Highland epics

On Saturday morning, we will drive from Inverness down to Loch Garry, which is situated at the south end of the Cairngorms, to do the 55km Glen Garry loop. This takes us up to Kinloch Rannoch, then back up over the top of Beinn a’ Chuallaich to a fantastic final descent.

On Sunday morning, we’ll make our way from our accommodation to the start point of our Aviemore Highland epic and tackle the 39km true Scottish mountain biking classic of the Burma Road.

Itinerary

Day 1
We will meet in Inverness before driving to your accommodation in Kingussie, where we will get together to discuss the plan for our weekend of big rides and even bigger scenery.
Day 2
After pick up we will have a short drive down to Glen Garry for a magnificent old school Scottish epic. We will start off pedalling along the North West side of Loch Garry on a mixture of 4x4 tracks and singletrack, which will lead us down to Loch Rannoch and a spot of lunch. After lunch we will cycle and push up some challenging, but rewarding singletrack to a shoulder at the height of 800m, close to the summit of Beinn a’ Chuallaich before a natural technical descent to Loch Errochty and a nice easy ride back to the transport.
Day 3
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Aviemore where we will cycle straight from the town centre and off up the Burma Road, which is a truly classic trail that any self-respecting mountain biker should ride at least once in their life! This trail is made up of a mix of 4x4 trails and singletrack, and if you are feeling fit we can show you some additional hidden gems! Once back at Aviemore we’ll have some tea and cake and discuss the weekend, before saying our goodbyes and heading home.

Download pdf of full itinerary

Skill Level

Burma road

Red

Distance: 39km

Ascent: 1500m

Glen Garry loop

Red

Distance: 55km

Ascent: 1500m

Accomodation

Good quality B&B or guest house in Aviemore area

Meals

Breakfast and lunch included each day

Dates of Holiday

10th - 12th September 2008

Contact us if you require alternative dates

Price

£330 pp

Skills List

Green grade

Green grade trails are suitable for: beginners or novice cyclists.
• Bike required: mountain bikes are suitable.
• Skills needed: basic bike skills are required for this grade.
• Trail and surface types: these will be relatively flat and wide. Trail surface might be loose, uneven or muddy at times. Might include short flowing singletrack-style sections.
• Gradients and technical trail features: climbs and descents are mostly shallow. No challenging features.
• Suggested fitness level: suitable for most people in good health.

Blue grade

Blue grade trails are suitable for: intermediate mountain bikers with basic off-road riding skills.
• Bike required: Front suspension mountain bike.
• Skills needed: basic off-road riding skills to cope with uneven surfaces and small obstacles.
• Trail and surface types: as above, plus specially constructed singletrack trails. Trail surface might include small obstacles of root and rock.
• Gradients and technical trail features: most gradients are moderate but might include short steep sections. Technical features such as roots and rock might be present.
• Suggested fitness level: a good standard of fitness can help as some trails have short climbs.

Red grade

Red grade trails are suitable for: proficient mountain bikers with good off-roading skills.
• Bike required: suitable for better off-road quality mountain bikes.
• Skills needed: good off-roading skills and techniques to cope with technical trail features.
• Trail and surface types: as above but steeper and tougher, mostly singletrack with technical sections. Expect variable surface types.
• Gradients or technical trail features: a wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present. Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers and water crossings.
• Suggested fitness level: a higher level of fitness and stamina is required to deal with technical features and longer distances.

Black grade

Black grade trails are suitable for: expert mountain bike users, used to physically demanding routes.
• Bike required: a good quality full suspension mountain bike is recommended.
• Skills needed: advanced level off-roading skills and technical ability.
• Trail and surface types: as above, but with an expectation of greater challenge and continuous difficulty.
• Gradients or technical trail features: expect large, committing and unavoidable obstacles and technical features. Sections will be challenging and variable. Might also feature 'downhill' style sections.
• Suggested fitness level: suitable for very active people used to prolonged exercise.

Kit List

Helmet
Gloves (appropriate to the time of year)
Glasses
Cycle shorts/trousers
Waterproofs
Hat and spare gloves
Bike in good working order (this will be checked before we set off)
Pump
Inner tubes
Puncture repair kit
Tyre levers
Multi tool
Allen keys 2,2.5,3,4,5,6,8,10mm
Brake blocks or pads to suit your bike
Shock pump if required
Chain tool and joining pieces to suit your chain
Water system (water bottle or Camelbak)
Personal energy bars
Any medication you require (you must inform your guide about this prior to the tour)
Suitable day sack to hold all of the above

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