http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Snow Roads - another NC500? en Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:03:10 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913&page=2#post-262920 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 11:58:16 +0000 DaveC 262920@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If there is room, I'd suggest booking in to the Youth Hostel if there is space, and book early! If things go wrong they can just stay overnight and then get a train home the next day. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913&page=2#post-262918 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 11:39:36 +0000 Lezzles 262918@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I drove through Glenshee yesterday and there was a cyclist with a hefty load cycling up from the Spittal of Glenshee. Fair play to them as its a hefty climb. They do have decent venison burgers at the cafe though so perhaps it is worth it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913&page=2#post-262894 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 22:12:28 +0000 HankChief 262894@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Don't let us put you off. Some of life best adventures are when you're not sure you will be sucessful...</p> <p>You have plenty of time, less than half of it is uphill (veloviewer say only 6.4miles are 5%+ &amp; 1.2miles are 10%+), the wind will be on you back some of the time and the it's unlikely to rain continuously.</p> <p>Go for it :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913&page=2#post-262893 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 21:55:07 +0000 Greenroofer 262893@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm...</p> <p>My friend will consider their options. Having two train tickets gives great flexibility,because they could ride to Aviemore from Edinburgh, from Aviemore to Edinburgh, or just do a different ride around Aviemore. They will decide how they feel later in the month.</p> <p>Thank you all for the advice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913&page=2#post-262887 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 19:33:51 +0000 I were right about that saddle 262887@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>as with all these things, it's just a matter of pointing the bike in the right direction and pedaling</em></p> <p>It's not about the bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913&page=2#post-262886 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 19:06:13 +0000 HankChief 262886@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's quite a challenge. I'd recommend looking at the elevation profile and being ready for climbs outside of the main events. Bridge of Brown is unpleasantly steep (think wall of Talla) in both directions.</p> <p>You should also be prepared for wind. The bit from Tomintoul to the Well of Lecht is pretty exposed as is Bridge of Brown to Nethy Bridge. Doing it solo (&amp; both ways) will mean you won't get a respite.</p> <p>The Cairngorm climb is a long drag out of Aviemore to Loch Morlich (worse than Devils beeftub) and then the fun starts... a tough few corners before you get to the 1 way section, a very brief respite, before doubling back on yourself and the never ending left turn up to the ski centre. Great views though.</p> <p>The Lecht is a really on 3 parts, the decent climb from the River Avon to Tomintoul, the long drag to the Well of Lecht and then the final steep climb to the ski centre. (Don't expect a view from the top).</p> <p>Doing Cairngorm first will mean you won't have bail out option if you struggle on the way back from the Lecht. Hopefully the train up will be on time and getting the various stamps is quick.</p> <p>Having said all that &amp; as with all these things, it's just a matter of pointing the bike in the right direction and pedalling.</p> <p>Good luck </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913&page=2#post-262883 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 18:11:54 +0000 crowriver 262883@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Your "friend" will need to rest their legs after that.</p> <p>Not sure end of October is the best time to be doing the ride: might be snow on the hills. </p> <p>Anyway, best of luck to the person, whoever they may be! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-262881 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 18:05:46 +0000 gembo 262881@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hilly </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-262880 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 17:48:49 +0000 Greenroofer 262880@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So the friend* who was previously interested in the Ski Road Challenge (see <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255352">above</a>) has now booked a return train ticket to Aviemore at the end of the month, taking the first train up in the morning and the last direct one back at night. He's got 9.5 hours between trains.</p> <p>He is thinking of doing the Ski Road Challenge in that time, but was wondering how <em>hard</em> it would be. It involves riding from Aviemore to Cairgorm, back to Aviemore, to The Lecht and then back to Aviemore, total of ~85 miles. How do the hills compare in steepness and length to known quantities like Devil's Beef Tub, ascent of Ben Lawers from Glen Lyon (or, heaven forbid, the Wall of Tala)</p> <p>Expert advice greatly appreciated.</p> <p>*I believe that convention dictates that we talk about 'friends' in this context. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255790 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 13:33:00 +0000 Frenchy 255790@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>So it is long but really a series of 20 much shorter climbs as you can go slowly round the bends to recover.</em></p> <p>Going slowly round the bends isn't optional for everyone ;)</p> <p><em>More</em> slowly, perhaps... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255789 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 13:20:52 +0000 acsimpson 255789@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From memory Alpe d'Huez has an average gradient of just 8% and a maximum of around 12-15%. The bends are also flat to help the tourist buses climb up. So it is long but really a series of 20 much shorter climbs as you can go slowly round the bends to recover. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255641 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:45:00 +0000 Cyclingmollie 255641@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paddyirish We tried the Alplings dumplings at the Musselburgh Farmers' Market. Very nice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255640 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:23:21 +0000 Greenroofer 255640@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson - yes, my friend knows the best route from Edinburgh to Aviemore, although <strike>I</strike> he was thinking of taking the train most of the way. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255607 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:43:00 +0000 paddyirish 255607@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson</p> <p>Alpe d'Huez is no easy climb either - one to add to my list - this was probably just hard for me because of the excess lard I'm carrying...</p> <p>@cyclingmollie</p> <p><a href="https://www.alplings.co.uk/restaurant.html">These guys</a> had a stall at our work about a month ago - very good dumplings and strudel... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255605 Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:34:27 +0000 acsimpson 255605@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Greenroofer. I assume said friend already knows the best route to cycle from Edinburgh to Aviemore! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255378 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:05:10 +0000 Cyclingmollie 255378@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Some top dumplings later </em></p> <p>Flashback to knodel on our honeymoon in Austria. I watched cyclists out of Bavaria riding through Austria to Italy from the hotel balcony. Very inspiring. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255377 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 23:01:20 +0000 Greenroofer 255377@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks IWRATS - I'll tell my friend... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255376 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 22:48:03 +0000 I were right about that saddle 255376@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Logging road best avoided if you're going quick. It's just gravel. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255372 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 21:48:12 +0000 Greenroofer 255372@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If one were wanting to ride HankChief's ski road challenge, would one just ride along the road to Cairngorm, or is the 'logging trail' that runs beside it for a lot of the way a sensible alternative for someone on a road bike?</p> <p>...asking for a friend, obviously. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255359 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 18:32:25 +0000 Harts Cyclery 255359@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Did a road race over the road north of Ballater. Twas a sore one and for the wiry lightweights alright. The descent down to Ballater was epic, however. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255352 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:29:44 +0000 HankChief 255352@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.aviemorebikes.co.uk/events-adventures/ski-road-challenge/" rel="nofollow">http://www.aviemorebikes.co.uk/events-adventures/ski-road-challenge/</a></p> <p><em><strong>New for 2017 – Challenge yourself to ride to our two local ski centres!</strong></p> <p>A challenge intended for road bikers looking for the Scottish version of Mont Ventoux. Ride from Mikes Bikes Aviemore to Cairngorm Mountain, then up to the Lecht Ski Centre via Aviemore. The total route equals approximately 136 KM’s / 85 Miles with 1686m /5531 ft of climbing. You can split the route over a couple of days or try and smash it in one day. As long as you get your card filled in you can claim a medal.</p> <p>Collect  route cards from Mikes Bikes Aviemore and have them stamped along the way (Cairngorm Mountain, Mikes Bikes, The Lecht, Mikes Bikes) on completion of your card collect a medal from Mikes Bikes Aviemore. GPX Files are available from Mikes Bikes – email sally@Aviemorebikes.co.uk</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255345 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:47:08 +0000 DaveC 255345@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Its a shame the Snow Roads is off the calendar at the moment. I would like another shot at it. Maybe ECE it into a 400, as I need that for this years SR. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-255318 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:30:54 +0000 acsimpson 255318@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Paddyirish That sounds like a truly epic climb. It makes the one alpine climb I have done Alpe D'huez sound like a couple of laps of Arthurs seat in comparison. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-254936 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 12:27:00 +0000 amir 254936@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paddyirish you do know that there's a ski-lift? ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-254925 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:16:59 +0000 steveo 254925@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Would be good for 50mph descents</em></p> <p>I hit over 45 mph* coming off the other side and didn't pedal till I hit Tomintoul. Did I mention the knobbly tyres I was running? I said a few silent prayers to Shimano san for my disk brakes on one corner though. </p> <p>*No gps trail but I was tearing away from my mate who recorded 46 mph on his speedometer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-254887 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:36:49 +0000 paddyirish 254887@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Mediumdave </p> <p>Funny you mentioned the Kitzbuhelerhorn I did that on Sunday and it was without doubt the hardest thing I've done. 10.4km, 1215m of ascent. Gradient never below 10% and as high as 22.3%. The only positive thing to say about my ride is that no walkers overtook me. It was 27 degrees and I was so wobbly when I got to the restaurant 3/4 of the way up, the cafeteria staff carried my tray to the table for me. Some top dumplings later and I was able to do the last 2 km and 325 vertical metres to the summit. Going down was terrifying at times and when got to the bottom, I ditched the remainder of the planned ride and bailed to the nearest railway station. Took train to nearest point to my base and only had 10km and 600m vertical to get back home. </p> <p>The 360 degree view from the summit was worth all the pain... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-254844 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:47:13 +0000 I were right about that saddle 254844@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Bridge of Brown should be renamed Bridge of Brown Trouser. </em></p> <p>I once had a Mini roll backwards down that hill towards me due to a failing handbrake as I was sat on a motorbike in a traffic jam caused by a bus that couldn't get up the hill. Not good.</p> <p>It's actually a Caulfield era military road from the 1760s linking Forres to Braemar and was never intended for commercial traffic, let alone buses. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-254841 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:34:55 +0000 MediumDave 254841@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We did that route as part of a larger tour a few years back over the course of 3 days (with camping gear) stopping just outside Tomintoul and in Braemar. </p> <p>Bridge of Brown should be renamed Bridge of Brown Trouser. *scary* hairpins on a loaded tourer. </p> <p>I also remember trying not to be sick in the carpark of the Lecht ski centre after grinding up there in the granny in the teeth of a strong headwind. Once I'd recovered (and retrieved my other half) we went into the cafe for restorative hot chocolate (and whimpering).</p> <p>The next day the crosswinds when descending the Cairnwell at Ludicrous Speed were...disturbing. </p> <p>Immediately after that tour I replaced my chainset (at the time 52x42x32) with something even less manly.</p> <p>Never done anything like it before or since. Even inadvertently riding a chunk of the Kitzbuhler Horn (due to a satnav error) wasn't so challenging though I suspect we stopped before that climb got properly steep. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-254840 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:34:32 +0000 neddie 254840@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Would be good for 50mph descents</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17246" rel="nofollow">http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17246</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17913#post-254839 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:21:49 +0000 I were right about that saddle 254839@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>That Snow Roads route looks completely beyond most people</em></p> <p>I've cycled over Glenshee but I'd need a nice lie down before and after tackling the Lecht and I'd need exceptional drugs to then get up to the Cairngorm funicular.</p> <p>As far as I could make out @HankChief barely broke sweat doing it, but he is a very strong boy. </p>