If you’re interested, please read carefully & all the way through! If it’s going to work as a club trip you’ll need to let us know asap so we can get the limited accommodation booked up while it’s still available.
Intro
It’s probably fair to say Torridon is some of the best natural singletrack we have in the UK. MBR reviewed a smaller version of the planned route a few years ago…
“From the outset, this splendidly isolated trail ascends consistently and gradually — rarely does such great altitude come so easily. Only in a few places will you need to switch your brain on, and this firm, stony trail is rideable in all conditions, offering considerable grip. Once over the small wooden bridge, the mountains start to close in, the trail steepens and the challenges begin. Some fighting spirit and strong legs will see you up most of the climb; only in a few places will the best have to push.
Once up on Bealach Ban, you are greeted by one of the best views anywhere in the UK. To the north is the Liathach, a collection of Munros arranged along a West-East axis, and it’s here that the terrain of Torridon is at its most striking.
At the lochan above the corrie, the fun begins with some fast, rocky singletrack around the water’s edge that’s a taste of what is to come. Drop into the Coire Lair on some loose rubble, barrel though a series of crests and dips and keep the power down as the glen opens out. When a number of paths converge you’re at the beginning of arguably the best section of descent in the UK. The gneiss rock offers unrivalled grip and the turns keep coming. You might even find yourself laughing at the ridiculous quantity of grip on tap.”
Likely plan:
- Drive up to accommodation Friday night (Plan A is approx. 3hrs although plan B is closer to 4hrs, meaning a shorter drive to trailhead)
- Drive to trailhead Saturday morning (Plan A approx. 1h30, Plan B.. less)
- Big ride on Saturday
- Return to same accommodation Saturday night, chat, good times, food, tales of wonder & heroism etc etc
- Smaller ride on Sunday
- Return home Sunday afternoon with large grins all round
Accommodation: Hopefully a hostel of some sort. TBC once we know numbers.
Distance: 45-50km, 1300m ascent. More can be added towards the end if we’re going well!
Terrain: Black grade. Rocky, very steep in places, some exposure, occasional drop offs. Distance adds extra difficulty – it’s harder when you’re tired!
Fitness: We won’t be pushing a super fast pace but it’ll be a reasonably long day and you should be comfortable you can handle several (7+?) hours in the saddle.
Bike: Full sus am/enduro style recommended. Hardtail will work if you’re ok with that. You could do it on a fully rigid if you want; it just won’t be as fun.. Tubeless tyres highly preferred.
Clothes & Kit: It’ll be September, in the mountains, on the west coast of Scotland so your guess on the conditions is as good as mine. It could be sunny, it could be snowing, it could be raining. Probably somewhere between +30 and -10 (though if the latter, we’ll be in the coffee shop). You’ll need waterproofs and spare layers – not just to keep you warm while pedalling but also if we need to stop at altitude for any mechanicals. Hopefully the midges will have departed by then but a head net might help too.
Cost: Somewhere between £40 and £70 for accommodation, plus an extra few quid for food, again depending on numbers.
Alternative options: If you’d like to come along but don’t fancy the “gnar fest” outlined above, there are alternative options. Apparently there’s this thing called “road cycing” which is where you stay on the tarmac wherever possible. Myriam & Sam were talking about a ride towards the Bealach na Ba which is actually quite nice. There’s also lots of hiking & climbing in the area, so plenty of options for the non-MTBer.
What I need from you as soon as possible…
Please sign up BY SATURDAY 9th JULY via the link below. I think I can guarantee the first 12 or so places will be in the same accommodation but I’ll gauge numbers at the weekend and see if we need to look at alternate accommodation options.
http://goo.gl/forms/PcCPVyPZWI3CJFzX2
Any queries, drop me a message!
Cheers,
Will
Hi Will
Yeah i’m up for this. Best biking in UK by far. I know a some cracking routes up there as been a few guided trips there so happy to offer some suggestions if required.
nick
What’s the route being proposed for Saturday? Rode up there almost exactly five years ago, pedalled out from Torridon, no driving involved: out to the E along the foot of Liatach, S to Achashellach Station, SW to Coulags, and NW (including a 2km carry) to hit the awesome descent back to Torridon. I’d be open to taking folks around that if a less “gnarr fest” option is required.
And what’s this “Tubeless tyres highly preferred” crap? Only recent rides I can recall involving tyre faff was waiting around for folks covered in blue goo trying to install tubes ;~)
Sounds pretty similar Ryszard. Will PM you the route I had in mind but it’s open to refinement!
I always wanted to ride that area. Not sure what to expect, and if I can handle everything but would be great to try it.
If anyone is up to share fuel for the day I’ll be happy to join!
You’ll be fine, especially on the Whyte, I rode that route 5yrs ago, it’s worth the trip just for the descent into Torridon. I’ll have room for one – first shout gets to ride shotgun :~)
Cool! Thanks Ryz! Count me in!
I’m in! If previous visits to Torridon are anything to go by, I’m taking spare brake pads and lots of waterproof gear.
That’s me an gav in. We have booked the last room
Tom