Cairngorm loop outer on a cx bike?

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robbie
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Cairngorm loop outer on a cx bike?

Post by robbie »

Having done the inner loop twice I thought I might have a go at the outer loop. The inner loop is a bit much for the cx bike in places but what is the outer loop like? Am I right in thinking the terrain is a bit easier going?
Also any ideas how long it would take to loop it starting and finishing in Blair Athol?
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ScotRoutes
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Re: Cairngorm loop outer on a cx bike?

Post by ScotRoutes »

The record for the complete double loop is 18 hours - use that as a guideline :wink:

The outer loop is often broken up into 3 days but 2 should be ample.

I don't think I'd be trying it on a CX bike, though you could save yourself a bit of pain by heading straight down the Tilt rather than via Fealar. The Gaick would definitely require more footwork than on a MTB. There are some rougher sections after Tomintoul too.
Justchris
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Re: Cairngorm loop outer on a cx bike?

Post by Justchris »

My memory is terrible concerning routes. So someone can correct me. And unfortunately when I attempted the CL I didn't do the last series of climbs to fealar so I cannot comment on that part. I went straight down the tilt. But I should have just done it as it will save me a load of pain in four weeks.

But I think the outer loop would be fine on a cx bike. There are a few hike a bike, but no more than if you were on a mtb. There would be two down hill sections, that would be nasty but you could pick your way down.

However I would not go down the tilt again. It scared the sh1t out of me. Yes I was knackered but the exposure to your left at times was terrifying at times. Fifteen to fifty feet drop to mostly rocks or white water. Fealer has to be the safe option.
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whitestone
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Re: Cairngorm loop outer on a cx bike?

Post by whitestone »

You do that bit before you turn off for Fealar - you cross the Tilt just upstream of the bridge at the Falls of Tarf.
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Justchris
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Re: Cairngorm loop outer on a cx bike?

Post by Justchris »

As I said not the best memory. I thought it was the tarf water and the other couple of tributarys on the south bank that created the weight of water. So anything after the falls was the terrifying bit. And as you said you cross before all that.

It will come back to me in 29 days!
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