National Cycle Route 7: Inverness to Pitlochry

[Wolf616]

I'm planning on going cycling in Scotland in a few weeks and will probably head up to Inverness before making my way to some friends in Kirriemuir (just south of the Cairngorms). There are two routes that I can see through the Cairngorms, one that cuts down the eastern side and one that cuts down the western side.

The western side is essentially NCR: 7, which is probably preferable as it's designed for cyclists. My only concern are the surfaces as I'm on a road bike (the eastern route is all roads so should be fine), and I can't seem to find much information on it. Has anyone cycled this bit of NCR7 and can advise?

 

[oldstrath]

I'm planning on going cycling in Scotland in a few weeks and will probably head up to Inverness before making my way to some friends in Kirriemuir (just south of the Cairngorms). There are two routes that I can see through the Cairngorms, one that cuts down the eastern side and one that cuts down the western side.

The western side is essentially NCR: 7, which is probably preferable as it's designed for cyclists. My only concern are the surfaces as I'm on a road bike (the eastern route is all roads so should be fine), and I can't seem to find much information on it. Has anyone cycled this bit of NCR7 and can advise?

Much of NCN7 from Pitlochry up to Dalwhinnie is either poorly maintained old roads, or gravel, or tarmac but with a liberal scatter of loose stones. It'/s ridable on road wheels and 28mm tyres, with some care but not great speed. Just south of the Drumochter summit (near the ski bench) is particularly poor - I think farmers and railways guys use a crossover here, and scatter stuff around.

There's a bit of slightly better path from dalwhinnie to Newtonmore, then tarmac or minor road (but quite quick) to Boat, with offroad (pea gravel) alternatives.Boat to Carrbridge is either steep forest road or busy road. Pretty much ridable pea gravel and minor roads from there.

In summary, yes it's ridable with care, but snakebites aren't that unlikely. It's certainly not all offroad, and some of the roads with blue signs are quite quick, with not great sight lines. 'Designed for cyclists' could only be a description in Britain - 'junk' is a description from two Germans.

 

[Wolf616]

Thanks very much! Eastern route it is then... Oh well, only another thousand feet or so of climbing to do that way...

 

[uphillstruggler]

Thanks very much! Eastern route it is then... Oh well, only another thousand feet or so of climbing to do that way...

but isn't that the fun part

 

[Wolf616]

Yes, you are right it is. I'm just recovering from an injury and am a little worried about huge mountains! Never mind, you only live once

 

[flyingfifi]

Its a great route wonderful secery i did it last year with Pat 5 mph and others of CC Ecosse crew

 

[Wolf616]

Well theoretically I can take 10 hours to cycle 40 miles, so even if I have to walk up some of the mountains I am doing it

 

[uphillstruggler]

Well theoretically I can take 10 hours to cycle 40 miles, so even if I have to walk up some of the mountains I am doing it

I like your spirit, just don't go making the injury worse.

I reckon there will be some great photos coming out of that route.

best of luck on the ride, enjoy

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I'm planning on going cycling in Scotland in a few weeks and will probably head up to Inverness before making my way to some friends in Kirriemuir (just south of the Cairngorms). There are two routes that I can see through the Cairngorms, one that cuts down the eastern side and one that cuts down the western side.

The western side is essentially NCR: 7, which is probably preferable as it's designed for cyclists. My only concern are the surfaces as I'm on a road bike (the eastern route is all roads so should be fine), and I can't seem to find much information on it. Has anyone cycled this bit of NCR7 and can advise?

Hi!
We of CC Ecosse did Glasgow to Inverness along NCR 7 two years ago.
If on skinny tyres, better stay off it.
The worst bit was Callander to Pitlochry, some of it is forest tracks, lucky we had @Edwardoka with us who knew how to avoid the worst bits, he was also the one with the skinniest tyres, and the one who got a puncture lol
Read all about our adventure here, there is also a photo album to go with it, plus the routes on strava.

 

[mcshroom]

Is your eastern route the one through Tomintoul and over the Lecht? It's hilly but I really liked it when I rode that way a few years back.

 

[Wolf616]

Hi!
We of CC Ecosse did Glasgow to Inverness along NCR 7 two years ago.
If on skinny tyres, better stay off it.
The worst bit was Callander to Pitlochry, some of it is forest tracks, lucky we had @Edwardoka with us who knew how to avoid the worst bits, he was also the one with the skinniest tyres, and the one who got a puncture lol
Read all about our adventure here, there is also a photo album to go with it, plus the routes on strava.

Thanks for the advice (and the photos, looks glorious!), glad I asked now and have avoided it.

Is your eastern route the one through Tomintoul and over the Lecht? It's hilly but I really liked it when I rode that way a few years back.

Yeah, that's the one. Will probably do Inverness to Tomintoul the first day, Tomintoul to Aboyne the second day, and then Aboyne to Kirriemuir (where my friends live) on the third day. Hopefully my hamstring will hold out with such short (if hilly!) distances. I'll rest and fuel up with them for a few days and then head on down to Glasgow I think before returning to work.

 

[oldstrath]

You'll like that second day (if the hamstring works and the weather is reasonable!) Views at the top of the Lehct are superb.

 

[Wolf616]

If I've looked at the maps correctly they seem to be long but (relatively!) shallow climbs, is that true? I've done a few of those in Wales and they're fine, it's the stupidly steep ones I can't be doing with.

 

[fimm]

My recollection of the climb over The Lecht from the north was that there was one very steep bit, but that I didn't enjoy some of the descent as that was also very steep and I don't fancy trying to go up from the south!

From Aboyne, are you planning to go east over Cairn O'Mount or west via Braemar and Glenshee? Cairn O'Mount is the tougher climb but the views from the top are better. Glenshee from the north is pretty straightforward. I've got Strava traces of all of these if you are interested.

 

[Wolf616]

I was thinking of going East so probably over Cairn O'Mount. I might put in two routes just in case my legs are already knackered by that point... Strava traces might just scare me, but thanks for the offer!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to my southern heading route? As I said starting around Kirrie, and either heading to Glasgow or Edinburgh to catch a train. Will probably be cycling 3-4 days.