Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 4:51 pm
No, I haven't just done it, it's an article on bikepacking.com http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/cairngorms-loop/ Some lovely pictures.
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/
Cairngorms Loop
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=8534
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Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 6:01 pm
Has anybody heard when the next 'mass start' event will be? I heard it was moving from Spring to Autumn, to avoid the snow.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:16 pm
According to the website its April 29th 2017 and then September 17th 2019...
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:13 pm
Did the lower loop this year, well most of it and it was truly stunning landscape. Well worth a venture up, i've also read they had snow the other day as well already!
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:18 pm
There was a little sleet on one of the summits. Not sure I'd count that as actual snowstucowp wrote:Did the lower loop this year, well most of it and it was truly stunning landscape. Well worth a venture up, i've also read they had snow the other day as well already!
FWIW, we also had some snow lying on the summits two years ago at this time.
(4th Oct 2014)
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:28 pm
No snow needed I'm hoping to go do the loops next week after bb200 so I'm praying that this weather we r getting is hanging around a bit longer. I have a feeling though the days are going to be short of light n long nights in the tent but it's better than sitting at home!
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 10:11 pm
Is that official that it now starts/finishes at Aviemore as per the write up?
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 10:29 pm
I thought the start/ finish was Blair Atholl but I guess u could start anywhere still the same route surely
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2016 10:37 pm
Mariner wrote:Is that official that it now starts/finishes at Aviemore as per the write up?
It would appear the author made a few changes for various reasons. Removing the "sting in the tail" to Fealar Lodge certainly cuts a massive amount of effort and the track near Ruigh Aiteachain is fine so there's no need to avoid it.This route deviates from the original ITT route making it more ridable and more touring friendly. The start of the route is Aviemore allowing for a better resupply option before heading out. It also avoids a steep hike-a-bike to Blair Atholl through Fealar Lodge, instead continuing down to the city via Glen Tilt on singletrack and gravel roads. As of 2016 parts of the trail near Ruigh Aiteachain bothy have been washed out by violent storms and not restored – an alternative way to Feshie Bridge via Feshie Lodge road is part of this route.
AFAIK the official route still starts and ends at Blair Atholl. Worth noting though that Alan Goldsmith said he'd accept an Aviemore start/end point as being good enough to be a HTR550 qualifier.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:48 am
Thanks for clearing that up.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 6:42 pm
What website? 17th September is a strange date.htrider wrote:According to the website its April 29th 2017 and then September 17th 2019...
Thanks
Chris
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 6:58 pm
It's on the Cairngorms Loop site. I would guess the September date is because the midges will have hopefully died down by then.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 7:15 pm
FWIW Sept was easily the midgiest month this yearAlasdairMc wrote:It's on the Cairngorms Loop site. I would guess the September date is because the midges will have hopefully died down by then.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2016 7:35 pm
Yeah I was on lewis last sept and I got eaten alive by the bleeders! !
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 9:25 am
Sorry. In my head that's midweek...Justchris wrote:What website? 17th September is a strange date.htrider wrote:According to the website its April 29th 2017 and then September 17th 2019...
Thanks
Chris
Cairngorms midge will be fine in September. It makes sense to me do it mid September. Gives people all summer to train. And no chance of snow or snow melt.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 9:32 am
So what's happening to the 2018 group start?
Scratch that: 17th Sept 2019 is a Monday, 17th Sept 2018 is a Saturday so just looks like a typo.
Scratch that: 17th Sept 2019 is a Monday, 17th Sept 2018 is a Saturday so just looks like a typo.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:33 am
Makes sense sort of. I think there is a bank holiday mid September. Think steve means that weekend. Could be wrong.whitestone wrote:So what's happening to the 2018 group start?
Scratch that: 17th Sept 2019 is a Monday, 17th Sept 2018 is a Saturday so just looks like a typo.
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 2:09 pm
Hmm, there's now two dates for 2017:
Saturday, April 29th, 2017 – 10:00
Saturday September 16th, 2017 - 10:00
Saturday, April 29th, 2017 – 10:00
Saturday September 16th, 2017 - 10:00
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:45 pm
Anyone know the process for entry on this?
Assume an email to Steve on the 1st of December for the April version?
Assume an email to Steve on the 1st of December for the April version?
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:25 pm
That'll do it.Chew wrote:Anyone know the process for entry on this?
Assume an email to Steve on the 1st of December for the April version?
Re: Cairngorms Loop
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 10:19 pm
I would be good to ditch this bit on the basis that its pretty rubbish and the roll out of Glen tilt would be a fine way to finish. Instead you could add in Glen Gairn and Glen An t Slugain which would make the mileage up and add in a truly fab nadge fest of a trail followed by an ace descent... Oh well I suppose its not meant to be easy.ScotRoutes wrote: Removing the "sting in the tail" to Fealar Lodge certainly cuts a massive amount of effort and the track near Ruigh Aiteachain is fine so there's no need to avoid it.