Self reliance is a fundamental principle of mountaineering. By participating we accept this and take responsibility for the decisions we make. These Conditions Reports are intended to help you make good decisions. They do not remove the need for you to make your own judgements when out in the hills.

Sunday 20 July 2014


Glencoe has a major trunk road going right down it but if you ride the skinny single track just below the road you can go all the way up the glen and not be too disturbed by the traffic. Kate, Sue and I did this starting from Glencoe Lochain and going all the way to the Devil's Staircase. The peaks emerged from the morning mist as we rode, revealing the drama of the buttresses and gullies.


Riding up the Devil's Staircase is all but impossible for regular riders like me but we did our best. Sue and Kate took on the challenge and did very well before plodding up the last few metres pushing the bikes. The ride down the other side of the col is brilliant and quite rocky and technical. You need to stop to soak up the atmosphere too, the view is immense in all directions.


Despite Kate's rear shock blowing a gasket leaving her with no damping and a very bouncy back end we managed the ride in good time and enjoyed the fast fire road down to the Ice Factor Cafe for a coffee. A short bit of quiet road back to Glencoe leads to a wee shifty through the trees and straight to Glencoe Lochain. From wide open, wild mountain scape you go to pristine, calm and clean lochain. A great way to finish another great ride.







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