Just saying hello. I have just gone from passive observer to active member.

Wondering who has entered the cairngorm loop for the 2nd may?

Thanks.

Hello.

I'm in for the Cairngorms Loop

http://www.cairngormsloop.net/groupriders.html

Hi Chris, drop me a mail if you want to chat about the route or group ride.

Cheers,

Steve

I'm looking forward to doing the loop in the spring but will likely start and finish at Rothiemurchus rather than Blair Atholl as I live in Aviemore.

ScotRoutes wrote:I'm looking forward to doing the loop in the spring but will likely start and finish at Rothiemurchus rather than Blair Atholl as I live in Aviemore.

What'll the going will be like at that time of the year?

RobMac wrote:

ScotRoutes wrote:I'm looking forward to doing the loop in the spring but will likely start and finish at Rothiemurchus rather than Blair Atholl as I live in Aviemore.

What'll the going will be like at that time of the year?

Depends on how late you ride it, and how heavy the winter is. 2013's mass start was cancelled due to the weather (I heard about one person pressing on through chest deep water in the dark), whereas this year in May only had a single snow patch in the Lairig an Laoigh. The route was pretty dry except the upper part of Glen Feshie really.

There is a bit of pedigree in the list.


Better get a bit of training done.

If you decide not to, I'll be occupying my usual place at the back once again, and company is welcome...

Alisdair how about a spin out over the pentlands over the xmas period and we can compare slowness!

Justchris wrote:Alisdair how about a spin out over the pentlands over the xmas period and we can compare slowness!

Are you the same Chris I've been speaking to on bikepacking.net? If you are, I'm sure you'll be fine on the loop.

I'm riding down to Glentress today (Sunday) if you fancy it? I'm probably leaving mine (Balerno) around 8:45.

Also will be getting some riding in over the Christmas period, most likely Pentlands - would be good to catch up.

I guess I'll be there as it will be a good final fitness and kit check before the HTR. It would be nice if the Strath down to the Lairig and leoch is one flat patch of hard neve....

AlasdairMc wrote:

Justchris wrote:Alisdair how about a spin out over the pentlands over the xmas period and we can compare slowness!

Are you the same Chris I've been speaking to on bikepacking.net? If you are, I'm sure you'll be fine on the loop.

I'm riding down to Glentress today (Sunday) if you fancy it? I'm probably leaving mine (Balerno) around 8:45.

Also will be getting some riding in over the Christmas period, most likely Pentlands - would be good to catch up.

Thats me. I am back on my bike building my base again. Hopefully no more saddle sores. There is no way I could handle a 6-7 hour ride at the moment. Believe it or not it is my upper body that could not take it, at the moment. But it would be good to meet up over the next few weeks.

I have to admit I am looking forward to 2nd may. But with trepidation, it's the first race I will be involved in ages. So hopefuly I can pick your brains some time soon.

Chris

Haven't entered yet but am toying with it...

As races go, it's really friendly. Bikepacking seems to be as much about eating as it is about riding, so it's generally very sociable.

I'm off all the way through Christmas and New Year so will be out in the Pentlands a few times for sure. In the end, we didn't make it to Glentress yesterday as the wind was horrible so did a nice loop via Cloich with a cafe stop in West Linton.

I was on the start line for 2013, a few of us trundled around the outer loop instead.

Its a very friendly atmosphere.

Not sure if I can make that particular weekend, but I will be having a crack at at some point next year.

AlasdairMc wrote:As races go, it's really friendly. Bikepacking seems to be as much about eating as it is about riding, so it's generally very sociable.

I'm off all the way through Christmas and New Year so will be out in the Pentlands a few times for sure. In the end, we didn't make it to Glentress yesterday as the wind was horrible so did a nice loop via Cloich with a cafe stop in West Linton.

I was thinking of you, weather was diabolical.
I am thankfully not working too much over the next two weeks as well. But family commitments are plentiful.
Glad to hear about the friendliness of bikepackers. Never much cared for the lack of banter at xc races. Way too serious for me. Think thats why I have always done my own thing. All my mtbing friends race (badly if your reading!) Or have got into cyclocross racing which just doesn't do it for me. So their all finding short steep hills and doing intervals. While I like to tour about and train as I travel.

Will be in touch.

C

Hi, this will be my first formal itT too. Coming over from northern ireland

The jester wrote:Hi, this will be my first formal itT too. Coming over from northern ireland

Bout ye jester.

Get the train over, open return. It includes your boat fare and stenna allow you to wheel your bike on. Chepest way to do it. I am sure you can do it online now but I used to have to go to belfast central station by maysfield to do this as an open return.

Ps its 'norn iron'

Hope to see you at the start.

Chris

vaguely exciting ! chris, I didn't think to many would understand norn iron you spins the local lingo very well, I look forward to meeting you- maybe you could be my translator
I'll defin give you a shout to consult on train travel with a bike- everything I've read about bikes and trains over there sounds nightmareish.

Cheers

The jester wrote: vaguely exciting ! chris, I didn't think to many would understand norn iron you spins the local lingo very well, I look forward to meeting you- maybe you could be my translator
I'll defin give you a shout to consult on train travel with a bike- everything I've read about bikes and trains over there sounds nightmareish.

Cheers

Its actually dead easy getting the train about Scotland. And way faster than back home. Contact me at some time when your about to book and I will help in any way i can, and you can store any extra gear in my car.

Chris

Cheers Chris I will,

Intimidatingly good field for may 2nd.

http://www.cairngormsloop.net/groupriders.html

(Apart from the donkey at no.5)

Cheers for the prompt - have just put my name down too. Hadn't realised it was filling up so quick...

Intimidatingly good field for may 2nd.

We'll be rolling round if you want company give us a shout.

We are going to do the outer loop at the end of may - any recommendations for good wild camping spots?