| Glen Ample
Also including the Club Prize Night
30th November 2002
The route through Glen Ample itself is only about 10 miles.
Total distance of the circuit from
Wheels is 47km, although you could knock off 10km by starting
from the Ben Ledi carpark.
Riding from Wheels of Callander in heavy rain and mist,
we headed north on the Sustrans route to Ben Ledi carpark
(NN
587 118), crossed the bridge and then north for a short distance
on the A84(T), before turning right NN 58926 12041 and up
on forestry roads (NN587 118). Forest roads took us north
until we came upon lovely, make-your-heart-sing, single track. The track was rideable, offering a delightful mix of bogtrotting
and technical single track, with only a very short section
of a hundred yards or so that had to be walked. Plenty of
opportunities to get wet feet though.
Photostop at the first excuse (regrouping after crossing the
first of many burns)
Mike & Linda Walsh with Dougie
Looking south and north
Linda practices on a small river crossing
and a bigger one!
One last river crossing (NN 596 198) had me wishing I was
wearing waders as water gushed over the top of my waterproof socks. Emerging on the road south of Lochearnhead, we braved
the A84T for a short distance south before picking up the
cycle track at track (NN 582 221). We were mighty cold by
this point, and were grateful to find a real live fire and
soup in the Rob Roy bar, next to the Kingshouse hotel (NN
564 203). After a wee stop for the foreigners to view Rob
Roy's grave at Balquhidder church (NN 536 209), it was an
easy but cold ride back to Wheels. Hot showers, mugs of
tea and muesli bars together with limitless hospitality from
Mark & Janet soon put the will to live back into our
feet.
Total ride time was approximately 5.5 hrs, not including
lunch.
Tracklog - (see disclaimer)*
Associated file: Text
from file 'glen ample 1202.txt'.txt
In addition a GPS
Utility file may be downloaded containing the following
route information.
Included in the download file is a GPS tracklog for a complete
circuit starting and finishing at Wheels, returning via Strathyre
on the Sustrans track. The tracklog includes a wee detour
via a closed tea-shop, Kingshouse hotel and then Rob Roy's
grave.
Contour Map - (see disclaimer)*
Then we had company-.
Stirling Bike Club Prize Giving Night - held at Wheels of
Callander / Trossach's Backpackers
Tucking into pizza
Wifey & Jim Terney, Stuart Wilson (aka Sidney), Fraser
& Siobhan (we put up with John McEwan award), Iain Nimmo
(best MTBer 2001, 2002; standing) with Douglas Shearer (best
junior 2001,2002; foreground)
It all went quiet at the monkeys tea-party.
Carol & Pete Cartwright (Maddest Rider 2001) with Angela
(I deserve an award for putting up with Richard)
Briggie Kirchman (Crash Test Dummy 2002), Richard Barton (Hub
of the Club 2001), Iain & Janet.
Just to show that roadies know their place - Prasad (best
roadie 2001) waits on Iain's table
A big thanks to Mark and Janet Shimidzu of Wheels of Callander
for the accommodation/food/entertainment during the weekend.
This year's Club Winners are -
Hub of the Club - Crispin Bennett
Best Mountain Biker - Iain Nimmo
Best Road Rider - Bryan Russell
Best Junior - Douglas Shearer
Best Crash - Briggie Kirchman with her crash at Aviemore
followed by the unveiling of the cuts in the car park!
*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 (Hub of the Club 2002).
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