MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
rich p said:Bonnie Voyage
Masterful Sir, masterful!
Have a great trip Kirstie, you'll certainly never be accused of wimping out
Au revoir, once more into the breach etc...
- Thread starter Kirstie
- Start date
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Masterful Sir, masterful!
Have a great trip Kirstie, you'll certainly never be accused of wimping out
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Och, it a bonnie day today, can't see what all the fuss is about...
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Crackle said:That's because you can't see at all. The clagg has settled in your garden
?
shirokazan
Veteran
Did Scotland treat you well, Kirstie?
As you mentioned that the train strike was threatening to delay/hamper your return, I figure today must be the last possible day for your return. So, come on then, tell us all about it, e.g. freezing in your tent atop some bleak, windswept moorland.
As you mentioned that the train strike was threatening to delay/hamper your return, I figure today must be the last possible day for your return. So, come on then, tell us all about it, e.g. freezing in your tent atop some bleak, windswept moorland.
Cathryn
Legendary Member
- Location
- Marlborough, Wiltshire
Is she still alive?
OP
OP
Kirstie
Über Member
Blurry'ell!! <puff, pant, wheeze, cough> that was a ride and a half!
Yes I am back -we have been back since Friday night. And we survived it fine! Photos are being processed this weekend and will appear on Flickr next week sometime.
Highlights, or rather, notable elements of the ride were:
- pushing through snowdrifts in Strath Vaich
- being caught in a freak snow storm and gale on the A823
- riding through amazing mountainous snowscapes on the way to Gairloch
- climbing a LOT. The best day for climbing was the final day, where we managed 5,400ft in just 37 miles, taking in the bealach na ba and the road to Plockton. Overall climbing was 23,000 ft in 230 miles.
- riding into the teeth of a 25mph headwind for 40 odd miles from Gairloch to Torridon
- the off road section from Strath Carron to Strath Vaich is HIGHLY recommended, perhaps not when buried in snow, but it was still a very special experience.
We also had some spectacular sunny weather (if a little windy) and were rewarded with great views and some exciting wildlife sightings. We also drank a LOT of local beer
And we discovered some excellent accommodation - everywhere we stayed is highly recommended:
Sleeperzzz hostel at Rogart station
Aultguish Inn on the A823
Carn Deag SHYA at Gairloch
Rua Reidh lighthouse
Torridon SHYA
Applecross campsite and
Plockton Station bunkhouse.
We can also recommend the mountain coffee house in gairloch, which is a fab place. Actually Gairloch as a whole is a great place.
So we are happy campers, with slight knee ache and a significant calorie deficit...nom nom nom
Yes I am back -we have been back since Friday night. And we survived it fine! Photos are being processed this weekend and will appear on Flickr next week sometime.
Highlights, or rather, notable elements of the ride were:
- pushing through snowdrifts in Strath Vaich
- being caught in a freak snow storm and gale on the A823
- riding through amazing mountainous snowscapes on the way to Gairloch
- climbing a LOT. The best day for climbing was the final day, where we managed 5,400ft in just 37 miles, taking in the bealach na ba and the road to Plockton. Overall climbing was 23,000 ft in 230 miles.
- riding into the teeth of a 25mph headwind for 40 odd miles from Gairloch to Torridon
- the off road section from Strath Carron to Strath Vaich is HIGHLY recommended, perhaps not when buried in snow, but it was still a very special experience.
We also had some spectacular sunny weather (if a little windy) and were rewarded with great views and some exciting wildlife sightings. We also drank a LOT of local beer
And we discovered some excellent accommodation - everywhere we stayed is highly recommended:
Sleeperzzz hostel at Rogart station
Aultguish Inn on the A823
Carn Deag SHYA at Gairloch
Rua Reidh lighthouse
Torridon SHYA
Applecross campsite and
Plockton Station bunkhouse.
We can also recommend the mountain coffee house in gairloch, which is a fab place. Actually Gairloch as a whole is a great place.
So we are happy campers, with slight knee ache and a significant calorie deficit...nom nom nom
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
So it was worth it then 
OP
OP
Kirstie
Über Member
HJ said:So it was worth it then
Oh yes definitely
shirokazan
Veteran
Excellent stuff, Kirstie. Sounds like a vivid experience and an interesting time!
I've had the map out but can't quite work out your route. It looks like you started at Inverness (I guess you took a train there), and somehow wended your merry way to Kyle of Lochalsh (train back again)?
Did you book your accommodation first or did you do some internet research, make a note of possible places and take a chance turning up at the door?
And one final question: how bone-shaking was the off-road bit between Strathcarron and Strath Vaich?
I've had the map out but can't quite work out your route. It looks like you started at Inverness (I guess you took a train there), and somehow wended your merry way to Kyle of Lochalsh (train back again)?
Did you book your accommodation first or did you do some internet research, make a note of possible places and take a chance turning up at the door?
And one final question: how bone-shaking was the off-road bit between Strathcarron and Strath Vaich?
OP
OP
Kirstie
Über Member
shirokazan said:
We started at Rogart, north of inverness, and then yes, we wended our way down to Plockton via Aultguish Inn (A823) -going through bonar bridge beforehand, Gairloch, Rua Riedh lighthouse, Torridon, Applecross and then Plockton over 6 days.
We did book our accommodation first - as we were going over easter, we didn't want to take the chance of just turning up.
The off road bit varied: from Strathcarron up to Dearnich lodge it was hard packed and quite smooth. From there on in to the end it was stony track so fairly bumpy, but the 700c tyres made it easier. I'm a seasoned mtb'er too and so that kind of thing doesn't really bother me.
ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
Nice to hear you had a good time Kirstie.
Cathryn
Legendary Member
- Location
- Marlborough, Wiltshire
Glad you're back and had such a good time. Hats off to you, I wouldn't have left my armchair in that weather!!
OP
OP
Kirstie
Über Member
Thankyou! Have spent most of the weekeng sitting down with my feet up.
OP
OP
