Help pick which route to end West Coast Cycle Trail

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[@donaldross2686]

A high road and a low road.... there's a song about that... absolutely make the two options available, let the riders make the decision. Logo looks smashing.

[@PuddledPete]

Both seems like a good plan. Always nice to have an easier option if tired or the weather is bad. If I ever manage to do this whole route, it would more than likely be in sections rather than one go so having maps for lower and higher opens up a circular day ride. I like the eagle logo.

[@mountkeen8701]

Both. Gives you options depending on your situation - fatigue/weather/load. Another cracking video.

[@matthewjoy5285]

BOTH! Very excited for launch now Simon.

[@GregoryPinto-s3g]

Make it both routes Simon. Let the rider decide. I'm really impressed with what you have created and like others, I like the logo. It's going on my list of cycle routes!

[@KevinHemmings-ft2jg]

Great job, thanks for all the effort you’ve put in 👍. I agree with most people here, map both, make the decision when you get there.

[@steves.6431]

I’d always opt for the better riding, so the high route in your words, but publishing both as an option would be perfect. Thanks for putting this together 🎉

[@treeted]

I'd say both too. I'm always up for an old railway trackbed to follow, but i can see the advantage of the down hill and cafe route too. Adds a bit of individuality to each ride.

[@neilormerod1694]

Great video, and including both options helps do the route justice. As others have said you can choose depending on the weather etc. or how you are feeling when you get to that point. Both are clearly rideable, really depends if you want a harder or easier option to end the route.

[@johnlandale816]

Both routes for all the reasons already stated. Good work.

[@nickforwood]

I would put both in (I’ve done both and like each of them!) The choice is then up to the individual on the day. Great video series. Thanks.

[@mattgemmell8345]

Great video as always, I've been catching up on them all. Like most people I'd probably say go with one route as the preferred option but leave the other one in as an alternative. Tbh if I'm doing a route, I'll often vary it myself depending on how I feel or on the weather conditions on the day. I'm quite interested in this route and will probably look at your booklet. Well done on pulling this together. As someone who has walked, cycled and camped all over Scotland it is great to get inspiration to bookmark new potential adventures. Often the hardest bit is trying to work out where to go and you have given me plenty of food for thought. Thanks. The logo is stunning and very appropriate.

[@jambo4853]

Great job Simon. It would be good to have all the options you have mentioned and folk can take their pick depending on how they feel at that point and obviously the weather/mechanicals/desire on the day. If only one option is available I’d say the low route as it descends all the way pretty much. Looking forward to this next year having followed all the videos so far.

[@Grandadgreyhair]

Love both, although the cafe route is always a bonus when tired. Looking forward to downloading the route and getting the booklet great work keep it up.

[@fergy1ful]

Anything I say will be personally biased but it won't stop me saying it anyway! Map both by all means but the Low Route is the winner. Even though I'll probably never ride the whole thing in one go, an easier end is a blessing for various reasons. The Trail end should leave you feeling good and accomplished, not washed out and vowing never to return or encourage your mates to do it. The cafe is important. I worry about the future incomes of such places as winter sports decline and HIC (and others) seem hell bent on making holiday accommodation more difficult to find and afford in the future. Finally, if you are heading for onward travel by train from FW, you don't really want to end up there knackered, and muddy from a more challenging single track (nice though that route is). Like I said, biased but said it! Logo looks good as well; glad you avoided an eagle on a bike (you diid consider that, didn't you?)

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

A cycling eagle - that would be a good one for an AI generator. I’ll try that! Great points about the lower route too thanks.

[@davidrowe8747]

First choice would be Low, but with optional High route provided.

[@craigmaberly8561]

Always Finnish with a high.But you should map both to give people a choice.Great work and really looking forward to riding it.

[@chrispoole5292]

Another vote for both route options please Simon, and if you can provide the stats on the choices that would be useful ie elevation gain. Looking forward to seeing the full route published as done quite a few sections of the route and v similar trip in sept 22. Thanks for all your work on it and great content on the channel.

[@paul434]

I like the idea of leaving both as an option and decide on how you feel.

[@scottbrown173]

I would suggest to map both routes with a short description for the two choices. Weather would likely determine the route that I would choose, just as much as my state of condition at that point of the ride. Either of the trails look to be beautiful and would be enjoyable for different reasons. Great work as always!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks Scott - both are in the route options published 1st Jan.

[@robwebsteruk]

Looking forward to seeing the full route when you release, will certainly be heading out to explore it when I'm back up! Back in August I rode from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William in a day via Rannoch and Corrour and had planned the upper route via the Puggy Line as the final stretch. Alas to say after 70+ miles in the legs I opted for the lower route, as you say I knew the gradients were not hard from previous rides, but the option of a nice (and slightly less technical) route was very much a winner! Love the channel!

[@davidgriffin8717]

Congratulations on completing the route! So very cool! I’d vote for two alternate routes and let riders decide when the final push comes. Similar to the GDMBR. Not everyone will be heavily loaded I imagine. Plus one more cafe stop too!

[@gcsScotland]

Great to see that the project is almost finished - what a great idea and the route looks excellent. Personally I’d include both options in the route information and allow folk to choose which they’d prefer to do. Logo looks great and hope the route becomes the classic it deserves to be.

[@markwringe2826]

Well done and thank you! I'd choose the wider, 'low' route. Always good to have the option of a cafe, but I certainly hope the Pine Marten cafe has improved since I tried it, .when almost everything was fried, with a real scarcity of anything fresh and healthy.

[@wanderingscot8479]

Include both, one as an alternative. Logo looks great. Looking forward to trying the route.

[@keepontreking3661]

Give people the choice, map both routes , looks like an adventure to come

[@ruairidhalexander7631]

Definitely give both options. I'd probably prefer the high route but in certain conditions the low route might be better. Also consider the likelihood of the forest tracks being destroyed, mangled, closed, (or resurfaced with those large sharp rocks they use) by forest operations that might take place over the coming years.

[@k4plaa637]

Hi Simon, thank you for doing this and putting it out there, I think if you can make both available, I did like the look of the high route myself, ill let you know how it goes when I do it^^😉

[@martinb9970]

Looking forward to doing the ride in 25! I think that you should include both options for the final part of the trail.

[@kenjones5408]

Haven’t done long Scotland trail since 2021, so looking forward attempting your trail. As for the ending, probably the low road would suit my e-bike better, however may still try the loop you did 😁, good luck with the trail launch.

[@adriansmith38]

Old railway line is more interesting to me. But others suggestion of two options seems good to me

[@Barryens]

Both. Personally I would take the low route, as there is a cafe and also a bike shop for any spares.

[@DavidSmartAberdeen]

Looking forward to seeing this trail finalised. The Puggy line looks more inviting

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

It went live 1st Jan - westcoastcycletrail.co.uk Hope you like the look David

[@petercouttie867]

. Having a choice at the end of a few days riding would be great . You could then make your choice according weather , need for a cafe stop or if you want a ride with a view . Including both options would the best idea. 👍

[@horriflying]

Agree with making both routes a decision for the riders. They/ we will only make that decision at the time. Looking forward to riding this one. Thanks for the time and effort in saving me time and effort in coming up with a great route.

[@andyclough285]

Brilliant Simon, I am looking forward to riding some of this route....High for me. Hope all is well.A.

[@a.a.duncan]

I think mapping them both seems like a good idea -- maybe as 'main' and 'alternative' finishes. If I had done the whole route I'd probably opt for the easier option, I'd probably have seen enough scenery/rain/midges by that time (!) and would like a more relaxed finish, but everyone is different, and not everyone will be doing it all in one go. Having both also gives you a hook into people who are staying in Fort William and just want a day ride (with a cafe/lunch stop) and you also get some more exposure for the whole route off the back of that.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Got it - that was the way I was leaning by the time I got back to my car too. Thanks for that.

[@elkinj921]

Hi Simon, to answer the question, from my POV I'd like you to include both options, riders can decide on the day what would work best for them then. I know I'd say I want to ride the high route but maybe reality after 450 miles or so would be the easy downhill with a cafe stop. Perhaps a bit more admin for you but worth it I think. Great job, looking at my 2025 diary & planning/scheming!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Thanks for that - noted. I'll probably route the main trail along the lower way and offer the high one as an option.

[@RussellRennie]

Both as others have said. Looking forward to next years adventures

[@Colleenann61]

Both look good. If I was doing it, I would like the option of choosing depending on how I was feeling and maybe the weather.

[@DeTomaso2001]

Fantastic film. Congratulations on your achievement. Both routes I'd say. Regarding the logo: It looks great. My thoughts are that the AAA logo should to be included/embedded in the logo even if it were a small one e.g. at the bottom right of the main logo. Your hard work deserves it to be identifiable as an AAA route from the logo even if the booklet clearly references the channel. Great work and thank you.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Interesting idea - thank you.

[@edbackes2234]

I’ve not done a multi day bike packing trip yet when I’m not late getting back on the last day! So personally I’d say go for the easier decent in to finish. But ultimately if you’re so undecided it clear that both routes are well worth riding so leave it to the riders personal circumstances and give an option. Turin to Nice do it at regular intervals so you’d be in good company! Looking forward to riding it

[@jasoncollins9640]

This I brilliant what you are doing, well done.

[@chrisbaker544]

I do think both options have merit (as several others have said) - and I would certainly only make my mind up which to choose when arriving at the junction - according to how much was left in the tank! The other advantage of having choice is that it doesnt make all the traffic go down one route, diluting its effect. (Its not the NC500, I know, but I bet the folk who originally planned that never dreamed it would become what it has!)👍

[@HughDWallace]

I'll add my vote to mapping both but if I had to choose one of take the low road & I suspect that if I ever do complete the whole route that will be the one I choose on the day! Lovely logo! I shall be downloading the booklet just as soon as it is available. I would really love a printed version so hopefully you get a lot of interest & it makes it financially viable to do that in the future.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I could do a print on demand thing with Lulu or Amazon but they tend to be pricey.

[@HughDWallace]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Lulu - that was the company I couldn't remember! Agreed, not particularly cheap... I just look at the 'Cycle An Turas Mor' guide and the ones published by The Offcomers and think it would be such a shame if your route couldn't share a space on my shelves.

[@breezebikesamble]

Mapping both gives people the option and works well on the Loch Ness 360. It allows for different fitness levels and an easier option on a wet day. Looks fantastic and have now got the summer bike packing route for 2025

[@br5380]

I’ve only ridden the high route from the FW end but I’d put both options in so folk have an opt out in case of bad weather, fitness etc.

[@RichardGate-UK]

Both would be great! Many reasons why a quicker easier finish may be required, but many may also want to prolong the end of the experience with the high road.

[@andypenn7496]

Looks fantastic. Would love to see both mapped. Thanks for the inspirational videos 😊

[@SidSmallman]

Think you’ll get a consensus for showing both routes but I reckon I’d probably opt for the low route…

[@Barrygee]

Honestly just go with both, that will satisfy everyone and provide options

[@stuartgreenaway8999]

Map both. I'm always chopping up routes on Komoot with a view to getting to see what I want to see or looking for more gentle gradients. A great many riders may hop on and off parts of the route in this way in their own locality. Hence the value for half day and day rides in reference to the route.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Great point Stuart - mind you, chopping up other routes is how I got his one.

[@timvdmonde81]

Personally I would choose the low route. A Cafe is always good 😅. Very much looking forward to this route! Definitely will be bikepacking this route someday 😍.

[@dwayneletterman3778]

Do both!

[@martinashwell]

Both seems the obvious answer. As a circular ride not everyone will be starting/finishing in Fort William (perhaps most might). If the hard work, from the mapping and planning POV has been done, why not give the option?

[@normancoutts]

The low, easier option for me. Great effort on your part, all around. Congratulations.

[@lydiagould3090]

I think make the 2 options available to people. If I was feeling good I would choose the high route, but if I was tired and needed a cafe stop ,I would choose the low one. I don't like carrying stuff on the bike, so I would not be loaded

[@Athers77]

I’d go both Simon.. love the route and route logo. Looking forward to the launch..

[@chriscohlmeyer4735]

Great logo!! I'd say put both options in - loaded long distance that includes this route I'd tend towards the low route while just doing this route with bare minimum I'd likely take the high route. Sometimes it is great to have options.

[@Themarspd]

Definitely both but if I had to choose I would probably go for the low road

[@ADAMEDWARDS17]

My gut reaction to this is the high road. Your tired but elated after the whole tour and keen to get to the end at Fort William. Then suddenly you are cycling through a car park and the Nevis Range buildings when you could be enjoying one last epic bit of old railway with a view of Ben Nevis. Perhaps the Low Route goes in as a bad weather alternative as I am sure the High Route on a wet day might be less epic!

[@dermotadrianbreen583]

Hi Simon, what a fantastic project you've been busy with. Both routes please fella. I'm considering riding the JOGLE in 2025, may be I'll just forget that & opt to bikepack around Scotland for several weeks instead.

[@Mike-3745]

Love what you are doing. I’m following you here and on komoot. Like both routes. I’m in for a challenge. My biggest on is able to charge my own and bicycle batterie from my R-M load4 cargo bike.

[@keithmaclure9101]

Lovely! I'll be riding the higher route when i come up in early 25, but I'd include both as an option. Cannae wait! 😁

[@Ballynoes]

I say both routes, that way folks can decide for themselves, and it might depend on what sort of time you have left to finish the route. Thank either way.

[@IanDElliott]

I think having the choice between both routes is a good option, this will allow younger and lightly loaded cyclists to take the hillier alternative, whilst heavily laden and/or older people might prefer the low route.

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

I would say it's best to map both routes. Let people decide what's best for them on the day.

[@infocuslearning]

I’d include both, with the pros and cons of each.

[@davidrowe8747]

[Replied on my phone yesterday, but think my response has been lost] My vote would be for the low route, but with the high route details provided as another option. Shame to do all the research and then not include it. I agree with one or two other comments that you should try to fit the AAA logo in there somewhere ....

[@ColinCadden]

I'm a sucker for industrial heritage so, of the two options, I'd almost certainly take the high route. If the cafe wasn't so close to FW then it would be more of a draw.

[@stephenm8270]

puggy gets my vote! bit of history interest and looks far more fun. We'll be doing this route for sure - which bike though Gravel or hardtail ?

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Oh gravel for sure. Too much road in other places for anything else.

[@GrahamFootBicycleLover]

both.

[@JimboLB]

Top route for me. Yes harder, but I’d adjust my schedule accordingly

[@Marcus-mf4dy]

If I have to choose one now I'd go high route. Looks like an interesting way to end. (although I might start and finish in Oban as much prefer it to Fort William)

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

That would work.

[@Jackdanalf]

Leave it open for the rider to decide .. low road Or high road . I would probably see how I feel on the day and may be pulled toward the cafe .

[@jamesallison2606]

Maps of both please!

[@ianccrook8899]

Include both. A laden bike and all that …

[@Ey_up]

Both, please?!

[@nasirmahmood5684]

Both routes. Folks can then choose which one to be ride.

[@dragoclarke9497]

Low route for me please.

[@Mike-rn6pj]

Sorry, fully loaded at the end of a tough ride - the low route. Day ride - certainly the high route.

[@slainelow]

As an aside, with the amount of editing and different shots, how long did this 9-minute video take to produce? Did you say you have retired from the media? If so the BBC lost a very, very good producer, editor, drone pilot, writer, and presenter.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

It’s difficult to say how long - there’s an hour or so of thinking time in preparation; the shooting time when the ride takes longer than it otherwise would; and about a day to edit plus maybe a few hours ‘tweaking’ after it has sat overnight and I’ve gone back to it to check I like it. Which is a lot, but I genuinely enjoy the process. The difficult bit for me at this stage of a channel is thinking up good ideas. The going-for-a-ride vlogs don’t really do it for me.

[@slainelow]

@@alwaysanotheradventure It would be good to see you outside of Scotland more often, Perhaps a mini-series around the Peaks or Wales? Or follow one of the NCN routes? Sort of thing more people are likely to do. They have been covered - maybe overcovered - on KZbin but no one with your particular skills at editing and presenting.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

@@slainelow It's a great thought. I like to ride stuff that isn't too well known or find a different angle on something, not just for the video but for my own satisfaction. But part of the point of the channel is to keep me riding new routes, so I'll give it some consideration. Two coming soon from Lanzarote and they were definitely new to me. I'm also kicking around a few other thoughts - they usually sit in my head for a while before they're worth releasing!

[@silentrabbit247]

Yes think having both routes on the WCCT would be great, giving alternative endings to a fabulous cycle. Also if someone does it twice, the opposite way for eg, they get a bit of variation ! Nice logo too W C C T H A I I T L E A G L E D All best with book