As per the email - somewhere for pre-Shindig discussion/questions (if there is any)

Hi Bryan, what are the wild camping options like along the route, given it's likely to be pretty busy with walkers - plus have they not banned wild camping on that side of Loch Lomond?

Wild camping will be fine. There is a ban on wild camping along certain bits of Loch Lomond side but this finishes just after Rowardennan and I'd expect most folks to be well beyond that before stopping for the night. TBH I've seen plenty of wild camping along the shore of Loch Lomond and nobody ever bothers - the ban is there to deter a certain kind of camping if you know what I mean...

In terms of actual sites: there are some nice bits just before Inversnaid and then lots of nice little spots right beside the trail on the way back to Aberfoyle, especially near Loch Arklett. There's also good spots on the way to Aberfoyle - especially around Loch Drunkie. I Think Glen Ample will also be okay if a little higher and potentially windier as there's little to no tree cover up there.

Cheers Bryan!

Is that Loch Lomond section the hikey-bikey bit of the WHW, should I pack extra swearing?

A little bit hikey bikey but nowhere near enough to keep Mr Goldsmith happy - so a modest amount of extra swearing should be enough

Full route map now up on the Shand Cycles page, route profiles also available to download

Just wondering how many have signed up for this now? If there are still plenty of places I may put my name down after all even though I said recently I wasn't doing it.

FWIW, I had three punctures in the section between Loch Katrine and Aberfoyle. There's some big, sharp, chunky gravel on the new section of path.


ascent btw

@Ray,
There's somewhere between 20 and 25 riders heading out so if you want to come out then drop me a mail via the link on the Shand page and I'll send you the route

zigrat wrote:@Ray,
There's somewhere between 20 and 25 riders heading out so if you want to come out then drop me a mail via the link on the Shand page and I'll send you the route

Got a pass for this now so deffo going.

Jamiep, sent you a pm.

Pushbikemike, are you going?

Just been out and rode the Northern loop beyond Aberfoyle. There's some work going on just beyond David Marshall lodge so follow the detour. Also it looks like there's no access up to Stank Glen - the route will be the same length (give or take 1/2 a mile) but there will be about 800 ft less climbing which I'm sure will make some people happy. On the plus side the trails are very dry and I barely got my feet wet in Glen Ample so let's hope the next 3 weeks aren't too wet. Took some pictures and will upload them to flickr later tonight and I'll mail out my GPX track from todays ride which will feature the diversions.

Nice one Bryan - saw the photos on Flickr. Still a maybe for me pending the usual cr@p with work (might have to be away if a project start up happens in the next few weeks). Cheers.

What time are people thinking of starting, are you going for the suggested 16.00 start time?

I was also going to ask about proceedings.

With everyone riding at different speeds is there a plan to meet at a pub somewhere?

Coming up from the Shire I'd like to make sure riding time is greater than driving time, and I'm wary that it'll be dark by 8pm

I was thinking that if you're planning on doing the full 130 miles an earlier start time may be better. Sunset on the 13th is 7.40 so dark by 8.30 I reckon. As for pubs there is a hotel at Inversnaid on the WHW, next up would be Aberfoyle I think.

I was thinking that a 14:00 start would be more realistic. My plan is to grab some dinner at Rowardennan hotel as I think it'll take me 3.5 to 4 hours to get there and then be in Aberfoyle before the co-op closes at ten to re-supply and bivvy at Loch Drunkie which is another 35 mins beyond Aberfoyle. That will leave around 70 miles to ride on Sunday.

Is everyone agreeable to a 14:00 start ?

zigrat wrote:Is everyone agreeable to a 14:00 start ?

OK by me.

zigrat wrote:I was thinking that a 14:00 start would be more realistic. My plan is to grab some dinner at Rowardennan hotel as I think it'll take me 3.5 to 4 hours to get there and then be in Aberfoyle before the co-op closes at ten to re-supply and bivvy at Loch Drunkie which is another 35 mins beyond Aberfoyle. That will leave around 70 miles to ride on Sunday.

Is everyone agreeable to a 14:00 start ?

All sounds sensible based on that. Keen on comming up just not 100% a the moment.

I'll be there for 2pm, will I be Ok ditching the motorhome for a night in the vicinity?

Shouldn't think there will be much of a problem with that - Solid Rock might be a good bet for that though....

Good point on solid rock, I'm driving up from Swindon Friday PM. Anyone want a lift? If you are not too far from M5/M6 I can offer a decent punk rock/new wave motorway soundtrack and a bunk in a motorhome that is currently slightly leaky.

zigrat wrote:
I was thinking that a 14:00 start would be more realistic. My plan is to grab some dinner at Rowardennan hotel as I think it'll take me 3.5 to 4 hours to get there and then be in Aberfoyle before the co-op closes at ten to re-supply and bivvy at Loch Drunkie which is another 35 mins beyond Aberfoyle. That will leave around 70 miles to ride on Sunday.

Is everyone agreeable to a 14:00 start ?

14:00 good for me - although means an early start from way down here ....... I suspect I'm a little slower than the average pace but that means my ride time might match the drive time . Depending on how things go, I might bivvi on Sunday too as the drive back probably too much for Sunday evening.

1400 good for me too. Will likely start from Solid Rock if I can make it - possible work intervention.
Might stay up for a few days in the Cairngorms too if work plays ball
Won't be fast either S. Softie! I'll be following you no doubt.

What are trail conditions like on the full route at the moment, would it be worth changing my small block tyres for something with a bit more grip?