Glen Artney (Comrie To Callander) – Rideable on Touring Bike?

I am planning a multi day tour where I’d like to take in this glen. Will be on a cross bike with luggage. How’s the surface heading through the off-road section? Bike has road tyres currently but could be fitted with knoblies if needed. Cheers

I do not know it but I find geograph very useful for checking out how good a route actually is.  Looks fine from this. click on the pic it takes you to geograph and you can move around using the compass point buttons and find pictures of the glen and the path

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1229636

I would say so, I’ve ridden it on my franken-gravel bike (i.e. a 29er with 40c slicks, pictured at the top of the climb immediately after the tarmac ends).

A couple of punchy wee gradients, and yes, some muddy bits and slightly rocky bits, but ultimately nothing a bit of steering and low gear-age won’t get you through! It’s double track all the way.

When you say road tyres, what width?

Thanks looks promising. I’d be on 28mm or 32mm GP4000’s

13thfloormonk has it. “challenging” but doable.

Yep, I’ve done it on my Warbird with 35c Sammy Slicks, and no concerns at all. It’s a lovely track, and much better now that the bridge that washed away has been replaced. Just don’t be tempted to follow the singletrack from the Glen Artney side towards Cultybraggan as it’s muddy cowfield – stick to the road only.

Done it a couple of times. Lads above have it. Doable but with some challenges.  I would say time of year has an impact more than anything, this time of year its manky for instance.

I can get the key for the bothy if needed…

Done it on a touring bike many times – 28c and 32c road tyres.

Been waist deep on the river crossing too but they’ve replaced the bridge now 🙂

Thought about doing it today but need some miles to get the legs for the circuit from Stirling.

And here’s some photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fgm7oss5EZGxDvuMA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/62nJW49gC14uySy29

Here’s some photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fgm7oss5EZGxDvuMA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/62nJW49gC14uySy29

Thought about doing it today but need some miles to get the legs for the circuit from Stirling.

Ooh – and where else you going?

Loch Voil hostel is interesting. The water was waist deep on Thump as we waded the loch to get to the hostel.

Loch Voil: https://goo.gl/photos/oDfS34g2XqP22fhn7

The road from Glen Lochay to Loch Lyon and down Glen Lyon to Aberfeldy is a gem. Had a hardened old-dude describe that as the best day he’d ever had on a bike.

Crispin –  if you like the old Lochay Hydro Road, have hopped over Laraig Ghallballaich(sp?) from Bridge of Balgie to Rannoch?

Matt, when we did Vorlich and Stuc a’Chroin from Callander we passed Arrivuricardich, had a crafty look in amongst the eaves for the key as well but no joy 😉

Matt – have done Bridge of Balgie to Rannoch many years ago.

Was a little bit disappointed as half of it was just forestry track and life is too short to redo shit routes.

My other memory of Glen Lyon is a head-on collision with an owl. It launched out of a hedge, whacked into my shoulder and flew off. The bike was OK.

That was not the year I took 20 cycle tourists to Bridge of Balgie tea room only to discover it was closed for the day :/

How are the shores of Loch Lyon? Seems a natural connection with Glen Kinglas as a fairly cool through route…

13th – easy ride double track all the way along the north side.  Ridden it on the tandem a few years ago

Did the Lairig Ghallabhaich last year as part of a loop from Fortingall returning over the West shoulder of Schiehallion. Had wanted to do this for ages, last rode it back in the 80s as part of a motorbike trial.

Thanks everyone..looks like a goer 😁

Did this from Comrie -> Callander this summer. There were a couple of bits where I was glad of fatter tyres (40mm) but only because it made it nicer, not because it would be impossible. Seem to remember thinking that lower gears would have made it more fun. It was already really good fun though.

Thanks stevious looking forward to this ..

bump @AlasdairMc

Just don’t be tempted to follow the singletrack from the Glen Artney side towards Cultybraggan as it’s muddy cowfield – stick to the road only.

Do you mean the track that runs North of Water of Ruchill? Planning a wee trip and was eyeing the crossing at Dalclathick lodge, then heading East towards Dalrannoch Wood…double track on the OS map, not too many clues on Geograph