CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Cairngorms - MTB

(35 posts)
  • Started 6 years ago by dessert rat
  • Latest reply from DaveC

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  1. dessert rat
    Member

    anyone MTB'b from Kingussie to Ballater ?

    just planning the route now for day 3 of a c2c and the middle 8 miles is kinda vague.

    any pointers appreciated

    Posted 6 years ago #
  2. steveo
    Member

    Based on my experience, it'll likely be hike a bike even if you've very good bike handling. I've gone north south a few times but not west east so there may be decent trails but I suspect they'll be narrow and fairly techinal to walk.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  3. minus six
    Member

    its either Feshiebridge / Rothiemurcus / Lairig Ghru / Derry Lodge / Linn o Dee

    or the (arguably) more arduous Glen Feshie / Geldie / White Bridge / Linn o Dee

    Posted 6 years ago #
  4. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Is the 'middle 8 miles' the Feshie-Geldie watershed?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  5. minus six
    Member

    fun and games on the feshie-geldie !

    bogtrotting at its finest

    there's always the Tomintoul / Cockbridge Road, i'd keep it in mind if the weather is poor

    Posted 6 years ago #
  6. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Yes, I have done this. It's brilliant. Glen Feshie to Glen Geldie is the way to go. Don't miss the left-bearing track a mile short of the Eidart or you'll be doing four hundred meters of portage up a heathery hill. I never did that. Some other bloke.

    Also, don't go if the Feshie is high. You have to ford it three times now and it has the potential to kill you when it's in spate. And the upper bridge is still out.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  7. dessert rat
    Member

    @ Murun B - yes.

    @ Bax - I aint going if its not arduous.

    @ IWRATS - smashing and noted about the death part.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  8. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Enjoy Iain! I've never found the paths across the watershed too bad, but that was walking.

    As others have said, the Feshie and the state of its crossings are a constant moveable feast these days.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  9. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I aint going if its not arduous.

    I like the cut of your jib. Ryvoan and Lairig an Laoigh over the Fords of Avon would up the brutality factor. I've only walked it, but it can be cycled.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  10. steveo
    Member

    I've only walked it, but it can be cycled.

    Don't belive him, that was the most miserable day on a bike I've had. Ryvoan was fine but approaching the pass the it became less and less ridable, the Fords were a total pita and spent hours pushing a heavy loaded mtb. Coming out and down glen derry its drainage ditches every few meters and some are badly done so I was carrying over them.

    I could have staked out for the ravens the guy who suggested this was fully rideable.

    My day wasn't helped by my brakes being contaminted by oil and they barely worked and squeeled.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  11. steveo
    Member

    This chap who is neither me or my mate describes it far better than I. TBF the weather was glourious when we rode pushed it and we found the only dry ground for 5km under a big old tree to bivvy on for the night.

    http://www.rsf.org.uk/57-uk-routes-archive/198-scotland-the-lairig-pass-lairig-an-laoigh.html

    Posted 6 years ago #
  12. DaveC
    Member

    Sounds fun!! I did a short trip with only a 35ltr rucksack containing tent, rollmat, sleeping bag and stove n food a few years back and would like to do something similar.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  13. dessert rat
    Member

    Posted 6 years ago #
  14. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @steveo

    Sorry, I was actually trolling you there. Shame on me.

    @Iain McR

    That's the Phil McKane classic? Caley Canal, Corrieyairrick, Feshie, Geldie, Deesideway, Glen Tanar, Mounth Road over Mount Keen? I've done that with the exception of the last bit as my mate was knackered. Happy to share what I learned if required.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  15. dessert rat
    Member

    @ IWRATS - not sure if that's its name. We just made it up last time, almost as we went.

    We did it in 5 days about 10 years ago, over Mount Keen then, around this time - was pretty miserable going up as I recall.

    Over 4 days this time, hence day 3 @ 85k, with some hike-a-bike and a mystery section in the middle will require an early start.

    Have acquired a HT 29er, as the bike I did it on last time (full sus 26) despite looking immaculate and a bit like Trigger's broom, will soon qualify as genuine retro.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  16. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Four days will be arduous indeed. What kit will you be packing?

    Hard tail 29er is the way forward. Though mine is now beyond retro and into scrapheap challenge territory.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  17. dessert rat
    Member

    will be travelling light (a lot lighter than last time anyway!). Reckon I can get away with seatpost mounted pannier rack, with one pannier and camelbak for water.

    We are B&Bing it, so thankfully don't need to lug tent etc...

    Posted 6 years ago #
  18. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    We are B&Bing it

    Wise choice for a four day outing I'd have thought. Makes the actual cycling a bit more spirited. Hope you get the weather and the Feshie cooperates!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  19. dessert rat
    Member

    i recall last time we forded the Feshie, immediately stopped for lunch, dried feet etc... got back on the bike, 15m round the corner had to ford it again. Just plough over that time.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  20. steveo
    Member

    Sorry, I was actually trolling you there. Shame on me.

    grrrrr :D

    Posted 6 years ago #
  21. minus six
    Member

    fording in spate with the bike

    temptation is always to use the bike's weight to form a tripod, but destroys yr hubs and bottom bracket, innit

    or make multiple crossings with gear and bike held high

    no easy answers

    Posted 6 years ago #
  22. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Trick for fords - beach shoes. Take your proper shoes and socks off and slip on a pair of lightweight beach shoes.

    My last year's ride had about as much underwater as overwater riding and that turned out to be an excellent solution to the continual faff of foot drying. Rode all the way up Glen Auch wearing them and lost count of how many times I crossed the Allt Kinglass.

    All bearings well packed with grease prior to departure and seem to have survived.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  23. dessert rat
    Member

    Yes, proving arduous.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  24. dessert rat
    Member

    Day 3 more arduousier.

    Feishie was mid-thigh, then a 3hr slogathon/hike-a-bike due to mud.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  25. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    That's the spirit.

    Frankly relieved about the Feshie.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  26. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Would it not be easier to go by the Lairig Ghru? Might be a bit of pushing involved but drier underfoot. I've cycled up Feshie and even the road was flooded. I've cycled up to the Chalamain Gap (half way up the Lairig) and that seemed a lot more enjoyable.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  27. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Would it not be easier to go by the Lairig Ghru?

    It's not really cyclable. There's a boulder field and miles of morass.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  28. dessert rat
    Member

    Mount kean isn't any smaller.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  29. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Well done. Only the Hill of Morphine to go?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  30. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    THE ENTIRETY OF CCE ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION DEMANDS A WRITE-UP OF AT LEAST THREE PARAGRAPHS FOR THIS ADVENTURE. Please.

    Posted 6 years ago #

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