I wantedto head to the top of Conic Hill, but despite the spring in the air and brilliant sunshine there was too much snow and ice on the trail to make it worth while. The descent would have been pretty dangerous and not much craic. However on the way back down I found some great little trails hidden away in the woods. They were very steep pretty loose and technical, a great wee play ground. Spent quite a while carrying the bike up steep inclines and skittering down trying to retain grip, which i lost a couple of times, luckily not at the crux of anything major so I managed not to pitch it over. Still got a nasty scrape on my knee after sconing it off a fallen tree. There’s something really comforting about just messing around in the woods on your own, maybe it just reminds me of my childhood, whatever it was a fine day. Bring on the spring.

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A wee video of a fine jaunt around the trails at Aonach Mor. Good day, good company and quality trails…

7.30 in the morning. Trundling through the freezing, dank, dark streets of Yoker to Scotstoun; Chae bundles his stuff into the boot and 50 minutes later we’re standing at the foot of the Arrochar Alps. The sun was peering over the eastern hills turning the glass like loch pink and orange, it was a brisk -1ºC. After a short spin along the flats the climb up the fire road begins in earnest and gains height quite rapidly. The surface is hard packed and easy going apart from the odd patch of ice. The track soon levels off and meanders it’s way following the contours of the hill until Ben Vane comes into view. It’s 950m and is an impressive mountain, snow capped with cascades of ice running of it’s slopes and an imposing cap of swirling cloud. We were fortunate that the sun was shining and the once we were in amongst the peaks it really did feel like we were in an alpine environment. The climb topped out and gave us view up to the damn at loch Sloy and to the east the hills beyond loch lomond, with the loch itself obscured by the fore ground. The descent on the fire road was fast a wee bit loose and heaps of fun culminating in a rough and icy ford over the Allt Coiregrogain. Another high speed descent followed, with deep water bars and loose gravel to contend with it was more fun than you’d have thought. Then you join the single track which leads back to Arrochar, this is where the real fun begins, it starts out pretty smooth and flowing punctuated with the odd shallow climb before a short, steep and technical ascent. This is when you get what you came for, the trail plunges down on loose rocky, water eroded and rutted terrain. The trail snakes it’s way down glen Loin, the riding is excellent, not to challenging but loose and rough enough to get the juices pumping. Speed is high and the km’s get despatched rapidly. There are some great steep sections both up and down, which keep you on your toes. In no time at all you are on the valley floor, the final stretch is easy going but still fun with the odd water bar and rocky patch to keep you interested. I would say the route is about red grade and being so convenient for Glasgow is a real alternative to heading for the Carron Valley or Glentress. The trails are natural, amongst real mountains and quiet except for the odd walker on the Glen Loin trail. Totally recommended, I’ll definitely be heading back.

Pictures from Tim:

Drove up to Drumochter on Monday night to sleep in the car at minus 10.   Not too cold but not warm either and I missed out on a sesh at Ricky and Sian’s for the privilege!

However was on the hill at 8.30 am and walked the round of 4 Munro’s.  7 hours later and I was back at the car and drove home.

Once above the valley mist visibility was good all day but not as sunny as I’d hoped for.  White and cold sort of summarises the day – and thank goodness there was no need to compass navigate. Fairly featureless.

Bressay is an alien place to highlander like myself. Bleak and sparse are adjectives that come to mind, most trails on the interior of the island are made by sheep and rabbits. Few people still dig the peat so human trails are few and far between but this all adds to the remoteness. Up on the higher peaks of which there are two Ander hill (144m) and the Ward (226m) you can watch the weather approaching off the horizon which all adds to the sense of exposure. The landscape is riddled with the past. Numerous crofting settlements a herring station, 2 world war 1 guns (and ammunitioon stores) one on the east one on the west, a military camp and the look out tower on Ander hill; it makes for a haunted atmosphere. If you were brave you could certainly have some fine climbing on the cliffs which are towering and complex even on a small island like Bressay. It’s certainly an environment that encourages adventure and in days of yore demanded it. Hopefully make it up the peak of the Shetland, Ronas Hill (450m) in the summer…

Somhairle

Saturday 12th December 2009

Glas Tulaichean, Glenshee

Drove over from Glendoll the night before and slept in the car again.  Only minus 5 but I felt the cold – shouldn’t have because I’ve been out in much worse – must be getting old!  Morning was overcast so no hurry to get up and I drove the final 10 miles to Dalmunzie about 9.30am.

From there cycled up to Glenlochsie only using the old railway track to avoid the cottages then onto the estate track and about 4 river fords.  The path up the hill was just short of motorway standards so no navigation required.  I got the impression clear blue skies were just a few 100 feet above – but not for me.  Jogged down and a fast descent on the bike.

I’m now half way to the Munro’s. Only taken 40 years.  Better up the pace a bit!!!

Sunday 13th December

Lochgilphead JogScotland Santa Run. Only 3 miles.  Fortunately no pictures available.