Applecross - to loop or not to loop
Discussion
Planning on a jaunt up to Applecross/Gairloch way in late August or early September when hopefully it will be dryish and with less tourists (I might even scam some business mileage for it 
).
The question I'd like to ask those who've driven there is: I want to tick off the climb to the top but I'm unsure whether to carry on and complete the loop or just go to the top and back down. Is the loop past Applecross interesting enough or is it slow singletrack and more hassle than it's worth? It'll be in my e36 M3 so twisty is good but singletrack tight and twisty is not as much fun for me.
).The question I'd like to ask those who've driven there is: I want to tick off the climb to the top but I'm unsure whether to carry on and complete the loop or just go to the top and back down. Is the loop past Applecross interesting enough or is it slow singletrack and more hassle than it's worth? It'll be in my e36 M3 so twisty is good but singletrack tight and twisty is not as much fun for me.
...and on cue:
I recommend doing the whole loop (clockwise) as the views are great and it only takes 20 mins longer to go round rather than up/down. Early on a Sunday morning in sunshine it's one of the best/most scenic routes in Europe, and completely empty - on a rainy Saturday lunchtime in August it'll be a real disappointment as you'll be behind a bunch of numpties and not see a thing.
I've done it in an M3 and it loved it
Here's a vid of the journey up in my 911 http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip182
Wave if you see me - I live on the loop and will be in either a Grey Defender / Silver R32 / Black Aston (the only ones around here!).
Have fun
Steve
I recommend doing the whole loop (clockwise) as the views are great and it only takes 20 mins longer to go round rather than up/down. Early on a Sunday morning in sunshine it's one of the best/most scenic routes in Europe, and completely empty - on a rainy Saturday lunchtime in August it'll be a real disappointment as you'll be behind a bunch of numpties and not see a thing.
I've done it in an M3 and it loved it
Here's a vid of the journey up in my 911 http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip182Wave if you see me - I live on the loop and will be in either a Grey Defender / Silver R32 / Black Aston (the only ones around here!).
Have fun
Steve
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 24th July 19:04
Just checked the map and its Morar he's at, twixt Arisaig and Malaig, and its Rum not Rhum I see. Its a flipping long way to Rum, the ferry takes 90 mins according to map.
He's also sailed to Inverie, one of those areas that although on mainland, is only accesible by boat. There are a number of villages and he says 8 miles of road, though I reckon there's more than that on map.
Apparently some 100 people live there, and they all drive around without tax or MOT and use red derv. Well done, I say.
He's also sailed to Inverie, one of those areas that although on mainland, is only accesible by boat. There are a number of villages and he says 8 miles of road, though I reckon there's more than that on map.
Apparently some 100 people live there, and they all drive around without tax or MOT and use red derv. Well done, I say.
That lip you're perched on is known as "Jaeger Bend" in S2000 circles, after one of our number span on it and ended up facing backwards.
Thank feck for 50:50 balanced cars, frankly.
(I nearly came a cropper on it too as it's the first corner when you get clobbered with the stunning view if you're travelling *down* that stretch).
Lost my bottle last time I went up and ended up with my brakes on fire at the bottom
Thank feck for 50:50 balanced cars, frankly.
(I nearly came a cropper on it too as it's the first corner when you get clobbered with the stunning view if you're travelling *down* that stretch).
Lost my bottle last time I went up and ended up with my brakes on fire at the bottom
NaetypeFirst of all, great choice of car you have there
I have recently come over to the darkside and absolutely love it!Second, I belive Avril (STANG) is organising a similar run around the same time, only I think the plan is to stay overnight somewhere. Might be a good idea to culminate the two events non?
If not, I'll still be up for it.
RE the Loop. You be as well do the whole loop as the scenery for a start is quite spectacular. Something to note however, is that as mentioned above, the traffic can get quite busy if you drive it at the wrong time.
Also, personally, I found it a bit of a drag following a line of 20 odd cars (i.e the group we went up there with last time) along the narrow roads, so it might be a good idea to stage it so all involved can get above 20mph! Moreover, I'm not sure the locals appreciate having to wait 5 mins at the side of the road for us all to roar past!
Just a thought. Well worth doing, but IMO requires a spot of forward planning.
Simon
Schnell said:
................
Also, personally, I found it a bit of a drag following a line of 20 odd cars (i.e the group we went up there with last time) along the narrow roads, so it might be a good idea to stage it so all involved can get above 20mph! Moreover, I'm not sure the locals appreciate having to wait 5 mins at the side of the road for us all to roar past!
..............
Simon
Absolutely agree. I'd love to meet up with others but it's not every day I can have an opportunity to do this route and I'm concerned about possibly reducing the fun factor by going at someone else's speed whether that be being pushed into going faster, or slower, than I feel comfortable with. If it's about 4/5 of you in a group then it's easy to find your and others natural pace and set off accordingly (do it on the downhill bike all the time when I'm out with my mates) but trying to get that order when there's 20 or more of you is difficult.Also, personally, I found it a bit of a drag following a line of 20 odd cars (i.e the group we went up there with last time) along the narrow roads, so it might be a good idea to stage it so all involved can get above 20mph! Moreover, I'm not sure the locals appreciate having to wait 5 mins at the side of the road for us all to roar past!
..............
Simon
As for the car
The amount of times I've just nipped out to pick up some milk and come back 2hrs and a 100 miles later is quite ridiculous.
However, there appears to now be gypo's camping at spots along the loop! Either that or they are very messy campers - although two wrecked cars sort of made me suspicious... 
GetCarter,
I know Ardban, which is lovely.
Then there's the small sandy bay about 5 miles or so north of Applecross with the car park just outside a fence with "MOD Property" signs. Can you get onto that beach, or is it MOD stay-off territory? (Or worse, have they done a Gruinard on it?)
What's the third? Applecross bay itself?
John
I know Ardban, which is lovely.
Then there's the small sandy bay about 5 miles or so north of Applecross with the car park just outside a fence with "MOD Property" signs. Can you get onto that beach, or is it MOD stay-off territory? (Or worse, have they done a Gruinard on it?)
What's the third? Applecross bay itself?
John
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