If broached on this subject before but Covid weather and life have all got in the way over that last 2 years, it seems like every time I try to plan this something gets in the way. Last time it was Train line issues meaning no return from Fort William.
The simple question is realistically easy doable in 48 hours for a fairly fit rider ? part from that crappy bit of hike a bike .. The alternative seems less that pleasing riding up the A82 on the west side of the Loch .. bad enough driving that dodging logging wagons. If anyone has done it in two days please let me know your thoughts
Day one Milgavie to Crianlarich/Tyndrum
Day two The rest
Yes go for it.
There's a bit of info on daily mileages and hikeabike alternatives on my website.
https://gbmtb.com/en/mtb-west-highland-way/
I parked in Crianlarich as before this sounds rubbish riding. Train back from FW. Yes I know I didn’t ride it all but I was happy.
Yes, two days is do-able, although these will be two quite tough days and the Lochside hike a bike isn't nearly as bad as some folk would have you believe; from Inversnaid to Beinn Glas farm is well over half rideable, even with a couple of smaller bags on your bike. Give yourself plenty of time and don't charge at it like a bull at a gate and you'll be fine.
@Marin, the extensive singletrack from Balmaha to Inversnaid is fun and has some properly entertaining bits in it, with flow and tech alternating. I ride it for fun occasionally as a winter out and back.
Very do-able in two days for a reasonably fit rider.
I stand corrected highlandman!
Im liking what im reading , I often shouldering the stuff in the lakes so the Loch side shouldn't be to bad then. I think my main problem will be the bull in a China shop start and maybe taking it a little easier to start with. All we need is a few nice days now then 🙂
Definitely doable in two long days, actually fun and nice pub stops if you do it in 3. Depends what you want ?
I overheard two blokes chatting about the WHW while I was in Ft William a couple of weeks ago, & am also sure one of them said that cyclists aren’t supposed to do it. IE, not supposed to cycle it. Maybe I should’ve asked what he meant but I wasn’t part of the conversation & was heading off somewhere anyway.
Twaddle made up by some anti cyclist maybe?
Definitely doable over 2 days. The first stretch with the many gates was for me worse than the loch side section.
No issue with cyclist doing it just some daft folk out there that want to stop all fun.
I did it in one day pre covid. Ft bill south. 2 days would be better! Hike a bike down the loch was grim but I’d already done 65 miles or so by then. Also couldn’t figure out how to carry my full suss so pushed it - my right calf has never quite recovered from the pummelling the pedal gave it! If take a HT next time, and am better at carrying the bike now! Bit sure if this link will work, but might be useful to you
https://strava.app.link/YXgBBlr06pb
Impressive Oblongbob
Im sure Santa Cruz Endura and Rob Wardle wouldnt have done anything untowards and filmed it if you werent allowed to ride the WHW .
So from this point on its weather watching time 🙂
Of course you're allowed to ride the WHW! We have very progressive access rights doncha know!
https://www.westhighlandway.org/getting-started/frequently-asked-questions/
Can I cycle the West Highland Way?
You can but it is worth noting that the West Highland Way was designed as a long distance walking route and consequently cyclists will come across terrain, underpasses and gates which were designed specifically for walkers. For example, when the West Highland Way passes under the A82 and West Highland Rail Lines the reduced headroom would require cyclists to dismount. The path between Rowardennan and Inverarnan has some rocky and narrow parts which are not suitable for bikes.
Cycling on hard surfaces, such as wide paths and tracks, causes few problems, however on narrow sections, cycling may cause problems for other people, such as walkers and horse riders. If this occurs, dismount and walk until the path becomes suitable again. Do not endanger walkers and horse riders: give other users advance warning of your presence and give way to them on a narrow path. Take care not to alarm farm animals, horses and wildlife.
Never done it but has been on my radar for a while. Two days sounds sensible. Have fun, I'm slightly jealous. 👍
Never done it but has been on my radar for a while. Two days sounds sensible.
Same. Doing it in one day means no luggage of course, so there's that.
Have to say that if I was advising anyone looking to do this, with enjoyment as one of their priorities, I'd be saying to do it over three days rather than two. Two is hard as some sections are quite disruptive in terms of gates, steps, carrying up and down rocky slabs, lots of walkers to be passed, so if you want to actually enjoy the experience, slow it down a bit and take three.
After Rowardennan, I'd strongly recommend taking the high road, not the low road too, that's just avoidable pain.
Pause at the Angels' Playground at the top of Loch Lomond, look behind you and pat the shiny dome on the top of Dario's memorial post while you share a nip of Jura from a flask.
Did Invarnan - Ft William and back at the weekend. Main advice would be fit a bell as you're coming up behind streams of walkers at times. I'd not got one for the way out so did a lot of shouting "excuse me" etc to not much avail. (Bought a bell in ft bill to find it redundant for the way back of course as everyone could see us coming.)
Same. Doing it in one day means no luggage of course, so there’s that.
That was my thinking. Fast and light means that the hike-a-bike (pain-fest) up Loch Lomond is easier to manage. I ended up carrying my hardtail for a lot of that section, and just got it done. Think my 'moving time' on that was about 1h 30m or so, think I had a wee lie down afterwards though.
Oh, and good shout on the bell. Tons of walkers are in zombie-mode with hoods up and headphones on.
Once through there, it's almost all fast rolling tracks, but nothing too technical.
I’ve wondered if a better 2 day ride would be to start at Tyndrum or maybe bridge of orchy then ride to fort William , spend the night there ( lots of accommodation options and food ) and then day 2 ride back south to Tyndrum . You’d get the best of the riding and views , admittedly you wouldn’t of done the west highland way but I think you would have 2 good riding days as opposed to 1.
As someone above said, there is actually some nice riding along bits of LL.
And if you follow whotsisname's advice to drop right off the spine of Conic Hill then that section should be good too.
I’ve wondered if a better 2 day ride would be to start at Tyndrum or maybe bridge of orchy then ride to fort William , spend the night there ( lots of accommodation options and food ) and then day 2 ride back south to Tyndrum . You’d get the best of the riding and views , admittedly you wouldn’t of done the west highland way but I think you would have 2 good riding days as opposed to 1.
But then there are lots of better 2 day routes (with a lot fewer walkers to negotiate) than the WHW so why would you want to do that?
Im also interested in riding this
what is the word on midges along this route
Im guessing June inwards is midge season?
Im also interested in riding this
what is the word on midges along this route
Im guessing June inwards is midge season?
Weirdly enough, I didn't have any midge issues either time. Once in September and once in July. But normally yes you'd expect midgies to be about any time in summer if the wind drops and it's not hot ( bear in mind I mean genuinely hot rather than warm, sweaty, damp muggy hell that the UK does so well and midgies love so much)
Take a headnet
