Thinking of cycling the west highland way, anyone done it? any advice stories etc? And more importantly if you have done it would you do it again?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
West Highland Way by bike
(12 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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My buddy and I looked at it, the biggest problem is the Loch Lomond section. either you have the busy road on the road side or its hike a bike over the "other" side. We decided against it and had a tour round Aviemore instead... which ended up as a hike a bike any way :(
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've walked it but that was a few years ago. I did see one group from Glasgow riding it. As steveo says, the east side of Loch Lomond is pretty rough for walking never mind cycling. It's probably better as a bike ride than a walk because in misty weather it can be pretty boring for long sections.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I've done WHW by foot and my personal opinion is that large sections of it are completely unsuitable for bikes. Unless long-distances on unsurfaced and unpredictable surfaces are your sort of thing.
The section from Rowardennan up the east coast of Loch Lomond would be proper "extreme sports" territory. It's very narrow, single file only for long sections, dropping across rocks and boulders and scrambling up between trees.
Devil's staircase would be very technical ascent. I think the streams of slow-moving walkers stopping at every turn to catch their breath would make pushing / carrying the most advisable method.
The bit up from Kinlochleven to top of the last glen heading towards Nevis would be tricky, probably push or carry the bike up.
Majority of the surface is unsealed - cobbled farm or forestry tracks. I suppose that's some people's idea of fun, but it would be very slow going over large sections and over 96 miles you'd be bound to get pretty sore.
Consider also if you would be carrying your gear on the bike.
To my memory, all the various styles and gates are not designed with bike-compatibility in mind.
You would likely get plenty of potential conflict of use on a bike - It's very busy with slow and plodding walkers moving in large groups in both directions and probably not expecting there to be bikes. Even passing on foot can get tiresome on the narrower sections.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'd advise against the Loch Lomond section too. I've walked the Way and most of a nice wide landrover track navigable by MTB, in my view.
I've also cycled from Tyndrom to Inverornan Hotel (and back.
On the walk up the WHW we passed a group of ladies with small day sacks who on enquiring about tents etc? commented that they were staying in the hotels along the way so needed only a small day pack.
I have also seen a ride described (and linked on here I believe) of a ride from Fort William to Inverie in Knoydart. That looked good and I thin was done in a day. From Inverie one could get the passenger ferry to Mallaig and train back to Fort William.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I walked it 17 (eek!) years ago. There have been huge improvements to the path since then although bits are still very rough.
Might be worth following the route on Geograph, you'll get the occasional 'path' picture.
E.g. for the east side of Loch Lomond:
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/152095
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/152095
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2047466
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/22223
(I think these will make it look better than it actually is!)
I have a friend who cycled it (non stop in about 20 hours or something). I think there was a fair bit of pushing involved. Definitely pushed up the Devils Staircase.
Posted 12 years ago # -
If you set out midweek, ie not at the weekend, the WHW is much quieter. So you could avoid having to overtake quite so many walkers.
I remember being passed by a male Glaswegian on a bike wearing a dress who asked me "whit way is the Way" - weird.
Posted 12 years ago # -
A Glaswegian on a bike. That is weird.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"A Glaswegian on a bike. That is weird."
But not a Glaswegian in a dress? The mind boggles....
Posted 12 years ago # -
I can't comment on many of these sections but have ridden it from the King's House to Bridge of Orchy. It was fine mountain biking, but would be a leap on a road-going bike without suspension or very fat tyres. IMO...
Posted 12 years ago # -
I'll likely do it this year, taking two days. I've ridden sections, walked it all (twice). I did Rowardennan to Balmaha on my CX bike last autumn and there was a LOT less carrying than I'd expected.
General advice for cyclists is go do it North-South as walkers will then see you approaching and tend to get out of the way. However, I don't fancy ending up in Glasgow, the "prevailing" weather would suggest South-North and the Devils Staircase section only really makes sense going North too.
Posted 12 years ago # -
My sister's ex-husband did it on foot in just under 20 hours a few months after getting a bit of cancer. I don't ever expect to be unhumbled from this.
Posted 12 years ago #
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