Ray Young wrote:

Ray Young wrote:Right then, sorry to say but Fingland and the other BBA Bothies are all booked for that week end.
We can stick with the original plan and use Over Pawhope and hope it's not heaving and take bivi gear in case it is or,
use Bunnies Bothy and take a different route from last year (every chance we will have it to ourselves) or,
use Gameshope but no fire and a stream crossing to get to it or
go somewhere else.

So what suggestions do you have?

A bit leftfield but I thought I'd throw it in, Cramond Island in the Firth of Forth. A tidal island that has WW2 buildings to doss in, plenty of drift wood, pub just by the causeway. Low tide 17.10 pm Saturday and 5.45 am Sunday, should have at least an 1 1/2 after low tide to cross. Meet central Edinburgh and ride in the Pentlands then head to Cramond.

I like the sound of this! Meet around lunchtime, few hours riding then a couple of pints before we cross?

Ray Young wrote:

Ray Young wrote:Right then, sorry to say but Fingland and the other BBA Bothies are all booked for that week end.
We can stick with the original plan and use Over Pawhope and hope it's not heaving and take bivi gear in case it is or,
use Bunnies Bothy and take a different route from last year (every chance we will have it to ourselves) or,
use Gameshope but no fire and a stream crossing to get to it or
go somewhere else.

So what suggestions do you have?

A bit leftfield but I thought I'd throw it in, Cramond Island in the Firth of Forth. A tidal island that has WW2 buildings to doss in, plenty of drift wood, pub just by the causeway. Low tide 17.10 pm Saturday and 5.45 am Sunday, should have at least an 1 1/2 after low tide to cross. Meet central Edinburgh and ride in the Pentlands then head to Cramond.

Love the sound of the ww2 building and a low tide ride, sounds epically Scottish.

Ray Young wrote:Right then, sorry to say but Fingland and the other BBA Bothies are all booked for that week end.
We can stick with the original plan and use Over Pawhope and hope it's not heaving and take bivi gear in case it is or,
use Bunnies Bothy and take a different route from last year (every chance we will have it to ourselves) or,
use Gameshope but no fire and a stream crossing to get to it or
go somewhere else.

So what suggestions do you have?

I'm open to anything. It's a shame about the BBA properties though. Chances are Gameshope will be quiet, Bunnies deserted, Over Phawhope could be a good shout too.

This cold snaps got me thinking a bothy will be a better choice. Perhaps we just continue as originally planned? I'd be happy to go to bunnies again but there's not much for burning there!

Right, we will stick with the original plan so Over Pawhope it is. There may be others there but I can't see Ned types being in attendance due to the overnight temperatures requiring proper sleeping bags etc. Its a big bothy too so should be lots of space for kipping.
Meet at Traquair Arms Hotel at Innerleithan, time to be arranged.
I can give a lift to two people from Edinburgh town centre to Innerleithan, Blair 512 and MM on Point have first dibs, please let me know asap if your coming and what time you can get to Edinburgh station for, preferably before 12 mid day.

Who is still thinking of coming along?

I'll try to do a coal drop too but may not manage it so we would need to collect wood.

Sounds good to me Ray, I can be in Edinburgh what ever time suits you.

Can this be done on a cross bike?

jamiep wrote:Can this be done on a cross bike?

Only if you have lights Jamie, .

Ray Young wrote:

jamiep wrote:Can this be done on a cross bike?

Only if you have lights Jamie, .

You thinking of riding to the start?

Hey Ray, thinking of coming to this, if I can get some time off work sorted! I would bring the Grrrravel bike if it's rideable on that, also what is the closest station? I would of course be coming o the train from Aviemore.

Ray Young wrote:

Ray Young wrote:

jamiep wrote:Can this be done on a cross bike?

Only if you have lights Jamie, :wink: :lol: .

You thinking of riding to the start?

Yes, I'd have to. Probably via Pentlands

Gari wrote:Hey Ray, thinking of coming to this, if I can get some time off work sorted! I would bring the Grrrravel bike if it's rideable on that, also what is the closest station? I would of course be coming o the train from Aviemore.

The nearest station to Innerleithan would be Galashiels, about 15 miles by road.

Cheers Ray, shall consult the doer of rotas.

Jamiep and Gari, I might be getting the lend of a five seater van so could possibly give you both a lift from Edinburgh too along with MMonpoint and Blair512, will be able to confirm next Wednesday.

ROADTRIP!!!!!!!

I should be along for this, but I'll make my own way down.

AlasdairMc wrote:I should be along for this, but I'll make my own way down.

Looking at a return route of 35 miles with breakfast at Glen cafe by St Mary's Loch, will get confirmation they will be open.

Cool. Let me know if you don't manage a fuel drop. I'm looking at an approach from Moffat and there's a petrol station that sells logs.

Edit: Although the MBA site mentions timber clearance in the surrounding area, so presumably they'll have left some scraps nearby...

ok so back to the original plan!
I was quite taken by the Cramond Island camp, oh well.
Right, as Blair will confirm I am extremely slow at climbing so on the day if we are staying as a group we will need to adjust riding times.

Alternatively I have mapped the route I assume we are taking and can catch every one up at the stops or after the pub meet every one at the bothy.
Are all who are in happy with this?

MM-on-POINT wrote:ok so back to the original plan!
I was quite taken by the Cramond Island camp, oh well.
Right, as Blair will confirm I am extremely slow at climbing so on the day if we are staying as a group we will need to adjust riding times.

Alternatively I have mapped the route I assume we are taking and can catch every one up at the stops or after the pub meet every one at the bothy.
Are all who are in happy with this?

Hi MM, I will post a GPX soon. On the day we will see what happens but I think Gari and myself may be riding with you. Blair and Jamie will be faster but we tend to stick together so we will see how it goes, if they want to go ahead that's fine by me.
MM and Gari, can you be at Edinburgh Waverly station before 12md?

Hi Ray, train gets in around 11.30 so should be fine. Is it ridable on a cx/gravel bike?

Gari wrote:Hi Ray, train gets in around 11.30 so should be fine. Is it ridable on a cx/gravel bike?

I'm sure you'll manage Gari, be good to see you again.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1370578762 Route gpx or email me at youngray50ATgmailDOTcom and i'll send it direct.

Finish on the Gypsy Glen? Nice!

AlasdairMc wrote:Finish on the Gypsy Glen? Nice!

Errr, not quite, after St Mary's Loch its over Foul Brig to Manor Water Valley then Cademuir Hill to Peebles and finish along the railway line.
On the first Scottish winter bivi Pushbkiemike and I stayed at Gameshope bothy and returned via Gypsy Glen, took us eight hours!