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
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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
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.
its either Feshiebridge / Rothiemurcus / Lairig Ghru / Derry Lodge / Linn o Dee
or the (arguably) more arduous Glen Feshie / Geldie / White Bridge / Linn o Dee
Is the 'middle 8 miles' the Feshie-Geldie watershed?
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
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.
@ Murun B - yes.
@ Bax - I aint going if its not arduous.
@ IWRATS - smashing and noted about the death part.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
@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.
@ 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.
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.
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...
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!
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.
Sorry, I was actually trolling you there. Shame on me.
grrrrr :D
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
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.
Yes, proving arduous.
Day 3 more arduousier.
Feishie was mid-thigh, then a 3hr slogathon/hike-a-bike due to mud.
That's the spirit.
Frankly relieved about the Feshie.
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.
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.
Mount kean isn't any smaller.
Well done. Only the Hill of Morphine to go?
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