Holiday corbetts by bike

[rockhopper]

Time taken: 5hrs 5mins (incl stops 1hr)
Distance: 33.5km approx (Bike 28.5km, Walk 5km)
Ascent: 1,220m
Attendees: me

A shorter than normal family break in Coylumbridge this summer would curtail time for the hills. Also wanted to get some mountain biking in so decided to combine the two.

Monday morning

Drove down to Kingussie and parked in the big public car park behind the hotel.

Cycled up past St Vincents Hospital until the golf club gates



Wasn’t sure where to go as the signs seemed to be turning me back until a helpful guy from the caravan park told me to go through the gates, go to the right and round the back of the clubhouse. Got to a wee bridge and crossed the Gynack Burn then on to the road up through the golf club.



Got to the point where the road divides – left to the Lodge, right to the hills. Then stayed right as I was going anti-clockwise.

Further on went through a gate and on to more open hillside



Steep going at times – had to get off an push occasionally.

Nice wee “bothy” at about NH746056







Onwards and upwards heading towards Beinn Bhreac



Looking back



Cairn on Beinn Bhreac



Towards Carn an Fhreiceadain summit



Trig point at summit with my specialized rockhopper



Shelter a few yards north of the trig point



Then cycled over to the rather impressive cairn



Weather was starting to close in now with the rain starting. Donned a jacket and knee pads (brought them this time due to bloodied knees on a previous descent when the front wheel washed out on a gravel slope) and headed off south west.

Weather cleared up a bit – some engineering works further down



Back down to the car park, got changed and drove back to our accommodation for lunch.

Monday evening

Had dinner, loaded the bike into the car and drove to Nethy Bridge then over to Dorback Lodge.

Set off along the track to the east of the Allt Mor.



Towards Geal Charn



Onwards and upwards again



Got to about NJ110136 – hid the bike, changed into walking boots and set off SW up the hill side. Followed to the east of the burn on the way up but took a slightly more direct route on the descent.



Better views when up on the top



Sun getting lower as the summit cairn got closer



Ben Avon and co



Panorama



Self portrait



Didn’t hang around for too long. Headed back to the bike more or less the same way as I’d walked up but more directly downwards at the last part.



Back at the bike, changed into cycling shows and headed back to the car.

Dorback Lodge

[Gordie12]

Love the summit pic of Geal Charn at sunset, I seem to do all my walking in the morning/early afternoon so never get sunset shots.

Looked like two good hills for the bike.

[Johnny Corbett]

I walked these two but makes sense to cycle them with the good tracks. Did the Kingussie one in winter though and never saw a thing.

[Collaciotach]

Nice one and decent weather

[mountain thyme]

Hey RH is it a good track all the way to the summit of C an F ?

[mountain thyme]

meant to say - for the bike? can you cycle straight to the summit? or were you on and off the bike?

[dogplodder]

Poignant memories as was there with Kath a few days after New Year the year she died. We sat and ate brandy soaked Christmas cake in that stone shelter and boy was it an icy wind.

[rockhopper]

Hey RH is it a good track all the way to the summit of C an F ?

meant to say - for the bike? can you cycle straight to the summit? or were you on and off the bike?

MT - it's a good track all the way round other than a few bits where the surface is rockier (but only occasionally). On the way up I got off and pushed I think three times as there are some very steep (for me anyway) bits but they're not too long. That said I haven't done much cycling this year so could've been a bit fitter Two hours moving and 30 minutes stops - cheers

[AnnieMacD]

I didn't know there were any Corbetts you (and I mean YOU) could cycle. It must have been fun coming down! Love you selfie on the summit!

[rockhopper]

I didn't know there were any Corbetts you (and I mean YOU) could cycle. It must have been fun coming down!

Don't know how many but there are some with tracks right up and over the tops - Geal-charn Mor (from Lynwilg near Aviemore is another - mind you, some pushing may be required depending on fitness Can be good and bad though as it means there are hill tracks involved. Yes - the descent is enjoyable, just keep control of the wheels - cheers

[jmarkb]

I've not done any of these on a bike, but other possibilities with tracks to (or very close to) the summit:

Corriehabbie Hill
Carn Ealasaid
Mount Battock
Carn na Saobhaidhe
Auchnafree Hill
Morrone
Meall Tairneachan
Little Wyvis
Broad Law

[mountain thyme]

Hey RH is it a good track all the way to the summit of C an F ?

meant to say - for the bike? can you cycle straight to the summit? or were you on and off the bike?

MT - it's a good track all the way round other than a few bits where the surface is rockier (but only occasionally). On the way up I got off and pushed I think three times as there are some very steep (for me anyway) bits but they're not too long. That said I haven't done much cycling this year so could've been a bit fitter Two hours moving and 30 minutes stops - cheers

Cheers RH thats good to know