Any Muni rider around Aberdeen, Scotland?

Hi there,

I find it lonely (and dangerous at times) when I Muni on my own. I
sometimes go with mountain-bikers, but they have to keep waiting for
me...

Anyway, please let me know if you are in the area and interested in
Muniing.

Teddy


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try contacting darktom, can't rememeber which area of Scotland he's from
but he will no doubt know the Scot muni riders pretty well.


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Alright, fella!

I do indeed do muni. Not too much of late tho, it has to be said.

I live in Glasgow, altho I am currently in a coffeeshop in Amsterdam,
passing time till the airport and flight home.

My computer at home is humped so it may take me a while to get back to
you again, but I am definetly up for meeting and doing some muni
somewhere.

Any good spots near you? I got the local country park or a trip in a
motor for something decent.

Aye, so take it easy and we'll speak soon.

T.


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Hey,
we ( me and elke) will be municycling in the Highland´s, may be Orkney
too between 18.02.2008 and 29.02.2008.
we travel by car and our route is not quite shure...but shurely we ´ll
try to cycle some Munros downhill....if the wind isn´t to hard....
do you know some tracks in the Grampains??? I think its not to far from
Aberdeen...
greets Jogi


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jogi wrote:

we travel by car and our route is not quite shure...but shurely we ´ll
try to cycle some Munros downhill....if the wind isn´t to hard....




Now that is a hardcore idea. Riding down big mountains which often
don't have decent tracks on them, in winter conditions.

I've ridden my muni down 1 munro, I'd recommend not doing it unless you
like walking a lot too, the routes tend to be pretty hairy, and often
not really a track, so much as a rough route that you have to follow on
a map. That time of year might be a bit hairy too, you might need
crampons/boots/ice axes for some of the tops. Even in summer, the one I
did I had a couple of scrambly exposed bits on it, and quite a few bits
that just weren't rideable.

If there's snow, I reckon you could muni a lot of the ski slopes like
off Cairngorm or Aonach Mor, although you'd have to walk up Cairngorm,
and try your luck on the Nevis Range gondola, Cairngorm won't take
bikes or walkers, only skiiers, Nevis Range officially only takes bikes
in summer (the downhill track closes at the end of the summer), but
they do take walkers. The Nevis Range gondola only goes up to 2000 ft
though, the terrain that looks really interesting to ride in winter all
starts off the top @ 4000 feet, so quite a walk up.

I was up round the back of Ben Nevis last winter, and there are some
runs there that would be *mental* to ride when there's deep snow, I was
wishing I had a unicycle with me. But they were about 2.5 hours walk
from the nearest road, and below the snow line there was a hell of a
lot of ice on the rocks, which would have hurt to ride on, meaning it'd
have been a long walk with a unicycle on my back to get to the good
stuff.

I've ridden at Aviemore which is sort of nearish Aberdeen, and there's
some fantastic riding round there, which is lower level too, so much
less scary in winter compared to the Munros. Also have done a little
bit up near Fort William, it looked like there was some good riding
going round there too.

Hmmm. Hopefully am up to the Cairngorms over New Year, maybe I'll have
a go at some of the ski slopes on the unicycle then.

Joe


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Thanks for the replies...
I agree with Joe - going down the munros in february would be pretty
challenging!
I have only been muniing for a year - and only regularly for the past 6
months, so I am not too much into hardcore municycling yet. However, I
have been thinking of going down Lochnaggar, which is the nearest munro
from Aberdeen. It is great for hiking - but I can't remember if it
would be suitable for muniing (last time I went I was not even aware
that munis existed). From what I remember, it should be pretty good.
I will definitely try it sometime next year - but not before spring to
have a chance of riding at least some portions of it... unless this
winter is unusually mild in which case we could consider it in
february.

Otherwise, I have never gone far with my muni, always staying around
Aberdeen (decent tracks within 10-20 miles of the city). Convenient for
my after-work muniing, but might be a bit short and limited for a
seasoned "munier".

In any case, let me know if you are planning to muni in the area. The
other alternatives suggested by Joe sound really good too - I know Fort
William is reknowned for excellent mountain-biking opportunities, and
the Cairngorms (Aviemore area) should be good too. Maybe sometime in
spring/summer 2008? Stay in touch.

Teddy


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Hey folks,
off cause you are right, its not so easy munrocycling in winter.
we,v done some munroes and also got winter munro experiences last
december,- without muni´s and it was a hard work.
But i think its possible even when there are different problems.
First of all the weather. Even with a good forecast it may turn quick
into unlikely conditions.
In clouds and while snowing there are problems to find the way and with
orientation, but we have to use maps and compass anyway...
The temperatur itsself is not the problem, but in combination with wind
it might be really could - and in strong winds any movement over longer
distances might be impossible. So we have use the right equipment for
to stay a could night uphill.
On top there are the "muni problems".
We have to bring them up, that means minimum 7 Kg weight on top.
And most of all we have to find a suitable munro.
I know a few where it would be possible to cycle the lower part and
others where we could do the upper part....but i have done none where
its possible to do the whole munro with muni.
May be Mount Keen is a good one?
http://www.munromagic.com/MountainInfo.cfm?Mountain=235
Or Carn Asoda?
http://www.munromagic.com/MountainInfo.cfm?Mountain=278
do you know one of them?

Jogi


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Jogi,

No problem to muni with me around Aberdeen, that would be great - just
let me know when you are around. Or we can plan a specific date if it
helps - I am in Aberdeen pretty much all year round (where do you
live??).
For Lochnaggar, it is hard to describe, but I will try: I leave from
the car park and once I reach Loch Muick (or a bit earlier?), there is
a path going right (towards the Spittal of Glenmuick I think). I take
that one, then I do not take the wide forest track that cross the path,
but I rather continue almost straight, slightly to the left. Then it
keeps going up until you get to the summit.
For the way down, there are 2 options: either head back the same way or
do a loop that gets you back to Loch Muick more or less in the middle
of its length.
Do not know if that made sense to you... I have not found a detailed
map of the area on the web - a pretty coarse one from
www.munromagic.com.

Teddy


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Teddy,

I see from your profile that you're an aberdeen Municyclist. I'm
starting to learn Muniing and was looking for some advice, from a local,
as to where is good for a beginner.

I have a mountain bike so know all the usual spots like Pitfichie,
Krkhill, Tyrebagger but was keen to get some advice as to which are good
for Muni.

I just got my first Muni, as a present from santa (I must have been a
very good boy this year ), and was hoping you could offer some
recomendations.

Cheers
Hamish


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Hamish,

That was an excellent idea from whomever offered you the muni!
There are lots of good places you can try right now. The ones you
mentioned are the ones I typically go to, here are a few comments:
- Pitfichie: the long smooth trail that runs around the hill might be a
good starting point as it is pretty smooth yet will challenge your
balance. The area is not so good once you are confortable with smooth
hilly trails because you have no option between these easy trails and
the really difficult MTB downhills there.
- Kirkhill: much more versatile: if you stick to the large smooth
trails and avoid the singletracks, you should be fine right from the
start. It is a great area to learn because you can build up the
difficulties very progressively if you want to. That was my main
playground when I started going offroad (and still is).
- Tyrebagger: I find it very rooty and rocky, so not the best to start
with I think (but I don't know all the trails).
- Scolty Hill (near Banchory): probably similar to Pitfichie: either
large, smooth forest tracks or very technical downhill with drops, etc.
Not ideal for now...

So, Kirkhill would be my recommendation because you can really pick and
choose whatever difficulty you fancy.
In any case, you might be surprised by your ability to ride offroad: i
think it is easier than it looks and progress comes really fast at the
beginning.

By the way, what uni did you get? We should try and meet up soon. I
don't mind if you are still learning: I have never ridden with any other
unicyclist before, so I am really keen to meet one in my area!

Teddy


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