RIDE NORTH

Starting and finishing at the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’, Crianlarich, head west on the A82 to Tyndrum where you’ll find the Green Welly Stop, a suitable spot for both bike and rider to top up. Keep left at the fork as you roll out of town (heading for Oban on the A85) and you’ll be rewarded with a glorious strip of asphalt that weaves gently along a fir-lined river valley and River Lochyas you ride down the northern shore of Loch Awe. A spectacular vista is revealed before the tarmac takes a turn towards Loch Etive and rolling onward to Oban, then corkscrews through relentless undulations to Lochgilphead before pushing on up the A83. A flowing flit along Loch Fyne comes next, then Arrochar Alps and a steady climb to the Rest and be Thankful. Take a moment at the summit to do just that before the dramatic descent through Glen Coe and then spin around the head of Loch Long and left on the A82 for Crianlarich.