The Badger Divide

Have an on-going stupid itch to..

Go from work to sleeper train on a Friday,
2 days riding, 1 night somewhere.
Sunday night sleeper. Go straight to work Monday.

A diy ultra with a target to meet. Daft I know.
I'd be silly expensive for a solo sleeper cabin too.

Personally I think we're in an ongoing historically wet period - recently even doing S UK bridleways they're just rivers.
There's still a lot of snow cover up north and their snowmelts make ford crossings pretty high, if you add melting rains onto that you could be stuck/wading and cold.

I think it's a bit sketchy at the moment despite wanting to also make the most of pre-midge season - and will probably opt for the inner hebs although doubt you have time for that

Sleeper train is a misnomer. It's a train for sure. But after two of those and a bivvy you'll be a wreck by Monday...

Not that I've been able to afford it since they stopped doing bargain berths, but personally have always slept really well on sleeper trains. Have only done seated sleeper more recently which is definitely more challenging if you hope to be functional the next day. Two days to do the whole badger divide would be unfeasible for most people of course...
Limited places to bail out between Corrour and Great Glen from what I remember, which is also the nicest stretch.

after two of those and a bivvy you'll be a wreck by Monday...

If you're going to be knackered and feel like crap, you may as well get paid for it.

I just finished it this afternoon. Glasgow to Inverness which is the better direction.

Took 5 days because I like adding detours to stay in special bothies. You could do it in 3 but what’s the point?

Make sure to hit Glen Lyon Post Office Cafe and Rannoch Station Tearoom whilst they’re open, they were the best hot food stops by far.

You’ll be happiest on a rigid MTB or hardtail. Pic attached is the hills above Fort Augustus under Correyairack Pass. Up the top was extremely snowy and we enjoyed a sub-zero night.

The route itself is quite logical and I didn’t have many complaints. Comparing it to the HT550 it’s significantly easier and that’s reflected in the much higher volume of riders you’ll see.

I took the sleeper train to Glasgow to save one days’ travelling, it’s a piece of cake and the bike carrying facilities are amazing but it’s pricey for a room and the seat only option is crap.

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No difficult river crossings at all and no midges either, I’m glad to report.

Excellent. If I didn't suffer horribly from numb fingers/toes I'd love to do it at this time of year. What were your bothy detours?

The big detour was Staoineag. Quite involved to get to but worth it! We also went to the CTC Hut by Loch Earn. Finally, Blackburn of Correyairack is right en route.

Good stuff, tbh I didn't have many river crossings of note when I did it in autumn - surprised the passes are all clear too though

Damn, good going platy. Nice pic.

Glen Lyon Post Office

+1

More pics plz

Nice, had never heard of Staoineag but looks good. Stayed at Blackburn last year after very wet/gale force wind crossing of Corrieyairack. Reading this is making me really keen to do badger divide again. On mountain bike this time.
Also keen to see more photos.

Oh shit, it wasn't you that had to sleep in the bike shed at the hut because the keys weren't left by the previous party was it?

Yes, that was us. We weren’t best pleased about that!

Planning having a go next weekend! Any tips for dressing for the temperature? Also I have forgotten which bit is / how long is without re supply? Cheers all!

Looks like it might get down to five degrees next weekend near Inverness. I’d definitely be taking some extra clothing for that.

The section after Fort Augustus to Corrour Station House is the longest without resupply. You also go over the spiciest climb, the Corrieyairack Pass.

Have fun, share some photos.

Thank you! Certainly will do! Did quite make up and over the pass today and we only have days, what are the bail out options after corrour?

If you're at all unsure when you get to Corrour then you should bail at Corrour.

Looking at a map of the route is a good idea, you should plan something with a few alternative options. I just had a look at the route map and I don't see any options for trains without going off-route after Corrour.

Make sure you're aware of the locations and logistics of getting out of the situation before you get into it.

Edit: some examples I can see from the map:

1. Leave the route at Loch Eigheach, go to get train at Rannoch.
   
2. Leave the route at Killin, go to get train at Crianlarich (involves riding along an A-road)
   
3. Leave the route at Callander, go to get train at Dunblane.
   
   

In all these cases you need to consciously decide to go to the station, you are not going to stumble upon a bail option.

How did you get on?