Anyone considering the cairngorm loop this september? I am thinking about it.

Or is it a route that has fallen out of favour?

Nope its a beauty, lots of people on here have done it which is maybe why it doesn't get the attention it used to.

I’d have been tempted but I’ve other plans that weekend unfortunately.

I'm considering it. Will be keeping one eye on the weather and deciding next week.

I've sent Steve a request to be entered but not heard back yet. Maybe I'm too late. It's supposed to be a birthday treat to myself .

Is it considered bad form to just rock up and ride it?

In Reverse wrote:Is it considered bad form to just rock up and ride it?

Official site says 30 limit so I'd say yes. There's always the Deeside Trail though.

Before I go and have to measure it does anyone know how far round the route in miles the new Ruigh Aiteachain bothy in Glen Feshie is?

In Reverse wrote:Is it considered bad form to just rock up and ride it?

Given there are no names listed for a Group Start. I'd say "just go for it"

Ray Young wrote: Before I go and have to measure it does anyone know how far round the route in miles the new Ruigh Aiteachain bothy in Glen Feshie is?

140km

In Reverse wrote:Is it considered bad form to just rock up and ride it?

Ray Young wrote:Official site says 30 limit so I'd say yes.

ScotRoutes wrote:Given there are no names listed for a Group Start. I'd say "just go for it"

I'll probably drop Steve an email anyway. Then not turn up.

Thanks Scot.
Have already sent an email, so far I haven't turned up, .

Ray Young wrote: Before I go and have to measure it does anyone know how far round the route in miles the new Ruigh Aiteachain bothy in Glen Feshie is?

It's at 90 miles. Don't plan on getting space in the bothy if it's a nice day though. In the May group start, there were 12-15 tents already set up outside the bothy when I passed.

touch wrote:

Ray Young wrote: Before I go and have to measure it does anyone know how far round the route in miles the new Ruigh Aiteachain bothy in Glen Feshie is?

It's at 90 miles. Don't plan on getting space in the bothy if it's a nice day though. In the May group start, there were 12-15 tents already set up outside the bothy when I passed.

Thanks.

There is also Colins Howf just after the eidart bridge - a roof and not much in the way of walls but enough shelter for a bivvy bag, if no-ones beaten you to it

A few miles before Colin’s Howff is a ruined cottage, which you pass twice on the route. Obviously use it at your own risk, as it has a warning sign outside, but it also has a roof. I slept there a few years back and didn’t die, but ymmv.

On last September's edition you'd have struggled to sleep at Colin's howff there was that much water about in the burns the noise was like being next to a motorway at rush hour.

If that old shed wasn't quite so remote I'd head in with some planks of wood and fix it up a little..

AlasdairMc wrote:A few miles before Colin’s Howff is a ruined cottage, which you pass twice on the route. Obviously use it at your own risk, as it has a warning sign outside, but it also has a roof. I slept there a few years back and didn’t die, but ymmv.

Red House? I believe the MBA are in discussion with the estate about turning that into a usable bothy.

strangely the red house , twice ive passed it in the middle of the night and theres been a man in a wax sowester and hat sitting by a fire outside . Never speaks back .....

Me and a buddy are looking at doing the route that weekend , just noticed its also the group start. Neither of us really interested in starting at 10am so ill drop him a mail and see if hes had much interest in it and if the course is likely to be busy with *racers*

I sent Steve an email 3 days ago and not heard back yet.

Just booked a B&B for the Friday so that's me in. Seems to be no group start activity whatsoever so I'll be aiming for a 7am breakfast and an 8am start time.

Weather still looks OK so I'm hoping the river crossings will be non-lethal and the ground's still firm, or still got a semi at least.

Anyone know what the midge situation is like at the minute?

Indeed.

At least 1 if not two of us will be there on Friday night . Will be parking the van somewhere. Unsure about leaving it at old bridge of tilt and it's a bit inconspicuous to leave in Blair atholl it's self. Locals will have it towed haha.

May end up at the Blair castle campsite unsure.

Our plan is to be on the trails by 6.30 /7 and maximise daylight to get through the crux.

Can't do this now. The stepdaughter's dumped her dog on me so I'm going to Kielder to do a couple of bothies. Dogs been wildcamping before but bikepacking and bothies will be a first for her.

not to jinx it but the weathers looking topper.

when i rode the inner loop a couple months ago it was riding well , lots of the lower end of Glen Derry that had been washed away leaving scrambles has been reinstated and much of the ride into feshie from geldie was really quite dry and not its normal bog trotting self. ok we have had some rain since then but not in significant/sustained quantity's..

you will likely catch us up Inreverse , im on an unmarked brushed ti 29er and my buddy is on a silver rockhopper do say hi when you pass.

I've never been to the area so it's all new to me, seriously looking forward to it.

Weather's looking great, midge forecast on the Smidge website is "Mostly midge-free" - hopefully that's accurate. Currently chucking gear in the car and making butties.

I'll also be on a Ti 29er, and I'm in no way guaranteed to pass you at any point.