That's exactly why it's worth a visit. It has to be seen and experienced to be believed.
Riding along the east coast of Loch Lomond?
- Thread starter samid
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That's exactly why it's worth a visit. It has to be seen and experienced to be believed.
cnb
Guru
- Location
- north east
I have to agree with spinny about the drovers... But our American friends seem to like that stuff... I also had a wander up the WHW some years ago and it wasn't suitable for cycling up the east side of the loch....
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
I too walked the WHW some 12 years ago and I disagree that it is not cyclable along that section. It would be a challenge in places (& great fun from my point of view) but not impossible. There are other sections I would not want to cycle - for starters the bit south of Loch Lomond (too many styles) or Devils Staircase out of Glencoe (I was having a bad day that day and do not have fond memories of that section - my waterproofs failed and I was that cold lunch had to be eaten whilst moving - the independant hostel was stunned (think princess and the pea left standing in a puddle of water) and when my clothes were not dry the following day actually took them home and put them through his own tumbler drier!)
Yes it is probably not cycleable with a fully loaded tourer (4 panniers, rear bag & bar bag), but without some of the kit I can't see the problem, depending on the type of bike (road bikes excepted).
I use my mountain bike as a touring bike (and have just purchased a touring/expedition bike based on a mtb) and would happily take it up there with partially full rear panniers & bar bag - and before anyone states the obvious - has anyone considered the option of suggesting that some kit is transported to the destination by the courier/transport companies who were plenty to be found when I walked it trying to convince me I could not walk the route with full kit (camping/sleeping bags and cook stove). Why not use them from the youth hostel to the top of the loch to be able to do this section?
To me it has be to preferable to cycling the 'newer' (think 15 years or so) sections of the A82. I know that road inside out and would not want to cycle it, it is also pretty much boring now prior to Tarbet. Given the choice I would cycle the other side and use the companies to transfer kit for a day whilst doing that side - just omit Conic Hill unless you are on a mountain bike - views are great, but I would want 2.0 or 2.25 tyres on the bike at least for Conic Hill.
just a random thought. Personally I have cycled far worse with rear panniers on just last month in the Rannoch area.
anyhow just my thoughts. I know a lot will not agree but that is the point of a discussion and some ideas for you - I guess it depends on what you prefer - road or off-road and if the later to what level - I can manage MTB red routes and could handle that section with not fully laden rear panniers. I don't know the level of off roading that the OP has or what bike they have and I can see that there will be a lot of disagreement, but I have come to touring from mountain biking and don't see that route as an issue, just good hard fun.
PS - don't be lulled in to a false security by my current location -
- I am originally from the Glasgow area.
Yes it is probably not cycleable with a fully loaded tourer (4 panniers, rear bag & bar bag), but without some of the kit I can't see the problem, depending on the type of bike (road bikes excepted).
I use my mountain bike as a touring bike (and have just purchased a touring/expedition bike based on a mtb) and would happily take it up there with partially full rear panniers & bar bag - and before anyone states the obvious - has anyone considered the option of suggesting that some kit is transported to the destination by the courier/transport companies who were plenty to be found when I walked it trying to convince me I could not walk the route with full kit (camping/sleeping bags and cook stove). Why not use them from the youth hostel to the top of the loch to be able to do this section?
To me it has be to preferable to cycling the 'newer' (think 15 years or so) sections of the A82. I know that road inside out and would not want to cycle it, it is also pretty much boring now prior to Tarbet. Given the choice I would cycle the other side and use the companies to transfer kit for a day whilst doing that side - just omit Conic Hill unless you are on a mountain bike - views are great, but I would want 2.0 or 2.25 tyres on the bike at least for Conic Hill.
just a random thought. Personally I have cycled far worse with rear panniers on just last month in the Rannoch area.
anyhow just my thoughts. I know a lot will not agree but that is the point of a discussion and some ideas for you - I guess it depends on what you prefer - road or off-road and if the later to what level - I can manage MTB red routes and could handle that section with not fully laden rear panniers. I don't know the level of off roading that the OP has or what bike they have and I can see that there will be a lot of disagreement, but I have come to touring from mountain biking and don't see that route as an issue, just good hard fun.
PS - don't be lulled in to a false security by my current location -
- I am originally from the Glasgow area.
007fair
Senior Member
- Location
- Glasgow Brr ..
I too walked the WHW some 12 years ago and I disagree that it is not cyclable along that section. It would be a challenge in places (& great fun from my point of view) but not impossible. There are other sections I would not want to cycle - for starters the bit south of Loch Lomond (too many styles) or Devils Staircase out of Glencoe (I was having a bad day that day and do not have fond memories of that section - my waterproofs failed and I was that cold lunch had to be eaten whilst moving - the independant hostel was stunned (think princess and the pea left standing in a puddle of water) and when my clothes were not dry the following day actually took them home and put them through his own tumbler drier!)
Yes it is probably not cycleable with a fully loaded tourer (4 panniers, rear bag & bar bag), but without some of the kit I can't see the problem, depending on the type of bike (road bikes excepted).
I use my mountain bike as a touring bike (and have just purchased a touring/expedition bike based on a mtb) and would happily take it up there with partially full rear panniers & bar bag - and before anyone states the obvious - has anyone considered the option of suggesting that some kit is transported to the destination by the courier/transport companies who were plenty to be found when I walked it trying to convince me I could not walk the route with full kit (camping/sleeping bags and cook stove). Why not use them from the youth hostel to the top of the loch to be able to do this section?
To me it has be to preferable to cycling the 'newer' (think 15 years or so) sections of the A82. I know that road inside out and would not want to cycle it, it is also pretty much boring now prior to Tarbet. Given the choice I would cycle the other side and use the companies to transfer kit for a day whilst doing that side - just omit Conic Hill unless you are on a mountain bike - views are great, but I would want 2.0 or 2.25 tyres on the bike at least for Conic Hill.
just a random thought. Personally I have cycled far worse with rear panniers on just last month in the Rannoch area.
anyhow just my thoughts. I know a lot will not agree but that is the point of a discussion and some ideas for you - I guess it depends on what you prefer - road or off-road and if the later to what level - I can manage MTB red routes and could handle that section with not fully laden rear panniers. I don't know the level of off roading that the OP has or what bike they have and I can see that there will be a lot of disagreement, but I have come to touring from mountain biking and don't see that route as an issue, just good hard fun.
PS - don't be lulled in to a false security by my current location -
I believe the OP has a touring bike with 28' width tyres (from another thread) - so I would not advise it
Also on a camping tour - I am guessing - so that carrying their own stuff would be part of the trip
I have done red MTB routes and yes in that vein much of the east side would be doable and great fun on an MTB
But there will be parts that you would have to carry the bike. Even walking there are bits that you need hands and feet for (depending on age !)
See photo below for sample of something I may manage to cycle down (but probably not on a bike I wanted to get me across scotland on afterwards!) but which I could not cycle up .. could you ? (ignore the people!)
Attachments
OP
OP
samid
Guru
- Location
- Toronto, Canada
Hi, OP here 
Aramok - thanks for your input. But, 007fair is right - I have a road-style tourer with 28mm tyres (and fatter won't fit unless I remove mudguards). Not sure I can handle pieces like on 007fair's photo, be it up or down
Aramok - thanks for your input. But, 007fair is right - I have a road-style tourer with 28mm tyres (and fatter won't fit unless I remove mudguards). Not sure I can handle pieces like on 007fair's photo, be it up or down
007fair
Senior Member
- Location
- Glasgow Brr ..
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
You mean with out carrying your bike? I can feel a challenge coming on !
fraid no challenge - I'm about to go off and cycle around the world. honest - see some of my other posts including this one.
I am going to miss my mountains not to mention my mountain bike but I suspect the areas we will end up in will help.
There will always been sections that need carrying the bike over, but that bit did not look too bad - have honestly done worse with partially filled (contained my camera equipment including a 100-400mm L series lens) rear panniers though. Down would be easy.
Have you tried the red routes are Wolftrax? Quite a bit of the time they are also the black route and that was interesting to say the least - better with my new mtb but last time I did it was my 11 year old Scott with road tyres - maybe crosscountry every day commuting to work has improved my skills?
Anyhow - give the OP is a road type bike - no way. Like I said mtb with fat tyres and a brave (or stupid - both apply to me) rider with a sense of adventure.
007fair
Senior Member
- Location
- Glasgow Brr ..
fraid no challenge - I'm about to go off and cycle around the world.
Have you tried the red routes are Wolftrax?
cool excuse! You mean it would be easier to cycle round the world than the east side of the bonnie banks of loch lommond
Wolftrax at Laggan? Yes loved it and so did my son. First went when he was 9, a year ago and the red run was great This year he was flying off the jumps near the end and my heart was in my mouth No fear and good balance .. both of which are fading for me! He has a decent Scott Scale MTB Mine is a 22 year old Saracen Tuff Trax in yellow with pink details (the 80's! .. why?) My daughter also did it on a hybrid Loved it
There is now one in pollok country park so will try that soon
Enjoy the world!
Wardy
Active Member
Last time I did it was in the mid 70's on an old (27 x 1.25") Viking with large saddlebag. As I recall, the road petered out at Rowardennan and it was track or path (or carrying the bike) thereafter until Inversnaid and then down to a glorious ride around Loch Katrine. Don't know if it's possible to continue north from Inversnaid to join the A82 near Ardlui. At one spot, north of Rowardennan, me and my Glasgow cycling pal were edging around a sort of ledge, carrying our steeds, with a hefty drop beneath us. Those were the days of Rough Stuff Fellowship and I don't think mountain bikes were yet available.
