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Bienn A'Ghlo circuit
(Old Blair, Glen Tilt, Fealar,
Daldhu, Shinagag and back to Old Blair)
16th November 2002
Featuring Dougie who was slowed considerably by Julie and
Crispin.
Dougie normally reckons to bang out this route in four hours
or so. Not today...
We rode this circuit clockwise. Parking the car at Old Bridge
of Tilt (NN 874 662), we rode off leaving the central-locking
of Dougie's day-old car repeatedly locking and unlocking
itself. Heading up Glen Tilt, the wind was in our face and
clouds
were obscuring the snow-peaked hills.
Dougie
Julie battles into the headwind along Glen Tilt
Looking ahead
Bridge at Falls of Tarf (NN978 795)
Shortly after the Falls of Tarf we crossed the river and
slowly pushed / rode across on narrow single track to Fealar
Lodge (NO 008 799).
Fording Allt Garbh Buidhe (NN986 798)
Pushing up from Allt Garbh Buidhe (NN988 799)
From Fealar Lodge there was a cracking descent of a good
quality LandRover track to Daldhu Lodge(NO 025 704). Here
we headed northeast, back into the wind, on a rutty LandRover
track with several short sharp climbs. Julie was on a double
dose of energy gels by this point and I was happy to join
her - Dougie stuck to his dried apricots. The tarck peatered
out (pun!) and picked up very slow and slippy single track
across moorland.
Crossing Allt Loch Valligan (NN 957 686) was not our final
challenge. Julie attempted to use the rickety bridge, but skipping across rocks was definitely the less nerve-racking
option. Sunset was 4pm. We were still following ill-defined tracks on boggy moorland at this point. Shinagag (N0 205
725, 6 hours) was reached at just before 5pm - this section
would have been a lot easier in daylight! Thankfully I had
my Lumicycle (20w flood) with me to help us get off the last
of the moorland and for the descent of the descent of the
LandRover track from Shinagag. We finished the ride at 5:45pm
- happy but tired as we got changed at Bridge of Tilt carpark.
Moral: Always carry lights.
Beaming grins at the finish
A good day out for the fit and committed. Be warned - 7 hours
is a typical time to complete this circuit.
Carry plenty of spare food, waterproofs, warm clothing.
And remember to bring spare underwear and socks to change
into after the ride.
There are some things that you do not want to have to ask
to borrow ;-)
Contour map for the day's ride (height (m) vs distance)
Total distance was 47km, total time 7 hours (maybe 5h of
riding). This contour map finishes just short of the finish
back at the car park.
Tracklog - (see disclaimer)*
Associated file: Text
from file 'BeinnAGhlo Route Tracklog.txt'.txt
In addition, a GPS
Utility file may also be downloaded containing the following
route information.
The tracklog is for a clockwise circuit of this route, has
minor breaks, and finishes just short of the car park at the
end of the ride.
*Disclaimer
The above information is provided for planning purposes only
and I accept no responsibility with regard to its accuracy.
Always carry a map and a compass and prepare for the unexpected. Please leave these hills in a state where we can continue
to enjoy them.
© Crispin Bennett 2002.
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