Advice needed on Rannoch Moor crossing

[allywatt]

I have a few days off in early Feb and wondered about cycling from home (Skye) to Pitlochry (Mother in Law) via Mallaig - Fortwilliam - Glencoe - Kingshouse - RANNOCH MOOR - Rannoch Station - Pitlochry.

The only bit I haven't been on before is the Rannoch Moor crossing from Kingshouse to Rannoch Station.  The OS map shows a vehicle track at both ends with a 4 mile section in the middle as a path.  Is there anyone out there who can give me some advice as to the suitability of cycling that part of the route?

[Fred A-M]

What bike do you have - ie suited to off-roading?  At worst, you'll be able to cycle some of it - factor in time for pushing some of it - otherwise I'd imagine commonsense precautions apply ref NW Scotland in mid-winter!

[davefife]

Hi allywatt, I was on that landrover track a few years back, its ok, I was on a MTB hardtail travelling light. The section from Black Corries Lodge east will be very wet at the moment, but then you will know how wet it is living on Eilean a' Cheň.
Do a search on ytube and some of the less glossy mtb/hill walk forums and you will likely find more recent info on this section.

Dave
www.davesbikeshed.co.uk

[rualexander]

Geograph is a good website for researching routes such as this, it has photographs and descriptions taken by folk who have been to these kind of locations previously.
Have a look here http://www.geograph.org.uk/browse.php?p=679964
and then use the navigation facility to follow your proposed route.
It would seem that the path briefly disappears a couple of times but that it has also improved in the forest at loch laidon.

[allywatt]

Many thanks for your replies.  I'll be taking my suspension-less NOMAD with a light load.  If I don't decide to do the stretch from Kingshouse to Rannoch Stn, I'll probably add a few more miles on between Mallaig and Fortwilliam by going via Strontian, and get the train from Fortwilliam to Rannoch missing out the fast busy A82 and Rannoch bog.  Thanks again.

[allywatt]

Just a short note to finish off this wee thread. 

I did the trip from Pitlochry to Skye on Monday and Tuesday of last week.  I didn't cross Rannoch Moor - instead I cheated and took the train from Rannoch to Fortwilliam and stayed the night there.  On Tuesday, I was on the bike bright and early, which was just as well since it gave me plenty of time to struggle against a constant headwind all the 45 miles to Mallaig.  After a great feed of fish and chips, Nomad and me took the ferry to Armadale on South Skye, finishing off the journey in real hardcore style doing the last 20 miles in the dark.  It was great to do an A to B type ride and not just the there and backs that have been my staple so far this year.

When I put the bike on the train at Rannoch, I was asked to hang the bike on a hook by its rear wheel.  I did just as the guard instructed, but was a bit unsure if this would cause any damage.  No obvious damage done, but could anyone advise?

Once home I set to cleaning the Nomad.  I must confess to always using petrol on the chain - rubbing it with a soaked rag.  I would be grateful of any advice regarding the sensibility of using petrol on chains.

I fully intended to take some pics to show you lot.  Alas, my camera died before the first click - next time...

[Danneaux]

Hi, allywatt, and congratulations on your tour; it sounds wonderful (good scenery always outlasts memories of a headwind), and I am looking forward to seeing your photos of future trips (sorry it didn't work as expected for you this time). Welcome back!

You wondered,

I was asked to hang the bike on a hook by its rear wheel.  I did just as the guard instructed, but was a bit unsure if this would cause any damage.  No obvious damage done, but could anyone advise?

This should not be a problem with a well-tensioned wheel; I store my own bikes at home in this way, though I might have some reservations if the bike were carrying an expedition load at the time. Otherwise, I wouldn't give it a thought. Do be sure the hub quick-release is secure to avoid a slow creep-out and nasty fall of the rest of the bike from the hook. It has been known to happen. Different cause, but a sad result: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3119.0

I would be grateful of any advice regarding the sensibility of using petrol on chains.

Do I have a thread for you! See: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=2145.0 Your question about using petroleum on the chain will fit right in there, I'd think.

Best,

Dan.

[strictnaturist]

Great stuff! We are heading from Alyth to Skye in a month. Alyth - Pitlochry-Rannoch station (train to Corrour) pub/camp at Loch Ossian-track to loch Laggan then out to Fort William/Mallaig. Is there an alternative route to Fort William/Malliag to replace the A82/3?
Loaded Sherpa terrain