What’s the approach to Ben Alder Cottage like along Loch Ericht? I’ve walked out from Culra to Dalwhinnie but never right along the loch. It could be an option as it has both long and short approaches and is reachable from trains on both the East and West coasts with a bit of trudging. In Phoebe Sm...

I think we need to bear in mind that each year, sections of the route are plotted directly over a RoW as shown on OS mapping. Usually, there's no actual path on the ground that tallys with the RoW. However, there may be some other track that runs nearby. In the interests of keeping landowners / RoW...

I seem to remember "finding" the start of last year's "interesting" section was made more interesting by the "trail" actually starting from the top of an embankment with you at the bottom!

I've been ten foot to the side of a decent trail in the daylight

I thought this was a bikepacking route not a cruise missile strike? :lol: Judging from some of the traces from previous events people will find their own way across the "interesting" bits. From the sections of the route that I've done it's pretty obvious "on the ground" where you...

If you are talking about the building I think you are then I don't think that's a bothy.

'twas ever thus. For as long as I can remember there have been brands that: Are cheap and crap Are cheap and cheerful Good value High quality but decent price, AKA you get what you pay for Boutique brands that are basically rebranded cheap stuff Boutique brands that is quality kit I'm sure we can al...

Richard G wrote:There is a descent near the Rhayader reservoir that's properly steep. I'm not the best descender, and I've never managed it without a dropped seatpost (which wont really be an option on this ride).

I know the one you mean Richard - the climb to get there isn't easy either

And another thing... Is it ever OK to just drink ground water in Wales without filtering or treating it? I can never be arsed with such things in Scotland, and have yet to pay the price for my laziness, but fear they may be more agricultural contaminants in Welsh streams. Or do I just carry a massi...

My boss paid almost £5K earlier this year to walk around a stone, camp out for a night, throw a stone at a rock pillar and run between a couple of hills. Apparently it was very popular.

Then you could ride up to the bothy at the top end of the Caerwen resevoir (15-ish miles) sleep for a bit and then have 50 or so miles to cover on Sunday. Hi ctznsmith - Is that actually a bothy? Can't find any info about it apart from a forum saying it is a house? Might be quite convenient for me ...

I'd be looking at a cumulus 350...Oh that's right I am :lol: If the 350's anything like the 150 then it will be very good. After the Cairngorms Loop we were camping at Blair Atholl and I began to feel a bit cold early in the morning. Got up to find the tent and car covered in ice :o My wife was in ...

I have accidentally found myself outside the warm, welcoming borders of Lancashire on many an occasion, only to find myself on top of a hill staring blissfully back at Lancashire's beauty wondering why I ever left. FTFY :wink: (a Lancastrian now living in Yorkshire) I think our club Xmas ride is tha...

From an earlier post:

The main advantage I've found is that the fins are easier to grab hold of than the simple mast.

Google streetview is your friend - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.40998 ... 312!8i6656

RAB top bag £100 - https://www.ultimateoutdoors.com/equipment/078293-rab-module-top-100-dark-grey.html/646269/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping&istCompanyId=415fd961-0fbe-471a-8d25-aa4bf950e4dc&istItemId=xlmiqlqxiw&istBid=tztx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw09zOBRCqARIs...

Maybe you need to add a flux capacitor to use up the spare energy?

+1 to that Greg. I fitted plastic flat pedals (DMR something or other) to my fat bike for Rovaniemi so that they wouldn't be as much of a heat sink though I know some ride with SPDs without problem. I used some mountaineering boots that are a comfy fit and with a thick Vibram sole help against conta...

I'm not doing this year's ride (prior engagement on Saturday night) but would be interested in looking at the route if you don't mind Stu. No problems if not.

I've a pair of the Travers Prongs. Are they any better than brand X or brand Y? No idea! James: I spent a long time getting my bike set up "just so" to help with numb hands, this was before I put the rigid forks on. I'd be fine up to 12hrs or so then get problems after that. With the sympt...

By the time they are caked in mud and muck there won't be much cooling effect. The main advantage I've found is that the fins are easier to grab hold of than the simple mast. One of the third party brake companies used to do a separate finned back and pads so you only needed to replace the actual pa...

ScotRoutes wrote:

voodoo_simon wrote:Bells are so useful, the general public love them

Reaching said bell with hands cosily ensconced in pogies however....

Well put the bell inside then. Err ...

Intentionally. I rode up to the lip, had a look at it, went back and dropped off. I can't remember riding out of it though, the rear got stuck in the muck. Not much sensible there. Not sensible is the new fun. No? :grin: Looking at the map there's the possibility of avoiding Dornie: when you get to...

I was using light fleece gloves. I think my wife was as well or occasionally bare handed.

Nik K. didn't seem too happy to have to witness someone riding the peat drop down to An Dubh-loch :lol: Intentionally or did they accidentally commit to it without realising it was there? It's a fair old drop onto a flattish area. Having ridden it in 2013 and 2016 I think the route has matured into...

I got the Alpkit ones for Rovaniemi earlier this year. They were just about OK at -6 but struggled below that. I'd say they were fine for UK winter use where it doesn't generally get properly cold. My wife used the Revelate ones https://backcountry.scot/product/revelate-designs-williwaw-pogies/ and ...