Heading up north this weekend and thought about a wee spin around Rothiemurchus/Loch morlich.
Anyone been on the trails around there who could suggest whether or not they are suitable for a skinny tyred (two braked) Single Speed.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Rothiemurchus
(13 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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Some of them are not too steep or rough. The ride from Coylumbridge to Loch an Eilein should be possible and is beautiful, though gears and a bit of tyre width would come in handy.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I just looked at that on the map IWRATS, looks really nice.
If I were on my tod I'd do that then over to Morlich. Trouble is, Mrs ECT is a 1.5 mile to work, 1.5 mile back from work cyclist. A 20 mile round trip might kill me. She'd manage it but kill me for forcing her.
Posted 7 years ago # -
It's lovely. Almost worth killing one's wife for. Not quite though.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I was there a couple of weeks ago. The Old Logging Way and paths round Loch Morlich are doable on thin tyres but some of the ones branching out from them get quite rocky. I was on a cross bike and was glad of the wider tyres. You could spend all day exploring the off road paths round here.
The NCN path from Aviemore to Boat of Garten would be ideal for your wife. Eight mile round trip, great views, chance to spot the steam train and a nice coffee/cake shop at Boat.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Its one's wife that would be doing the killing! If I'm not on the forum next week, you'll know roughly where to send the search party.
I'm very comfy taking the SS along the water of leith path from Slateford to leith, or the almond path Cramond - Cramond Brig, so I don't mind it being a wee bit bumpy.
Cheers for that advice though, sounds a good shout.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I have done Loch an Eilein to Loch Morlich via the Cairngorm Club Footbridge on a folding bike (16"-ish wheels) and don't recall any particular problems although it was some time ago.
Skirted around the south side of Loch Morlich and then up the Green Lochan - again, no particular issues.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@stickman "The NCN path from Aviemore to Boat of Garten would be ideal for your wife. Eight mile round trip, great views, chance to spot the steam train and a nice coffee/cake shop at Boat"
Agreed - although (unless it has changed radically) is it not quite rocky and scrabbly after you leave the golf course at Aviemore? I might manage on a fat tyred SS, but still think a MTB would be better.
I have done a lot of MTB up there over the years and when I took the family up last year I hired them MTBs, even just on the trails round the lochs - because some trails are incredibly beautiful but covered in tree roots etc.
You can hire fairly cheaply from either of the bike shops up there.
If you want a nice trip on a good day, go up to the Green Loch. Dont take your wife too far up that track though or you are will be in soapy bubble !
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Nelly: it's mostly hard packed gravel which isn't too bad apart from a few hundred metres before getting onto the tarmac wt Boat of Garten - my wife did it on her hybrid although we walked that last bit.
Day hire of MTB is probably the way to go.
Feeling quite jealous now - it's great cycling all round there.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I took my hybrid on a Mellow Velo trip a few years back and managed to get over the pass from Boat of Garten to Loch Morlich (via Ryvoan bothy) with only a bit of bike pushing. Did it again the next year with a proper mountain bike and was much happier. The Rothiemurchus bits were fine for the hybrid though. I am not fit or strong and generally the 20milers rides in Edinburgh is about my level of comfort.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Do try get to An Lochan Uaine (Green Lochan) if you can, it's a short, easyish cycle from Loch Morlich (or a longer one via Ryvoan from Abernethy Forest Lodge). But if the sun shines just a little bit you will be in for a treat, it's a truly beautiful little spot.
Forestry trails around Abernethy Forest are good too, all fine on a hybrid type bike.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thanks everyone. Forecast looks great so Mrs ECT has suggested doing a Rothiemurchus - Morlich loop AND up tae Boat of Garten ( maybe a steam train back)
I'm sure your advice has given her a fair boost in confidence.
If this goes well, maybe something a wee bit more adventurous next time!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thanks again for all the advice everyone.
We rode out from Aviemore (Strathspey Railway Stn) to loch Morlich and back, then after a light lunch out to Boat of Garten. A magnificent Steam Train took us back to Aviemore
A lovely day, both very nice rides, about 20 miles or so in the saddle. Mrs ECT did complain both routes were "hillier" that I'd said they would be, but she fair enjoyed herself and she broke he PB in terms of distance in one day (around Bala Lake was her previous best)
I think I'll get her back on a bike sooner rather than later.
Posted 7 years ago #
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