Team BKool CycleChat

[Barbes66]

@Barbes66 ,I'm going to loch ard in may and notice you go out that way. Can you recommend some routes and places to avoid. Maybe catch up for a spin also with Jim aka bored man?

Apols @shimceltic. I just saw this but hopefully you get this in time. Loch Ard is an excellent base. I'm not sure if you mean on or off road but there are loads of off-road trails from the Kinlochard forestry commission car park towards Loch Lomond or you can also head east towards Callander for more gravel. If it's road, a classic climb is Duke's pass which starts in Aberfoyle and after the descent you could circumnavigate Loch Katrine which is on a private Scottish Water road (virtually no cars) that brings you back to Loch Ard from the north. Otherwise from the Katrine turn off keep going along Loch Venacher to Callander and back to Aberfoyle. There are also lots of road options towards Glasgow on mostly quiet roads (around Kippen, Fintry, Killearn, Balfron and Strathblane) including the Crow Rd climb used in the 2023 Worlds if you wanted something a bit longer.

A cool all day option which needs a wee bit of forward planning, is to head north from Loch Ard to Inversnaid. From there a little ferry goes across Loch Lomond to Tarbert and when you disembark head towards Arrochar and down Loch Long to Faslane. Then take the minor road through Glen Fruin picking up the cycle path at Arden on Loch Lomond to Balloch and then Drymen. From there follow NCR7 (turn left up the hill at the Clachan Inn) to Gartmore and back to Aberfoyle.

https://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/cruise/inversnaid-tarbet-waterbus

If you fancy some company let me know your dates and we could maybe organise something.

 

[shimceltic]

Thanks for the info, will take a look. I'm up from the 19th may till the Saturday.
Would be good for a tour guide if your about!

Also road bike is what I'll have.

 

[Randyberlin]

Thanks for the info, will take a look. I'm up from the 19th may till the Saturday.
Would be good for a tour guide if your about!

Man, you two make me jealous.

 

[Barbes66]

You're welcome to join us Randy. Ryanair - Sitka to Prestwick?

 

[Barbes66]

Thanks for the info, will take a look. I'm up from the 19th may till the Saturday.
Would be good for a tour guide if your about!

Also road bike is what I'll have.

That could work well. I'm currently off the bike recovering from a torn calf but should be fine by then if not very fit. That week I'm working 3 days so should hopefully be able to find a day/time that works.

 

[shimceltic]

That could work well. I'm currently off the bike recovering from a torn calf but should be fine by then if not very fit. That week I'm working 3 days so should hopefully be able to find a day/time that works.

Nice one, hopefully you're recovered a bit. I'm also still suffering with my knee so 2 cripples together on a steady ride will do.

 

[Rod McG]

If only I could join you, we could be the triple cripples! I will though be preparing for a gentle cycling hol in Croatia in the following week, so not this time! Hope it goes well though.

 

[Randyberlin]

If only I could join you, we could be the triple cripples! I will though be preparing for a gentle cycling hol in Croatia in the following week, so not this time! Hope it goes well though.

From.Strava it looks like you're fully recovered and back to your normal impressive rides\hikes.

 

[Rod McG]

From.Strava it looks like you're fully recovered and back to your normal impressive rides\hikes.

Thanks, it's going well, but Strava kindly reminds how much slower I am than I was! A challenge...

 

[shimceltic]

Nice to meet you today Craig.
Really nice route and company.
Legs may disagree with me though.

 

[Barbes66]

Nice to meet you today Craig.
Really nice route and company.
Legs may disagree with me though.

Likewise Shim. It was lumpier than I remembered (or I'm just much less fit) and that was without adding in the Duke's climb. Hope yesterday's footy didn't put too much of a dampener on the week off.