General notes
The vast bulk of the feedback reflects that the book seems to have achieved its aim. The potential of the Highlands is enormous and the book has directed many more to it than ever imagined.
At the time of its writing there just wasn't any otherr book which described Scottish MTB potential from the perspective of a fit rider with a modern bike and modern handling skills. In the time since then I became pretty unwell. Recovery has taken an age.
I'm now 2 stones heavier than I was when riding for the first book. The prodigious fitness, strength and stamina possessed at the time (most often matched or exceeded by those with whom I rode) have thus far failed to return. In the course of re-riding some of the itineraries I've struggled and can well imagine the plight of folk with far less in the way of those resources on the self-same routes. Add that to any day outside the ideal conditions recommended and it's easy to imagine wee Kenny shaped voodoo dolls having rusty hat pins rammed into them.
The truism "The man who never made a misake never made anything" seems to apply.
Aye, the first book wasn't perfect. Nor will the second one be but like the first it will contain plenty oif stuff that's never been in any guidebook or comic before. While I never would subscribe to the crazy notion that I was first to ride any routes, what I will say is that many were explored with no knowledge gleaned from any other rider. Even though you know that you're not the first, that sense of adventure and "discovery" is hard to beat. There are plenty more out there for every one of us to uncover.
Despite not having any actual claim to ownership an enormous satisfaction has been gained from the knowledge that some of the rides featured in Mountainbike Scotland, The Highlands seem to have become, almost instant, modern classics. Prior to their appearance in the book next to nobody had heard of (never mind ridden) the Fionnaraich/Lair loop or the Ciaran Path. The former was chosen by Any MCCandlish as his top UK trail for 2009 while the latter was MBR's top UK trail for that year. Note.....UK....not Scotlandshire!
As mentioned above, other "previuosly unknown" routes from the book have appeared in articles , other guidebooks or appeared in substantial tranches as the kernel of guided trips for paying clients to use up their hard earned cash and even more precious holidays.
Some have cried plagiarism but I don't agree. I own nothing about them, they are there to be shared and cherished. A wee mention would have been nice right enough. The fact remains, most of all they are damn fine routes and anyone writing a guidebook based on the Scottish scene would leave them out at their peril.
So, am I chuffed about any of that? You bet! Not a self satisfied smug sort of chuffed either! Folk are out riding in Scotland and taking taking advantage of the access legislation. Now, I do my share of marshalling, I've turned a few shovellsfull trailbuilding, done my local cycling access rep, been an IMBA UK office bearer and made trophies that have been won by Greg Minaar, Gee Atherton, Josh Brycelend and (everybody scream now) Steve Peat. But to have had a wee hand in actually getting folk to become alive to the potential of Scottish mountain biking is something of which I'm truly proud.
And the best bit from the perspective of mountainbiking? MBR chose their trail of the year for 2009 in the shape of one they found truly challenging. They hinted that it might take a couple of visits to master. That maybe reveals that the true spirit on mountain biking seems to be clinging on. Like most things in life, it's going to ask something of you before you reap the highest rewards. That's the spirit behind anything I have written or will write in the future.
I know the same can be said of a whole range of activities but mountainbiking has helped me dig my way out of several megatons of shit that seem to rained down outside it. Great days out with similarly daft minded people seem to be an antidote to much of life's travails. I hope I provided a book that made such days possible. I know that's what I'm working on just now and applying the lessons learned in the process.
In the meantime I have to assure all concerned that constructive criticism is welcomed. It has been instrumental in spurring me to deliver the increase in quality that will be seen in the next book.
So, in respect of Mountainbike Scotland, The Highlands, thanks to all who have assisted in the contiunuing review.
Please notify any further matters needing attention to me @ the e-mail address below.
Or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, through the text box
Glen Ample p 34
As with the Loch Tay route a bridge washout means an extra stream crossing will be required in the vicinity of Glen Ample Farm. Long term prospects for replacement seem bleak. Learn more about the storm & damage here.
A visit in late May 2007 found the Old Library Tea Room in Balquhidder appeared not to be trading.Good news it's back in business!
However, the lower singletrack in Glen Ample has been eradicated by the estate improving vehicular access. This route will not be featuring in the forthcoming book.
Loch Oich p 96
Dubious signage is present in the vicinity of Br. of Oich (below). Locked gates, including high deer gates, with no provision for bikes have caused difficulties. Near Faichem there are signs that talk about 'Adults Only April to October' and conjure up odd images. They appear to relate the chalets near the track end.
An updated and much improved version, avoiding the sections afected by thes most un-bike/child-friendly attitudes will appear in the next book. Goodness knows why I missed it before? It's great!
Loch na-h-Oidhche p 106
In the book's text, a variation to the core route is mentioned. A sloppy re-arranging/
trimming of text during the editing process resulted in this option appearing far more attractive and straightforward than it actually is. The same complacency resulted in a poor representation of the subsidiary line shown on the topo. The suggested variation is likely have too much walking and prove a bit torrid for use by any but the most masochistic. Additionally it was very dependent on drought or hard frost to make it viable and once again bridge washout played a part.
While the shortfall will be addressed in the new book this will do little if you've had an otherwise good day ruined by following the poor information presented. Please accept sincere apoloies for any inconvenience caused to those who attempted to follow this erroneous entry.
The core route remains a straightforward but fantastic trip and should be adhered to.
Glen Branter p 8
A section of purpose-built singletrack has been added by the FC. It's signposted and starts near the final descent described in the text. It provides the good clean fun a Red (advanced) grade and is a welcome addition to a lovely corner of the country. Learn more here
The Leacann Muir Road p18
The entertaining rocky descent has been sanitised bu improvement for estate use. While, owing to its steepness it is likely to be subject to wash out and revert to something approaching its old self this will take time. The final descent has also been affected by felling operations. The atmosphere added by the closely crowding trees is gone but it's still steep, fast and fun.
Cougie p115
As part of a trip to suss out a possible 2 day loop in the area, the section of this route from Cougie to Loch Affric was re-ridden in early April 2008. The area around Cougie has lost some of its character due to clear felling. The twintrack that follows the lochan was then found to be in a bit of a state. It appears that the ditches had been dug out and the spill cast onto the track surface. This made for lots of soft, sumpy sections on the level. These are likely to take a long time to dry out.
In the very wet conditions met with, much of the singletrack had to be walked in order not to damage it. This emphasised the need for dry conditions to make this link viable. Nor was it as well defined as it was when first ridden.
The cumulative effect is to substantially alter the qualities of this route. It's probably still a worthwhile circuit but just not anywhere near as good as it once was.
Loch Ordie p44
The singletrack to Mill dam has been "improved" i.e. widened and flattened. The area still remains a fantastic spot to head out on a bike, enjoy fun easy riding and practise navigation/get lost with no great penalty clauses. However, removal of the character of this section deprives riders of something thtat always brought a smile.
Loch Eck p6
The FC have now installed several bike-friendly, lever operated gates in place of some of the stiles that were once encountered. A washout just after the highpoint of the outward leg has reduced the traffic using the section of trail that follows. Consequently this is becoming overgrown and may soon become a bit of a bushwhack . Following the low route (marked by white FC marker posts) is now probably the better option.
Loch Ossian p 57
The tearoom on the station platform has reopened. This makes the route doubly attractive. You'll be able to enjoy a feed in comfort surrounded by scenery that is as wild and open as it gets.
Great Glen & Corrieyairack Multi-day P127
Report in 2008 of descent of Corrieyairack badly washed out in places. It's always been a bit feral so it's hard to quantify this. As with all these tracks they can change dramatically in a relatively short time once the weather gets a hold of them.
The work to complete the original book took some time. In the years since then nature has played a part in rearranging some of the countryside. The huge deluges that have been a feature of the climate in recent times are prominent and have caused damage that is reported below. Other routes have seen singletrack disappear benath the bulldozer.
In the course of drawing up the manuscript for Mountainbike Scotland , The Highlands there were a few errors and omissions. Changing text from the original idea (which had no maps) allied to cutting and pasting elements meant there were a couple of things that slipped through. Some routes were inaccurately described or had insuffificient warnings.
So, for the errors disclosed and any yet to come to light please accept my apologies. Again they'll be listed below.
It's not all bad. Any trail improvements and variants heard about will be included. The first of these can be seen in respect of the purpose built singletrack that appeared in Glen Branter shortly after the book ws published.
Updates
Loch Tay 2 day route p 119
The bridge leading to Arivuirichardich was washed away after the ride for the book. Although generally passable, the river will prove difficult if it is carrying a heavy flow.
In the picture below the twintrack is heading toward Arivurichardich which is out of shot to the R and down a dip. The bridge that's now gone can be seen just to the L of the obvious LRT in the middle distance. You can see a hint of the catchment area in the huge coire above the rider. The weather which took this bridge removed two more lower down and shifted a couple of 100 tonne boulders as well as affecting the route below!
Lochan Fadda p 110
Some have dismissed this one as unridable but others have raved about it. A well respected tour operator used it in (along with several others from the book) in 2009 as part of a West Highland itinerary.
However, this doesn't change the fact that, in my own book the grade should really read Black/Expert. Although the text tells you you need to be a good bike handler to enjoy it, the error in grading could upset some folk's plans.
The "main event" is a bit of a beast. It remains well above anything in my comfort zone and while my dismounts (voluntary or otherwise) were frequent, the guys I rode it with had a ball.
For it to be truly enjoyable as a bike handling experience it would be fair to say that you need to be happy on slow technical ground and ready for a lot of "trialsy" kind of moves. As a yardstick, if you're not comfortable on the black at Laggan this will involve a lot (a lot)of walking downhill. An out and back to Lochan Fadda itself would still be worthwhile.
