This Sunday

[Dougie]

There is a vague plan to ride Ben Lomond this Sunday. Although looking at the latest MWIS forecast I am am not sure its going to happen.
Anyway the plan is to start the hike a bike to the top at 3pm from the car park and then make an attempt  to ride down hopefully after most of the walkers are off the hill.
This ride is weather dependent so maybe we will need to leave the final decision until Sunday lunchtime.

If you are interested post up and we can get lifts etc arranged.
Ben Lomond is a BIG hill so you will need to be prepared for all sorts of weather and be able to get yourself off the hill if need be. Wind/waterproofs  and a warm layer are essential.

[MightyStew]

Posting to express interest *express*

Weather does look a bit iffy, let's see how it develops.

[TC]

Guys
I have booked a demonstrator bike at Glentress for tomorrow, so will be heading there kinda sharp in the morning.
If anyone wants to car share, let me know. (PM me or text me). May not be able to respond until later tonight as off out again just now.
TC

[Grumpy Guru]

Me and Tim are up for Ben Lomond.
If weather doesn't play ball we'll head across and do Comrie croft instead (the pump track is now open!)

Mobile is XX.
(and have just texted you Dougie)
Cheers!
 

[Beagleboy]

Dudes, I have a feeling that Dougie might be a bit doubtful for tomorrow. Sorry. 

[JamieMcL]

Hi all,

Looks like Ben Lomond is off unfortunately.

TC, what time are you heading to Glentress for?

[Dougie]

patient is very sore still.....difficulty walking rather than riding a bike!

thanks to everyone for all their help today

[TC]

Place opens at 9am, and probably about an hour and a half from here (ish), so was wanting to be there around 9.30/10, which means leaving home 8ish. If that suits you, txt me. If you want a lift, I could pick you up en route. I will probably be up for the next 30 mins or so, then off to my pit, so can answer you in the morning. Will be up around7 !!!
If you dont want to head that early, I will maybe see you there later on.

Glad to hear you are not too crook Dougie, and that Gordon is OK too. Hope to see you all again very soon.

TC

[Grumpy Guru]

Tim, Tam and I are still heading to Ben Lomond. Text me for ETA etc

 

[TC]

So what bright spark booked a demo at Glentress during a massive thunderstorm then?  Mmmm that would be me.

Made for a very interesting first ever visit to Glentress.  Thought I would do the black run, as you do when things go well, then managed to join some walkers route into the wild blue yonder (why are the walkers routes marked black too ??) anyway, 10km out of my way to get back to where I lost the black trail. Dam good ride though.

Sadly, the demo bike wasnt for me - although it looked fab and had lots of nice bits, and I loved being on a full sus bike when I started to get used to it, but geometry all wrong and was sore on my back very quickly, despite several seat adjustments......so will have to try out some more. ho hum. its a hard life.

On the plus side, my new jacket held up well to the storm, which is more than can be said for the socks, which contained around a pint of mucky water each. It is quite a strange feeling being alone on the trail in a massive storm, and wondering where the lightning will strike next.  It was like cycling along a stream bed for much of the day, however, I dont usually let the weather put me off doing something, which is just as well living in Scotland!
TC

[Beagleboy]

So how did the Ben Lomond ride go Crispin?

I was half interested, but wasn't convinced that it wouldn't be an exersize in pushing my bike to the top of the hill, and pushing it all the way back down again. I've only walked up there a couple of times and honestly can't remember what the terrain was like. 

Tracy, what bike did you hire at Glentress and what size was it? I wonder if  it might have been the wrong sized bike rather than bad geometry?

B. 

[Grumpy Guru]

Four of us old giffers headed up Ben Lomond on Sunday. Pushing up past the descending masses - and there weren't as many as I was expecting - the effort was made worthwhile by all the comments of "You're mad!" and "Reezpect!". It was slightly worrying that everyone was descending in full winter gear, while we were climbing in shorts and t-shirts  
The top was clagged out, but then the clouds cleared, so it was forks out to max and seat-posts dropped to 11 for the descent. And what a giggle that was!  


 

Stats:
Car park to summit: 2hrs 20min.
Descent: 1hr or so.
The climb was a push, with maybe a very wee bit of riding.
On my Superlight (115mm forks) I rode more than enough of the descent to make it worthwhile (My wrists ache - but then that could be all the beach volleyball I've been watching). A bigger bike would have been nice. Even I was glad I wasn't on my hardtail.  



Massive thanks to Dougie for the idea. Where we going next week?
PS: Sorry you couldn't make it, and look forward to seeing you out on the bike soon.

 

[Jo]

Oi! What did you do to Dougie   ?