(Oh no) Not the Highland Trail!

I'm on the start line again, 553 miles of trail ahead of me. Around me were the usual types, this year (a first) all wearing waterproofs. It was that marvelous rain type that is really quite wet, but allows the midges to have a go at you too. Prior to the previous evening, it had been dry for weeks at home and dryish for weeks across the whole of the Highlands. This on the back of the dryest winter on record. So fair to say seeing this lot come in on day 1 with worse to follow, including high winds, didn't exactly fill me with enthusiasm for my 7th attempt at this route.

On the start, Alan as cheery as ever.

8.30 came and off we went. The rain persisted up into Glen Lyon and then slowly faded away. Fortunately, this and the deluge the previous night hadn't had any impact on the rivers which were barely above tyre level. This year Alan had sent us round the north side of Glen Lyon, as per 16-19, and there is one rather large river to cross as opposed to several small ones. Then the sun came out! In fact as we hit the road, the temps soared and everyone was pealing off waterproofs and layers.

This was all sorts of good news but lots of noise from my rear brake wasn't. On stopping, I realised the brake was binding horribly, you actually had to put a bit of effort into turning the wheel. I'd not noticed as Glen Lyon is a tailwind assisted road descent. This was incredibly annoying as a similar issue had cropped up a month ago. I'd cleaned everything up and bled both brakes and all seemed well, including on a typically steep and long Ochills descent, my final test ride. I stopped to remove the caliper, pump the pistons in and out again and refit. It made BA difference so I squeezed the pads off the disk and avoided using the back brake. This got me over to Rannoch and Up the Ben Alder trail. 

Despite the rain, the trails were dry and I had fun. I'd got going towards the front of the bunch and more or less maintained my place but my pace seemed fine so I kept on. A load of people passed me on the Glen Lyon road so that was fine. That said, I passed most of them on either the Gallabaich climb or the Ben Alder climb. As usual it was all very friendly with various brief conversations struck up with passing riders. Pete Aylward from the BB forum was riding again (last attempt also in '23 but post crash injuries meant he had to scratch at Fort A) but having problems with a slipping seat post - another issue he had thought he's sorted pre ride, much like my back brake.

No Ben Alder view this time. The bog hop to the climb was still dry though.

On the descent of the Bealach Dubh the back brake had to be used and it got worse and worse with horrible noises coming from it. I figured on giving it one more go at Culra Bothy and if I couldn't sort, I was out of there. No way was I doing this route on one brake! Anyway, mangled pad spring removed, spare Hope pads and spring in, we're away. Bugger.

More good news. In '23 I was amazed to find the rotting old bridge over the Pattack gone and a nice new one in its place. The old one was piled up at the bank side. This year, I was similarly amazed to find the rather boggy track scraped out, a big drainage ditch dug and the latter half surfaced. Hoo-bloody-rah! The old bridge must have been buried on site somewhere - a fitting end.

Trail Angels!

I had a good blether with Donnie and Richie at the start of the Corrieairyack. I'd met them in the same spot in '23, being somewhat bemused that bikepacking was now a spectator sport. This time I accepted their dram as I'd nothing to lose. In the event the whisky went down like nectar and relieved some of the pain.

Jimmy's air B'n'B after a long, long climb, into a strong, strong wind.

No view this year, situation normal.

Then Fort Augustus and pizza. Loads of people were there and "that was hard work" was a bit of a theme. Suitably stuffed, I headed up the GGW in search of the first likely bivvy spot as I was done. My fab '21 spot had been clear felled so on we go catching up with Alan just before spying another perfect spot. The midges were about speeding up pitch time, then it was in the bag, swat a few followers and lay back, 98 miles done. The rain came on soon after and continued until dawn. I know this as sleep largely alluded me - I just couldn't seem to switch off, despite using all my usual tactics. I think I was stuck on thinking about where I'd bivvy elsewhere en-route, given the weather and the realisation I'd be a half to a full day slower given the forecasted gales.

Thank god for the Deschutes. Totally dry inside! I was up and off sharp as the midges were out, then north into a brightening day and a freshening breeze. I felt a bit bleary eyed, given my lack of sleep but figured it would pass as the day progressed. It had been raining as I left but breaks in the cloud and even hints of sun would hopefully mean another day better than forecast. More good news was the Invermoriston community center toilets being open - much nicer than digging a hole whilst the midges got at you.

The climb out of Invermoriston is a brute and the wind was getting fresher and fresher. The trail beyond the road is a gem but it does climb a long way. I was on a serious go slow feeling utterly wabbit with no way of putting more than a token effort into pedaling. That said I made steady progress over the huge climb, noting with amusement Ramon from Spain hanging his cycling kit on a tree to dry just as the days firs shower came through. I'd met him the day before and as with all Spaniards I've met, very friendly, a tenacious bike rider and totally unfazed by Scottish weather.

More climbing and no hiding from the wind on the windfarm tracks. I actually really enjoyed the Loch Ma Stack Trail, the rocks distracting me from the gale and the regular showers, now coming in every 10 minutes or so. As Alan had left that morning he said he was heading for the Cannich Campsite Cafe for breakfast. I'd been thinking of just bashing on as I had plenty of food on board to get me to Contin. But when I finally hit the descent I changed all plans. I needed food, caffeine and a rest, in order to recharge my batteries.

Pete and Alan were there (and another guy whose name I've forgotten) so we chatted and checked out the race action (!) The northern reaches of the route, in theory achievable that day, were disappearing into an unreachable distance. This was confirmed on the Struy to Orrin Track. The puddles had reappeared thanks to the rain but were still way low so progress should have been good. But the climb was hard and at times I felt I was crawling.

The sun came and went, I'd my jacket on but left of over trousers as I was boiling over when the sun shone in any case.

All climbs on this route fit the dictionary description of a cycling 'hard climb' - twice as long as you think, always seeming to find the highest bit of terrain to go over and always turning into the wind just when you were wanting a bit of respite, and always, always, one more bit. If you are on form you can just plough through this but I was not. I kept stopping on the pushes for no reason, just collapsing over the bars. I wasn't shouting or swearing (or crying) I knew what was happening and I was eating and drinking loads, waiting for the energy dip to pass. But it didn't and when the track turned into the gale I was destroyed. I made the decision I was out then. Always a bad thing but I was out of options. It occurred to me to just stop and sleep but the constant showers (and no hydro bothy) precluded such a move. 

Last shot on the route, Orrin dam. Surfs up! My load out was spot on for the weather. About the same, weight wise as '21 and about a kilo heavier than '23. Maybe that's why I was struggling...

I got to Contin eventually and spent ages just sat, eating and drinking. Even Irn Bru didn't work! I was burst. Alan was rightly scathing when I told him I was out. I knew I could recover eventually but the weather for the next day would be worse and suddenly I didn't see the point in going on, enduring a suffer fest for no good reason. I guess this is a consequence of having done the route four times before (including the exceedingly wet 2015 edition) - you've nothing to prove. Others had bailed already so I felt I'd done justice to my attempt and place on the group start. So on with the phone, find digs in nearby Dingwall, pedal off route. Even a descending tarmac road with a tailwind seemed hard work...

Food, beer and a lot of sleep followed, in an amusingly scuzzy 'hotel' not cheap but cheapest available. The next morning was sunny and breezy with some very large clouds around. I had breakfast in Tesco and then headed to Inverness via NCN 1. My legs were still pretty leaden and I was still struggling with the minor hills en-route so I was satisfied yesterday's energy crash wasn't just a blip. At Inverness I went up to Velocity cafe (now re-badged as something else) and loitered there for over an hour, noting the number of bikepackers passing through, probably off on the Badger. Then the bus home. Yes, you can get you bike on all city link services free! I'd booked this the night before as there were no bike spaces on any train service south all day. 

My Mum pointed out afterward that I'd researched lots of bail out options and that my heart probably wasn't in this ride even before the start. Right as usual... Getting the bike on the bus was somewhat tricky but the journey south was fine and suddenly I was back home. Next task was to rescue the car so a scenic train ride to Tyndrum the next day followed. It felt a bit odd arriving in Tyndrum again recalling the start 78 hours earlier. Then it was a drive home and that was that. '25 Highland Trail attempt done.

I'd really hoped to get round as a fitting tenth anniversary of my first successful ride. The weather and trail conditions were far worse and the route much harder that year, but I was super motivated to do it. Plus it was a lot easier to get digs or bothies, something that is now much trickier so you are generally having to bivvy for every night. Fine in the dryness of 2023 but hard work in the wet. However, I didn't, and whilst a bit disappointed, the trail isn't going anywhere. I've ruminated on doing an ITT for a few years now and I think that my next attempt will be just that, hopefully when the weather is good.

I now need to do a proper bikepacking trip having failed to do this one. Watch this space...

Kit notes:- Deschutes, bora bivvy, tyvek ground sheet, Cumulus 150 quilt, neo air mat, exped pillow with a base layer to sleep in. No stove again. I wore Endura shorts, a base layer and my BB top, knee length sealskins socks, sealskins gloves, goretex gaiters, goretex over trousers and my ever reliable Paramo Quito jacket, now 12 years old and still kept me totally dry. My ageing Shimano goretex boots are done as they leaked and are generally wrecked. I've a new pair but I didn't get round to breaking them in.

A Room with a View

For my April BAM I always try to do a proper trip rather than yet another local woodland excursion, however looking back over the years I rarely succeed at this. So this year wasn't much different although I did get a bit further afield. Given the weather, which was slated to turn wet by the end of the weekend, I really should have done something exciting, involving Ben Alder or the Cairngorms. However as usual, I couldn't be bothered loading up the car and heading north, doubtless along with most of the population of Central Scotland, it being the Easter holidays. I did scope a route around Perthshire but this generally involves a fair bit of road riding or else another drive to some suitable start point. So in the end, the Ochills it was, however given the fab forecast I figured on something a bit more interesting than my usual woodland retreat.

This involved one of the many lengthy climbs to the higher summits, from Glen Quey up an Ochills standard grassy and tussocky track. This was pushed in it's entirety however the effort is always worth it, and this evening more so as the view West, to the hills I'd pedaled through the previous weekend, was stunning as the sun set. After some thought I kept on to Tarmangie Hill, stood on it's summit contemplating the view and then retreated to the Sitka Spruce tree I'd kipped under in January 2020, now lying on its side, and settled on a level spot just below it.

Bivvy bag only! I'd just re-read Ron Farmer's 'The Book of the Bivvy' so the inspiration from that and the zero percent chance of rain across three weather forecasts led me to drag it out.

People talk about scoring a room with a view when booking a hotel, well this view would be hard to beat anywhere and cost not a penny. The lumps and bumps are tree pits as this whole hillside is to be planted. I suspect it will be more sitka as they have been planting much of the Ochills with them in recent years, all part of the carbon credit scam which everyone seems oblivious to. So instead of the species rich grassland of these uplands, they will be turned into yet another sterile mono-culture. Anyway, I set these thoughts aside as I took in the view to the accompaniment of a fine ale. 

The moon was already shining and soon the stars joined in for further panoramic viewing. The temps dropped but not to the hard frosts of the previous week and I'd the heavy quilt with me so was plenty warm.

Book reading followed along with some fine whisky as I relaxed in my eerie. It's a funny feeling knowing you are very likely the only person in the whole range of hills and everyone else would be stuck in front of the dross on TV. 

A sound sleep followed, waking at first light, then again to the dawn chorus in the tree and finally at 8.30 as the sun was now beating down. I had a leisurely breakfast and spread out the quilt to dry. All my stuff lay around me, again making me wonder how you finesse a bivvy bag only sleep if it's raining, without everything getting wet. Answer? You don't...

So now what? As many trails as possible to cash in on the dry conditions. I headed West to Cleuch for more views although it was pretty hazy so I left sharpish on the long descent to the upper Glen Devon res. On a whim I carried on into Glen Bee but up to the low bump of Kinpauch Hill. Off this there is a fine single track descent which is a narrow rocky slot in places, a rarity in these hills and good practice for the forthcoming Highland Trail....

Soft focus looking down Glen Bee.

Auchterarder Co-op once again provided an early lunch but sat out in warm sun rather than the damp cold of February. Then more trails up to Corb, round Stronachie Forest and a finish with Glen Devon forest and the usual route home.

Total distance was 106k with a creditable 2700m of climbing, almost in BB territory! My only aches were from wrists. I'd taken the near sacrilegious step of ditching the loop bars from the Jones as I wanted something wider. I'd a pair of Ritchey Kyotes lying around so fitted these on a short stem robbed from the ICT. These worked really well on the steppy descents but seem to cause an inordinate amount of wrist pain in the last couple of hours. Back to the loops then...

So, May next. I might try to get away for Bank Holiday weekend, otherwise it will be more Highland Trail bivvies! 

Way out West

April has always been one of my favourite months as you quite often get fine weather but it's too early for the dreaded midge. April spring skiing is also a particularly fine thing to do but, alas we've not had a suitable winter for this since 2020 and we were all locked in our basements that year. This year, April has been fab (so far) after a winter of very odd weather. Instead of the binary mix of south westerly gales and rain, or north easterly icy blasts and snow, we had many weeks of calm, cold conditions but little precipitation, rain or snow. Thanks to the temperature spikes our winters are seeing more of these days, there was no build up of snow that might have led to some truly wonderful spring skiing. Instead the hills were bare and various ptarmigan and mountain hares wandered around looking mightily conspicuous in their winter coats.

Last weekend ended up being a pearler though. We were slated for our bi-annual trip to Lochgoilhead in Argyll to do more temperate rainforest restoration that has now been going for 25 years. We've only done a couple of dozen acres which is very little in the grand scheme of things but it's been immensely satisfying work. We've had a few ups and downs over the years and the future isn't looking so good for this project as the local group are slowly retiring or disappearing with no new blood coming up. We are also getting older and the work harder as the trees get bigger!

Anyway, given the weather, I decided to cycle up and back for a change with my mate Dave kindly agreeing to take my stuff across, including beer. I'd already booked the days off on the off chance so when the weather set fair, I was well chuffed.

After some rumination, I stuck to a fairly tried and tested route similar to one used on a tour I did in 2021, but with a few variations. I was away by 9am sharp, some low cloud around and a stiff, cold wind blowing me west. Out to Callander by one of a few variations (Hillfoots, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Doune) getting there in record time. At this point I was thinking I might get to the outdoor centre too early but figured I could laze around plenty if so, given the strengthening sun and rising temps.

The Venechar cycleway was pleasingly deserted and on a whim I tried to get up a singletrack short cut I've been meaning to do for a while. It was still somewhat soggy in places, causing me to curse my decision to leave off mudguards (there would be more of this later) and as usual, I should have done it down rather than up but it got me to a new view of Loch Drunkie:

Stormy looking pretty racy sans mudguards. I would regret this later....

At first the forest drive was empty and I wondered if it hadn't open to vehicles yet. Whereupon four cars appeared in quick succession, all of which seemed surprised to see a cyclist coming towards them. I wish they would shut this down as it's a pest! You can miss a chunk out on a better surface and after this I was soon onto the cycleway to Aberfoyle and a much needed Lunch as breakfast was now 4 hours ago.

The sun was beating down as I made my way through QE forest. Height is made in fits and starts until you hit the road for the final pull. The Argyll Highlands were revealed as I crested the rise. What a fab feeling knowing that soon I would be right amongst them. 

On the backroad route the NCN follows. I figured that Balloch Country Park would be mobbed so went with an alternative into the back of the town. This involved a fairly rough trail but it was short lived and shaved a few miles off. As expected Balloch was crowded so I scooted right on through and onto the Lomond cycleway.

It was coming up to three so I had plenty of time in hand. I'd be returning by the Lomond cycleway in any case so figured the 3 lochs way would be more fun. Up into Glen Fruin, making height all the time, then finally onto the track that traces a line above the naval base. Yet another powerline replacement scheme was in progress (the whole of Scotland is getting done, apparently) and the track had been re-constructed. Most of it was super smooth but several large puddles from the mega dump trucks using it again made me curse my mudguardless bike!

More sunshine, and the view south.

Pullman coaches on the West highland line.

At the Glen Douglas road I could have descended to the A814 for the last few miles to Arrochar, but the sun, the desire to avoid all road traffic and the 'Arrochar 4.5k' sign led me on. I know this section well and it's pretty rough with a substantial climb then a descent in a series of fits and starts, some of which is pretty steep.

The high point, the Cobbler in all it's glory.

I got down the substantially washed out track in fine style at a very low speed, only to wash the front out on the edge of a rut which dumped me on the ground. Leg and forks were a bit grazed but no harm done...

Then more entertainment on the steep and steppy single track to the town. Fortuitously, this took me pretty much to the coffee kiosk where I figured a brew would be just the thing as I was feeling a bit weary after all that excitement and a large climb lay between me and ride end. Then I saw the pizza menu! I'd already rushed to jump in ahead of a couple exiting a parked car who would doubtless procrastinate over what to have, so when the person serving stated the pizza would be 10-15mins I was well happy. I'm not racing but I still like to minimise unnecessary delay.

So I sat in the sun, viewing the hills and feeding my face. What could be better. Soon enough it was time to go. I grabbed a pie and a few snacks for post ride recovery purposes then set off along the A83, using the footway and a section of the old road past a former torpedo testing station. This used to be fairly intact and should have been either done up as a museum or flattened. In the event neither was done, thanks to the MOD abandoning it's responsibilities yet again, then inevitably someone set fire to it so all that remains is a dilapidated shell that no-one seems willing to do anything about. Hey ho, I'd a big hill to climb.

And what a climb, at the end of a long day. Legs were more or less still functioning and the pizza was starting to kick in so I ground my way up with only token grumbles. You get a good view of the main road and the large queues waiting at the give and take past the landslip defenses which is always nice. 

No sign of the avalanche shed construction yet but speaking of landslips, a sign at the top of the hill proclaimed the track down to Loch Goilhead was shut due to a landslip. 'Men at Work' and 'Construction Site' signs led me to figure I could probably get through. The road down the glen would have been fine but you get a fair bit of traffic on it on a Friday evening so the track was my preference. Of course, the monster landslip had been fixed and most of the track work complete with several large pieces of machinery parked up for the weekend. So why couldn't someone knock down the closed signs then? After my slip earlier I was keen not to do a proper job and the track surface was proper marbles so my pace downwards wasn't much faster than on the climb. Soon enough I was back on the road however, and pedaling the final couple of miles to my destination. Total distance 105 miles in 9hrs 40 minutes so a grand day out by any measure!

After a modest amount of recovery time, beer followed and much good cheer. Then further work on our nice bit of woodland. The extreme dryness meant no fires but we got a good amount of work done with several vast piles of brash created which we will duly burn in November.

Homeward bound then! I'd already decided I was going to do it in a oner on the Sunday afternoon / evening. The direct route takes you back through the Campsies using what is also a familiar route. This works out at about 85 miles and I figured the last three hours or so would be in the dark. So I left the site at 3, wandered back to the centre and got myself organised, departing at 4, the sun splitting the sky. 

Back over the big bump and more steady riding down Glen Croe. At Arrochar I took a punt on the 3 Lochs Way path to Tarbert which involved a very large climb and several fallen trees. Oh well, it's better than the A83 (or specifically its footway) and once on the Loch Lomond cycleway I put the hammer down.

Oh dear. I made good progress but every single parking layby was chocker block and the sections through the various villages were mobbed. Worse, on two occasions I came across cars parked totally blocking the cycleway, well away from the parking areas. Yes it was too much trouble for people to cart their stuff from the car park to their picnic spot so they drove there instead and clearly gave no thought to anyone trying to get down the path by wheelchair, pram or bike. The second car was being loaded by a young woman so I made my view clear of her poor parking. Inevitably she responded with a load of 'what's your problem' type of stuff indicating that, like many others, she sees no issue with driving or parking her car however she pleases. My tolerance for this has dropped off a cliff in recent years....

Anyway, the sections on the old road not accessible by car were fab and I got my revenge on the shared use path alongside the road by cruising past about 200 cars queued back from the Balloch roundabout.

Balloch was chaos so I blasted through toot sweet heading for my short cut of Friday. Cruising along the dead end wee road was a massive relief after all that!

Last look back to the Loch Lomond hills. 

A new trail followed on what looked like the old road and part of the John Muir Way and something called the Finnich Trail. Apart from a few soggy bits it was a good 'un so adds another thread to my east / west routes. I diverted to Kilearn Co-op for water and caffeine but had enough food from the lunch left overs to see me through.

So another race against the dark. Fortunately the stiff easterly of Friday was just a breeze. Darkness fell eventually as I approached the Carron res. I had one last food stop and then did the final bit of climbing as the temps dropped. It was quite strange cresting this final climb as suddenly, the lights of the Forth valley were laid before me, the fab scenery of Arrochar gone but the dim lines of the Ochills to my left a welcome home. Much chills on the descent and more layers added then the back road route to the Kincardine Bridge, a bit of cerebral confusion on the best route from here to home, and then home at just after 11, exactly 7 hours from departure.

Fair to say I was chuffed with this as I'd thought I might still be going by midnight. A zero percent beer seemed appropriate to recover and celebrate, followed by 10 hours sleep and a lazy morning eating and resting further.

So what a cracking weekend and something I'll try and do again. No bivvy though so I need to get out this weekend or else BAM is a bust!

March BAM

That ended up being a good one! This weekend was my only chance for March, for various reasons, and as expected the forecast looked like the nice weather was going to last right up until I knocked off on the Friday, and then it was going to wazz it down, all weekend..... A further complication was a colleagues retirement do which I really wanted to be at on the Friday. Saturday looked to be horrible so a wet bivvy was in the offing.

Then Friday evening started looking better. Pitching up in the dry is always a good thing so plan B was engaged - I would use the auto to get to the leaving do, lay off the ale, get back sharpish and head out. Which I did, departing the house at 8 and pedaling for all of 13k to Devilla forest. I'd done one of my adventurous commutes home over the Lomonds earlier in the week and everything was bone dry so it was nice to bag a few more dry trails, ahead of the inevitable return to bogdom.

I headed to a spot I've used before (as usual...) only to find it a mess of fallen and felled trees! The monster Douglas fir I've kipped (and sat) under a few times before was now alone and surrounded by debris. It was also quite breezy, thanks to the felled trees, so I headed into an adjacent block of younger trees and found a fine spot next to a fallen fir.

Rain was due overnight but it remained dry as I lay back sipping an ale or three listening to lots of cracks and creaks from various partially fallen trees around me. Relaxation was complete and I was please to have got out. The rain came eventually, getting quite heavy at one point but then receding to a steady light rain. I listened to it for a while, always a good thing when you are in a tent, then bunged in the ear plugs and crashed out. 

It had actually stopped by the time I surfaced. I do alike a first day of Spring bivvy as the dawn chorus always seems to be particularly enthusiastic. 

It was damp all around and quite misty but by the time I departed, the sun was starting to break through the mist and murk, plus it was warm! I'd only had my 150 quilt and had bundled up inside it, only to wake feeling too warm. Spring indeed.

The remains of a nice piece of woodland. I appreciate it was planted for timber but it seems a shame to drop a load of very fine Dougie firs. I hope they re-plant with the same and not more bloody sitka!

Anyway, I weaved my way round various trails to Dollar, grabbed a pie, double biscuit and tea form Stevens and sat out in the now warm sunshine. More fine trails followed, still fairly dry despite the rain last night. There was some mist about so no views but by the time I got home I was roasting!

So, another winter bites the dust. It was a bit better than last year in that I did a fair few snowy fat bike rides, but skiing was limited to one evening and one fine day skinny skiing in the Ochills. Great stuff but I've not used my big skis since 2022!

Alternative Winter Event 2025

Once again Shaff aka Redefined Cycles on the Bearbones forum cast out for takers for some Grid Reference bagging as per the 'official' winter event run by BB towers, for those who couldn't make it to Wales. A few were interested and as per last year, Justin, fellow SWB member was to provide my GR's. I was slightly nervous when they arrived as it would be very easy for him to send me on an absolute mission, all within 20 miles of the house. But Justin had provided 8 points which on inspection looked to be fairly straightforward. I did some route plotting and came up with an easy circuit bagging all 8 in about 83 miles. A couple were in places I'd not been to before but both on routes I'd been meaning to ride at some point so all good. The only minor blot was one on a bump I'd try to get up the other week but had failed due to fallen trees.

And speaking of which, Storm Eowyn had done it's work a few weeks ago. What would it's impact be on this route?

My first setback was slashing rain against the window when I surfaced after breakfast. A quick squint at the weather suggested more was to come, entirely at odds with what had been predicted in the run up to the weekend. I got the bike loaded and then procrastinated for an hour. Then the sun started shinning so I got going.

First check, there would be many more. I fought my way round this lot but another, bigger block of windblow followed. This was on a dead end there and back again to GR1 so I abandoned the bike and climbed over them...

Loch Glow in the Cleish Hills. The detritus of the fishery looked a bit forlorn with a large tree having demolished one of the storage sheds and stuff scattered everywhere thanks to the storm. I often go walking round here, and the various bumps in the background. I've seen an Osprey fishing here too!

Back to the bike then a few well known miles through Blair Adam Forest (lots of downed trees but all cleared thank goodness) and over the days first proper climb from Lochore to Loch Leven.

GR2, Vane Farm visitor centre on Loch Leven National Nature Reserve. Looking over the loch, the bumps of the mid Ochills in the distance.

A leisurely pedal round the loch took me to GR 3, this fine wee bridge over the 'back burn' into the loch. There is a good path all the way round Loch Leven, largely developed by one person pushing SNH / Nature Scot to fund it. SNH resisted it for years as they didn't want a load of plebs disturbing the various birdies but eventually relented after much lobbying on high. As it was built from nothing and immediately promoted for shared use, you never get any grief off walkers round here. It's just had a major re-surfacing job done to so a good local resource which also provides useful off road links between various back roads and other trails.

I decided to add in an extra loop from this point which would come back to haunt me later. It did cross my mind to use the bird hide I'd bivvied in on AWE23 and bag the perthshire GR's the next day but it was a bit early so I pressed on.

More easy trails and back roads took me to Glen Farg village and a lengthy climb over the hills to Perthsire. As I left Glen Farg it was about twenty to five but I figured I'd still have enough daylight to bag the next point. This was a track I'd eyed up - a Perth and Kinross core path - over the flanks of various hills towards Kinross itself. A good track climb in the gloaming took me to a farm and a very barky dog then it was a bit damper with many cow prints beyond there. The good news was it was easy to follow. Twas a bit soggy though and anything uphill defeated my one gear and weedy tyres. As usual in this circumstance, the 2k to the GR took ages and it was pretty much dark when I arrived - 

I took this on approach in case it was totally dark when I got there - GR4, an old Iron Age fort.

Not quite dark - the old wall lines and ditches still clearly visible (well they would have been half an hour ago!) I got a brief glimpse of the next GR then fought my way back to the track out of there. This took a bit of faffing and my earlier extra loop (and late start) were much in my mind as I fumbled around to regain the track. Then it started raining. Then it started hailing and sleating. On with the gear and off down a somewhat soggy and rather steep track. The stormy took it in it's stride however. Finally it spat me out on a wee road, Kinross not far away. 

That said I didn't fancy the next GR at this point as I'd no idea what the track up it would be like and didn't fancy a death march in the dark. Plus it should have a fine view off the top, so better to tackle it tomorrow. A quick rethink of my route led me west towards Dunning. I'd do the three GR's in the hills the next morning and then ride back to grab this one as a finale. 

The rain eased off and at Dunning I procured a snack and a couple of beers for later. As I sat out eating (first food since I set off!) I noted I'd been on the go for nigh on 6 hours, despite missing out a GR. So much for my earlier thought I'd get here too early... Anyway, suitably fortified I headed off up the steady climb to Glen Devon forest.

Nearly forgot this one, GR5. Actually the cottage (Blaeberry Toll) you can't see behind me but I figured taking a photo might cause concern. This place came up for sale a couple of years ago and I was ever so slightly tempted given it's remote location. It would be hard work in the winter though and not much use when I get into my dotage!

I entered the forest thinking I'd head up to my usual bivvy spot from which it would be straightforward to make an attempt on the next GR the following morning. However more fallen trees blocked the way forward. There was probably a way round but I figured it would be better to go back to the road and try the lower entrance to the woods where logging works were going on, so the track would be clear. Then I spied a level area in the trees just up from where I was, that will do nicely! I'd barely got pitched up when a light appeared on the track - a jogger no less wearing one of those scotchlite covered jackets which illuminated hugely when I pointed my lid light at it. They ignored me, doubtless wondering what idiot would be out on a night like this. That said it was sheltered and whilst a few sprinkles of rain, hail and snow came in over night, nothing to disturb my esteemed repose.

A good spot but in view of its proximity to one of the main tracks in this forest, not one I'd use again. What looked like the same jogger ran by as I was about to depart (they had the same type of jacket on in any case.) 

Bugger. I managed to pick my way round this but encountered more - in fact it was total carnage. There then followed much too-ing and fro-ing as I tried to pick my way round various blocks of fallen trees. The Scottish Enduro club used to use this forest and brashed out loads of trails as a result, so I was able to bypass some bits but eventually ended up in a tangled dead end. Much back tracking and ploughing through the undergrowth later and I finally got into where they are logging, and hopefully a clear route up to my next objective.

The dimple in the distance is my next again GR! Picking up on an earlier comment from my January BAM report, Justin had, somewhat meanly, selected the hill - Black Creich - that I'd try to get to the top of that day, but failed due to fallen trees. Given what had taken place a fortnight a go, I had little hope of getting up this day, but I'd scoped out an alternative way up which might be clear. This was via another of the enduro trails which went over the flank of the hill, however I abandoned the bike for the final assault. I did get a fair way up, and within about 50m of the summit but....

GR6 is in their somewhere...

Amusingly I couldn't find the bike on descending; stopping at one point to look all around, only for it to be 6 feet away, right behind me! Ahem. Anyway off back down to the road I went with some relief. 

Castlehill reservoir dam. Not often you see an arch concrete dam in the UK, most being earth or mass concrete. Stormy looking a bit bedraggled after all of that! It did cross my mind to pedal the 8 easy miles home but that wouldn't be in the spirit of the undertaking. Onward we go...

The next GR was my highest at 516m on Ben Shee. I'd been up here the other week on skis but by the looks, there was only a dusting of snow today. It's a fair old climb which I mainly pushed but finally, I got there, only for the cloud to come down. GR7 claimed though!

I took the scenic route down a rough, grassy, tussocky descent with a nice off cambered bit to boot - 45mm tyres seem to cope remarkably well

Not necessarily the best bike for such terrain but the route as a whole was mainly on roads, cycleways or good tracks so the Stormchaser was definitely the right choice. 

Near the bottom of this descent I had to cross a fairly brisk but narrow burn and nearly came a cropper. I always make a bit of a meal of it as it flows in a rocky channel which you have to step across with bike on shoulder. The rocks were wet and slippy and the burn looked very cold. However I got across with barely a stumble and rejoined the road once more. Which I stuck too down Glen Eagles with a view to bashing out the next section to the final GR as quick as I could. I was starving again so a diversion to Auchterarder (by a fab bit of dust path, another new trail) was needed for yet another Co-op meal deal.

Then I got my head down and pedaled, vaguely aware that my planned easy route round all 8 GR's would end up being a convoluted double loop. My own fault for yesterdays tardiness! It was all on back roads for the most though.

Finally I got to the bottom of the hill on which my last GR sat and pushed on up a track that was easy enough, making me think I should have done it last night after all. And the generally damp / hazy weather meant the view was nothing to write home about in any case!

GR8. The Iron Age fort is actually just above the trig point.

So home we go, but via another huge climb and various other undulations. I noted that it was starting to get dark as I finished the last miles so I was somewhat shocked when I realised it was after 5! I was even more shocked when my total mileage came out at 118 instead of my planned 83.

So a good old adventure by any measure. Of course I could have bailed home at any point easily enough but not doing so was part of the challenge. When you've done the BB300, you can't let such trivialities as weather, darkness, boggy ground or the odd tussock put you off. I'll definitely be back to check out the hill fort in daylight at some point!

2025 BAM campaign

This will be my 5th consecutive year Bamming and 6th overall. After last years somewhat routine campaign, I'm hoping to make it a bit more interesting this year with a few things planned, including the eponymous Highland Trail.

That said, BAM 1 was distinctly low key, back in one of my usual spots in the woods off the Dunning road. Sadly, I missed the chance of a proper sub zero bivvy here last weekend. The previous week I'd managed to crash the fatty somewhat ignominiously on a bit of ice at the end of the West Fife cycleway on the way to work and what should have been a fab frozen and snowy ride home. This plan was canned when I got to the station to find that the bloody train was cancelled! Riding home revealed a distinctly sore rib, and after much prodding it was clear it was at least cracked, if not snapped! My second in under 4 months! So R&R was the order of the day although I did get out in the snow on the Sunday, given it looks very possible that this could be it, snow wise, for quite a while, much like last year....

Anyway, after a very mild week, the temps were set to drop somewhat and the weather looked fine all weekend. Damp dreich on Friday afternoon looked to spoil the party but lo and behold, by the time I'd knocked off work and got my gear together, the sky had cleared and it had dried up.

Just the usual route up on damp but not soggy trails. I thought of heading for the top of the hill bivvy spot I used a couple of years ago but there is forestry works going on up there and I have a feeling the bit of wood I'd slept in might be what is getting felled. So Linn hill it was, a particularly nice spot.

I'd brought the soto with me as since I replaced all the seals it's been much less fireball like on start up. Boil in the bag chickpea curry followed, the last of a load of army rat packs a mate had provided FOC as they were going out of date. This was surprisingly good and set me up for a very relaxing evening sipping a couple of beers and a dram, to a background of owl hoots and screeches, how relaxing. After my over-indulgence at the SWB I've a vague aim to go easy for a bit!

Sleep was instant when I eventually turned in but on waking at what turned out to be 1.30am, I became aware of a distant humming / whining noise which increased in volume until it became clear - a drone! What in all hells name was this doing here, and more importantly who was controlling it? It seemed to be some distance away, the sound exaggerated by the completely still night, but too close for comfort. It faded away after a bit and I lay awake pondering why / how etc. Looking for poachers maybe? Seems a bit unlikely although I guess these things could have IR. If so the operator may well have spotted me but no-one turned up so who knows. 

Anyway, the owls returned soon after and their screeches and hoots calmed me back to a long sleep until 9.30 am. Breakfast was a leisurely affair before I got up and off.

A nice one this and not my usual tipple but I've yet to find a bad Williams beer.

Mandatory bivvy shot but the same as my previous 8 visits. It's a great spot but the drone incident has left me a bit concerned about a return if some weirdo is spying on me or anyone else looking for a peaceful night here.

Anyway, home was via a fun ride on various nice trails in this and Glendevon forest. I battled my way up to Black Creich Hill seeking more bivvy spots. It turned into a mission as the suspected firebreak showing on aerial photos wasn't. I did find a good spot on the way up however and I've now a few in this forest. They are felling here too (F&LS seem to be doing a lot this year) but this and my other spots are all in amongst fairly young trees so they should last my time around here in any case.

Winter event next, who knows what that will bring!

2024 review, not an easy one.

I'll struggle to do my usual yearly review of bivvies as they have all been pretty mundane, all in all. Not to say it's not been enjoyable, it has. Plus I've done some nice bike riding, but...

No sub zero bivvies

No snowy bivvies

No hot bivvies

No high bivvies (highest 330m)

No really bad weather (November was the worst but not that bad really)

Which isn't to say it's been a bad year, just not quite the bonanza of the last few years. I've been out 16 times, no hotels, no official bothies, no B&B's, no paying nights. September stands out in the ace spot near NCN 7 in the woods south of Killin after a fab days ride in the sun. Also my night out on the Cairngorms tour back in April.

My Dad's health has been the defining influence of 2024 and it's been hard seeing my once active Father reduced to a pale shadow of his former self. It's also been hard watching Mum burn herself out trying to ensure the best for him. I've spent the year helping Mum as much as possible and trying to give Dad at least some interest in his life. It's not been easy...

Bike riding has, once again in hard times, kept me on the straight and narrow. Mileage has been good in that I've managed 6288 miles, in spite of the above. But it's mainly been on gravel and road. My hours are down significantly from last year, indicative of how much hard riding that year involved (HT, NYM, BB) but overall I'm happy with what I've done, under the circumstances.

Best trail on a bivvy:

Got to be the Cairngorms Tour, back in April. The weather was stunning, the trails were dry and I hammered the lot. This was in the middle of a particularly full on period in my working life (up against some stiff competition) as well as stressing over how Dad was, or wasn't, recovering from a knee replacement. I know the route so well, there is no adventure, it was just a case of grab the best riding I could get too easily. In the event it was one of a few full bore thrashes round some ace bike riding that I saw this year.

Best bothy:

No official ones, but grabbed a couple of shed nights on my ride north and on my Moray tour.

Most sociable bivvy:

The SWB, obviously, but a bit too social in that I drank far too much (without really realising it, damned whisky)

Thanks to the weird weather I could have used my Cumulus 150 quilt for every bivvy, if I'd timed things right. In the event, it's been the overall warmest year since I started with the heavy quilt only used 4 times, 2 of which I could have avoided! 

Other than the bivvies, it's been a year of gravel biking with a lot of my miles on the Stragg and then the Stormy. All good stuff, including my second double century, but next year it's going to be one for the mountainbikes.

Gravel-tastic on my West of Scotland burn up.

This led to what I think is my best bivvy of the year. It was one of those situations where everything came together to perfection - 120 miles of ace roads and tracks, stunningly hot weather, plenty grub to eat and a fab finale cruising down Glen Lochay to a chippy, a Co-op and then an great spot in the woods next to NCN7.

That said, I've definitely re-engaged with the Kramp this year, mainly when the trails have been somewhat soggy. In contrast, my Lowside, which I rode a lot last year, has only been out three times. Likewise the Steamroller has been somewhat neglected this year - a major downside of having dry weather only bikes... 

The stormy was the bike I wasn't going to buy this year but it ended up being one of three additions to my stable, the other two having engines. I've enjoyed it though and look forward to more crazy rides next year. This one was fairly tame in comparison doing a usual circuit from my parents place - The Tanhill Inn emerging from the fog.

The winter this year was terrible, after a promising start with snow on new years day and much cold temps for the first two weeks of the year. Then two weeks of plus temps wrecked it. Thereafter was a fair bit of snow fall but the wildly variable / warm temps between dumps meant there was none of the usual build up so skiing was none existent. So this was one of only two snowy rides, on my birthday. Looking to the coming winter there was some promise earlier this month with good dumps of snow and very low temps but over Christmas it was back to double figures and it all disappeared. Of course variable snow has always been a feature of Scotland's winters but 2024 was well out of normal parameters...

So, another year beckons. I'm in for the HT again, I intend to do the NYM and also the BB. I've given up on the other routes in the UK as they are too much hassle. All being well I'll do a trad Cairngorms loop ride plus maybe another shot of the LLTL300 but we'll see. And of course, every month I'll make sure I'm sleeping out at least once. No plans, goals or aims, just take it as it comes....