NCN 7 Dunkeld to Inverness

[gillian]

Hey,
Trying to get some info on the surfaces that can be found on NCN7 north from Dunkeld to Inverness?

I know there are rough sections further south which would not be suitable for a road bike but can the northern section be done on skinny tyres?

Cheers

 

[fimm]

The CC Ecosse contingent did it a couple of years ago:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/cc-ecosse-lochs-and-glens-tour-2015.186043/

There was another thread recently about this. Maybe @Pat "5mph" or @Fubar can help, too.

 

[Fubar]

Hey,
Trying to get some info on the surfaces that can be found on NCN7 north from Dunkeld to Inverness?

I know there are rough sections further south which would not be suitable for a road bike but can the northern section be done on skinny tyres?

Cheers

The roughest section of our route was from Callendar to Killin on route 7, though one of our number who shall remain nameless (Ed!) did the whole trip on skinny tyres so it can be done - there is probably only a few short sections that you may struggle on, but more than likely would be more susceptible to punctures.

 

[Fubar]

This is a typical surface from Day 2: it did get rougher than this but only in small sections.

 

[gillian]

Thanks folks, having cycled Callander to Killin loads of times I knew that was too rough for my road bike but it sounds like the northern section is probably OK on the road bike with skinny tyres. I run gaitorskin hard shells on it anyway so fingers crossed with a bit of care .... I won't tempt fate by finishing that sentence!!!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

@gillian could you leave the NCN for the roughest bits, go on road?
I loved that tour, but I was on a hybrid with 700x35 Marathons!

 

[gillian]

Incase anyone else is considering this route ... cycled Perth to Inverness using NCN 77 then NCN 7 over two days this week on the road bike with 23mm tyres and gatorskin hardshells. No punctures and only a few bits where a bit of extra care was required due to rough/loose surface, mainly around Drumochter. So to answer my own question - yes it's doable!!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well done!