Loch Pattack Access

How far can I expect to get a mountain bike from Dalwhinnie
towards Loch Pattack on easy paths/tracks - the boathouse or
Culra Lodge perhaps? This is my first time using a
(borrowed) bike for access so I'm merely looking for a quick
way in to allow a one day trip, I've no intention of cycling
off the beaten track. I haven't noticed many bikes left
around up the hills, is it necessary to hide them, locked,
where cover is available?

KRO

"KRO" <KRO@anon.com> wrote

> How far can I expect to get a mountain bike from
> Dalwhinnie towards Loch Pattack on easy paths/tracks - the
> boathouse or Culra Lodge perhaps? This is my first time
> using a (borrowed) bike for access so I'm merely looking
> for a quick way in to allow a one day trip, I've no
> intention of cycling off the beaten track. I haven't
> noticed many bikes left around up the hills, is it
> necessary to hide them, locked, where cover is available?

On the occasions I've been that way people biking in from
Dalwhinnie far outnumbered those walking. I think it's
tarmac as far as Ben Alder Lodge then unsurfaced but still
easy landrover track as far as Loch Pattack then maybe a bit
rougher to Culra. Never biked it myself but no one seems to
have any problems getting that far. I've seen a few bikes
left about the hills (by some bothies seems quite common)
and have left mine in places but usually locked and hidden
in some forestry or behind a bank if possible.

"AndyP" <AndyP@ajp100.freeserve.no-spam.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c7oc4k$idp$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...
> "KRO" <KRO@anon.com> wrote
>
> > How far can I expect to get a mountain bike from
> > Dalwhinnie
towards
> > Loch Pattack on easy paths/tracks - the boathouse or
> > Culra Lodge perhaps? This is my first time using a
> > (borrowed) bike for access
so
> > I'm merely looking for a quick way in to allow a one
> > day trip,
I've no
> > intention of cycling off the beaten track. I haven't
> > noticed many
bikes
> > left around up the hills, is it necessary to hide them,
> > locked,
where
> > cover is available?
>
> On the occasions I've been that way people biking in from
> Dalwhinnie
far
> outnumbered those walking. I think it's tarmac as far as
> Ben Alder
Lodge
> then unsurfaced but still easy landrover track as
> far as Loch
Pattack then
> maybe a bit rougher to Culra. Never biked it myself
> but no one
seems to
> have any problems getting that far.

Easy cycle ride all the way in to Culra Bothy, cant remember
exactly how long it took but less than 2 hours is in my mind
and I am not a fast cycler. Loch Pattack should obviously be
a bit quicker than that.

Have fun !

Graham

"Graham Ingram" <graham.ingram@REMOVEtiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:409fbf12$1_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> Easy cycle ride all the way in to Culra Bothy, cant
> remember exactly how long it took but less than 2 hours is
> in my mind and I am not a fast cycler. Loch Pattack should
> obviously be a bit quicker than that.
>
> Have fun !

Thanks Graham, the bike is now dismantled and in the boot
with all my gear. I've an early start and hope to catch some
of the same weather as today - I only hope assembling the
bike is as simple as dismantling it, however, I have my
doubts :-)

KRO

"KRO" <KRO@anon.com> wrote

> Thanks Graham, the bike is now dismantled and in the boot
> with all my gear. I've an early start and hope to catch
> some of the same weather as today - I only hope assembling
> the bike is as simple as dismantling it, however, I have
> my doubts :-)

Don't forget to take a pump and a puncture kit.

On Tue, 11 May 2004 17:32:18 +0100, "AndyP"
<AndyP@ajp100.freeserve.no-spam.co.uk> wrote:

>"KRO" <KRO@anon.com> wrote
>
>> Thanks Graham, the bike is now dismantled and in the boot
>> with all my gear. I've an early start and hope to catch
>> some of the same weather as today - I only hope
>> assembling the bike is as simple as dismantling it,
>> however, I have my doubts :-)
>
>Don't forget to take a pump and a puncture kit.
>

OT I know, but...I got a puncture on the track in to Ben
Dronaig Lodge. The track from Strath Carron House is
fantastic, and there's a section you can absolutely hurtle
down. I got a puncture, and had *one* patch left. Whilst
putting it on I got savaged by midges, but the patch held
and I escaped in one piece!

Jim

Jim Willsher

Homepages at http://www.jimwillsher.co.uk

"AndyP" <AndyP@ajp100.freeserve.no-spam.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c7qv2q$ka9$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...
> "KRO" <KRO@anon.com> wrote
>
> > Thanks Graham, the bike is now dismantled and in the
> > boot with all my gear. I've an early start and hope to
> > catch some of the same weather as today - I only hope
> > assembling the bike is as simple as dismantling it,
> > however, I have my doubts :-)
>
> Don't forget to take a pump and a puncture kit.
>
I know, but too late, I'm back. Sunburnt with bike still in
boot to be re-assembled again! A glorious day with
magnificent views, I suppose having trudged through snow,
hail, sleet and high winds all winter the law of averages
says I'm due a day like today. Though I think I'm with Fran
on this one, it can get *too* hot, and it doesn't take much
for me to feel overheated, even in a t-shirt. The plateau on
Geal Charn just brought out a feeling of privilege :-) Now I
must go and shower before my wife complains.

KRO