After having seen Loch Etive on a map a while back I have wanted to ride around it. The route I have put together is a 90 mile, mainly low level, 2 day trip. I am very open as to when to do it but it will have to be during the summer out of college term time. The exact dates will need to be decided between whoever wishes to join me and I will also need to consult the wife.
The route is:
Start at The Bridge of Orchy NN 299 395. Follow the West Highland Way to NN 251 549. Turn south west into Glen Etive and follow it to Loch Etive. Take the north shore to Connel NM 911 342. Follow the A85(sorry about this bit) to NN 016 313 east of Taynuilt. Head north east along the south shore of Loch Etive to Glen Kinglass NN 080 375. follow Glen Kinglass to Loch Dochard NN 214 417. Head east along Abhainn Shira to Loch Tulla NN 271 423. Return to The bridge of Orchy.

PS. Due to the low levels on this route it is probably a good route for bikepacking newbies or anyone who has doubts about their fitness levels.

Hi Ray, am very keen though the later it is the more likely midges are going to be!! They usually peak end of July, August and September.....
I am flexible regarding dates, I just need enough notice to sort out my time off, a week or two is usually enough.
Gari

Looks as though the wife and I will be on holiday first 2 weeks in July but this is not definate yet. How about sometime in the third week of June? Do you prefer week end or week days to go? I prefer weekdays myself but a week end is no major issue.

Hi Ray, weekdays are fine for me. Let me know wen you have a firm date and I shall put it in my diary.

OK. Provisional dates are Tue 19/Wed 20 June. 9.30 ish start from Bridge of Orchy Hotel.

Right then, about 6 weeks to go, I can still change this to a weekend or other near date if anyone else is interested in coming along. Will make a definate date in about 2 weeks.

My route is putting me sleeping in Glen Etive Friday 15th June, before the final push to Fort William on the Saturday

Sounds like a brilliant trip, but two days midweek is not option driving up from mid-Wales. I'd love to try this Maybe
adding a bit to it over a long weekend. Could you send me the route please? :D

Just read your opening post. D'oh :?

Hi sillybigfella, I can still change it to a weekend but her indoors says I can only do 2 days on this occasion . Maybe you could add a bit on for yourself at the end for a 3 dayer.

You still up for this Gari?

Hi Ray, yep, still game. I am off for several days prior to this too so shall have a bit of a ride around and see what the conditions are like. Pretty wet under foot/wheel at present.

Hi Ray. Count me in :D

I'll be driving up sometime on Monday if anyone wants a lift, let me know.

Right then, DEFINATE DATES are TUES 19 and WED 20 JUNE. 9.00 to 9.30 ish start from The Bridge of Orchy hotel.

Enjoy. Back when I used to climb I spent a couple of trips camped on the shores of Loch Etive. Rained like an absolute bagstard every time and flooded out. Had to retreat to a club hut in the Lakes (student logic :? ).

Are people staying in the bunkhouse the night before?

No, i'm arriving tuesday morning on the train. Gari reckons he's gonna be in the area a few days previous though.

I'll be driving up sometime on Monday if anyone wants a lift, let me know.

I could well be up for a lift, looks like I'm working on the weekend before and after but nothing in the week ... what time you thinking of setting off on Mon SBF?

I've got the whole day off, so I'm easy really.

Give me a time SBF and I'll get to your place for it.

If you fancy the bunkhouse Mon night that's great ... I'm easy to please

Shall I book two beds for Monday night and (more importantly) two breakfasts for Tuesday morning, or find somewhere else? It's £18 for bed and £25 for B&B. I can take our four-man bigger tent for Monday night if you like. Or Crianlarich YHA is £16, no price for breakfast, surely cheaper than the bunkhouse...

Sorry to say that I'm going to have to miss this trip now ... something's come up :(

No worries Stu. I was looking forward to sharing the seven-hour car journey with you and my complete 'Hard-House-Jungle-Hardcore-Dance Mix'

'Hard-House-Jungle-Hardcore-Dance Mix'

That'll be what came up

Right then ... the thought of 14 hours of 'Hard-House-Jungle-Hardcore-Dance Mix' is just too good an opportunity to pass up so I'm coming :D

SBF if you want to book something for the Mon night go ahead and I'll sort you out