It’s steep, rocky and potentially midge infested but it’s a classic nonetheless. Involving a big chunk of hike-a-bike upwards from Rowardennan expect a rough, rocky (black + grade) trail with large drainage ditches and rock staircases and switchbacks in places.
Knee/elbow pads suggested (and obviously a crash helmet!!). Pack a spare tube or 2 as we had a few punctures last time. The plan is to ride/push up from Rowardennan car park and see how far we get before we need to head back down – fingers crossed, pretty far up. Sunset is around 10pm just now but maybe take a light just in case we have a mechanical up the hill and come down later than expected.
It’s exposed up there so if the weather is poor we’ll look for a suitable date to postpone to.
We need to start promptly but your reward is a great view (hopefully) and a chance to relive your heroism in the local pub afterwards (so bring beer tokens).
NB: The Google map can’t place the car park too well, but it’s NTS car park at the end of the road, you can’t miss it.
It’s time for some more techy riding so here’s a summertime classic. Details of the trail/meet point etc…..
http://www.gmbc.org.uk/event/ben-lomond-ride/
Photos from last time:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glasgowmountainbikeclub/sets/72157634798871910/
So then, who’s up for this?
Indeed, a great night out. Nice to get the big open views and some nice techy trails to ride down.
-
-
Chris Descending Ben Lomond
-
-
Tom Spots The Pub….
-
-
Gnarr Face!
More pics on our Flickr page.
Planning a night ride up the Ben on Thursday night – its the only sunny/dry one this week! Heading up and back down the tourist trail. Meet at Rowardennan Pier car park ready to ride at 6.30pm.
Have a look at the diary for more details.
D
After Chris’s post and a quick scratch of the head I though it might be a idea to head up the Ben next Wednesday. Given that we have daylight until pretty late we should be able to descend in day/twilight.
Unless its chucking it, it’ll be a decent wee night ride. If its raining then I’ll look at a plan B option. Planning to meet at Rowardennan Pier car park ready to ride at 6.30pm.
I’ll pop it in the calendar if there’s enough of a show of hands. Kev and I are in so far.
D
“So I’ve got a great idea!” I said to Marky Mark’s voicemail somewhat enthusiastically. “Ptarmigan off Ben Lomond. Walked it several times years ago. It’s a bit scrambly near the summit but the weather for tomorrow looks ace and it would be rude not to!”. Five mins later and he was on the phone and a plan was hatched. A relaxed start time was the order of the day with a carry up the lesser travelled Ptarmigan footpath on the western flank of the Ben. If the weather turned to shit, we had the option of turning tail while the route up would allow us to check out what we would be riding down later in the day. Continue reading
