottom again doesnt pay much !

Hope to join up - last one was great. Torridon is a stretch tbh, timewise, so can't definitely commit right now. Taking the family up to make a weekend of it would work, so I'll see about that if we're set for the west coast.

*where's stuart and that map*

He's back now. Been out on his bike - crazy, I know!

I'll get mapping right away once I get some food down me and open some cider to celebrate the start of my six week summer holiday... Feel free to mock.

One bonus point about Torridon is that there are lots of options depending on mood/inclination/hangover. Here's a few options to wet yer whistles: (clicky to biggerise)

Not ridden this one, but have walked up the descent which looks nice. Good short/pish weather/lazy bastard option?

Not done this one either... cracking final descent but the infamous drumlins of Coire Mhic Nobhuil in the middle.

This one is in Kenny F. Wilson's book. I've actually ridden this and it is brilliant in every way.

An extension to the previous route which is even better by all accounts - I fancy this one on the Saturday.

Lots of scope for combining routes as well and if those routes don't capture the imagination, there are plenty more in the same general vicinity.

What do we think?

Oh - and don't forget:

(You might want to re-caption it "Aren't you glad you...")

I might well be up for this - Torridon sounds good/ Keep us posted nearer the time please

Got a heap on around then and I will be doing the 10 More in Moray the week before but definitely interested. I fear the Torridon midges though, it could be hell on a stick.

I fear the Torridon midges though, it could be hell on a stick.

they can smell fear you know

househusband - Member

What we talking about here??

You were just plain lucky to get some foreplay - I was feeling remarkably generous*.

* Ever noticed that 'erogenous' is an anagram of 'generous'..?

Maybe if it was ' o generous'. 🙄 but lets not be pedantic

Anyway, maybe cause househusband is an anagram of 'Abused huh son'

Maybe if it was ' o generous'. but lets not be pedantic

Ah. That's exactly why I'm a CDT teacher, not an English teacher!

radoggair

I am back out Sunday 12th July (Only been 7 months off!) Should be good for end August.

Spot on with the last one Stuartie C. Can heartly recommend Coulags up past bothy to Bealach na Lice over and round the wee loch and onto trail to Annat. Give the hotel a phone to check on food if wanted and of course a pint 8O.

Return Options:

Trackle up road to turnoff for Coulin Lodge and take the pass across to Achnashellach Station, then down road to Coulags.

Return on trail upto Bealach na lice and turn left over Bealach Ban to Coire Lair and down to the station.

Coulin pass less fearce.

These routes do require big tyres as drainage ditches abound on first section but this is the real deal when it comes to mountain biking and has a beer stop to boot.

...

ijs445ra - Member
radoggair

I am back out Sunday 12th July (Only been 7 months off!) Should be good for end August

Ladies and gentlemen , i would like to introduce to you the return of the original biking god
* gets on knees and shouts hallelujah*

Still not seen you since 2008!! mr s2000 boy

For "god" read "dog".

What, "ragodgair"?

Isn't that an anagram of "radoggair"?

this sounds interesting. Long drive from the burgh? 4-5 hours or so?

Should be do-able in 4 Al.

Torridon village is an hour from Invershneckie.

Not trying to hijack thread, but for those of you unable to make this date, I'm starting another Torridon thread...we going up Friday 25th September for 2 days riding Sat and Sun, then doing the Fort William red downhill on the way back down on the Monday 🙂

Anyone else ever stayed at Gerry's Bunkhouse in Achnashellach? It's rather good/interesting. Oh, and much cheapness. Where were people thinking of for accommodation?

*starts considering outfit options*

*starts considering outfit options*

Me too. Perhaps I could wear my Transalp Finisher's top...

😀

And I'll wear my Megavalanche jersey 🙂

jojoA1 - Member

Anyone else ever stayed at Gerry's Bunkhouse in Achnashellach? It's rather good/interesting. Oh, and much cheapness. Where were people thinking of for accommodation?

[i]Interesting[/i]?? Well, it certainly has character 🙂

Roll call.

Me. woohoo. Who else is coming??

I'm up for it.

thats 2!!

bigdugsbaws doesn't know it but he'll be there, maybe Jimmy??

Thats 3 and (maybe) 4

Fitness permitting i will be there.

Planning on heading to Inners on Friday afternoon to see how the knees are if you are not working.

i could make inners on friday, weather permitting obviuosly. text me n keep me updated dude

I am up for Torridon and maybe also Inners on Friday. What time you thinking for friday?

11 ish sound good??

Radoggair and the rest. Completely lost track of this. Which weekend are we talking about? Definitely up for it, depending on the weather. Torridon in wind and rain is not a place to be.

Clareymorris, would also be up for the weekend of the 26th/27th. Unemployed at the moment, so trying to get in as much riding as possible.

Have done three of the routes put up by Stuart. Big loop - best in the world. Ben Damph circuit - pretty good. Coire Mhic Fearchear - mmmm

I'm tentatively up for this (depending on time off work, whether I still have a car) - has anyone looked at accommodation yet for those who are staying overnight?

Should be able to do 11. If not i'll catch up with you all. 😀

jojoA1 - Member

*starts considering outfit options*

I could wear my tweeds 🙂

I am working Friday morning at present, so likely to be nearer 1:30 can either try and get the rest of the day off or meet you at the start of your second lap?

Never mind the bl**dy time - which weekend??

Torridon ride is weekend of 29/30 August

There is possibly a ride this Friday at Inners as well at 11am.

radoggair - i am off all day so will be at Inners at 11 no matter what the weather is like.

Thanks ijs445ra. OK, I am potentially on for that depending on what arrangements Mrs M has. Whats the deal on timing, routes, accomodation etc?

Thanks ijs445ra. OK, I am potentially on for that depending on what arrangements Mrs M has. Whats the deal on timing, routes, accomodation etc?

Where: Torridon
When: Saturday 29th August
Time: 10am
Route: Stuart C to confirm and post

Since i'm unsure about the area then Stuart c will (hopefully) be on here to confirm where we're meeting and what route we're doing for definite.
Does anyone else know places for staying/camping??

Did the dates change on this? We are going up that weekend too 🙂 Tell you what I'll read the whole lot again and get up to speed!!!!

No we are not, we are going up end of Sept............Friday the 25th!!! I was confused there for a mo.

Here he is! Hallelujah!

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3784932848_c499c5c602.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3784932848_c499c5c602.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

This has kinda crept up on me, but that goes with the territory when you have 6 weeks of teachers' holidays and time just trickles by like treacle. It was a big shock to the system to find myself in a classroom today with actual children hungry for learnin'

Sooooo...

How about we meet at 10am in the car park in Glen Torridon (NG957568) at 10am on Saturday. Route depends on weather. If it's pishin' doon (unlikely, I know) we'll do the Loch Damh route, but if it's looking good we'll get in about the Coulin Forest.

Radoggair's the boss on this one since he's much better looking than me and a much better rider. He'll sort out all the accommodation for us, I'm sure.

Boooo....

For all those staying away for fear of being crashed into by a careering eejit on a Charge, fear not, i can't make it. 🙁

[url= http://www.scottishcampingguide.com/link.php?n=492&c=18 ]close but basic campsite[/url]

[url= http://www.applecross.uk.com/inn/index.htm ]applecross inn[/url]- about 20km away
[url= http://www.thetorridon.com/inn/tariff.asp ]torridon inn[/url]- very close
[url= http://www.kinlochewehotel.co.uk/ ]bikers welcome hotel[/url]- quite close i think

firstly, yes yes yes i am horrendously good looking (and witty), and amazing on a bike.

Hopefully i've got some nearby accommodation locations sorted on above links. If anyone else knows anymore pass it on. Also, if you've booked or are gonna book somewhere you can also let us know so hopefully get most of us in one place. There's campsite listing as well, the only 1 which i could find which was close. It sounds quite basic, is a donation to stay only but seems alright for a 1 night bunk

Guys,

I've emailed Kinlochewe hotel to ask about bunkhouse availability. I'll post reply here when they get back to me. It's rather short notice but if they have any beds I'd jump at the chance because it's an ideal location and pretty cheap too.

It used to be the Pub With No Cheer, but I think it has undergone a change of management in recent years.

Who is a definite for this trip?

Cant make the Inners ride tomorrow. Heading up to Moray a bit earlier than expected. Have a good one.

Aye, but are you a definite for Torridon?

Is there gonna be a ride on the Sunday?

I'm keen to get out on the Sunday as well if others are up for it. Might as well make a full weekend of it!

Cool. Myself and Jojo will be definates with the same plan as last time (riding alternate days) only with me not feeling like crap.
We will probably stay in the Youth Hostel.

s'pose can make sunday as well, may even stay over then hit fort bill on way home on monday.......... y not, i am on holiday after all.

Reply from Kinlochewe Hotel:

[i]Hello Stuart

On Friday 28th August we currently have 8 beds available in the bunkhouse and on the Saturday there are currently 6 beds available ( we also have availability in the hotel if that is of interest @ £40 per person per night).

The bunkhouse has full self catering facilities, showers, toilets, central heating and a drying room. Please note that all 12 bunks are in one room.

You are required to supply your own sleeping bag and towels. Cost is £12.50 per person per night. [/i]

Fill yer boots!

The bunkhouse has full self catering facilities, showers, toilets, central heating and a drying room. Please note that all 12 bunks are in one room

Orgy it is then. Think i'll book myself a bunk for friday night, and saturday!! Who else may be staying there???

Right,listen up pupils. Booked into the bunk house on friday and provisionally saturday night and was wonderin who else is staying there??

By looks of things there will be 6 or 7 of us going so is anyone else coming up for this??

Boo, we took the initiative too early and booked the youth hostel in Torridon village, other end of the Glen from Kinlochewe and no pub 🙁

What routes for Sat and Sun? (so Hairy and I can commence arguing over who does which one and which day in preference of child wrangling)

Radoggair & Stuartie, I'll take a bunk too, I've got a pal who may come up too.

MC

Excellent McM.

Just phone them up and get yourself in. I'm waiting on my mate to decide if he's coming or not so won't be booking until tomorrow.

Jojo, Matt - I'm planning on the Coulin circuit on Saturday if the weather is ok and the Loch Damh circuit on Sunday. I've got a couple of other ideas up my sleeve as well...

Stuartie, is there a phone number for the bunkhouse? I've still got the bonk from an epic Pitlochry underwater ride. I dont have the motivation to look for it.

OK, I'm keen but that weekend marks the start of a week away with msjimmy. We are planning to stay in Scotland, so I'd be up for this as we can start over that way. However, if the weather outlook looks pump we might be jumping on a last minute flight. So I'll book a bunk if there are any left, otherwise we'll camp nearby and sneak use of the shower maybe if thats OK. We'' leave a contribution behind the bar in return for beer.