Cairngorms Loop - Bikepacking Route

i've got a lot to say and lots of photo/video from my trip but I don't have time to write it all out yet...give me a few weeks and remind me and I'll send you some good nuggets

Just done this the past weekend: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/24109985

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/24109982

Have also done the 'outer loop' in the past too. Both times I've been very lucky with the weather with drought conditions and no wind. The outer loop is easier with little hike a bike. The inner loop has really tough bits - the long push up to Bynack Mor plus the majority of bits onwards from there to the Hutchinson bothy (really good place to stay in an amazing location) plus the Geldie/Feshie crossing could be a nightmare after wet weather. I think a descent north off Bynack Mor would be great rather than a push up. The best single track bits were going south into Glen Derry, south down upper Glen Tilt, through Loch an Duin, Inshriach, Geldie/Feshie crossing (in the dry). What ever route you take there'll be lots of fire/landrover tracks but the scenery is so stunning I've never cared but then I'm not a great lover of gnar!

Doing the loop means not that much laryness, particularly for a 180mm bike.

I'd maybe do more of an out and back given the time you have, focusing on one lairy bit each day, and a bit more riding to fill the time. Start and Finish in Blair Athol perhaps.

There is supposed to be a good descent off the top of Carn a Chlamain. Think you climb up the double track to the south and come down the single track to the north of Forest Lodge. This could be your excitement for day one, then press on up Glen Tilt aiming for the Bob Scott Bothy, though it could be busy in August.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-negrtonbo

From Bob Scott's you've got options. There is a route down Beinn a Bhuird into Glen Quioche that's supposed to be great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgR9I6zk7oc

Plus you have the option of getting to the top of Ben Macdui via the Hutchinson Hut. For all of these, it would be nice to leave your kit at the bottom and hike/ride on a bare bike. You'll need decent weather though. All these summits will be pretty hostile in wind and rain.

From up in that area, the easiest way out is back down Glen Tilt. There is supposed to be some good single track down from Fealar Lodge back into the Glen by the Falls of Tarf too. Another chance to leave your kit at the bottom, hike up and then bomb back down.

So that's what I'd do. Head up Glen Tilt into the Glen Derry area and do as much rad stuff as possible in that area. Then head back down Glen Tilt to get out. You can always pedal into Braemar to resupply / go to the pub too.

I really want to go back and do some of this. The pal I was with last time is not as into the descents, but my brother is just getting the kit together for a bit of bikepacking so maybe I'll find some time to get up there with him. Certainly not doing it on my own!