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snappedbanjostring
Starting Member
8 Posts |
 Posted - 22 February 2009 : 21:04:38
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Hi Bryan,
I'm hoping you can help me!?
Myself and a few friends are planning a bit of a trip in the summer taking in some riding in the Highlands and Islands and were looking to incorporate a quick stint on Mull as we have all heard a lot of positive things about the off road riding on the Island.
The Mull cycling club website has been our main source of information to date and the routes posted up all look interesting but i was hopeful that with your (and the rest of the clubs) local knowledge you may be able to advise a suitable route or two for us based on the following, somewhat restrictive details!
We will be catching the ferry from Oban to Craignure early in the morning and our plan is to head north to Tobermory where we are hoping to stay in the youth hostel over night. Therefore we'll have pretty much a full day to ride anywhere on the Island. We were hoping you may be able to advise a suitable route for us that would let us get to see the best of the island whilst also experiencing some of the best sections of trail. However we do not have a car, only the bikes, so we would need to start out from Craignure.
All of us are pretty competant riders and have done a fair bit of racing in recent years (top 20 in TranScotland/TransWales/TransAlps andd a few attempts at the Megavalanche etc) so i think the more technical the better would be ideal and anything up to in the region of 55-80km would probably be fine for a days ride, although don't feel obliged to suggest a route too long as we will tecnically be on holiday!
We will be self supported for our entre 10 day ride (to a certain extent as we are staying in hostels so no need for us to carry loads of kit!) so if there were anywhere, say half way along your suggested route, we could stop to fill a water bottle (by that i mean grab a pint!) and a sandwich or something that would be superb!
Unfortunately i don't have any fancy map software at present however am hoping to get an O/S of the island soon so any suggestions and route describtions would be greatly appriciated.
The following day, we have to return to Craigmure to get the ferry to Oban before heading off out to Uist and then later Skye... and we have to be in Craigmure for 12.30pm for the 12.50pm ferry. Therefore after breakfast we think we will have around 3-3.5 hours to get from Tobermory to Craignure and were wondering if there was a route you may be able to suggest to get there that may be a tad more interesting than following the A849 all the way.
We are hopefully heading up in late May so thought i better add that detail for weather reasons just in case you thought there may be a good section of trail but it may be too boggy if we were coming any sooner.
Any local knowledge and tips would be greatly appriciated! Apologies that our 'itinery' appears so tight but hopefully you will be able to suggest a route that will prove far more exciting than me just picking something off an O/S map!
Thanks!
Nick
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alan noble
New Member
United Kingdom
87 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2009 : 19:08:37
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Hi Nick, have just picked up your message. Trying to think of a route that would get you up to Tobermory. Part of Island ferry lands and up to Tobermory not that many options have to say. Assume you not bothered by doing some road miles to link up sections?
Will get back to you after some thought.
Alan. |
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weec
Administrator
418 Posts |
Posted - 01 March 2009 : 21:27:12
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last day back via Loch Frisa would be nice and a chance to sea the Sea Eagles .
Coming up via SAlen round West side taking in Treshnish ? what you think Allan ? Difficult cos its so short so road miles essential .
Next day Ardmhore Quinish ten round shore to calgary and back pint in Bellachroy ..mmm might be interested in this one
jim |
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snappedbanjostring
Starting Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 03 March 2009 : 14:42:10
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Hi guys, thanks, I would appreciate your thoughts!
I had been looking at the following possible route(s) however I haven't gotten my copy of memory map sorted yet so I haven't been able to measure it accurately... which when I do, may well tell me I’m an idiot for even attempting such a route!
Anyway, off the ferry we were looking at riding along the A849 road as far as Strathcoil before going on to the paths and tracks that appear to be 'off road' but still follow roughly the line of the A849.
After a distance we get to a car park near Loch an Eilen and there appears to be a path south along the Glen to Lochbuie? Any suggestions as to whether this section is a) any good? and b) ridable?
We don't mind the odd bit of portage but if it is peat peat and more peat, especially if its wet, it may take us all day just to do that stretch! LOL!
From Lochbuie we planned to stick to the coastal path and do a similar section to that on the IOMCC site as far as Bunessen.
From there Road back up to the junction of the A849 and the B8035.
From there, there are two paths it appears that head north over the top to the western side of Loch Ba. where you pick up a fire road/track where we would carry on north and re-meet the B8035. Any advice regarding this long section over the top?
From here road section round to Glen Aros via Salen...
Before trying to do the section of path/trail along the western side of Loch Frisa.
From here, quick right hand turn on the B8073 before turning left up a track that takes us all the way to the north of the island (Sorne/Glengorm Castle) before heading back to Tobermory via the way marked 'cycle trails'.
Is this a bad bad idea??! Forgive my ignorance for I haven't visited the Island since I was a kid and really can't recall what the ground conditions were like and how big the hills were!! Any advice would be great!
As for the way back, as we would be cutting it fine for the ferry, think we would be keen not to go too far from civilisation in cash of a mechanical so hoping to stick near to roads to rack up the miles if needed. Eastern side of Loch Frisa back to Salen was looking like our best bet I thought too, and then I think sadly it would be the A884 all the way back to Craignure.
Again your thoughts warmly received chaps!!
Thanks!
Nick
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snappedbanjostring
Starting Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 07 March 2009 : 10:56:18
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hi guys! Hope you're all having a good weekend out on the bikes!
Just a quick update...
I have not got memory map and i plotted the route i suggested above on it...125km!! 
So going back to the drawing board a bit... think sadly we are going to have to give Carsaig and the southern stuff a miss...
Now looking at going out along the Glen More A road as far the junction with B8035 then north over the top to Loch Ba. Any info on this particular section would be greatly appriciated! 
From there we were going to carry on the proposed loop above to Salen and along the western/southern side of Loch Frisa before heading up to Glengorm castle...etc
On the 2nd day back, probably just the cycle trail through Salen Forest on the eastern/northern side of loch frisa...
However if you guys know of anything else worth a gander, let me know
thanks again!
Nick
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weec
Administrator
418 Posts |
Posted - 08 March 2009 : 20:57:31
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My memory map is finished but allans is not you are going over Glan Clachaig I presume into the middle of Loch Ba ?
If so carry bikes over the top and push most of the way till you reach the lochside then easy from there .
I would stay awy from the west side of frisa as it is very muddy... But ! Allan told me it was better ( but i feel that it was put on to get me to ride it );-))
Glen gorm and head into ArdMhore .
Im sure Allan will probably give you a better option ,
JIm
Yes this would be ok |
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snappedbanjostring
Starting Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 12 March 2009 : 13:31:58
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Thanks Jim, very helpful!
Our plans have changed yet again and we are no longer heading back to Craignure, but instead getting the ferry from Tober to Ardnamurchan instead so we think we will use the better surfaced eastern side of Frisa to head north rather than the western, especially now you've highlighted it may be boggy...
Yes we are looking at Glen Clachaig to get to Loch Ba... but there are two paths taking us up to the top from the south... is one better than the other for riding? Is that section a genuine push or (weather permtting!) is it ridable?
Thanks again Jim, look forward to what Allan has to add 
Nick |
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weec
Administrator
418 Posts |
Posted - 16 March 2009 : 21:55:33
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Hopefully Srtevie will reply soon as he has done this one a few times .
Where are you heading for when you get to Kilchoan ? and how long to get there some interesting routes there
jim |
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snappedbanjostring
Starting Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 19 March 2009 : 15:46:19
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| from kilchoan we are pretty much on the road all day up to Mallaig. That's the plan and then on to Skye to do some more off road : ) We start and finish in Fort William and will be in the saddle for 6 days! Should be good if we get a break in the weather....could be hell if we don't! |
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weec
Administrator
418 Posts |
Posted - 22 March 2009 : 20:10:32
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as no one else is replying I must say that Glen Clachaig is pretty much unridable until yu get to the track at loch ba.You can suss it on the memory map. if its wet avaoid if its nice then its very scenic .
Then in at Aros mains along loch Fisa then on to Glengorm and back the road or forest to Tob .
From Kilchoan you can go over Ben laga to Acharacle and its definately worth doing unless you need to get to Mallaig that day as its quite a run on its own when you are carrying stuff
jim. |
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alan noble
New Member
United Kingdom
87 Posts |
Posted - 24 March 2009 : 21:40:33
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With regards to your plan to get into Glen Clachaig, it will certainly be a fair carry to top of pass with quite a bit of carrying down other side till you get onto flat. Very good views from top but personaly feel be a slog esp if carrying your gear.
Possibilities for you are going down south from Craignure and cutting through Glen Forsa, never done it and again could be hard going. Heading north from Craignure for about 3 mile then onto forest footpath and road, and then 5 miles to Salen on road. Turn left at Salen and go up west side loch Ba and round the top and cut into GlenForsa. Again may be hard going with kit but as heading back into Salen could be left there. From Salen forest road East side of Frisa to north end. Few variations possible from here. Depending on time. Personally would head straight up Frisa and head west to Treshnish and ride most of the way back to Dervaig around coast then carry on round north mainly off road. Ussually not to badly affected by weather. Kit could be left in Dervaig.
Be a pretty full day.
Jim? |
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snappedbanjostring
Starting Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 12 April 2009 : 10:51:42
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Thanks guys, the route is shaping up nicely...
In other news, where is good to go for some beers in Tobermory and a bite to eat? |
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weec
Administrator
418 Posts |
Posted - 12 April 2009 : 21:38:45
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Macdonald arms for food if you want value for money and very very good No Televission or big screens or loud music .
Cafe Fish at calmac pier for a bit more upmarket Excelent fish grub .
Mishnish Hotel A bit more expensive but big portions and has big screens for sport .
macGogins more a Bistro type place pool table and big screen .
Also an Indian very expencive but good .
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snappedbanjostring
Starting Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2009 : 14:05:25
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Thanks for all the tips chaps!
We should be in downtown Tobermory on the evening of Monday the 18th May so if you see some knackered young lads in search of beer, with bikes come say hello! Think we owe you a pint for all your help!
Regards
Nick |
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weec
Administrator
418 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2009 : 22:24:04
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| give us a shout at the calmac pier Jim |
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weec
Administrator
418 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 22:59:13
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Hello nick I think I might have missed talking to you today Tues 19th at 09.30 or was it 1100 hrs I was working on the Kilchoan ferry and there wherw a few cyclists but forgot all about it . Give us some feed on your adventures please
Jim
ps i was the old baldy one . |
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Local kowledge please!
