Glasgow to Inverness

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Alun

Guru
Location
Liverpool
I'd be interested to know how you get on, I plan to do it in May and then ride on to Fort William down the Great Glen.
 

snorri

Legendary Member
gwhite said:
Good luck to you, but March in Scotland is not famous for being particularly balmy.

Could we have a little less of this negativity please?:biggrin: Less than half of the proposed trip will be in March, the rest will be in the early days of April.;)

Ignore the spreaders of doom and gloom CharlieB, think positive, the midgies will still be in their winter slumbers.:tongue:
 

gwhite

Über Member
snorri said:
Could we have a little less of this negativity please?:biggrin: Less than half of the proposed trip will be in March, the rest will be in the early days of April.:tongue:

Ignore the spreaders of doom and gloom CharlieB, think positive, the midgies will still be in their winter slumbers.:blush:

Oh that's all right then.:smile:
 
OP
OP
CharlieB

CharlieB

Junior Walker and the Allstars
Thank you for all the support and advice, I just wanted to do something that is the complete antithesis of the 10m(x2) suburban commute I currently do!
I will post some pix when I work out how!
 

Beardie

Well-Known Member
Thought you might all be interested to know that the Sustrans Trailblaze in 2008 ran from Glasgow to Aberfeldy along Route 7, then down to Edinburgh. One of the participants not only did this ride on a Brompton, but wore flowing skirts, a woollen cardie, and tennis shoes. More than one person wondered whether she'd got caught up with us accidentally. Yet she did the ride as well as anyone, though our luggage was carried for us.

Incidentally, the path alongside Loch Venachar is of historical interest in Sustrans, as it was the site of the very first work week, in 1996.
 

HJ

Cycling in Scotland
Location
Auld Reekie
jann71 said:
Good luck with this, glad you don't start this week or you would be trying to ride through snow!

I have known it to snow in the Drumochter Pass in July, there is bound to be some snow about, but don't let that put you off... :becool:
 

Danny

Squire
Location
York
I've done the whole route and it was probably the best ever tour I've been on. You can read about it here.

However I would think twice about riding it on a Brompton. There are some significant hills along the route which would be hard work, and some off road sections would find be difficult to cycle on with small wheels.

You also need to think about how much gear you are going to carry on your bike. If you go for the minimalist approach - say just a tooth brush cut in half - you might be OK, but I am not sure how easy it would be to ride a Brompton for long distances with loads of gear.
 
OP
OP
CharlieB

CharlieB

Junior Walker and the Allstars
Thank you so much all for the words of support.
Danny- your account and pics are a great help, especially as I was a little worried about the Pitlochry-Newtonmore leg.
I've pitched the other legs slightly shorter than yours, hence my tour is over 6 days rather than 5. I find all hills hard work anyway, 'cos I'm basically a wuss and expect to get off now and again!
Carrying pretty minimal gear, as will be laundering some clothes overnight, and staying in B & Bs/GHs/YHs.
I am foolishly hoping the worst bit will be the 9½hr train ride back to London from Inverness!

So… …can someone tell me how to post pictures here, please?
 
The drumochter pass is fine as long as you don't have a headwind, if you do it is utter misery. I speak from experience (in both cases). And there's no shame in pushing!

It's a bit heroic doing something on an unsuitable bike so best of luck. You'll surprise yourself.

I will be touring in NW scotland starting in inverness from 2 - 9th April. I'm sure the weather will be fine!
 

Danny

Squire
Location
York
Kirstie said:
I will be touring in NW scotland starting in inverness from 2 - 9th April. I'm sure the weather will be fine!
Hope springs eternal :rolleyes:

Actually I was in Scotland one April when the weather was warm enough for us have a dip in a river. But that was about 20 years ago.
 

snorri

Legendary Member
CharlieB said:
I was a little worried about the Pitlochry-Newtonmore leg.
It is a long, rather than a steep climb, so just plod along and take the opportunity to appreciate the scenery as it passes a little slower than you are used to.:biggrin:
 

HJ

Cycling in Scotland
Location
Auld Reekie
About 4 years ago, we had a heat wave in early April, people were sun bathing in the parks like it was high summer, but the leaves were yet on the trees! Then May came, and with it the rain, it rained until December...
 

HelenD123

Legendary Member
Location
York
HJ said:
About 4 years ago, we had a heat wave in early April, people were sun bathing in the parks like it was high summer, but the leaves were yet on the trees! Then May came, and with it the rain, it rained until December...

I took a group walking on the North York Moors that April and they nearly got sun stroke:ohmy:.
 
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