Search found 95 matches

by KamelTrek
Mon Jul 10, 2023 4:37 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Caledonian Sleeper
Replies: 20
Views: 1124

Re: Caledonian Sleeper

I tried the seats once and couldn't sleep. There was a group of people drinking and laughing all night. I used the cabins the next two trips and I slept like a baby.
by KamelTrek
Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:04 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

I should have played the lotto instead :))
by KamelTrek
Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:27 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

I want to thank everyone for your input. I rode three days from August 31st to September 2nd. Sept 1 & 2 were two of the nicest days I can remember in Scotland. Sunny all day!! We ran out of sunscreen, which is not a problem you hear often up there : ) First day was Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cot...
by KamelTrek
Mon Jun 21, 2021 7:56 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

That's a juicy hike a bike that I'd rather skip.

I did add the HT550 route from Ben Alder cottage to Loch Pattack and then I cut back to Loch Erricht. Should I avoid Loch Erricht completely?
by KamelTrek
Sun Jun 20, 2021 12:55 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

This is my final draft. I may tinker with the first 20 miles to avoid riding on roads all day, but it's going to be grand no matter what, even if it rains. Thank you all for the valuable input and thoughtful suggestions. I hope the restrictions are lifted by September. https://www.komoot.com/collect...
by KamelTrek
Sun Jun 20, 2021 12:28 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

So river path to Killiecrankie, then through the forest above Loch Tummel to towards tummel Bridge sounds good. Now going back up to Loch Errochty is OK, but then to Loch Rannoch seems like I have to either go back up and down again on Loch Garry to Loch Rannoch, or just back down to Loch Rannoch. I...
by KamelTrek
Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:30 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

Thank you. I added the diversion around Tromie Bridge.
by KamelTrek
Sat Jun 19, 2021 11:46 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

Cool. So I added the diversion south past loch Harry to Loch Ranoch. I trust this is not a boggy mess between the two lakes. I also added the track north from Dalwhinnie to Ruthven cottage and come back down using the CL track backwards. Great shout! Is it reasonable to ride from Ben Alder Cottage t...
by KamelTrek
Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:34 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Re: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

Thank you both. Lots of options. I'll look at the track that komoot set for me and will adjust based on your recos. Much appreciated :)

I've ridden past Ben Alder twice during HT550 but only stopped for a photo. I intend to stay overnight this time and I cannot wait.
by KamelTrek
Sat Jun 19, 2021 6:51 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage
Replies: 20
Views: 2053

Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage

I'm planning a ride first week of September from Blair Atholl to Ben Alder Cottage and back. I'd like to do a loop there and back. Would it be best to head up on the Cairngorms loop route and come south down loch Ericht, or go south of Loch Ericht and loop up the lake and back down the Cairngorms lo...
by KamelTrek
Mon Feb 24, 2020 8:56 am
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Dales Divide 2020 .. who's going?
Replies: 84
Views: 19710

Re: Dales Divide 2020 .. who's going?

My plan is to stay on pace and at the shortcut point I'll see how I feel and whether I want to test myself. When I did it last year I found the first day the hardest. The shortcut also misses out the North York Moors which was my favourite bit. So I'd suggest you keep this in mind when deciding to ...
by KamelTrek
Tue Jan 28, 2020 6:33 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Tuscany Trail or Veneto Trail?
Replies: 62
Views: 15200

Re: Tuscany Trail or Veneto Trail?

Thank you for putting this on my radar. I've always wanted to ride the Dolomites.
by KamelTrek
Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:01 am
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Dales Divide 2020 .. who's going?
Replies: 84
Views: 19710

Re: Dales Divide 2020 .. who's going?

This event is truly bringing bikepackers together as a community. The tone and mindset is very inclusive. It's also my first time at the Dales, a region very high on my bucket list. It's worth noting that completing 600kms in four days is going to be a challenge! My plan is to stay on pace and at th...
by KamelTrek
Mon Nov 04, 2019 8:58 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Atlas Mountain Race.
Replies: 177
Views: 28779

Re: Atlas Mountain Race.

I did the route of caravans last April. I highly recommend Morocco on so many levels. The people were incredibly kind and diverse. The scenery varied and epic. The food was brilliant. And you can get 4g reception anywhere better than London.
by KamelTrek
Sun Jul 28, 2019 6:10 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: gypsies.com - the demise & alternatives
Replies: 19
Views: 4064

Re: gypsies.com - the demise & alternatives

After trying most apps I've settled on Komoot as I find it great at creating off road mountain biking routes. It's seems to be the standard in Germany!
by KamelTrek
Sun Jul 28, 2019 5:50 am
Forum: General banter
Topic: Lightweight merino top recommendation?
Replies: 13
Views: 2994

Re: Lightweight merino top recommendation?

I used the Rab 120 merino in Morocco for eight days of riding. From cold mountain passes to very hot and long desert stretches. I was surprised by its temperature range and was very satisfied with its performance. Washed the sweat away every couple of days or so to remove the salt stains.
by KamelTrek
Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:02 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Morocco April 19 for 10-14 days
Replies: 3
Views: 1919

Re: Morocco April 19 for 10-14 days

Thank you for the offer. Here is my main plan, please let me know if I should reconsider anything. I'm planning to fly into Marrackesh airprot, and leave my bike bag there. Then take a taxi to the main station and then a bus to Agadir with my bike. Then a taxi from Agadir to Tiznit for an over night...
by KamelTrek
Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:24 pm
Forum: Anyone playing out?
Topic: Morocco April 19 for 10-14 days
Replies: 3
Views: 1919

Morocco April 19 for 10-14 days

Looking to ride the Route of Caravans next April. Fly into Marrakech, bus to Agadir then private hire to starting point. Kick off April 20th. Avg 100 kms a day. Mostly off road. I'm joining up with two other riders that I met at the Navad 1000 2017. I'm riding for ten days as I have to be back and t...
by KamelTrek
Thu Oct 04, 2018 5:55 am
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: ultralight but cheap bivi bag reccomendations
Replies: 13
Views: 4165

Re: ultralight but cheap bivi bag reccomendations

How was the ride? Please share the link to your fundraising site. Thx
by KamelTrek
Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:23 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: Bivvi bag recommendations please?
Replies: 16
Views: 3242

Re: Bivvi bag recommendations please?

I was looking for something lighter than the terranova laser one and for faster pitch and packing with a smaller volume. I ended up with the Outdoor Research Helium which I used in the Navad1000 last year. Highly recommend it. Was breathable. Slept in it over a rainy night without any issues. Has a ...
by KamelTrek
Fri Jun 30, 2017 9:16 pm
Forum: Your Trips & Adventures
Topic: And another HT550 ramble
Replies: 14
Views: 6694

Re: And another HT550 ramble

Thank you for sharing. Great write up and terrific ride. I'm alwsys curious what poeple eat!
by KamelTrek
Thu Jun 29, 2017 10:45 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: OR Helium Bivvy
Replies: 15
Views: 3826

Re: OR Helium Bivvy

I recently used one instead of my terranova laser tent and very pleased with the results. Had one night in rain and stayed dry. The net is a welcome feature to keep the bugs out. Some condensation as to be expected but nothing problematic or over the top.
by KamelTrek
Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:24 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: How's your year panning out?
Replies: 55
Views: 20635

Re: How's your year panning out?

New home in April (next to my favourite trails in Kent) Navad 1000 in June Chill the f'out July and August Maybe Cairngorrms in September Puppy in November We got a watt bike at work which really helped my training except that its mind numbing. Overall grateful for how things have turned out so far ...
by KamelTrek
Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:10 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: how to recharge light batteries on multiday ride, e.g. HT550
Replies: 17
Views: 6658

Re: how to recharge light batteries on multiday ride, e.g. H

I did the ht550 with a revo light and dynamo + 5mah power pack and a krog helmet light. I use a garmin 800 which needs daily recharging. Pros: you make your own power in remote areas. I'd recharge the power pack and just use that for everything else. Cons: weight, not helpful on posty, fisherfields ...
by KamelTrek
Fri Mar 31, 2017 8:09 pm
Forum: General banter
Topic: R.I.P. Mike Hall
Replies: 69
Views: 13211

Re: R.I.P. Mike Hall

Truly saddened by the news. Such an inspiration at the TDR. RIP.