Glencoe?

Hi - we are planning route for Lejog in May this year (northern half, did up to Preston where I live last year). I fancy cycling through Glencoe but my husband thinks it would be too busy (with cars etc) to be enjoyable. I think the scenery outweighs that - what is anyone else's experience of how intrusive the traffic is on that stretch?
Thanks for any comments/advice
Sue

My brother and I did LEJoG last year at the end of April, early May. The stretch from Arrochar to Spean Bridge which went past Glencoe, was our favourite day. You can see pics etc on our website if you are interested. http://norrybroslejog.weebly.com/index.html

Martin

Having lived in the area and used that road a lot, I would say May would be OK, August no. The earlier you can hit the road the lighter the traffic will be. You will also be passed by some pretty big trucks, so watch for that and don't go over the bridges at the same time as any trucks if you can help it.

It's no better/worse than other alternative routes in the vicinity. I'd go for it. The route takes you through Rannoch Moor too which has its own bleak beauty.

I rode Glencoe in August, didnae have any problems. But I tend not to look for them, so maybe there were a few close shaves that I ignored for the sake of enjoying myself.

Glen Coe-Rannoch Moor's ok.
I've done it three times now, once going north & twice going south.
No problem ...........

Its the bit between Ballachulish and Fort Bill thats bad.
But I've only done some of that bit, from Corran Ferry to the bridge twice.

I've done it both ways - N-S on a Sunday and S-N on a Wednesday, both times in mid-June - no big deal with traffic .. just remember that there's NOTHING between Bridge of Orchy and Ballachulish so have water, food etc on the bike.

Rob

Anyone done the Eastern route or planning it? I've been planning going up through Eskdalemuir from Lanhgolm, then Dewar-Edinburgh-Kinross-Aviemore-Inverness-Brora, turning off at Lothbeg to hit the A897 up to the top, then turning right along the A836 to JOG via Thurso (to avoid the A9). It just looks a lot quieter (from the maps) and is largely following Sustrans routes and B roads. Personally the Glencoe route looks far too busy for me.

Did the eastern route southbound in 2010. JoG, Helmsdale, Inverness, Aviemore, Pitlochry, Stirling (via Crieff), Lanark, Moffat.
The A9 north of Tain is ok, and to the south of that it can be avoided on NCN 1 and NCN 7. Don't be tempted to use the A9 to cut the corner over the Cromarty Firth. Go right round by Dingwall.

More details here.

We did that section of LEJOG in June. Admittedly it was pouring with rain (when isn't it??) but there was very little traffic. We had to watch out for a JOGLE walker pushing a supermarket trolley. This is my favourite section of the whole ride. The bit along Lock Ness is a bit hairy - I was cut up badly by a 4x4 with a sign in the back window proclaiming "we slow down for horses" but not cyclists apparently :-)

The traffic is as intrusive as you let it be.

I've cycled through Glencoe on my LEJOG and JOGLE rides and loved the experience. I was treated with courtesy by the motorised users who shared the road fairly with me.

Great stuff. I'll be ready for a half or seven by then! My plan is to head into Edinburgh from Lasswade as far as the university, then bear left just north of the Royal Obs. and make for the traffic free cycle route just west of Haymarket Station (along a canal or something?*). Then its to the bridge along route 1. Route 76 looks like a more scenic alternative, but a bit of a long way round from the map. I had noticed from Google Streetview a barrier saying cycle route closed on the Forth Bridge, but spotted the other side seemed open- Thanks for the info- hopefully one side will be open.

*Edit- just had a closer look at the OS map and it looks like an old railway line.

My advice is.....to listen to Scoosh because what this man doesn't know about Edinburgh & the surrounding routes isn't worth knowing! (Just call me sunburnt ankles).

And being as we did the A9 route and then went across to Fort William after reaching JoG I would say go with your instincts. Both routes have their pro's & con's. Just enjoy every moment because its soon over & then you will end up like me reminiscingabout my best ever bike ride 6 months ago!
Tony
PS Hi Scoosh & Happy New Year

hi sue
used this route twice both times mid july never had a prob with traffic and is very senic 3 pics here taken over 10 mins shows roughly how busy it was

The other issue about Glencoe is the wind. If it is westerly and strong, you need to peddle hard to get down the pass into Glencoe village. And in my limited experience it is usually pretty windy in those parts.

know the area and well. just make yourself visible and you will be fine.