Loch Ossian Bike-packing Adventure Part 2 - with support from Faff Coffee

From our cosy bunkbeds, we could hear the wind and rain tapping on the windows of our wee hostel through the night – a soundtrack that made us extra grateful for our warm duvets. On Saturday morning, we gathered in the kitchen, mugs in hand, sipping delicious coffee kindly gifted by the folks at Faff – their adventure-ready coffee bags are perfect for weekends like this.

With pastries, porridge, and maps spread out across the table, we chatted through our plans while keeping a close eye on the weather. The original idea had been a refreshing morning dip in the loch, followed by a guided ride to an old ruin and a loop around the water. The afternoon was set aside for hands-on bike maintenance and navigation sessions. But with the wind still making its presence known, we decided to mix things up – starting the day indoors with relaxed workshops and heading out later once the weather softened.

The gentle start gave everyone a chance to enjoy breakfast at their own pace, sip more coffee, and settle in. Then we split into small groups: some focused on trailside maintenance – a must-have skill for anyone who rides bikes, whether for the commute or in the wild – while others tackled route planning and navigation. There was compass work, map reading, gear chats, and a bit of mountain wisdom shared over tables scattered with bike tools and biscuits.

By late morning, the skies had calmed enough for us to get outside. We hopped on our bikes and headed off to explore a nearby ruin and take in the views of the surrounding hills and loch. There’s something special about seeing the landscape just after a weather front passes – fresh, alive, and full of atmosphere. Back at the hostel, a few hardy souls decided to take a dip in Loch Ossian, while the rest of us stayed dry and cheered them on from the bank, wrapped up in cosy layers.

That evening, dinner was a hearty affair – a choice of veggie curry or venison stew, made with ingredients from the wonderful team at Corrour Station House and cooked up by our Camp Mums, Elaine and Yve. After we’d eaten our fill, we played card games, shared stories, and boiled the kettle for another round of hot drinks. Faff’s decaf was popular for a late-night cup, and there was plenty of friendly debate about the ultimate tea-making method.

After a full day of learning, riding, and adventuring, we headed to bed for one last night tucked up in our bunks – full of good food, warm drinks, and great company. A proper adventure weekend, made all the better by the people we shared it with.

Stay tuned for Part 3 – where we’ll chat about the bike bags we used, kindly supported by our friends at Altura.