Lone GMBC rider report – ‘utterly’ knackered!
Contrary to sound advice, I did the clockwise version. Sunny, cool morning, giving way to persistent headwinds (whichever direction I was going) in the afternoon. No other mtbers seen doing anti-clockwise route, but did meet some chaps doing Braemar to Blair Atholl.
Being an experienced hillwalkwer, who has always come off of the hills with spare food, in case of emergencies, I committed the cardinal sin of running out of fuel about half way round, and did not have enough energy for the uphills – so much walking to save energy! No excuses. I did have ample water though, and made the most of the downhills, especially the ‘brake burning’ descent to Daldhu – as Graham has previously advised me, I might need to upgrade my Formula Oros to Avids!
Most of the boggy sections were dried up, and the singletrack to the east of Beinn a Ghlo was good for my level of skill!
Highly recommended and will do again. Yes, I would tend to agree that anti-clockwise is the way to go, but Idid enjoy this!
Nigel
Nice!
It’s a great ride. Ross, Marky Mark, Lyndsey, Bob, Colin and Brian rode this on the cross bikes last summer. A magic, old skool day out.
Cheers
Sanny
Cheers Sanny. I wasn’t on a cross bike, but I was occasionally cross with my bike! Your Ben Lawers ride looks epic – how much food did you have to carry to fuel that effort?
10/10 for undertaking an big route on your own. I cycled this a couple of years ago with pal and we made an o/n stop up at Braemar. The circuit you did would have been quite a long day – y/n? How long did it take?
Hi steve – sorry for delay in replying, but haven’t been on the site lately. I started at 10.00am and finished about 5.15pm – would have been quicker if I had have brought more food though – too much walking up hill. The only other human being I passed was driving a pick up going to a farm just north of Daldhu.
I do like the idea of going to remote places and some natural single track.
Hi Nigel
Not that much to be honest.
A couple of home made sarnies, chocolate raisins, jelly babies and an energy bar together with a slice of the Captains’ good lady’s home made flap jack saw me through nae bother. I reckon you use less energy carrying than biking so kept myself topped out without having to eat for Scotland!