I’ve had my eye on this for a few years now and I’ve finally put aside a weekend (9th & 10th May) to do it, here’s the plan – a 2 day tour of the Loch Lomond area, starting at Balloch, with an overnight stop at the Inversnaid Hostel before returning to Glasgow. Itinerary:
Day 1: train to Balloch > Helensburgh > Arrochar > Inveruglas > Inversnaid (via ferry) approx 34 miles taking in Loch Lomond, Gareloch, Loch Long & Loch Sloy via the 3 Lochs Way
Day 2: Inversnaid > Aberfoyle > Drymen > Milngavie > Glasgow taking in Loch Arklet, Loch Chon and Loch Ard and returning via the Rob Roy Way and West Highland Way
You need to carry any overnight gear you need. The overnight stop at hostel is for dinner and breakfast, hostel has a drying room, bar and a hot tub! The vast majority of the 3 Lochs Way is cross-bike compatible with the odd really muddy or steep rocky section. I’ll probably be doing it on a hardtail MTB.
If you’re interested then either post up here or email me by 6pm tomorrow (Mon. 13th Apr) and I’ll book you a space in the hostel. The hostel is fairly full so it’s on a first come first served basis. After 6pm tomorrow, if you want to come you’ll be responsible for booking your own accommodation.
Loch Long
NB: this ride will clash with the Dales Mondraker Demo & BBQ Day and the 400km Audax.
Costs:
- Train to Balloch: £whatever
- Ferry crossing to Inversnaid with bike: £9
- Hostel: £20 approx (camping options are available if you want to take a tent/bivvy), £2 towel rental
- Food/Drink: £whatever
I need to be back in Glasgow sharp on the Sunday afternoon so I’ll be going for an early start on the Sunday. Start time on Saturday TBC, depends on the ferry crossing times.
If you only fancy the outward leg then it’s possible to cut it short at Arrochar and return to Balloch via the Loch Lomond cycle track or maybe catch a train from Tarbet/Ardlui/Helensburgh etc.
Hi Gillian – got your text, noted your name for a hostel booking (assuming there’s space when I phone tomorrow).
Hi Graham,
I’m up for this, but thinking I’ll drive to Balloch and meet you there, then ride back to there to collect car…
I’ll be taking my Cross bike due to amount of tarmac I’ll need to ride to get to Balloch!
Sam
Sounds a laugh, I’m in. I’ll pick up the tail-end if you need to move briskly on Sunday.
Hi – that’s 4 beds booked at the Inversnaid Bunkhouse for Saturday 9th May for Gillian, Sam, Ryszard and myself. £20.50 per person.
If anyone else wants to come then contact the hostel on 01877 386249 but you’ll be lucky as there’s only a few spaces left. Camping is an option.
I’ve just booked a space in a triple. I’ll met you another Balloch train station. Are you guys carring whatever you need on back pack or did you arranged a bag transportation service? Is a sleeping bag required? Sorry for the stupid questions 🙂
Hi Mario – was the final space in the 5 bed dorm already taken? Maybe the hostel can swap you over to our dorm? Then again you may not want to share with us! Yes, will be carrying what we need for the weekend. I’m using a large seat pack to transport most of my gear and a Camelbak for the rest. No sleeping bag needed and if you don’t bring your own towel it’ll cost you £2. I’ll confirm the meet time in Balloch later.
yes only visible options for the 9th were a triple and the quad room.
Did you try phoning them? They might be able to move your booking into our room, assuming you’d want to do that of course 🙂
they contact me by email, to check the payment, and I ask for it, still I didn’t get an answer yet.
So, anyone else up for joining us as a day-tripper then? Weather is looking like it is going to be better…. S
We probably can’t make this weekend, but looks like an ace route – would be up for this some other time. Have fun!