Cycling into Bendronaig Lodge.

[IamAJMiller]

Hi there,

Can anyone give me a bit of advice about this track from Atterdale please as I'm considering it this summer? Is it any good for a mountain bike? How long would it take (roughly, I know it's all relative) to get to the lodge, and is it a good place to stop for the night? I was going in to climb Lurg Mhor and Bidean a Choire Sheasgaich. I'd quite like to take in Lurg Mhor's Eastern top as well(I read Isolation Shepherd recently and am fascinated by the view down into Strathfarrar from Meall Mhor!) but have read it can be a bit of a scramble over exposed slabs. Has anyone done it and does it compare to anything I might have done, Aonach Eagach, Forcan Ridge, An Teallach etc? Pics would be very much appreciated!

Cheers in advance for any help.

Andy

[Helen Bruce]

Hi Andy

I cycled to the lodge and back last October but didn't climb the mountains. The track is absolutely fine for a mountain bike. There is a big climb out of Attadale up to the watershed which took forever (I pushed a lot) but then it's gradually downhill on the other side, so the return is much easier. The bothy is the most deluxe I've seen - several rooms inside and a toilet!! It's about 13km each way and I can't offhand remember exactly how long it took but then again I wasn't in a hurry and took lots of photos. Maybe took a couple of hours to go in and 90 mins back?? Enjoy!

Helen

[malky_c]

Fun route - completely rideable if you have low gears, and some interesting hairpins. I can't remember how long it took me but I didn't go all the way to the bothy.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7367

[Sgurr]

Cycled down this track twice, it's a bit rough with quite a bit of climbing.Goes to the Bendronaig bothy which has a flushing loo. Vowed never to do it on a rented bike,again, which was a bit of a killer first time. Not nearly as nice as.its northern neighbour which goes to Iron Lodge, but that is no use for these hills. No use me giving times as was in late 60s both times...but it gave long enough to do both hills in a day.

[rockhopper]

Link below may help as I also cycled in for Lurg Mhor and Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich. I cycled to the edge of Loch Calavie but that involves more uphill with some pushing again so may have been best to stop just past the bothy. The cycle in is certainly steep and I had to stop and push a few times but it's great on the return leg.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=41320

[SAVAGEALICE]

I did this a couple of weeks ago ..well worth taking the bike ..we pushed up the hills and rode the down hills ..good fun ..can't remember the times exactly ..Meatball might remember! ..looked quite a nice ridge over to the 'top'

[IamAJMiller]

Excellent, thanks for the advice. Again, any extra advice on Meall Mhor would still be appreciated.

[malky_c]

Meall Mor info here:
http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9131

and here
http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10949

[Meatball]

Between 1.5-2 hours each way.
Didn't do the other top but it didn't look complicated.
Enjoy.