Cairngorms Loop - Sept Start

[GregMay]

Anyone else planning on playing out?

Sept. 16th 10am start.

[whitestone]

Definitely thinking of it but haven't contacted Steve yet.

[GregMay]

Do it.

It's a nice route!

[giryan]

Ohh, that sounds ace.
I would love another trip :)


Although, having read the page, maybe I'm best off doing it about the same time, rather than doing the group start, I've no idea if I could do it in the 56hours :)

[GregMay]

I've no idea if I could do it in the 56hours :)

A lot of it is surprisingly fast. IIRC I did the whole of the outer loop SS with two "proper" stops (1hr) and another short stop (30mins) in about 18hrs. It did snow quite a bit though. Hence I didn't do the inner loop.

It really is quite beautiful

P1010057.jpg by Greg.May, on Flickr

P1010060.jpg by Greg.May, on Flickr

P5020070.jpg by Greg.May, on Flickr

[AlasdairMc]

Ohh, that sounds ace.
I would love another trip :)


Although, having read the page, maybe I'm best off doing it about the same time, rather than doing the group start, I've no idea if I could do it in the 56hours :)

It’s probably not going to be a busy event, so you could start and see how you get on. 56hrs is a good length of time to get it done, it’s three 12 hour days plus two 10 hour stops, and as Greg says some of it is really fast going.

The first fifty miles does not feel anywhere close to fifty miles, and if you can do that and then get as far as Glen Derry on the first day you’ll finish within 3 days. Second day get to maybe Braemar, then the last day to the finish.

It’s a damn good route, I really love it.

Edit: I’m not doing it as I rode it in May, and I have a flight to catch the next day to hopefully warmer climes...

[GregMay]

Agree with Alisdair, it really is a very fast opening first 50miles.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

Why is everything happening in September, after a quiet August? Interested in this, but not sure where I will end up; TNR, Portugal, maybe even Central Belter... but probably TNR - such fun last year.

[whitestone]

I presume that August is taken up with school hols for those with kids.

Is the CL moving permanently to an autumn group start?

[GregMay]

ZDB - August is eaten for most people by holidays with kids, and family commitments as others have said. Why not just ITT something if you're gagging for a ride?

Is the CL moving permanently to an autumn group start?

You'd need to ask Steve that.

[AlasdairMc]

I presume that August is taken up with school hols for those with kids.

Is the CL moving permanently to an autumn group start?

September is certainly safer from a weather perspective, as it was pretty grim crossing the Lairig an Laoigh and Glen Feshie this year, but has the benefit of better light.

I think the best conditions I’ve had have been in early July.

[ianfitz]

I'm in. Email sent a few weeks back

Steve was unsure about the move to September being permanent, may keep both...

[ZeroDarkBivi]

Booked into a BC MTBL course at Glenmore Lodge in mid-August, so might have a crack at the loop then, if the weather isn't too grim.

[giryan]

I'm in! :D

Well, I just sent the email at least. :)

Now to verify my current kit level, and to make a frame bag I think.
The lack of it when I was doing the Pennine bridleway meant I had lots of weight on my forks.

[GregMay]

I'm in! :D

Well, I just sent the email at least. :)

Now to verify my current kit level, and to make a frame bag I think.
The lack of it when I was doing the Pennine bridleway meant I had lots of weight on my forks.

Nice one :)

You'll probably not regret it.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

For those of you who have ridden this before, what bike would you choose between;

A Salsa Spearfish

A Rigid 27+

Both have gears, I am not crazy...or strong!

[Justchris]

For those of you who have ridden this before, what bike would you choose between;

A Salsa Spearfish

A Rigid 27+

Both have gears, I am not crazy...or strong!

Take the 27+ if the water levels are high, the plus tyres will float and you can use it like a raft!

[GregMay]

Spearfish with faster tyres if it is dry.

We can highfive and be bike bros if you do.

[Bearbonesnorm]

We can highfive and be bike bros if you do.

Careful, it could end badly.

[Zippy]

For those of you who have ridden this before, what bike would you choose between;

A Salsa Spearfish

A Rigid 27+

Both have gears, I am not crazy...or strong!

Having done it last weekend on a rigid 26er - I'm so over rigid bikes. Take the susser.

[fatbikephil]

For those of you who have ridden this before, what bike would you choose between;

A Salsa Spearfish

A Rigid 27+

Both have gears, I am not crazy...or strong!

Having done it last weekend on a rigid 26er - I'm so over rigid bikes. Take the susser.

Not a lot too choose having done it all on both (but not in one go - my only completion was on a fat bike....)
The bouncer will be a hoot on the descent into Glen derry and into Glen tilt but a lot of the route is on easy going so the + will be fine too

[ianfitz]

Spearfish with faster tyres if it is dry.

We can highfive and be bike bros if you do.

That will be exactly what I'm riding. Although I think will have ten or eleven more gears than you

[GregMay]

Yes the SS Spearfish is proving to be a very fun bike :)

[Mbnut]

I am hopeful about getting up for the September start.

I have the rigid, which I love and have been amazed at what it can do but I have a 29er 130mm full suss that I am thinking of making a rougher terrain bike packing bicycle.

Just getting there is challenge number one though, the ride i'll enjoy whatever.

The idea of some comfort does appeal though.

[Zippy]

Just getting there is challenge number one though

Get in car/vehicle (make it a comfortable one) - drive. I did it Friday after work and it took my about 8 hours to do 480 miles including some crap traffic. The trick is to not stop (well I had to once for fuel, as my tank range is only 300 miles, but save time by combining it with a toilet stop). Bring plenty of water and food for the journey - job jobbed.