Dungeness to Durness - April 2018

[Jurek]

NCN1 has an extended rough section east of Gravesend (the canal bit) which I wouldn't recommend.

Second the disrecommendation, especially if it's wet.

Happily, there is an alternative via Chalk and Higham.
ETA - There is shedloads of NCN1 in North Kent that I would avoid like the proverbial.
Eg: Oare and bits around Northfleet.

[The Family Cyclist]

Avoid the post office in Muir of Order unless you have a lot of time on your hands. Dunno if he is still there but we asked for directions from the post master and got a full on drawn map, a magic trick and a joke.

[loafer]

There are good rideable tracks between the Braemar area and Tomintoul that go via Loch Builg and Glen Avon, apart from about a mile past the Loch itself, which would be rideable on a mountain bike but would probably involve walking on a loaded tourer.
You can start at either Invercauld bridge, or a mile or so up the B976 from Balmoral.

What sort of surface is this track likely to have? I'll probably be on 32mm Marathons, so they can handle dirt tracks but not anything too rocky.
[/quote]

hi mcshroom
                     this might be of use regards the track ..I thought of it on my failed joggle 2015 info off ctc forum hope it is helpful... BTW sounds like a great trip ..     https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=98229

[mcshroom]

Right, sorry this has gone quiet for so long, but taking on everyone's feedback, I've updated the route. This is what I'm now doing: -

Date	Day	From	To	Distance km	Culm km	Route
Sun 22-Apr	1	Dungeness	Gravesend	97	97	Route
Mon 23-Apr	2	Gravesend	Cambridge	120	217	Route
Tue 24-Apr	3	Cambridge	Grantham	139	356	Route
Wed 25-Apr	4	Grantham	Rotherham	93	449	Route
Thu 26-Apr	5	Rotherham	Darlington	160	609	Route
Fri 27-Apr	6	Darlington	Carlisle	115	724	Route
Sat 28-Apr	7	Carlisle	Innerleithen	117	841	Route
Sun 29-Apr	8	Innerleithen	Kinross	95	936	Route
Mon 30-Apr	9	Kinross	Braemar	118	1054	Route
Tue 01-May	10	Braemar	Inverness	130	1185	Route
Wed 02-May	11	Inverness	Lairg	94	1278	Route
Thu 03-May	12	Lairg	Durness	90	1369	Route

I do also have the off road option for Braemar to Tomintoul if the weather stays nice

I'm now sorting all my kit out, and need to contact the Durness Bus to make the reservations. Setting off on Saturday!

[mmmmartin]

Hi - I'd like to say thanks to all those who made helpful contributions to this thread, and to add that I'm planning to copy - totally shamelessly - the route planned by McShroom. With the minor change that since I'll be in the area I'll have a go at getting to Cape Wrath, because reasons.

This obvs will be next summer or the year after, and the plan is to do it as a series of DIY by GPS 200k audax rides. Unsure whether to take tent or rely on B&Bs all the way.

But anyway - thanks to all. Esp McShroom who sent me his links.