I’m planning to go down and stay at Borrowdale Youth hostel on friday 26th and stay the saturday night too. The western fells around there tend to be quieter, presenting more of an opportunity to ride cheekier stuff away from the gluepot areas of the lakes.

Plan would be something biggish and hike-a-bikey on the saturday, possibly up and around Whiteless pike, but got a few options in mind. Then a route I did last month riding from the YH up to Sprinkling Tarn via Langstrath, then the best descent I’ve ridden in the lakes so far, miles of awesomeness down past angle tarn to Stockley bridge. Probably about 5 hours, a bit of pushing but not much really.

I think Graham is planning on coming down on the friday night and riding the saturday only, so he’ll probably have room if anyone fancies that, I’d certainly have room for 1 or 2 if anyone wants to ride both days. Both rides will be very rocky with some steep stuff too, if you’re confident riding the likes of Ben Lomond/Cobbler type rides, that’s ace.

Probably need to book quite quickly, as Borrowdale is quite a small hostel, if it’s booked up there are lots of other places around to stay.

Hi All,

It’s been 2 years since Graham lead a bunch of hardy soles out into the wilds of the Ochils to do this club classic, so putting it back on the calender for this year, and John can even come for once!

  The route would start at the Golf Club car park just on the outskirts of Tilly, cycle track to Dollar then up and into the hills, returning to the car park after about 30km and 800m of climbing.  There aren’t any facilities en route to speak of (possible tea stop at a boathouse in Glen Devon).  The post-ride plan is to then head to Bridge of Allan to sample the delights of the chippy or a BBQ at ours if the weather looks ok.

It’s not massively technical as it’s mainly land rover track and open moorlands but the climb IS steep and it’s exposed so pack appropriate waterproof clothing. There is however, about 5km  of very technical riding down to the finish at Tillie.  Once into the hills there’s nowhere to stop for food so pack enough food & water.

Start time likely to be around 10am, and ride will be weather dependant as its all very exposed and not really a ride for bad weather.

Hi. It’s a 10am depart from Balloch this Saturday. The 5 of us who are doing the overnight part of it have a ferry to catch from Inveruglas so we need to be prompt. The 10am start should allow enough time for a brief stop in Helensburgh and a slightly longer one in Arrochar.

Any day trippers joining us have options to return from Arrochar via the Loch Lomond cycle path or Tarbert via the train or Inveruglas via road/cycle path or by cutting down to Garelochhead.

It’s cross bike compatible but the recent wet weather may have made some bits muddy and there were a few rocky sections on a fireroad but generally nothing hugely technical.

Day 1: approx 64km to Inveruglas
Day 2: approx 68km back to Glasgow

If you have any questions then please let me know.