West Highland Way - Page 2

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skiier 09 Oct 17:20  

Joined: 09 Sep 2008

Posts: 2

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Hi, Anyone cycled the West Highland Way? I am looking do it next spring but unsure of how dificult it would be, any advice would be fantastic, thanks

ff60gyg 25 May 19:11  

Joined: 25 May 2009

Posts: 1

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Hi im going to do the west highland way on the 26th of june so i will let you know.


norrymerrida 02 Jul 21:54  

Joined: 02 Jul 2009

Posts: 4

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hi all well doing the whw on the 14th just gettin a few last miniute tips thanks lads will certianly let you know how me and my brother get on


Allxn 03 Jul 15:10  

Joined: 11 Jan 2009

Posts: 6

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My Profile 		Third time for doing it, didn't finish (see below), planning a fourth

There has been some changes made making it easier for bikes. A load of the bridges and over road sections which involved climbing up staircases have been removed and smooth paths introduced. Some big stairs have also been removed and replaced by hard packed surfacing over a lesser gradient.

Bike gates have been reduced and simplified, again making it easier. Plus there was a section where you had to climb over a greasy moss covered dry stone wall with barbed wire surrounds, approached with trepidation but glad to see it is now been flattened with a path running through it.

Conic hill descent, still an absolute hoot. Got some really evil looks from some bobble hats though as I went tearing down it speedway style, jumped off the path and shot over the side laughing all the way. Two others in the group didn't fare so well. One went over the handlebars and the other dug his handlebar into the ground while doing the speedway style descent. Slid down the hill for a good forty feet until the bar was in up to the stem. Plus look out for the "smooth" sections beside the path, my front wheel disappeared up to the fork in a bog

Reason for not finishing.... two snapped rear mechs, snapped chain and late starts. As well as snow....in May!

As a point of note, Great Glen Way is a piece of ps (Two bits excepted but in contrast to the WHW it was easy). Did it in a day incorporating a pub crawl...(not many pubs) and we ended up doing skidding competitions on the way into Inverness to liven things up.

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 top to Bottom, Tiverton to Penzeance, Day 10

norrymerrida 17 Jul 10:19  

Joined: 02 Jul 2009

Posts: 4

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hi all just completed the way, and what a trip ups and downs, cries and laughter, hard but fun. the ups the devils stair case and the climb out of kinlochleven where both hard but, the descent from the stair case to kinloch is the best ever done.

lessons learned dont take all the extra kit had to ditch half our wieght, loads of midgey stuff, dont ever rough it bitten to bits, and only 2 puntures easily fixed with slime patches peal them off stick em on and away you go.

the end was a bit of a let down, we where to knackered for celebrations, just wanted to get home its only now that i am sitting here wishing i was back on the way


goodluck and safe riding to all who go for it


keep_fit 25 Sep 23:28  

Joined: 20 Sep 2009

Posts: 24

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My Profile 		never would dream doing anything like that
i just got a mountain bike recently an i did get tired just after doing 10 miles
an took around 2 hours were as normally it would be 1
if i keep at it n we keep getting good weather then maybe just maybe i attempt 2 do that next year


Allxn 28 Sep 15:24  

Joined: 11 Jan 2009

Posts: 6

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My Profile 		Keep_fit, would advise that if you took two hours for the first 10 miles you get in some real hard practice. The first 10-20 miles are really very easy and show nothing of what the WHW is about.

Not trying to be negative but it takes a huge of amount of fitness and stamina/strength to complete in two days, all of it needed at the end of day one and mid/end of day two. The start of day one is a hoot as it is virtually a pathway.

Keep in there though, we all have to start somewhere but I would suggest you hit some off road circuit stuff to get your fitness up, get used to being in the saddle for 8-10 hours a day before attempting the full way.... or just take your time, do it over 4-5 days and enjoy the pubs and scenery while getting fit? ;)

Now considering running it over two days.... reckon it is feasible as the fell runners can do it in 15 hours straight.





My Latest Route: Nov 2009 top to Bottom, Tiverton to Penzeance, Day 10

The Plodder 23 May 22:48  

Joined: 23 May 2010

Posts: 1

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Me and the wife are doing it in August. Not very experienced so we are going for four days!

Great advice on here and looking forward to it!


richard73 25 May 16:17  

Joined: 21 Apr 2009

Posts: 2

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My Profile 		Hi Just got back from cycling the WHW. 2 and a half days

Absolutely awesome, but really really tough - do not underestimate this.

We were a mixed ability group and the fitter ones were challenged and the relatively unfit ones struggled big time.

Large parts of the route require carrying/pushing but get the right weather and its awesome.

If anyone wants any details re: which parts are un-rideable etc just post here and I will expand.

In a nutshell - tough even for the avergae fit rider but brilliant.



My Latest Route: Apr 2009 Stirling Loop via Sherrif Muir and Braco

keep_fit 25 May 17:15  

Joined: 20 Sep 2009

Posts: 24

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My Profile 		just to note that my post was posted last year lol
just done 10 miles from cycle track and main road to glasgow took an hour dead on
was please with it but was sore as iam just a beginner n getting the chance to do it often mainly cycle local area just now doing my first 50 this weekend probadly sund as bike going in for service so i hope it be a smooth run as this weather is staying great for the time being enjoy it while it last


getoffyourbike 06 Aug 17:13  

Joined: 06 Aug 2010

Posts: 1

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Please note that this is a route originally intended for walker and be responsible . The whole idea is to enjoy the route not to annoy other people. Please also remember to be polite to others using this route - without them it would not exist.

I find cyclist in the main to be very rude to walkers who are out to enjoy the countryside not just to get there as fast as you can - that is not the point.

also please do not ring your bell - the person in front of you may be deaf - it is more polite to get off your bike and walk past not just go past as fast as you can. Hell mend you when you fall off your bike - we walkers get the last laugh plus


richard73 18 Aug 13:29  

Joined: 21 Apr 2009

Posts: 2

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My Profile 		Ah the spirit of acceptance, tolerance and understanding lives on in the last post.

I assume its a joke post, either way its funny. Why would a walker join a cycle forum?

When I rode the WHW "us cyclists" go on really well with "them walkers" as mutual respect was given and accpeted.



My Latest Route: Apr 2009 Stirling Loop via Sherrif Muir and Braco

keep_fit 18 Aug 13:33  

Joined: 20 Sep 2009

Posts: 24

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My Profile 		well after a year on
have not done this as i said i would
but leave it till next year
my stamina is picking up better now than i was a year ago
10 miles take bout 45 mins
love the cycling wish i did it sooner
anyways
would love to try this route looks exciting
just need perfect weather


BIG ALY G 28 Jan 11:19  

Joined: 28 Jan 2011

Posts: 1

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Yep, walked it but decided before i get to old to do the whw by bike, just booked the holidays today and will take 4 days to complete starting on the 21 april. ive heard its easier from fort william to milngavie is this true.
Al


stephens 29 Jan 11:59  

Joined: 29 Jan 2011

Posts: 4

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It would be very dificult to walk let alone cycle.Why? because the route where walkable is totally ruined by its being decked out with chuckies as they are known.They are the sort of annoying stone [40mm size] gravel you find in horrible crunchy home driveways.Terribly annoying to walk on and i would not even attempt to even try and ride a mountain bike on them.Welcome to the Scottish sense of route surface protection [if the midges don,t get them this will] Then there is the devils staircase leg of the walk just opposite Jimmy Savilles abode[ a luxury shed by the looks of it from a distance.You have to carry your bike up there and its hard enough to walk up let alone carry a bike its really a quite tricky ascent and you have to watch your step or you,ll easily twist an ankle.If the chuckiesies don,t get you the MIDGES will after June they are in their element.Absolute clouds of them when the wind goes down in the morning and evening.Welcome to hell on earth.So dream on,watch the tv,do anything but but don,t even think about it.Enjoy you have had a lucky escape....Sorry Jimmy just joking.Nice looking place to watch idiots ascending afar.Have a nice day pray for rain and wind.


stephens 29 Jan 12:09  

Joined: 29 Jan 2011

Posts: 4

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But of course you can always take the A82 road route cycling to Fort William and the great beyond but the walkers path no way hose'


stephens 29 Jan 12:18  

Joined: 29 Jan 2011

Posts: 4

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The A82 ascends from loch lomond to Glasgow so if you head that way it will be a tough ride at the end of the journey.


konajim 13 Mar 21:57  

Joined: 13 Mar 2011

Posts: 1

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go for it ..its doable over 2 days no bother ...can be done in a day if you are very fit and focused .
ps
no by me
jim


tobykerr 16 May 13:43  

Joined: 16 May 2011

Posts: 1

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hi skiier, just finnished it on friday 3 days would be enough, inversnaid to the drovers bit of a nightmare took about 3 hours carrying the bike & about an hour up the devils staircare, apart from that its great, hope the sun is out it rained every day for me


paddyccc 17 May 02:29  

Joined: 11 May 2011

Posts: 2

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YOU WILL SPEND MORE TIME WALKING WITH YOUR BIKE ON YOUR SHOULDER THAN YOU WILL CYCLING


tonytucci 06 Jun 20:02  

Joined: 06 Jun 2011

Posts: 1

Bike:

Am looking for some1 to cycle the west highland way with.


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