If Ben Lomond was a business, you’d say it was a victim of its own success. This is Scotland’s most southerly munro, and the ease of access from Glasgow makes it one of the busiest peaks in the UK.

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Over 30,000 people make the summit annually, which is, on average, just over 80 people a day, every day of the year — and that means that finding a day where you can get a clear run from the top, on a bike, is almost impossible. That’s why we got up at 5am hoping to have the place to ourselves.

Dawn Raid Dos and Don’ts

Do…

• Stick to the path. Much of the mountain’s habitat here is protected.
• Check forecasts daily. An average between BBC Weather, Metcheck, Met Office and MWIS produces the most accurate results.
• Take spare tubes. The path has numerous water bars and is predominantly bedrock.
• Visit the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha for coffee/tea and food afterwards.
• Take care on the summit. The edges are precipitous to say the least.
• Keep your eyes southwest — that’s where the weather comes from. You’ll be able to see it coming from miles away.

Don’t…

• Be afraid to call it off. Reaching the summit in cloud or rain is dangerous, and it isn’t the same anyway.
• Forget a camera.
• Forget a spare thermal/down/primaloft layer and hat. Mountain summits are cold before dawn.
• Plan on camping unless it’s in an official campsite. The rules are enforced with fines.
• Pronounce Drymen as it’s spelled.