Glencoe massacre maps and timings

[northwind]

I love it when a plan comes together! Though it didn't quite. Here's maps of the first half of the route, and a written guide to the whole route- the last maps went a bit wrong, sorry!

MAP ONE: The campsite and meeting point.

TIMINGS: Some of the times on the map have been changed to give more road-time in case of wet weather.

If you want to meet us on the road, please drop me a line before- I can easily keep you advised of any timing changes or delays so, Andrew on 07796 896173, you know the drill.

Don't worry about these maps- you don't need to know the way. They're purely for information, remember every single junction (all 20 of 'em) will be clearly marked. But it's nice to know where you're going.



Both are on the A82, so very easy to find- the campsite is immediately after the Drover's Inn, on the right hand side as you ride north. As you can see the signing for the campsite isn't great, but I plan to put up some temporary signs on friday. If you overshoot, don't worry, there's a driveway less than half a mile up the road.

The meeting point is at Inveruglas Loch Cruises car park, immediately beside Inveruglas hydro electric station- it's the biggest building on this stretch, can't miss it, and the car park is well signposted. There's a large tarmac car park with more hard standing spaces to the left, and a cafe and toilets.

The departure time is 10am, and you will have to be ready- with nearly 60 bikes on the road things need to go off sharp or we'll never make lunch. So, BE EARLY! And have enough fuel to make the first petrol stop.

The A82 is the main road to the north, and is well signposted from the Erskine Bridge. Follow signs for Crianlarich when in doubt. It's very easy to find though. The A82 is unlit and tree-lined, and fairly twisty, and has very distractign views and terrible accident statistics- please don't be one of them.

The nearest petrol station on the route up is in Arrochar- there is also petrol shortly after the Erskine Bridge. Fuelling up at either should get you to the first stop with ease. The Arrochar petrol station is on the main road on the right, it's less than 5 minutes diversion off the A82 on the way up.

[northwind]

MAP TWO- FIRST LEG



I've added some basic directions after every map, but again you don't need to know the route, all junctions and stops will be marked. There is only 1 junction on this stretch

This first stretch is a fairly leisurely swing along lochsides and over hills, past Arrochar and the Rest and Be Thankful to Loch Fyne. This is a lovely stretch and a nice relaxing start to the day. There are roadworks with traffic lights, marked on the map, but nothing too major. The surface is mainly excellent.

The first stop is Loch Fyne Oysters, on the right hand side just after the huge sweeping left hander at the end of Loch Fyne. This is visible from miles off, you can't miss it. Don't wander too far though, this stop is to regroup, stretch and for a quick chat, you have time to buy some of the famous oysters though!

[northwind]

This is the longest stretch of the day at approximately 1 hour- from Loch Fyne to Benderloch. We pass through Inveraray- there is petrol here if you're running short but please don't plan on using it, emergencies only. Then on to Loch Awe for the hollow mountain and the mad road on stilts (the mountain drops to the loch so fast that there's no space for a road), and up and over Connel Bridge to Benderloch. This stretch has some slightly rough road surfaces but nothing dangerous. If you're ever going to get lost it'll be in Connel so watch for the markers. We stop at Benderloch for a refill and a stretching break (you will need fuel, please fill up as you arrive to avoid delays!)

[northwind]

The last of the morning sections, this is a 30 minute blast from Benderloch to Ballachulish- not an awful lot to say about this bit, I love it though i'm not sure why, it always just clicks. We expect to be at Ballachulish for lunch at 12.30.

[northwind]

Here they come...

Optional loop number one- this takes place over lunch, so if you want to do this one you'll need to have a slightly faster lunch. This one's optional but it's not as challenging as the next one, so don't be too put off.



Very simple lap round the loch. The north shore road is ace.

[northwind]

Not much to write about this one! Apart from a small detour at the start it's all one road, no junctions. This takes us through Glencoe itself, then across Rannoch Moor- very easy to give in to speed temptation here, watch out for cop cars (and the occasional helicopted) and idiot tourists.

Usually when we get to Tyndrum we'd stop at the Green Welly stop, on the left- but it's not likely we'll fit there so instead we're aiming at the larger car park over the road. Don't stray too far, this will be a fairly short break.

[northwind]

OK, sorry, the last of the maps have gone wrong for some reason. I can't redo them in time, so, here's the route in text. There are some tweaks to the timing, these supercede the maps above- wet weather calls for more road time.

ROUTE

LEG 1- 20 miles, 30 minutes

REFUEL BEFOREHAND!
Start at Inveruglas Loch Cruises on A82, 10.00AM SHARP
Take A82 South to Tarbet Hotel
Right turn onto A83
A83 to Loch Fyne Mussels
Break at Loch Fyne Mussels- quick stop approx 10.30


Leg 2- 43 miles, 55 minutes

Leave Loch Fyne Mussels appprox 10.40
Back onto A83
A83 to Inveraray
Right onto A819 through archway at Inveraray
Left turn onto A85 at T junction (signs for Oban)
A85 to Connel
Onto A828, cross Connel Bridge
A828 to Benderloch, arrive approx 11.40
Stop Benderloch Services
FILL UP IF IN DOUBT, NEXT PETROL AT GLENCOE VILLAGE


Third leg- 24 miles, 30 minutes

Leave Benderloch Services, back onto A82, approx 11.50
A828 to Ballachulish Hotel for Lunch, arrive approx 12:20
LUNCH STOP- 50 minutes. Aim to be ready to go by 13.20
Petrol available at Glencoe Village if you're running short.


OPTIONAL LOOP 1- 20 miles, 30 minutes.

OPTIONAL LOOP NUMBER 1 STARTS AND RETURNS HERE DURING LUNCH BREAK. IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS LOOP, HAVE A QUICK LUNCH!

This is the best part of the run IMO- I love the north shore road. It's quite technical but it's not dangerous if you're sensible so please don't be intimidated. It's only an optional loop because of the location and lunch stop. Well worth it.


Fourth Leg- 33 miles, 40 minutes.

Back onto A82 from Ballachulish, leave approx 13:20
A82 through Glencoe to Tyndrum
Arrive Tyndrum approx 14:00
Stop at large car park on right of main road, after Green Welly Stop.
SHORT STOP. Petrol at Green Welly Stop if you need it


Fifth leg- 35 miles, 45 minutes

Back onto A82 to Crianlarich (people can leave ride here for shortcut) at approx 14:10
A85 at Crianlarich to Lix Toll
Stay on A85 at Lix Toll garage for Lochearnhead (emergency petrol here but better not to use it)
At Lochearnead go straight on- A85 turns left, we go straight on and it becomes the A84 to Callander
Arrive Callander 14:55, stop at large car park behind Dreadnought Hotel. LONG BREAK.

Onyerbike's Beerscooter will be here, if you want to do some shopping- food, drink, whatever. If you want to do the Duke's Pass you'll be rushed here to get to the shops so it'd be a good idea to arrange with someone else to get your supplies.

Petrol available in Callander on main street.


OPTIONAL LOOP NUMBER 2- DUKE'S PASS 30 miles, 45 minutes.

Go onto A84, return the way we came to Kilmahog
Left turn onto A821
Arrive Aberfoyle
Turn
Back down A821
Right turn back onto A84
Back to Callander


6th Leg- 36 miles, 55 minutes

Leaving Callander 15:50
Rejoin A84, ride through Callander
Stay on A84 to Blairdrummond
Right turn at Blairdrummond onto A873
Left turn onto B8031
B8031 joins B822
Right turn onto A811 at roundabout
A811 to Balloch/Alexandria to Macdonalds car park for short break, arrive 16:45
I gather there's petrol here but I don't know where, I always get lost in Balloch.


7th Leg- 25 miles, 34 minutes.

Leave Balloch McDonalds approx 16:55
Back onto A811
Right turn at big "modern art" roundabout onto A82 North
A82 North to campsite
Right turn into Beinglas Farm Campsite, arriving 17:30

[northwind]

This is a long day, but don't worry- you'll notice if you check a map that we basically have 2 seperate loops, first to the west then to the east. The rideout route goes through Crianlarich, from where the A82 goes directly to the campsite. So, anyone who doesn't want to do the whole route can do only half, joining or leaving at Tyndrum (you could meet us at Crianlarich but it will be much better to join us at Tyndrum instead, it's not much further) Either loop makes for a good ride (I prefer the western loop)

You might notice that there's now only 2 optional loops. The third was very difficult logistically, but also it's a very difficult road in the wet, and it stays wet all day. At the end of a long ride it wouldn't be too smart to be honest.

WET WEATHER PLAN

As I mentioned I've trimmed all of the timings for slower road speeds, assuming some bad weather. This means the day's now a little longer, but also some of the breaks are now shorter. We also need to not waste too much time- this means being ready to go after breaks, not suddenly needing petrol, etc. DON'T RUSH ON THE ROADS, just don't dawdle at the stops.

There's also a possible alternative route after Callendar, to be used if we're behind time or all soaked and miserable- we can double back from Callander and go down the A82 back to the campsite, which takes about an hour off the route without sacrificing good roads.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS

So, that's it, rideout is in 36 hours.
It's probably going to be wet but it's still
going to be great. See you all there!

The rules are very simple:

Don't crash
Don't get arrested
Don't run out of petrol
Don't be a **** on the road
Don't be a **** in the campsite
Don't pitch your tent next to Blueflame