Thanks Scottydog,
I know travelling in constant sunshine is a myth, but one can always hope.
Climbing Ben Nevis is on the list, a good chance to stretch the legs, and I never underestimate any mountain, as they have a way of humbling the unprepared.
Do you know if there is a good safe place to park while we are climbing Ben Nevis or is it best to leave the bike in Fort William and get a ride out?

Cameron,
It was about 4 years ago a group of us mountain biked in the area, including Ben Nevis, but thinking back...
There are two routes up. The most travelled one is on the south side. On this side, near the base, there are campsites with washroom facilities, shops, and you could put the bike in here, asking nicely if they would watch them.

The other route is marked on the map with a Mountain Rescue Post, on the opposite face. It has a few steeper gradients. This is the route less travelled, but was good for the moutian biking because it was a rideable gradient, with a few sharp jumps up. There are some houses at the base, which are off the main road, but you're less likely to have the bike guarded.

I suppose it's a long way of saying to take the bike to the side with the campsites, but don't leave them overnight.

A good map site is www.multimap.co.uk

[This message has been edited by Scottydog (edited 15 March 2002).]

It was a dry and even warm today, so I took a trip down to Peebles, Innerleithen and Galashiels on the bike.

I didn't stop too often, because the roads were so good, but they are posted here --> http://homepage.mac.com/scottydog/PhotoAlbum2.html

P.S. I asked at the Forestry Commision office in Glentress Forest about off-road biking.
They said Glentress has a _lot_ of new trails, but that forest is really just for walkers and mountain bikers, and too busy for motorbikes.

However, she did say that in Innerleithen, Caberston Forest (with Preisthope Hill) is recommended, and they want to develop it for motorbikes in the near future.

From past experience, this forest has less trees and more open spaces, the trails are more hard packed rock than soil, and it is quieter than Glentress.

[This message has been edited by Scottydog (edited 18 March 2002).]

I went up to Cape Wrath and the far NW of Scotland at the start of May. Fantastic! Had 3 straight days of sunshine, came home with sunburn, and some brilliant photos. It really is a beautifull place, and I would urge anyone to visit.

Iain

Hello,

Came back yesterday from Scotland.
I've travelled from newcastle to the north-coast and get south on the westcoast. I've taken the B-roads where possible.
Very nice country. It looks like Norway.(even the weather and the prices)

Freek