Ha... the physical getting there is no problem. I was just through the door from a nice little bimble back from the Aosta Valley when I typed that message. My Alpine fix for the year sated, most of the journey was spent wondering what to do next. The Cairngorm Loop seems to fit the 'how to hurt but enjoy it' bill.

Manipulating time is the main issue.

So, I think the answer is to take a week off and knock over the CL (sounds flippant but will be showing the challenge full respect) on the first weekend. Then a few days over in the Applecross/Torridon area with the last couple of days blasting about the Tweed Valley enduro stuff.

Think i'll pop a 'what not to miss' post up in banter.

Just checking before she books somewhere, my GF is looking for a B&B to stay in while she waits for me to do the route, the start/finish is in Blair Atholl isn't it? :)

*edit* got the gpx loaded at work, and confirmed myself :)

giryan wrote:Just checking before she books somewhere, my GF is looking for a B&B to stay in while she waits for me to do the route, the start/finish is in Blair Atholl isn't it? :)

*edit* got the gpx loaded at work, and confirmed myself :)

Pitlochry might be a better option to stay in as there's more going on. It's about 30 mins riding from there to the start

AlasdairMc wrote:

giryan wrote:Just checking before she books somewhere, my GF is looking for a B&B to stay in while she waits for me to do the route, the start/finish is in Blair Atholl isn't it? :)

*edit* got the gpx loaded at work, and confirmed myself :)

Pitlochry might be a better option to stay in as there's more going on. It's about 30 mins riding from there to the start

Ace, thanks :)

Nice (posh) campsite in Blair Athol as well. Maybe they do little pod things. The Watermill is a nice little cafe too.

Holiday booked, email sent.

Gulp.

I stayed at the Atholl Arms hotel when I was surveying last year. I don't remember it being wildly expensive (although I was claiming it back on expenses). Rooms were ok, food in the bar average, breakfast pretty good.

Just a quick query.

I emailed Steve about 10 days ago.

So far I have heard nothing back.

I realise he may well be riding across a continent or something, just wondering what the normal turnaround time is for getting entered.

No doubt someone here will know where he is.

Many thanks

Drop him another line Nige, he was a bit slack with me the year I entered. Took a couple of reminder emails

Will do, cheers Dave.

Yeah, I might too, I've not heard anything, or been added to the site since I mailed. :)

Steve is currently studying quite hard and may not reply.

Just rock up.

I've been appointed as master of ceremony for the day in his absence.

GregMay wrote:Steve is currently studying quite hard and may not reply.

Just rock up.

I've been appointed as master of ceremony for the day in his absence.

Will do! :)

GF has found a lovely looking AirB&B, and booked herself into a distillery tour and some pony trekking. So hopefully I won't be so fast that I get back when she's busy (no real danger of that)

That is cool Greg, I can do 'just rock up'.

When I say rock - I mean Rock

GregMay wrote:When I say rock - I mean Rock

Excellent

Just come back from 5 intensive days in the Cairngorms, covering a lot of CL terrain and exploring some other interesting stuff.
I actually did the Glen Feshie / Geldie Burn section in opposite direction, but it matters little in terms of this little nugget: the 7 km from opposite the Geldie Lodge until 2km west of the steel footbridge pass very slowly and are predominantly unrideable. Despite dry trails in many areas, this patch still retained a sticky, peaty bogginess. Enjoy!

PS - if it hasn't been done to death already, Ruigh Aitechan bothy is still closed and work is still going on. I believe the main building is looked for H&S reasons when workers not on site so zero options there.

padonbike wrote:Just come back from 5 intensive days in the Cairngorms, covering a lot of CL terrain and exploring some other interesting stuff.
I actually did the Glen Feshie / Geldie Burn section in opposite direction, but it matters little in terms of this little nugget: the 7 km from opposite the Geldie Lodge until 2km west of the steel footbridge pass very slowly and are predominantly unrideable. Despite dry trails in many areas, this patch still retained a sticky, peaty bogginess. Enjoy!

I reckon it must be slightly more rideable going east.

As a statement of intent, Cath and I will be at the group start. I'll drop Steve an email as well. I'll be on the Solaris, probably in chubby mode (the bike not me!)

I reckon it must be slightly more rideable going east.

did it that way last year and don't remember it being any easier!
Plus rideable landrover track from Red House to Geldie Lodge is gradual uphill going East too so slower going.

I'm going to convert my 29er to tubeless, and to avoid trouble, going to buy some tubeless tyres as well.
I had been thinking of the WTB Nanos, because their marketing got me, and I can ride super fast like TDR winning riders with them!

But with the talk of it being pretty soggy, I wonder if Continental X Kings might be a better option?

You will have the "wrong" tyres at some point in the loop.

Another sloppy bit is from Forest Lodge to Dorback.

ScotRoutes wrote:You will have the "wrong tyres at some point in the loop.

heh, thank you :D
I'll just go for the x-kings, get them on the bike, ride it a bit and make sure all is settled in before the start. Which feels like it's probably a better idea than dithering even longer :)

padonbike wrote:

I reckon it must be slightly more rideable going east.

did it that way last year and don't remember it being any easier!
Plus rideable landrover track from Red House to Geldie Lodge is gradual uphill going East too so slower going.

You'll read that back and be sooo embarrassed so I reckon it's worth a full quote.