Issue One

small revolutions

big adventures

In This Issue

1) Welcome to Whistlefield

2) Meet Stephen: The rider behind the adventure

3) The Story...

4) Next Steps: Building towards the first weekend

5) Survey Response: What you told me

6) Trail Spotlight: The Glen Loin Loop

Small Revolutions, Big Adventures – First Edition

1) Welcome to the Whistlefield Adventure Newsletter

Hello and welcome — genuinely.
If you’re reading this, you’re part of the very first group to join this little adventure as it begins to take shape here in Argyll and Bute. Thank you for being early, curious, and up for something new. It means more than you might think.

This newsletter exists for a simple reason: to bring together people who feel the pull of the outdoors, the thrill of a challenge, and the quiet satisfaction of doing something that nudges them just a little beyond the familiar. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or someone rediscovering the joy of being out on the trails, you’re in the right place.

Whistlefield Bothy and the surrounding hills have been calling out for a while now — not just as a place to stay, but as a base for real adventure. Over the past months, I’ve been shaping the idea of guided MTB weekends that blend local knowledge, supportive coaching, and the kind of scenery that reminds you why you ever fell in love with being outside. The response so far has been incredibly encouraging, and this newsletter is the next step in building a small, connected community around that vision.

So what can you expect from these updates?
You’ll get behind‑the‑scenes progress as the first MTB weekends come together. Trail notes. Route previews. Early access to dates and booking. Tips for building confidence on the bike. And the occasional story or snapshot from the hills around Whistlefield — the kind of things that keep the spark of adventure alive between rides.

At the heart of all this is a simple belief: every rider starts somewhere, and every pedal stroke builds courage. You don’t need to be the fastest or the fittest. You just need the willingness to turn the cranks and see where the trail leads. That’s the spirit this whole project is built on.

Right now, things are moving quickly. The boosted post has brought in a wave of early interest, and conversations are already happening across email and WhatsApp. Routes are being refined, dates are being shaped, and the first proper season is starting to feel real. You’re here at the beginning — and that’s something special.

The survey responses so far have been incredibly valuable in shaping what these MTB weekends will become — from the types of routes people want to ride, to the level of support they’re looking for, to how the weekends should feel overall. It also has a simple secondary purpose: helping filter out bots so the early‑access list stays made up of genuine riders.

If you’ve already completed it, thank you — you’re directly influencing the first season. And if you haven’t had the chance yet, I’d really appreciate your input. It only takes a couple of minutes, and it genuinely helps guide the direction of this whole project. You can add your voice by clicking here (opens a Google form).

Thanks again for being here.
Here’s to small revolutions of the pedals — and the big adventures they lead to.

2) Meet Stephen - The Rider behind the Adventure

I’ve always struggled with introductions, so I’ll keep this simple and focus on the three things that shape most of my life: family, work, and my passion for bikes.

My name is Stephen and I’ve been married to my wonderful wife since 2019. We now have two beautiful kids under the age of three — both of whom are absolutely running rings around me. I grew up just outside Glasgow, but in 2020 we made the move to the countryside, and we haven’t looked back since.

By trade, I’m a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, with twenty years spent in the Aerospace and Marine industries. I’ve loved the work, but my true passion has always been — you guessed it — bikes.

Like many of you, I’ve been riding since I could stand, but it wasn’t until my late twenties that I really fell back in love with cycling after drifting away from it for a few years. Since then, it’s become a huge part of my life. I’m a member of Lomond Roads Cycling Club (LRCC) here in the West of Scotland, where I serve as Club Secretary and Events Organiser.

Over the years I’ve organised our annual Hugh Dornan Memorial Road Race on the Rosneath peninsula, and last year I had the privilege of organising the Scottish National Road Race Championships — both Open and Female categories — on behalf of Scottish Cycling. Shortly after COVID, I joined the steering committee for the Vale of Leven Trust and helped establish the Active Travel Hub, which is still going strong today.

I’ve completed two cycling leadership courses, hold a VeloTech Gold award for bike maintenance, and I’m already eyeing up the next leadership qualification. At last count, I owned nine bikes and love every discipline: road, track, MTB, CX, gravel, Zwift — if it’s got two wheels, I’m in.

Some of my favourite adventures include riding the West Highland Way over two days, cycling the Great Glen Way, completing a lap of Loch Lomond (a tough one), riding from my front door to the Butt of Lewis, riding to Stornoway, and touring the West Coast of Scotland. This year, I’m aiming to complete the WHW in a single day.

According to Strava, I’ve logged over 2,500 activities, more than 65,000 km, 620,000 metres of climbing, and around 2,600 hours in the saddle — and as we all know, if it’s not on Strava, it doesn’t count. My toughest day on the bike? There have been a few, but the Fred Whitton sportive in the Lake District still takes the crown.

Anyway, that’s enough about me. I hope this gives you a sense of who I am, and I’m genuinely looking forward to meeting you all and hearing about your own cycling stories and passions.

Cheers,
Stephen

Completing the Great Glen

3) The Story...

At the start of this year, I launched the Instagram ad that brought us all together. But behind that simple post sits almost three years of work — including a very stressful renovation of the Bothy — and you might be wondering… why?

Back in 2020, I was made redundant from the Aerospace industry during the COVID pandemic. After years of trying to climb the greasy pole, I realised I’d had enough. I didn’t want my next five‑year plan to be another corporate ladder. I wanted it to be something meaningful — something rooted in my passion.

So I made a decision: I would try to turn my love of cycling into some kind of career. I’m still in the very early stages of building something that may or may not work, but this is me giving it a proper go. And as early adopters, I’m genuinely honoured to have you here at the beginning of the journey.

I’ve always believed that fit people are happy people. Burning energy releases endorphins that lift your mood, sharpen your spirit, and boost your energy levels. Cycling is one of the best ways to do that — and when you combine it with the great outdoors, it becomes a powerful tool for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Since moving to the countryside and exploring the trails around Whistlefield, I’ve been shocked at how few people are riding them, especially given how stunning the landscape is. It feels like a hidden corner of the West Coast of Scotland that deserves to be shared. That’s why I believe there’s a real need for a guided experience — something that brings more people into the area, helps them discover these trails, and gives them the confidence to enjoy them.

4) What’s Next: Building Toward the First Adventure Weekends

As we move through January and February, the focus is on keeping the momentum going. Interest is continuing to build, and I’ll be spending the next couple of months speaking with more riders, gathering feedback, and shaping the first season so it feels welcoming, achievable, and genuinely exciting.

Behind the scenes, I’ll also be completing the final pieces of training needed to run these weekends properly. That includes the MTB Level 2 Leadership qualification and an updated Outdoor First Aid certification. I think it’s important to mention this because it’s part of making sure every rider feels safe, supported, and confident out on the trails — especially those who are newer to off‑road riding.

Alongside the training, I’ll be continuing to build out the trail portfolio. That means refining routes, testing variations, and pulling together a selection of rides that balance scenery, flow, challenge, and accessibility. The aim is to create weekends that feel adventurous without being overwhelming, and that showcase the very best of Argyll’s landscapes.

The plan is to go live with the first set of dates in late spring. Everyone who opted in for early access will get the details first, along with any limited‑space weekends or introductory pricing.

Plenty more updates to come — but for now, thank you again for being part of the early stages. It’s shaping up to be an exciting year.

Building the Dream

5) Survey Insights: What You Told Me — and What Happens Next

Over the past few weeks, many of you took the time to complete the first Adventure Weekend survey, and I want to say a genuine thank you. Your feedback is already shaping how these weekends will look, feel, and run. This whole project only works if it’s built with the people who want to be part of it — and your responses have given me a clear sense of what matters most.

Here’s what stood out.

🌲 1. Experience Levels:

➡️ The group now spans the full spectrum:

Occasional riders looking for guidance, confidence, and scenic routes
Regular riders wanting variety and progression
Experienced riders seeking technical features, flow, and challenge

This diversity is a strength — but it also means the weekends must be flexible and inclusive.

What I’ll do:

Offer tiered route options (Intro / Intermediate / Confident)
Build weekends where riders can choose their challenge level
Provide optional skills coaching for those wanting to progress
Ensure no one feels out of their depth — or under‑challenged

🚵 2. Preferred Riding Style:

➡️ Scenic, Varied, and Fun Across the board, the most appealing riding styles were:

Scenic forest trails
Flow trails
Mixed terrain
Downhill sections (for some)
Several riders said: “I’m unsure — happy to be guided”

What I’ll do:

Prioritise routes like Glen Loin, The Three Loch's Way and Ardgartan
Keep technical features optional, not mandatory
Build weekends around exploration, not adrenaline

⏱ 3. Ideal Ride Duration: Mostly Half-Day or 2-3 Hours

➡️ Preferences clustered around:

2–3 hour rides
Half‑day loops
A smaller group wanting full days

What I’ll do:

Structure weekends around one main ride per day
Offer optional longer routes for experienced riders
Keep the core experience enjoyable, not exhausting

📅 4. Preferred Timing: May to September Dominates

The most popular months:

May, June, July, August, September
Several riders open to mid‑week or weekend
One rider interested in multi‑day (up to 5 days)

What I’ll do

Launch the first dates in late spring
Offer both weekend and mid‑week options
Explore a longer “mini‑expedition” format for confident riders

🤝 5. Social Side: Still Very Important — But Not for Everyone

Most riders said the social aspect is:

Very important — they want to meet people
A smaller group said it’s somewhat important
One rider said it’s not important — here for the riding

What I’ll do

Create a welcoming, inclusive social environment
Make solo riders feel completely normal (because they are)
Allow space for those who prefer to focus on the riding

🏡 6. Group Setup & Accommodation: Mostly Solo Riders, Open to Sharing

The majority:

Are solo riders
Are happy to ride with others
Are comfortable sharing space, but want clear details
One group of two experienced riders also responded

What I’ll do

Provide clear room layouts and sleeping arrangements
Keep group sizes small (2–4 riders)
Offer reassurance around comfort and privacy

🚴 7. Bike Hire: Mostly Not Needed — But Some Will Want It

Most riders have their own bikes, but:

Several said maybe
All who answered preferred leg‑powered bikes
No e‑bike requests in this dataset

What I’ll do

Partner with a local hire provider
Offer hardtail or gravel hire options
Provide guidance on which bike suits which route

🥣 8. Extras You’re Interested In: Food + Recovery Are Big Themes

Most‑requested extras:

Breakfast options
Evening meal options
Sauna access
Jacuzzi access
Ice bath access
Gym access
Self‑catering breakfast packs

What I’ll do

Introduce optional meal packages
Explore partnerships for sauna/jacuzzi/ice bath access
Offer recovery‑focused add‑ons for those who want the

⚠️ 9. Barriers to Booking: Cost, Fitness, Skill Level, Travel Distance

The most common concerns:

Cost
Fitness level
Skill level
Travel distance
Timing/dates
Worry about being a solo traveller

What I’ll do

Offer clear pricing and early‑bird discounts
Provide detailed route descriptions and difficulty ratings
Create a “What to Expect” guide
Offer pre‑weekend check‑ins for reassurance
Make solo riders feel fully included

🔍 10. What You Want Reassurance About

Key themes:

Skill level expectations
Fitness requirements
Clear itineraries and route plans
Tips and hints about the trails
That solo travellers won’t feel like the odd one out

What I’ll do

Publish a clear itinerary for each weekend
Provide fitness/skill guidance for each route
Offer optional pre‑ride skills sessions
Make sure the group dynamic is welcoming and balanced

🌊 11. Other Adventures You’re Interested In

You told me you’d also love:

Road cycling in Argyll & Bute
Paddle boarding on Loch Lomond
Gravel riding anywhere
Surfing or sailing

What I’ll do

Explore multi‑discipline adventure weekends
Consider optional add‑on activities
Build a long‑term plan for road and gravel‑specific weekends

🎯 Final Thoughts

The picture is clear:

These weekends need to be flexible, inclusive, confidence‑building, and social, with optional challenge for those who want it.

Your feedback is shaping everything — from the routes to the accommodation to the add‑ons. Thank you again for being part of the early stages. The first dates will be released in late spring, and early‑access subscribers will hear first.

6) Trail Spotlight: The Glen Loin Loop

A classic Argyll circuit with big scenery and even bigger smiles

Many of you told me in the recent survey that having clear, detailed trail information would help you feel more confident about joining a weekend — especially when it comes to fitness, climbing, route plans, and understanding the skill level required. Riders shared things like wanting “as much information as possible,” and being “intrigued by itineraries and routes,”.

So, in response to that feedback, I’m introducing a new series of Trail Spotlights — practical, rider‑friendly breakdowns of the routes we’ll be using on upcoming adventure weekends. These spotlights are designed to help you understand what to expect, how the terrain feels, and what kind of fitness or skills will make the day enjoyable rather than daunting.

For this month’s Trail Spotlight, we’re heading to one of the most iconic and rewarding loops in the area: the Glen Loin Loop. It’s a route that manages to feel wild and remote while still being incredibly accessible — the perfect blend for riders who want a proper adventure without anything too technical or intimidating.

Starting from Arrochar, the loop eases you in with gentle forest tracks before opening into the wide, sweeping glen that gives the trail its name. The mountains rise sharply on either side, creating that unmistakable Arrochar Alps backdrop. Even on a calm day, the landscape has a sense of drama that makes you slow down and take it all in.

The climb up the glen is steady and forgiving — the kind of gradient that lets you find a rhythm, settle into the flow, and enjoy the feeling of moving deeper into the hills. As you reach the high point, the views back toward Ben Vorlich and the surrounding peaks are spectacular, especially when the light catches the ridgelines.

From there, the trail rewards you with a long, flowing descent that winds through woodland and open hillside. It’s playful without being technical, fast without feeling risky — the perfect place to let the bike run and enjoy that effortless, grin‑inducing momentum. The final stretch brings you back along well‑maintained tracks with glimpses of Loch Long and the surrounding mountains.

What makes the Glen Loin Loop special is its versatility. It’s a brilliant introduction to off‑road riding for newer riders, but still a favourite for experienced cyclists who want a scenic, satisfying spin. It’s one of those confidence‑building routes that leaves you feeling stronger, more capable, and more connected to the landscape.

If you join one of the early guided weekends, there’s a good chance this loop will feature. It’s a route that showcases the very best of Argyll: big views, quiet trails, and that sense of adventure that grows with every kilometre.

Distance: 11 miles / 18km

Elevation: 350-400m

Difficulty: Moderate - Steady climbs, flowing descents, non-technical

Terrain: Forest tracks, gravel trails, open glen trails

Highlights: Arrochar Alps views, Loch Sloy dam

Best for: Confidence building, scenic adventure, mixed-ability groups

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