A mountain biker turned roadie turned graveller, settling for something that offers the best of both worlds. However, road and mountain bikes always on standby……..
Thanks for sharing the route! I was wondering how this ride was down to Loch Ossian as I have several Munro tops to ascend from the East end of the loch.
I rode Corrour to Laggan in July, started in Killin. After dinner & beers at Corrour I had the pleasure of a brisk tailwind all the way to Laggan, camped on the beach with zero midges. Got to be up there with the best gravel section in the entire UK.
@@br5380 Definitely sublime gravel, that’s for sure! I wasn’t so fortunate with the midges - whenever I stopped to set up the camera/drone I was plagued with the blighters. 👍
Thank you so much for your brilliant video. I have just got back from doing the same route with my son. It was a stunning ride, packed full of incredible views and free flowing descents. We’re looking forward to doing another one of your recommended rides at the weekend. Thanks for sharing 👍
Wow to see those healthy ancient scots pines so far up and isolated was stunning. Im talkin about half way to loch einich, the river shot you captured. Thanks for these anazing videos you make.
I've watched a few of your films recently, Alan. I watch on RU-vid on my TV which does not allow commenting, but your mention of calf injuries resonated with me, as that is what also drove me to the bike, and this time to the computer to post this comment. Although I miss the simplicity of lacing up a pair of shoes compared with the faff of getting a bike ready, bikes are a gateway to much larger adventures, and in your case, give the ability to showcase much wider areas of our beautiful countryside more easily than would be possible on foot. It makes me want to get the knobbly tyres blown up and get there! Looks like you had some great weather, too. For any potential tourists reading this, Scotland's weather is like this all summer, and any reports of rain are lies propagated by jealous people who live in less pretty places😉 BTW I like your camerawork. Some interesting angles and long continuous shots that start out as one thing and end up as another. And the shots taken up to and through the bars of gates remind me of the cinematography in some of the amazing scenes in Contact (1997), which I think was Weta. Inspired or original, it's great work and must have taken a lot of extra time out on the trail, when you probably really just want to keep pedalling. The time and effort is appreciated, mate. 👍
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, the film making does sometimes get in the way of a great ride, so it's great to hear the effort is appreciated. The bike certainly extends the reach for exploring broader areas. 👍
I'm loving your videos Alan. As a roadie myself I'm thinking about swapping over to Gravel. Do you have any recommendations for which gravel bike to go for? Nothing expensive 😂
@@bobkatanga thank you. Glad you’re enjoying. Not so much a tip, but I’d be too precious with a carbon graveller (or mtb) just in case it got dinged. Love my titanium graveller from Ribble - slap on a set of road wheels and it’s a great all-rounder. 👍
I’ve spent my life riding in the mountains and deserts of the western USA and in the Alps where I am from. Scotland looks absolutely stunning. And your film is amazing. Thanks.
Hi brill vid, I’m a beginner and saw you take a few lefts and rights where there were no signs….how do I know what way to go if I’m not familiar with area…thanks Drew
Glad you enjoyed. There’s a link to my Strava route in the video description. You could copy the gpx file from there and overlay on a map. This course is pretty straightforward for navigation. Only ‘tricky’ bit is where to turn at the top of the climb out from Glen Tromie as this is new track so not on OS maps yet. 👍
Nice! I lived in Aberdeen for 14 years before returning to the central belt and taking up cycling more seriously. I have no major desire to revisit that part of Scotland (simply because there are so many other parts I haven't explored yet) but there is so much great riding on offer - on and off road - that I feel like I have a ton of unfinished business up there.
Done this route many times on my mtb. The graveller gives the route a whole new dynamic and some great challenges. No fixed rules - ride whatever brings a smile to your face. 👍
Alan, just came across your channel whilst looking for some inspiration! been wanting to dabble more in cycling and this type of route is what I am after! a great wee video, a great resource and hopefully something I will be trying this year! Thanks mate! Thumbs up and new Sub! Fantastic. Paul
Great video. Stop giving away the local secrets😂. I’ve not ridden the findhorn and divie on the gravel bike yet. Might wait for a drier day than you had. Good effort on the rocky sections on the upper divie. It’s probably my favourite local trail, coming down the way
Ha ha, yep still rolling on the inner tubes. I’ve seen too many folks havin issues with tubeless, so I’m continuing to persevere……and trying to avoid sharp edges! 😀
Just started watching your videos, very enjoyable indeed. Have done many road miles on two wheels over my life with peddled and the engine version! Now attracted to gravel miles, I wonder how easy it is to convert my road touring bike which is like new, despite being 18 years old. Excellent video’s 👏👏
Great work. The kayakers had it easy did they? Findhorn Gorge runs at Grade 5 IIRC and is inescapable once entered. Many of the drops have to be run blind and unprotected. Not that easy. 😉
Great video buddy, looked amazing! What shoes are you wearing in this vid? Are they Shimano ME…something? I’m looking for a new pair that are comfy to ride in as we as walk when needed!
@@TwistyTrails it was amazing there, I have the Scotland book too, I must go soon, when so the midges appear? Thanks for the heads up on shoes, I’ll get some. Dirty Reiver in a couple of weeks 🏁🏁
Beautiful video and very inspiring, great motivation for some rides over summer (although the brake noises! I wish the manufacturers could figure out a solution to wet brakes 😭)
Looked at this route in the book it looks lovely. There’s nothing on any of the apps re drone flying at Corgarff Castle no doubt they have put that up themselves. It’s a place I want to get back to as there’s a road up past the castle that takes you to some beautiful pools in the river Avon. Tried to do it one day from Aviemore but had to turn back due to horrendous conditions over the Lecht so it’s on my to do list.
It’s a great wee route…..if you get the road climb out of the way early on! Yes, perhaps a local restriction on drones at the castle, which I was happy to respect - there were plenty of other drone flying opportunities on the trail. The River Avon is a real gem and it’s a great ride through Glen Avon. 👍
Those trails look great. The roads around there are a favourite of mine with an engine between my wheels, the gravel is tempting with my legs as power. Nice photography.
Thanks for the video. I really enjoyed this. I will definitely give this a shot in August on my hard tail. Really good filming and editing, thanks again.
Another great video Alan! You're right, would be fantastic later in the year when the heather is blooming. Great day out on the bike and love the ancient stone bridges 😊
Excellent vid! - recognised a few of the trails from some of our own outings! Loved the little old bridges - hidden gems in our glens! - keep them coming! - ATB Tom
When did riding a bike on multiple surfaces become "Gravel Riding " ? 😂 people have been riding on multiple surfaces on ANY bike for almost one hundred years and now it's called gravel riding? lol even the name is absurd . there is no such thing as a true gravel road . Gravel is the name for a small rounded pebble about a quarter of an inch in diameter that is used in conjunction with a binder , like oil, asphalt ,concrete etc . the only time it is used in its raw state is on garden paths and the like . try riding a bike on that and you will sink in and come to a complete halt . ok enough of my gravel rant . sorry , sort of .
Ha ha, rant acknowledged - yep, it’s perhaps better labelled ‘cross country with curly bars’! Not as catchy though. How did you get on with the similar argument for Mountain Biking when that category emerged? 😀
well to be honest i don't remember any arguments against the development of the MTB . it sort of sprang out of the desire to not get killed on those fire trails in marin county . it was almost impossible to stop those cruiser/clunker bikes. It was a welcome change although not much of a change . initially it was installing caliper brakes and gears. no suspension . by the time full suspension came around i stopped riding for years and didn't start again until i was about 70 . Now i ride E MTB hard tails off road but very slow and no technical single track .😂
