Cairngorm loop grp depart 2016

[Single Speed George]

better pack my back country kit never mind the bike im bringing my skiis ... might actually throw them in as have the tuesday off work haha and might manage one last telemark sesh of the season... haha

[AlasdairMc]

Once I can get to the all you can eat Italian buffet in Aviemore afterwards I care not :)

Or maybe before...

Not during? Any idea when they shut on a Saturday?

[touch]

http://www.highrange.co.uk/taverna

open "till late"

(10pm according to their facebook page)

[GregMay]

Loch Morlich currently:

[Howard]

Loch Morlich currently:

From a quick look at the elevation profile, 75% of the route is higher than Loch Morlich. Do you get a time bonus for making a snowman?

[Nikk]

Do you get a time bonus for making a snowman?

Only if they are riding a snow bike!

On the positive side, the forecast has cleared a bit with less rain on Saturday http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weat ... 1461974400

Also wind is low.

The main considerations for us are how much snow is going to be on the ground, and if it is melting, how wet it is / how full the rivers are. I think it is going to be doable, but wet on the ground and snow higher up. Keeping feet warm is gonna be the main battle, but also not grinding to a cold wet miserable halt!

[ianfitz]

I have to admit that I'm glad not be on the start list this year. I would be working on excuses by now for sure. Or borrowing a fat bike!

[Single Speed George]

wow this is going to be character building ....

[ScotRoutes]

View from my window


27th April..... LAST YEAR

[GregMay]

I have to admit that I'm glad not be on the start list this year. I would be working on excuses by now for sure. Or borrowing a fat bike!

I don't tend to worry about excuses.

I just say I'm soft and don't go.

[ianfitz]

I have to admit that I'm glad not be on the start list this year. I would be working on excuses by now for sure. Or borrowing a fat bike!

I don't tend to worry about excuses.

I just say I'm soft and don't go.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not proud! That's pretty much what I said in my email to Steve last year...

[GregMay]

I have to admit that I'm glad not be on the start list this year. I would be working on excuses by now for sure. Or borrowing a fat bike!

I don't tend to worry about excuses.

I just say I'm soft and don't go.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not proud! That's pretty much what I said in my email to Steve last year...

Don't worry. I was DNF* last year after my exciting extra "why the hell did you do that bit when you could have just rode the easy way back" detour.

[Dave Barter]

I have to admit that I'm glad not be on the start list this year. I would be working on excuses by now for sure. Or borrowing a fat bike!

Luckily I had mine made for me by a customer a week ago ;-)

[ianfitz]

I have to admit that I'm glad not be on the start list this year. I would be working on excuses by now for sure. Or borrowing a fat bike!

Luckily I had mine made for me by a customer a week ago ;-)

Fat bike or excuses?

[touch]

I think the weather was worse the week before it last year?
There's a picture of Inverness here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-32474717

I didnt make it as far as the outer loop but the inner loop wasnt too bad. There was a bit of snow over the top of Bynack but that was pretty much it.

[GregMay]

Outer loop was fine last year - some snow fall during the ride - but it was ok.

P5020070.jpg by Greg.May, on Flickr

Definitely more snow down already than we had prior to last year.

[Trail-rat]

Its not too bad- 1600ft and perfectly ridable last night.

How ever the snow line is down lower this morning. And its sunny. - we are also by the coast.

* wonder if it will be the right way up.

[Zippy]

All this talk makes me realise how soft I am... Looking forward to hearing stories afterwards

[Single Speed George]

cant say im overly looking forward to this one, trying to re wright my kit list and decide if i need to bring stove and down jacket insted of just cold food and making it to the odd pit stop for warm food when it presents it self. and the lighter and not a warm primaloft ... hum some desisions to be made.

[Dave Barter]

I have to admit that I'm glad not be on the start list this year. I would be working on excuses by now for sure. Or borrowing a fat bike!

Luckily I had mine made for me by a customer a week ago ;-)

Fat bike or excuses?

If any of my customer's made me a fat bike I'd never get to use it as the heart attack would kill me. I'd suffer a minor stroke if the tightwads made a coffee

[ScotRoutes]

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weat ... ionName=he

A spell of persistent and at times heavy snow is expected for parts of eastern Scotland starting Thursday night and lasting into Friday. Accumulations of 5-10 cm are likely above about 100 m with 20 cm or more possible above 200 m, where drifting of snow in strong winds could be an additional hazard.

At lower levels and near coasts an uncertain mix of rain and snow is expected, with rain likely to predominate, bringing the risk of standing water on roads.

Please be aware of the risk of dangerous driving conditions and disruption to transport.

This warning will be kept under review and will be updated on Thursday.

[AlasdairMc]

Hmm. As long as the trains are running, I'm still planning to ride. I might bring along some more kit though

[fatbikephil]

The actual forecast for Saturday and Sunday is actually not too bad - much warmer and fairly dry on Saturday at least. Getting breezy Sunday into Monday though. Good luck guys wish I was going to be there!

[ScotRoutes]

Feshie moor tonight


Everybody should be prepared for wet feet. The tracks are sodden.

[Howard]

Everybody should be prepared for wet feet.

"Everybody" is now down to just 18 from Steve's email this evening.......