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Pitlochry Autumn Colours
October 19, 2014 @ 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Hi,
I’m planning on doing a ride from Pitlochry on Sunday. Details:
What
Loch Bhac Loop (or variation). Around 50km, taking in wooded valleys and open moors. It takes between 5-7hrs depending on the group and trail conditions. The riding is not overly technical, although the length makes it quite physically demanding. The duration will also be affected by how many wild hazelnut ieva finds.
Why?
The autumn colours will be amazing and it’s a top ride. Start / finish in Pitlochry for coffees and cake.
Who
Suitable for bikers with a decent level of fitness looking to get out exploring some of Scotland finest scenery. The ride is remote in places and there is no opportunity to stop for food until the last 20% of the ride. I’ll do my best to look after everyone, but please make sure you bring enough food, spare clothes and a working bike.
When
Meet at Escape Route (bike shop) on the main street in Pitlochry ready to ride at 10:30am. Arriving at 10:30 and assembling your bike, truing wheels etc will require the delinquent to buy everyone coffees from Escape Route. Please let me know if your coming.
If you’re free for this ride then you need to join Tom. Pitlochry in Autumn is classic riding!
Hi Tom – this sounds fantastic. Yes I’m coming. You say ‘a decent level of fitness’…..well…..I think I’m fitter than at Ben Alder a few years ago, and I managed to carry my bid up that corrie!
It’s not quite as tough as Ben Alder, there is no hike-a-bike for starters and not as technical either. I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Thanks Tom – I’ll keep my fingers crossed for good weather – most trails have been firm and dry for some time! I’m in Dunblane at weekends, and at a loose end, so this would be a great ride for me to do and to get out.
Hi Tom – this sounds fantastic. Yes I’m coming. You say ‘a decent level of fitness’…..well…..I think I’m fitter than at Ben Alder a few years ago, and I managed to carry my bike up that corrie!
Anyone thinking of getting there by train be advised that from Perth to Pitlorchy there’ll be a bus service instead of train…
Me & Ieva will be coming from Edinburgh but could pick you up in Perth if needed. Bit of squeeze in the van but it’s only 40 minutes or so from Perth. Unless someone else has more space.
Krzysztof, you want a lift?
I’m hoping to make it – I lift from Glasgow for share of petrol money would be most appreciated 🙂
Nice one, is it the wet weather forecast that has swayed it for you? If you can’t manage to get a lift share from Glasgow maybe you could go part way share with me or Nigel.
Hi Robin I will be in Dunblane from this Friday night, and after the ride I’ll need to return to Dunlane Sunday night. If it possile for you to get a train to Dunblane in time I’m happy to pick you up – there’s room in my wee Polo for a rider and the bike to go in the back with mine. I haven’t checked train times though, but I suspect Scotland does not provide public transport until quite late on a Sunday morning.
Graham – I you are unfortunate enough to be rerading this post, I don’t know why, but instead of a picture of me with my bike in Mexico, 27 years ago, appearing on my posts, a strange monster seems to have appeared instead. On WP my avatar, or whatever, is still my photo. Please could you advise how I can change it back? This phenomenon is unexplained!
Hi Nigel, the avatar I see for yourself is you with a bike standing beside a roadsign looking heroic. I don’t see any monsters.
Yep – thanks Graham – I sorted it finally, but there were monsters……’monsters from the ID!’
Pretty much – my first thoughts were ‘Autumn colours, mild, autumn sunshine, sun going down, dry’. What’s the point of that? But when I saw a day of persistent rain and dull winds? Praise.
Staunch.
Robin, Mario said last that he might be interested in doing this ride but would need a lift, from Westend I think. Although you may have already joined those dots via that new fangled Facebooky thing.
as Graham said 😀
if anyone want to share car and petrol money I’m up for it.
thanks
I should have the car now – I should have space for one, perhaps two – I’ll need to check the condition of the roof rack…
Weather looks foul; I’m in. Been years since I’ve ridden that route and I’m bored of dry trails. I’ve room for one or will accept a ride, for a share of the fuel in either case.
I could get Mario of you could get kryzstof?
I know where Mario stays so that would require less thinking on my part, an advantage early on a Sunday, but I’m easy either way.
Ok, that could work, I’ll pick up k.
cool, thanks a lot guys!
Good to see a few folk are up for this. Just a couple of points for those coming:
– The weather forecast is looking a touch damp. There is no reason it shouldn’t be a good ride as most of the trail surfaces are quite good. However, please remember to bring plenty of warm clothes and waterproofs. A set of lights (at least a back light) would also be a good idea in case the visibility is bad on the short road sections towards the end of the ride when the light might be poor.
– Escape Route in Pitlochry does good coffees so I’ll probably be there a bit early for a brew, if anyone else fancies a pre-ride drink.
Aiming to get there early enough to hit the bakery for a roll and bacon.
Guys,
I won’t be there tomorrow so don’t add me to the list.
Ok, well seeing as Krzyztof can’t make it, I don’t mind driving the three of us up in the interest of saving petrol/environment/money? The roof rack looks good and I’m skint. Thanks Hannah 🙂
OK, saving money suits me right now, just say how you want to do the pick-up. I can collect Mario and drive up to Milngavie if you don’t want to go out of your way shuttling through through the west end and deepest darkest southside (‘cos there be dragons). Give us a time and place before close of play on Saturday.
Are you sure 3 gmbcers can fit into one car? I don’t think anyone has ever attempted. Two in one car is too much of a challenge for most.
We were 3 persons plus baby seat post = 4
I think we set a new record!
I managed to shoot some photos, after went back to Pitlochry for collect my lost helmet. Had a wee ride too, to Garry Bridge, too late for the Bungee jumping though 🙂
https://flic.kr/s/aHsk54Ns5A