People’s! I’ve not been on here for a while, still cycling still enjoying it. Now, I have a partner in grime, my son and I are hoping to head north soon , from Stirling and up through Callander , to crainlarich , hoping to get to fort bill or mallaig. Taking lots time, 4, maybe even more days if we venture over to Skye. Now I know that’s hardly sportive pace but it’s about getting out and enjoying a lack of timetable !! Camping and self sufficient wherever we can .
Thing is, we would like to stay off main roads, but don’t really fancy any too serious of road routes, devils staircase etc is not for us on comfy bikes ! Any suggestions re slightly “ off road” options ?
Cheers, Scott.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure
Routes north ?
(8 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
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Hi @splitshift,
These are all gentle;
I always fancied Route 7.
Things do get very wild very quickly up there if you leave the cycleways.
Posted 6 years ago # -
The path up the river from Calender to Lix Toll is fine dust from near Calander to Strathyre, then tarmac to Lochearnhead, then fine dust to the top of Glen Ogle.
I can't recommend the ride west from Lix Toll to Crianlarich. It is a fast road where vehicles tear along, and the windy section in the middle, doesn't slow impatient drivers who want to get through at the same pace they made along the straights.
Have you considered a trip south to Campbelltown then getting the ferry back to Ardrossan and taking the train home from there? Here is the route sketched out.
You could ride over the Campsies to Loch Lomond south and over to Garelochhead before riding up Loch Long, or go further north to Inversnaid and get the ferry to Tarbet
http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/plan-your-visit/getting-around-the-park/boat-ferry-waterbus/
Then head over to Inverary up the old military road to the top of the Rest And Be Thanksful to avoid traffic, and take the quiet route from Inverary to Loch Awe before riding down the Loch to Lochgilphead and then down over the Crinan Canal looking out for the famous Vic32 before climbing after Tarbet either the ferry to Arran and back over to Ardrossen or continuing down the lumpy (slight understatement!) B842 to Campbelltown and then taking the ferry (summer only) to Ardrossan?
Posted 6 years ago # -
Dave, yes that was my worry about north of lox till, was hoping maybe there is a secret route around it !! Might look at other routes completely, never been down to Campbell town or anything near it, that would certainly be right into the no timetable outlook, part from the ferry obviously !! I had also looked at route 7 but was just looking at the road to the isles !! Might train it further north , or chuck in the car and get dropped at fort and then get over the sea to do abhebridean your. I’ll keep in touch !!
ScottPosted 6 years ago # -
From Callander to Killin has been upgraded recently much is better than fine dust but some still dusty (its almost completely off roads so nice). From Doune to Callander there is no official route google will say to take the A84 a fast narrow in places 2 lane road that is main route north not a good road to cycle. A quiet alternative is B8032.
The roads on campbeltown look nice but can very busy with lots of bad driving if choose the wrong time of day possibly may want to travel that part of route off peak. Killin to aberfeldy is not too bad then can link to the A9 path to Aviemore which is largely off road with some quietish roads.
Posted 6 years ago # -
If you want to cover some distance on quiet roads and have a bit of time, the other option is to do the Outer Hebrides, particularly Harris, Bernaray, the uists and barra,
You could do a loop from Oban that way (out to Lewis and down)
It's not as far as you'd think and there are amazing beaches and other places to camp on.
Traffic is tiny compared to skye and mainland at this time of year.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Start at the bottom of the outer Hebrides and head north so the prevailing wind is at your back. We did Oban / Barra / up to Tarbet (then a bus trip round the northern sights on Lewis) / boat to Uig / cycle down to the ferry back to Mallaig / train home. Wonderful holiday - (except for the stretch on Skye where we had force 7 headwinds...)
Posted 6 years ago # -
I have witnessed cyclists on South Uist heading into an unexpected, sustained and freezing northerly. Looks of utter despair. Character building I'd imagine.
Posted 6 years ago #
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