NCN 7 Glasgow - Drymen & Callander - Kenmore

[GrumpyGregry]

Advice wanted please....

Two of us have just signed up* to walk/ride something called the Rob Roy Challenge. We will cycle, for fun, from Glasgow to Drymen the day before where our support car will take the bikes from us. The next day the challenge then starts and we walk to Callander. At Callander we collect our bikes again and cycle to Kenmore. I've a choice of bikes. Which one to use? What is the surface like? Hybrids are available to hire but I'd rather ride my own (provided I can book a place on the sleeper with it)

Is the cycling part of the challenge do-able on a 38mm tyred disc braked tourer (mine) and a CX bike (his)?

*He signed up ages ago and I've been drafted in as a replacement for someone who has dropped out

 

[shirokazan]

We will cycle, for fun, from Glasgow to Drymen...

As part of my LEJOG in 2009, I cycled along NCN7 from the Erskine Bridge (just west of Glasgow) all the way to Inverness. Much of this section is on purpose-built cycle paths (either tarmacked or compacted gravel surface) and I found it just fine on my touring bike. I can't see you having any issues. I stopped overnight at Balloch.

At Callander we collect our bikes again and cycle to Kenmore.

This is a fabulous section. Again, it's either on ordinary roads or purpose-built paths. Mostly a gentle climb up Glen Ogle (though I think there was at least one steepish switchback section of cycle path near Lochearnhead, but this might have been where I ventured off the path into the village in search of food/water), a real swift descent to Killin and then along a quiet road on the south side of Loch Tay. Mind you, I had superb weather, baking hot all day: I rapidly consumed both of my water bottles and was absolutely gasping by the time I reached Kenmore - thankfully there was a village shop! Anyhow, I'm sure you'll have no difficulties with your bikes on these surfaces.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

This is a fabulous section. Again, it's either on ordinary roads or purpose-built paths. Mostly a gentle climb up Glen Ogle (though I think there was at least one steepish switchback section of cycle path near Lochearnhead, but this might have been where I ventured off the path into the village in search of food/water), a real swift descent to Killin and then along a quiet road on the south side of Loch Tay. Mind you, I had superb weather, baking hot all day: I rapidly consumed both of my water bottles and was absolutely gasping by the time I reached Kenmore - thankfully there was a village shop! Anyhow, I'm sure you'll have no difficulties with your bikes on these surfaces.

That is part of the route!

 

[shirokazan]

That is part of the route!

Yes, that's right. I've just had a check of the route. Here's that section of switchbacks and there is a more minor bit further south (the wiggly bit at the bottom of the map - helps if you zoom in a bit).