Aviemore to Ullapool

[Deleted member TF]

I'm just planning the route for a ride from Aviemore to Ullapool via JoG and Durness,about 320 miles. How long would that take? some of the A838 looks a bit er... interesting. I've been looking at Yodagoats excellent photo's from his ride last year and also on Google Earth as well as Wully's Cape Wrath thread. Anyone travel this road regularly?
Day 1,Nidderdale to Aviemore via Jedburgh,FRB,Ballater and the Lecht is 360 miles and about 8/9 hrs and Day 3,Ullapool to Portpatrick,about the same. Saturday night in The Crown,Cheers

 

[ricardo]

I did Ullapool, up to Tongue, across the top to JoG and down to Golspie on a fantastic day last year. Even on a nice day with minimal traffic that was far enough. If it had been poor weather I'm fairly sure Her Indoors would have been battering me from the pillion. There's quite a bit that's A-road but single track. It's a fantastic day out but I think your last 80 miles would feel a long way.

 

[sven]

I did Ullapool - Tongue - JOG - Carbisdale with some of the VFR Club lads a few years ago (quite a few are on here with GS's now) and ISTR it took a good 8 hours and we weren't hanging around, although there were probably lengthy lunch stops

 

[wully]

Inverness to Durness was a long day, stopping off to see interesting things...
If you blast it you'll miss out on a lot of things.

 

[Klanky]

Split it in two.

Aviemore to JOG will be 3 hours without stops

JOG to Durness 2 1/2 hours without stops

Durness to Ullapool 2 hours without stops (although you can give it some stick on this section and get there quicker)

As Wully said - you'll miss so much and turn what should be one of the best routes in Britain into a bloody long hard day. Do it over 2 days, relax and stop off where you want...you'll get loadsa photo opportunities.

If you want any pointers on accom up here - give me a shout, I'll help if I can.

(edit) BTW one of my favourite 'all day runs' is JOG-Durness-Ullapool-Lairg-Brora-JOG.
It's about 290 miles and makes for an interesting day if it's dry and you give it some welly. Fastest i've done it in is about 5 1/2 - 6 hours.....and I was not hanging about.....wouldn't like to try it in the wet.

 

[garfield]

I'm with Wully and Klanky, so beautiful in that bit of the world, take your time and enjoy....have fun......

 

[boatman]

been up there on biz yesterday n today
the guy,s are giving out good advice here 2 days !
one of the best routes in the whole of europe ye need the time to stop n stare!!!!!

 

[Stewart H]

Another vote for taking your time up there, its fantastic biking country, savour it over a couple of days I know I fully intend to this year .

Stewart

 

[Klanky]

If you do decide to split it into two days, I would suggest stopping overnight in the Kyle of Tongue/Durness area.

This would give you ample opportunity to follow the narrow 'coastal' sections from just after Kylesku through Stoer to Lochinver and the Lochinver through Inverkirkaig to Ullapool road as opposed to tramming down (not that there's anything wrong with that) the main A road.

 

[Deleted member TF]

O.K. thanks for all that. I was originally planning to do the trip alone,take the tent and wild-camp if necessary but once the rest of the lads got wind of it.......that was that,full posse.
So no camping and maximum three nights.Revised route, one night in Aviemore,one in Durness and then down the winding bits on the coast to Ullapool, along the lovely A835 to Tore and over the Lecht for a night in Ballater or Braemar.
BTW,I'm in Portpatrick in a couple of weeks staying with a mate's brother who does fishing boat charters,have you sorted the S/S fishing trip yet?
Cheers