tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81500278134233040922024-02-19T03:42:37.946+00:00ScotRoutesScotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-17737243526191758872020-01-07T16:18:00.001+00:002020-02-01T22:21:28.738+00:00BAM 2019 Round-up<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A wee round up of some of my overnighters for 2019. In some cases, I had multiple trips per month but I've just selected one from each. All were great fun (even if only in retrospect!)<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">January - Culbin / Loch Morlich</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's always good to get the year off to a flying start. An easy post-pub trip from Nairn along to the beach at Culbin got me a couple of VeloViewer squares too, and I found a lovely wee hollow in the dunes for my tarp. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February - Loch Mallachie</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ticking off another local bivvy spot. Short/easy ride there and a very "fresh" pitch next to the the Loch. I awoke around 2 am with the wind whistling under the tarp but was so comfy and warm I couldn't be bothered moving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March - Strathconon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We abandoned Neills orginal plan when the mental headwind made riding up the strath very difficult. Once the rain came on too I dug around in my memory banks for an alternative. It turned out to be not as sheltered as I'd have liked and I spent a couple of hours holding the tent pole up to save being blown away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">April - Uath Lochan & Loch Tarff (MM200)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two overnighters as part of a 3-day ride on the Monadliath Military 200 route. A lack of Smidge and careless camping resulted in me pulling 24 ticks out of my body after the ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May - Cairngorm Summit</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd been thinking about this one for a while and just took a flyer based on the overnight weather forecast. Had to push up through some snow to get to the summit cairn but found a great spot to relax and watch the sunset/sunrise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">June - Lismore </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another trip I'd been planning off and on for a while. Took in part of the West Highland Way, had a long-dreamed of scoot down Glencoe and then topped off with a bivvy on an island.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a aria-label="Photo – Landscape – 7 Jun 2019, 16:40:34" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/search/June%202019/photo/AF1QipMmj12MGwMK4-qb-YM3LYlvy2H4rGjsluR8zuCk" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;" tabindex="0"></a><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a aria-label="Photo – Landscape – 7 Jun 2019, 16:40:34" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/search/June%202019/photo/AF1QipMmj12MGwMK4-qb-YM3LYlvy2H4rGjsluR8zuCk" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;" tabindex="0"></a><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">July - Loch Morlich</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another post-pub jaunt and back to the shore of Loch Morlich after Neill had a bit of a mechanical and we were running behind schedule. Nice spot but a bit tight for three tents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">August - Glenlivet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bit of a change. I wanted to try bikepacking on the full-suspension Orbea and using a small backpack. This tied in with a bucket-list trip to Glenlivet. As a rig, it worked out really well and it's a set-up I plan to make more of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">September - CL300</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will I / won't I? After an attempt at the Cairngorms Loop group start was ruined due to flooding, I set a date for a repeat attempt and this one just came off so well. I got round in under 40 hours, which surprised me not a little.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">October - Bynack Stable</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dismissed as an option for our June bivvy due to weather and timing, this turned out to be a brilliant spot, fully lit up all night by a huge moon. Bloody cold in the morning though - had to scrape ice off the saddle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">November - Roseisle Forest </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A return visit to a favourite spot but man was it wet getting there (and back) along the Dava Way! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December - Torr Alvie</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This only really cropped up as an option after a short ride there with the Fatbike Highland mob. Great spot with extensive views and not as much traffic noise as I'd imagined. A crystal clear night sky and 3 meteors topped it off and I didn't even care that it was minus 4 or 5C.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a aria-label="Photo – Landscape – 22 Dec 2019, 09:48:54" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/search/_d20191200_December%202019/photo/AF1QipPOXR-JFmIx344sx2k4xLWYMyPFR9bfeCwKFOO8" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;" tabindex="0"></a><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's another 12/12 and now 37 consecutive months. I'm not sure I'll carry on that streak through 2020. Likely I'll head out January and February and then see how enthused I am. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Thanks to Neill for some of the photos)</span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-27702684105734340632019-09-23T18:57:00.000+01:002019-10-19T19:57:58.077+01:00Cairngorms Loop 300<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's 3:20 am and I'm lying in bed wishing I was still asleep. Despite an early night, a last-ditch attempt to "bank" some sleep, I've been fidgeting and slowly watching the clock tick over. I can't switch off my brain though. Details of the route are going through my head, I'm anxious over equipment - do I have enough, what have I forgotten etc. Eventually, at 4:00 I've had enough, get up, shower and head downstairs to eat. Everything is packed so I open the front door and <b>BOOM</b> the cold clear air of the morning hits me. The sky is loaded with stars and a bright moon. Throwing everything in the van, I switch on the ignition and the dashboard tells me it's 3C....<br /><br /><br />This is to be my second attempt at the Cairngorms Loop 300, a 300km double loop around and through the Cairngorm mountains. Three weeks previously eight of us had set off from Blair Atholl after a couple of days of heavy rain. The conditions were atrocious and all but one of us were stymied by the waters of the Allt Garbh Gaick, a mere 30km into the ride (Howard wandered away upstream and managed to find an un-mapped bridge but later pulled out of the ride too). </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This one was even higher on the way back</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conditions this time were very different. Highs of 22-23C were forecast, dropping to only 9 or 10C overnight. I'd packed accordingly but suddenly hitting this cold air had me looking at piles of gloves and other clothing as I shut the garage door. Driving down to Blair Atholl it got colder still and by the time I was there it had dropped to zero. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0T6OrymwLq91NVdwJSs3Ar8JRKEmeyY564Ave_VXG0reExgiXT3zbfDy54xzKTraud6-je-U4HnrUNkDrwuyrYTklyc_6mQv67-RpmSi_KdnJTuM5Cm4o2hu4Oj0DgLDzNgzRHq80Py8/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0T6OrymwLq91NVdwJSs3Ar8JRKEmeyY564Ave_VXG0reExgiXT3zbfDy54xzKTraud6-je-U4HnrUNkDrwuyrYTklyc_6mQv67-RpmSi_KdnJTuM5Cm4o2hu4Oj0DgLDzNgzRHq80Py8/s640/DSC_0713.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's still dark as I pedal to the start line in the Glen Tilt car park and at 6:20 I'm on my way West, the sun slowly rising behind me. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4lvH7P7ra2T041zk9usGKYd-sGRw78wbFOKsxkwdJ4fGHgKaW36Yuivqucvd_Q_AH9YWEcq9ShBXJzFQJAvlMrGq1fbFljqpQLnp9koOrbo8u388Tr6faRTGQO0BN3Wx7BR_BQjbYkE/s1600/P1060065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4lvH7P7ra2T041zk9usGKYd-sGRw78wbFOKsxkwdJ4fGHgKaW36Yuivqucvd_Q_AH9YWEcq9ShBXJzFQJAvlMrGq1fbFljqpQLnp9koOrbo8u388Tr6faRTGQO0BN3Wx7BR_BQjbYkE/s640/P1060065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once on the old road at Calvine, I switch off the lights to preserve battery power. I'm not sure how long it's going to take me for the whole route and how much night riding I'll do so it's a sensible precaution. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScH6UAlgdLyQfPSb2oERwEna-6rn1TQEeClijD6Fxx7AoeSkEZuIJzcMZYJX6fh3l33k76PVGt0fBBiOVGlhy7k7yHpOJjQKdvit359xXasxc4QrfmFDU8pqS3dOUjmxocweDhb_FXZ8/s1600/P1060071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScH6UAlgdLyQfPSb2oERwEna-6rn1TQEeClijD6Fxx7AoeSkEZuIJzcMZYJX6fh3l33k76PVGt0fBBiOVGlhy7k7yHpOJjQKdvit359xXasxc4QrfmFDU8pqS3dOUjmxocweDhb_FXZ8/s640/P1060071.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loch an Dúin. So calm.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the river crossings that had troubled us pass without incident and I'm able to pedal straight across, hardly getting my boots wet. It's not as warm as had been forecast though with the temperature inversion and I'm still riding with my jacket on.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc2axGl0uFfoVJ2cCtR1V4YD6-bB7vrtHPUqSlor1bliXLCnT1P8Dp8WN2R2EDxbo-RIs6CRcjMMHCUK-rJrQhjdA5BHhVcIklJVG5cTBeddWhijAapYaI2NFofPaYBb4amzGWBF2IVE/s1600/P1060072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc2axGl0uFfoVJ2cCtR1V4YD6-bB7vrtHPUqSlor1bliXLCnT1P8Dp8WN2R2EDxbo-RIs6CRcjMMHCUK-rJrQhjdA5BHhVcIklJVG5cTBeddWhijAapYaI2NFofPaYBb4amzGWBF2IVE/s640/P1060072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Glen Tromie and Speyside ahead.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm easily in Glenmore in time for lunch. This is the last provisions stop for quite a while but, despite feeling quite hungry, I can't quite force it all down. No matter, I set off along to Bynack Stable and the big climb up Bynack Mor. This would usually be mostly ridable but I'm being very wary of the type of short-sharp power needed to get up the steeper bits and opt to preserve myself for the more spinny bits of the route. It's a lovely clear day, wall to wall sunshine, but as I climb I can feel that Southerly wind getting stronger and it's a real struggle across the plateau before dropping (carefully) down the first decent.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDwMnA4HnlSpBmNwcdHnLzJ9kUbqEH1osN-zAectysKii0gO5KBZNBWNyKJRMkrdEd08x3s2HLPDCE0as53RFs8KzySfpHiyVd-DJShsLjBj9L90Clwr6Nvl2HlJoKoPB4hOcugp_LZg/s1600/P1060080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDwMnA4HnlSpBmNwcdHnLzJ9kUbqEH1osN-zAectysKii0gO5KBZNBWNyKJRMkrdEd08x3s2HLPDCE0as53RFs8KzySfpHiyVd-DJShsLjBj9L90Clwr6Nvl2HlJoKoPB4hOcugp_LZg/s640/P1060080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking North after the big climb</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a rough banging noise and I realise that the clip holding my saddle bag on has come undone. I put it back together but it only lasts a few minutes. After three attempts I use one of the FixPlus straps I'd packed for contigency. No shame to Ortlieb for the clip failure either. the bag is at least 10 years old and I don't think they had this type of terrain in mind when they designed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shortly later, when I'm pushing a little, my rear wheel jams. Expecting to see a piece of heather caught in it, I actually see one of my armwarmers. It has somehow fallen out of my rucksack. It's twin is nowhere in sight though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The riding along here is a bit on and off and I'm happy to see the Fords of Avon refuge. The Fords themselves are remarkable. The water level is so low that I make it across on the stepping stones.There's a first time for everything!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1j5wkPA_2xDehyFQOb3FbdYAnd-OddVOXntDCfJUGqGuHw8L-_3N32fnhdvyNZGfUQ388rtsiLaZcRzcLeRnws0q_QDKL92-TnPQGoqcoBpZRELIH-xByUL7mBjlKx0bdYfblK2-n3A/s1600/P1060082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1j5wkPA_2xDehyFQOb3FbdYAnd-OddVOXntDCfJUGqGuHw8L-_3N32fnhdvyNZGfUQ388rtsiLaZcRzcLeRnws0q_QDKL92-TnPQGoqcoBpZRELIH-xByUL7mBjlKx0bdYfblK2-n3A/s640/P1060082.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Water levels at Fords of Avon were remarkably low.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5Qp7pda2n6AjuoFmwFKbFYAOLSq9VsYYUnnHqsmEuTkFFstiI_wmeba2p5h8tK4P14nBr1CxjFr_ViGD-BxCaLM0B0EUAwBUNi3vlQAXHX46Nz7rhzK1-WMG93ELYBgH7912BMRF0o8/s1600/P1060083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5Qp7pda2n6AjuoFmwFKbFYAOLSq9VsYYUnnHqsmEuTkFFstiI_wmeba2p5h8tK4P14nBr1CxjFr_ViGD-BxCaLM0B0EUAwBUNi3vlQAXHX46Nz7rhzK1-WMG93ELYBgH7912BMRF0o8/s640/P1060083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a lot of this boulder field to be crossed before Glen Derry</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a lot more pushing and shoving to clear the Lairig an Laoigh before I finally reach the easier tracks in Glen Derry. The colours here are amazing as the sun is turning the corner and hiding behind Derry Cairngorm. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX3UE_-G2TkmlQPhX5g6-L2s_RenPZPTtLEgN45t-NAfsmz-zCOg_lQtotqq_7wAw9pbnqx3l9bjuz9DIRNRW_gdTG51Nvt5LxldszH2w659eWkBdTbD-e3zF1nt1eysRGWcx-dx3N2Y/s1600/P1060085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLX3UE_-G2TkmlQPhX5g6-L2s_RenPZPTtLEgN45t-NAfsmz-zCOg_lQtotqq_7wAw9pbnqx3l9bjuz9DIRNRW_gdTG51Nvt5LxldszH2w659eWkBdTbD-e3zF1nt1eysRGWcx-dx3N2Y/s640/P1060085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An old pine in Glen Derry catching the last of the days rays.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm particularly relived to reach Derry Lodge and get a chance to spin along the track and then the road Westwards, partially shielded now from the wind. I stop at the Red House for a bit of a breather and some food before hitting the watershed but the wind has suddenly dropped and the sun is setting so midges appear from nowhere and I'm forced to hurriedly put the backpack back on and set off.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIFE4WpfUM7MpTva-KFUDgzE12Nlc5sI3ErD-X33gDxI-FKjOWGYdrpFGcU4sMWfhV4C62YkgjMujINqlCA8_nvBuw2dFaRlxzP9Xqed3R0EXM7t6SvYVRDVEHW3SUSSLNbpZp3n32I8/s1600/P1060089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIFE4WpfUM7MpTva-KFUDgzE12Nlc5sI3ErD-X33gDxI-FKjOWGYdrpFGcU4sMWfhV4C62YkgjMujINqlCA8_nvBuw2dFaRlxzP9Xqed3R0EXM7t6SvYVRDVEHW3SUSSLNbpZp3n32I8/s640/P1060089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More beautiful colours and I'm aware I've been on the go a whole day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSKlAcd3CqHQqYPhF34QPnsn09z3Z3qYXAwbeNSlEVsnlBV_zsYVqiS3ymZN5U6ioWSzL1UNL6sI2fr4GrRa1H9lVBA-2j61VBfuvHYzlcYe4bq9Udb5mTwEDOaQ4RMtkqKHhXQz0s_k/s1600/P1060091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSKlAcd3CqHQqYPhF34QPnsn09z3Z3qYXAwbeNSlEVsnlBV_zsYVqiS3ymZN5U6ioWSzL1UNL6sI2fr4GrRa1H9lVBA-2j61VBfuvHYzlcYe4bq9Udb5mTwEDOaQ4RMtkqKHhXQz0s_k/s640/P1060091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Eidart bridge. It feels a bit precarious even in daylight.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3Ptn9FlATLrq1B-4-ubMhiNmpX1Va57y0XVORwXcHV3eIUGw8Yv7fc4jwyWdzuCDLXbhyvBT5_B8VQDOqjmQMlngmbGIbjZJpGa6cMzarC82sz7rDNZkoaCGs52TQc3-GSCiyy9XTS8/s1600/P1060092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3Ptn9FlATLrq1B-4-ubMhiNmpX1Va57y0XVORwXcHV3eIUGw8Yv7fc4jwyWdzuCDLXbhyvBT5_B8VQDOqjmQMlngmbGIbjZJpGa6cMzarC82sz7rDNZkoaCGs52TQc3-GSCiyy9XTS8/s640/P1060092.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was so pleased to see this wee guy as I was riding. Made me feel less lonely!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd fully expected to be doing all of this bit in the dark so I end up making better progress than expected. I'd sort of imagined getting to Ruigh Aitchechean bothy around midnight but it's clear I'm ahead of that schedule. Just as the path starts to improve I hit a deep mud hole and land sideways. My right leg has disappeared up to the thigh in thick mud and the bars of my bike are buried in it up to the stem. Grabbing handfuls of wet moss, I attempt to wipe it all down. I make some improvement, at least restoring my ability to grip the bars and use the controls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On reaching the bothy, I decide to press on. I know it's not long to Aviemore now and a chance for some hot food at the 24 hour filling station. I'm also on "local" territory again so I know what to expect, where the hills are and when to make up a bit of time. Passing the Old Bridge Inn, I see they are still serving. Without a second thought, I park the bike and dash in for a cold lager. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa6tFR33LIt51td930DzrPLmRk4pIJt25zc4icLmmWQscyV0fRYg-ekFJanmYQyiHx6PtiaYt7HYp1PsgGGcUMDofjUxcpajtERSkfnH7cykCzuxAT8kSPmg4cEox2irySHrwnA7-t4Q/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa6tFR33LIt51td930DzrPLmRk4pIJt25zc4icLmmWQscyV0fRYg-ekFJanmYQyiHx6PtiaYt7HYp1PsgGGcUMDofjUxcpajtERSkfnH7cykCzuxAT8kSPmg4cEox2irySHrwnA7-t4Q/s640/DSC_0715.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Midnight at the oasis</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is just surreal. I'm sat in my local, drinking beer, half way round an ITT!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thoughts now are of food and finding somewhere to get the head down. The M&S at the filling station supplies coffee and a toasty which I consume while the drunks from the pubs are queuing up for their own refreshments. The temperatures are dropping rapidly too so I don't hang about too long and start to consider where to stop. I briefly consider switching my tracker off and just going home but that would be cheating :-)<br /><br />I know of a nice wee spot by a loch but I also know that it'll be very cold there due to the water. As I'm making my way towards Forest Lodge, the road climbs away from the river and, as it does so, I start to pass through little bubbles of warmer air. One of these coincides with a small clearing so I step off the bike again, pump up my air mattress, lay out the SOL Escape bivvy bag and just crawl straight in. I'm damp, a bit chilled and tired but I reckon this'll do for a break. It's just after 2am so I set my alarm for 5am.<br /><br />It doesn't take me long to drop off to sleep but I awake with bright moonlight on my face. Checking the time, it's just after 4am and I've gotten a wee bit colder. Rather than dig out warm or dry clothing I decide to pack up and set off, target Tomintoul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm 30 minutes early for breakfast at the Richmond Arms so I head for the public toilets to get cleaned up a little. I manage to get the worst of the mud off and try to look a bit more human so as not to upset the hotel residents over breakfast. The staff are on to me though and sit me through in the bar area away from the other guests! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite being aware that I need to keep my energy levels up I actually struggle with the full breakfast and just can't eat it all. I still have lots of snacks with me though and I know that I will make Braemar by late afternoon.<br /><br />Setting off up Glen Avon the winds are now ferocious. It's a lovely glen but there is no shelter and I'm often struggling to make progress. The climb up to Loch Builg has me off the bike again after being blown off sideways a couple of times. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Glen Avon. Lovely to look at......</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">....can't see the wind though!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no respite either on the climb up Culardoch. I'm forced to count a few steps, stop, re-start until I eventually see the slope levelling out and the view over to Lochnagar. What follows should be a fast downhill but I'm aware of the cross-winds now so I have to rein it in a bit. After another climb I hit the pine woods and then the main road for a tired schlepp into Braemar. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Culardoch climb complete</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lochnagar - and about as much cloud as I saw over two days.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this lower altitude, and with the shelter of the buildings, it has suddenly become much warmer but I opt to get out of the sun and have a toastie in the Bothy Bistro. I'm sat beside the wide-open door though so any odours are at least escaping. Again, I struggle to eat much. Then I'm off towards Linn of Dee again. There is more shelter here so I'm out of the wind and it's really very pleasant. Part of me wants to stop, maybe overnight, just to rest and enjoy the evening. However, I'm not carrying enough for a comfortable long stop so it's time to crack onwards.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Obligatory selfie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bynack Lodge. A potential lazy stopover.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Linn of Dee I'm back on the track I passed over less than a day before. This feels a bit weird, like I'm doing laps of some huge race, but at the Red House (no midge this time) I cross the Geldie and start my way south - back into the headwind - again. The top end of the Glen is fine but as the Tilt develops the track deteriorates again and I'm simply too tired to deal with it. Again, I'm reduced to pushing the bike, maybe getting on for short sections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then there's the "sting in the tail". A less sadistic route-setter would have ended the circuit by heading straight down the Tilt to Blair Atholl on a good, fast track. Steve Wilkinson isn't that man though and It's off up to Fealar Lodge after crossing the river. I'm reckoning on this taking up to 5 hours on account of my fatigue and give myself a wee target of trying to be back at the van by midnight. I'd completely forgotten how steep the climb out of the glen is and it's a case of pushing up a metre or so, then stopping, then pushing, then stopping. When the track flattens out a little I can see the good estate road I'll be on but it's a long and frustrating detour to get to it. Once there though, I'm slightly happier. At least I can mostly ride now, despite the further climbs. Hitting the Allt Fearnach descent gives me a huge buzz. Suddenly I'm moving very quickly and closing the distance between myself and the end of the loop. I'm very glad of having full suspension too as I'm getting tired and lazy and I can just let the bike handle all the rough stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Turning Westwards at Daldhu the sun has set again and It's back to using the lights. I'm happier to up the power levels though as I know I'll have enough juice to get me back to the van. Inevitably, I'm again forced to push uphill and then I seem to struggle to find the turn-off I need. I keep looking at the GPS, and it's clearly marked on the map, so I ride a while, check the GPS and I don't seem to be any closer. It's frustrating and I reckon my mind is just now starting to struggle. Eventually, I see the turn off and head down towards the river crossing. My exuberance is too much and I have another over-the-bars but land on the heather, cushioning any damage. This is stupid. I'm within just a few km of the end so risk-taking really isn't warranted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The final climb gets me to a new piece of hard-packed track and from there it's another fast descent past the weirded-out fishers at Loch Moraig, onto the tarmac and the final couple of twists and turns down to Blair Atholl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The route officially ends at the railway station so I head straight there to get a customary selfie with the station clock. When I look at the photo I see it's around 10:20 so I convince myself it's not been re-set since the start of BST. Only when I check the time again on my phone do I see that's it's actually correct and I'd made it back much quicker than I'd expected.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aye - it's all smiles now....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />That's a pretty significant tick in the box for me. I've upped my mileage this year, refined my kit list and even opted to change bikes for this one. Making it back in just under 40 hours was as much (more) than I'd expected. I was frustrated by the wind, which never really seemed to work in my favour and struggled to eat properly. I also think I made some sensible tactical decisions - like not pushing too hard on the difficult trails and saving my energy for the fast ones. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRLKcdFxbmAmbryZ8CfyblbnC3QLCqI5K_4zcNJ0O3PDoAmFUsRjUeuUafdw6APp8F-2tjEGT19VvTQtbACv3w9XDmooW9_qxsZ3FBZApV4DxX2kzrp41gXT5h_eJItfyq6CggH5L-0Y/s1600/DSC_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRLKcdFxbmAmbryZ8CfyblbnC3QLCqI5K_4zcNJ0O3PDoAmFUsRjUeuUafdw6APp8F-2tjEGT19VvTQtbACv3w9XDmooW9_qxsZ3FBZApV4DxX2kzrp41gXT5h_eJItfyq6CggH5L-0Y/s320/DSC_0717.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A ready-reckoner for a tired mind</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYZ3tpcgcZcWnD8SqprDhCKtZ_G1g9xN8tO4758AKRfqgC-MvMFC-Lofk3CFZF4QoCYnpE25EMoqw2oUjNRIcs9mNZdSFQXzjc73CIfMzcg3nS2eCMuUwi38TajhBamTcSusKCf0JuR4/s1600/Screenshot+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1291" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYZ3tpcgcZcWnD8SqprDhCKtZ_G1g9xN8tO4758AKRfqgC-MvMFC-Lofk3CFZF4QoCYnpE25EMoqw2oUjNRIcs9mNZdSFQXzjc73CIfMzcg3nS2eCMuUwi38TajhBamTcSusKCf0JuR4/s640/Screenshot+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">301km, 4,866m of ascent</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I reckon my next trip might involve quiet roads, B&Bs and pubs...</span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More info on the Cairngorms Loop route and the "rules" around self-sufficient bikepacking ITTs can be found here: <a href="http://cairngormsloop.net/">http://cairngormsloop.net/</a><br /><br />Big thanks to Steve W for having the foresight to set this up.</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-53707608336408129272019-09-23T14:08:00.004+01:002022-02-06T15:36:50.888+00:00And the best bike for bikepacking is....<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The one you already own…</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It’s a bit of a meme, I know. Oft asserted by the old hands who have carefully built up their bike collections and have a bike for every possible niche.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">For a bit of a change, I thought I’d go against the grain a bit and do away with that, choosing to take out my “Less than appropriate” Orbea Occam on a trip I’ve been thinking about since I moved to Aviemore 6 years ago. Simply enough, it’s 50km to the trail centre at Glenlivet, so ride there, bivvy, do the red descent, then ride home.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">To help with the load bearing, I fitted a Gorilla Cage to the one set of bottle mounts on the frame. That gave me some storage space low down. My insulated jacket squeezed into a small drybag there. I also fitted an old Ortlieb 3L saddle bag that I bought years ago for commuting. That held a couple of inner tubes, tool, levers, some snacks and a few items of clothing I might want through the day. Having packed those, the rest of my overnight kit went in a 25L rucksack. It was by no means full and the weight wasn’t so great as to feel uncomfortable.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It’s a fairly well-kent route, heading up past Ryvoan Bothy, past Dorback Lodge and on to the Burn of Brown.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The trails were all very dry and I managed to make all the river crossings dryshod. However, at this point, disaster struck. A bottle of Smidge I’d been carrying in the side pocket of my rucksack had bounced out. This was potentially the end of my ride. Bivvying with just a tarp and no midge protection at this time of year was likely to be fatal. A quick check of the time and I reckoned I might just make it to the one shop in Tomintoul before it closed – though I had no idea what time that was. What had been a leisurely ride became a sweaty race and I pulled up to the Tomintoul Post Office at 18:05. Thankfully, they were still open and I managed to come away with a bottle of Jungle Formula.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I was now desperate for food and drink so popped into one of the hotels for a cold beer and some hot food. I made the mistake of taking my GPS with me and, when browsing through the maps, came up with another option for the night – to head to Faindouran with a view to the Fords of Avon and Loch Avon in the morning and a climb up Coire Raibert to get back home. This was only really an option due to my choice of bike and carrying most kit in my rucksack. The thought of lugging a laden bike up Coire Raibert would never have occurred to me.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In the end, I opted to stick with Plan A. There is something particularly refreshing about camping high. As I left Tomintoul, dusk was settling in and I took the Speyside Way to the top of Carn Daimh. Given previous experience with other sections of the Speyside Way, I should have known better…</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I was suckered in at the beginning as there has obviously been some recent pathworks on this section. This flock of sheep were certainly making good use of it.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">After that, it did the SSW trick of running around field margins over tussocks, before making a beeline up a hill. I was just able to keep enough momentum going, particularly thankful for the rear suspension. As I climbed, the sun was just beginning to dip below the nearby hills.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">By the time I made it to the summit, the sky had become a deep red.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Despite the quite fierce wind, I hung around sheltered by the viewpoint as the world around me went dark. It didn’t look like the wind was about to drop any time so I headed downhill into the lee and came across a great little spot for my tarp. As I was setting it up, the wind DID drop and I was suddenly engulfed by the flying hordes. I scrambled to put on a midge hood and leg warmers and considered decamping to the top of the hill. However, the lull was only brief and the wind picked up again, just as strong. Decision made, I was here for the night.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I had a pretty good nights sleep. One pee break at 2am, then an alarm call at 5:45 for the dawn. It was overcast and dull so nothing to write home about. Another nap ensued before I packed up and headed to the top of the red trail.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Not my fastest descent and the amount of seat drop I could manage was limited by the bag I’d fitted, but great fun and even better knowing I’d not have to take that dumb-assed route back to the trail head. Instead, I headed back to Tomintoul for breakfast.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">After breakfast, the route back also gave me the opportunity to stop at the viewpoint I’d had to speed past the night before, en route to the shop and midge salvation.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I wasn’t the only busy soul around, especially now that the heather is in full bloom.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So, a great trip. Proof enough for me that you don’t need to spend a couple of thousand on Ti-framed, B-Plus bikes with expensive, niche bags (though feel free to do so). If I lost out on some road/gravel sections, I certainly made up for it on the fun singletrack and descents. There are also other routes (like my Loch Avon idea) that suddenly become a lot more do-able. My one piece of advice though would be to, instead, spend some of that money on lightweight overnight kit. Once you can cut the weight and bulk, opting for a rucksack is nowhere near as bad as it might be (and I’ve made that mistake in the past).</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Of course, I’m probably now blacklisted by the Guild of Bikepackers for my heresy, but at least my Orbea is in British Bikepacking Orange 🙂</span><br />
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<br />Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-54608529165874511342019-09-23T13:42:00.003+01:002019-09-23T13:42:31.758+01:00Home to home<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Piemonster (Shaun) had a plan that we should do a 2-day ride from his house in Burntisland to mine in Aviemore. I left all the route planning in his hands, other than adding a compulsory stop at Stewart Tower Farm. Shaun booked annual leave, I booked a train to Burntisland. Then Shaun contacted me the day before to tell me he wasn't feeling too well. Rather than let the plan be wasted I decided to do it solo, though Shaun accompanied me for the ride through Dunfermline. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bikes on trains are great. It always spells a.d.v.e.n.t.u.r.e.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weather on the day turned out to be much better than forecast. It was weird to be looking at Edinburgh after having lived there for over 50 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a second breakfast at Aberdour before hitting the delights of Dunfermline (lots of houses but almost continuous cycle path), whereupon Shaun headed back and I headed up and over the Cleish Hills. It's a gradual climb up but gives great views over Loch Leven and a nice descent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soon enough I was on the shores of Loch Leven, following Shauns carefully mapped route and thus ignoring shorter/faster options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I saw lots of these signs on the byways near Glenfarg</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost every one was right before a climb :roll: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before long, I was thinking about food again and considered stopping in Perth but I still had a goal in mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For those that haven't been, the cows that make the milk used in the ice cream are in the field next door. It's as close to zero food miles as you can get so I always "support their business". :lol: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of Shauns route choices were, err, eccentric.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd no idea of how deep this was going to be but escaped with just damp soles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not a bad gateway for a Sustrans route.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just don't expect the same standards everywhere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Killiecrankie I took another Shaun bypass option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By this time, I'd already planned to stop for food in Blair Atholl but was now left wondering what my next step would be. With no sparkling and witty banter to be had, I didn't fancy hugging the bar for a couple of hours, so the original plan of bivvying in Blair and then heading for breakfast at House of Bruar was cast aside. It was all now about how far it was worth pedalling on. I even considered just riding home. I'd likely arrive about 1 am. However, I really enjoy sleeping outdoors so, after finding out that the Newtonmore Grill opened at 6:30, I decided to head north and see how the legs were. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can check out, but you can never leave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I obviously had a tailwind coming over Drumochter as I found myself reaching Dalwhinnie before 10. And then the rain started. That made up my mind and I decided to find somewhere to pitch. With two roads and a rail line to consider I reckoned on a spot at the end of Loch Ericht for a bit pf peace. While it hadn't been too windy, I now had a wind coming right up the loch. Ignoring thoughts of recent dam bursts I found a sheltered spot on the dam wall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In fact, it was so sheltered that I was even getting midged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What followed was, I think, the worst nights "sleep" I've ever had. I was comfy, warm, tired and sheltered from the wind I could hear gently roaring over the dam but I just couldn't get to sleep. I reckon I had maybe 2-3 hours in total, broken up through the night. I was also getting various cramps, possibly from dehydration. Maybe I was subconsciously just wishing I'd cycled through the night and gone home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By 5 am I was ready to strike camp (in the rain) and head north to Newtonmore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I arrived just as the cafe was opening and sat eating my roll surrounded by drowsy truck drivers, obviously all wondering what the hell I was doing there. A constant light drizzle followed me home, with me getting there at 9 am. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All in all, a funny old trip. Not as planned and a lousy nights sleep. Still, all good miles though and enough nice food to help make up for it all.</span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-89901557853920900082019-06-10T21:50:00.000+01:002019-06-10T21:50:27.810+01:00Leisurely Lismore Loop<div>
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Don't you just love it when a plan comes together and you can combine all sorts of things you wanted to do into a ride? The Isle of Lismore had come to my attention through working at Ticket to Ride, when one of the holidays we supported took that route to Oban rather than riding through Benderloch and Connel. Always keen to include a ferry (or two) in a ride, that looked rather appealing. I've also log had a hankering to cycle down the main road into Glencoe, with those wonderful mountains on each side. A bit of map work and I managed to come up with a 150km loop that would also give me a June bivvy opportunity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An early morning start from home was required to get me to my start point at Bridge of Orchy so everything was prepped and packed the night before. The weather had been pretty foul for the past week or more so I was doing a lot of last-minute kit replacement as the forecast developed. Leaving he van though, I was finally committed and set off on the Amazon towards Forest Lodge and the West Highland Way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I've walked this section of the WHW a couple of times but couldn't remember how rough it was likely to be. The initial "cobbled" bit was tedious and bumpy with no suspension, but it got much rougher as the highest point of the route was reached and I started the descent to the White Corries. I cajoled the Amazon down the track, trying to avoid the biggest boulders and soon made it to the ski area where I felt a second breakfast was in order. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The sun was putting in the best show it had for a while as I started along the A82 towards Glencoe. This was just how I'd dreamed/imagine it would be - a bit of a tailwind, bright blue skies, warm air and friendly traffic as I swooped further between the mountains. I was on a real high by the time I turned off the A82 past the Clachaig Inn and along the old road to Glencoe Village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">From here, I was able to avoid the main road almost completely. The cycle track took me to Ballachullish where I picked up NCN78 (The Caledonian Way) southwards. This takes a great route along the seafront at times, giving great views across to Ardgour and Morvern. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My plan had been to catch the 16:00 ferry from Port Appin, but checking the time I saw that I was well ahead of that schedule and wold easily make the 15:00. However, I was enjoying myself so much, and the pedalling was so easy, that I decided to put in a little bit more effort and try for the 14:00. That would get me onto Lismore in time for the cafe and shop. As it was, I was a wee bit early so had time to chill before boarding the quaint wee craft that serves as the Port Appin Ferry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My first impressions of Lismore were that it is very, very green. It's also very relaxed and friendly and on my short ride to the Heritage Centre and Cafe I encountered loads of folk out walking and cycling on the one road that runs through the spine of the island.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was clouding over a bit as I reached the cafe but it was still more than warm enough to be sitting outside and relaxing over my food. I'd got here early and now basically had little to do other than find a spot to camp and chill for the evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finding a camp spot actually proved to be rather more difficult than I'd anticipated. Lismore basically has one road, lined with fields of sheep and the occasional nice wee house and every track leading off the road goes to a farm or other house. Neither was there much in the way of tree cover to hide behind. I found a spot almost at the South end of the island where I had no fence to cross, there was only one farm past me and I could be a little way off the road. Furthermore, it had an excellent view North, East and South. I had a couple of other areas I'd thought about trying, and it was still fairly early (especially given it doesn't get dark until 23:00) but I was happy with where I was and to just chill out rather than searching around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first arrived, the few sheep in the area wandered off. By the time I had the tent up and was lying in it having a wee rest, they were getting a bit more brave again. A little later, they would just ignore me as if I had been there forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With only the sound of a few birds and the munching of the sheep to distract me, I settled down with some food and the hipflask and just watched as the evening slowly descended across the mainland. There was a big cruise ship (later found out it was the Queen Victoria) anchored just off Oban with a PA system that was threatening to spoil my solitude but it sailed off into the sunset.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A substantial difference in their accommodation and mine!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sleep was interrupted by the sound of rain on the tent and a feeling that I was lying on the ground. Actually the ground, not my mat. It turned out that the mat had deflated slightly. This can appear to happen when the ground is very cold but in this instance I was concerned that there might be a small leak. In any case, a few breaths and it was back to being firm again, though it had softened again by the time I got up in the morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, the overnight rain had stopped by the time I got up and, other than having to pack a wet tent, didn't cause me any problems. The sun was already getting warm as I made my way to the other ferry terminal for the "big" ferry to Oban. Again, I was a wee bit early, giving me time to have a mooch around. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MV Loch Striven</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are few finer sights than a bike on a ferry/</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming off the ferry at 10:00 I was already feeling peckish so made for one of Obans many outdoor cafes. In my brief time there I had one foreign gentleman asking me all about my Bearbones riding jersey, asking what shop he could buy one from, another cyclist heading to Barra amazed that I had all my tent, sleeping and cooking gear in the few bags strapped on the bike, and an older motorcyclist impressed with the fact I was pedalling the whole 160km route. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2016/09/ncn78-caledonia-way-in-day.html" target="_blank">When I'd ridden all of NCN78 in a day</a>, I'd skipped the little spur into Oban as I headed North. Today made me realise just how good an idea that had been as it's a fair old pech heading into the hinterland from sea level. Lovely roads though, with little traffic. This time, when I hit Taynuilt, it was on to the main road towards Dalmally. That meant I was now having to deal with some faster traffic but, other than one dodgy overtake at Loch Awe, it was all fairly relaxing stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just before pulling into Glen Orchy, the heavens opened. I had seen the black cloud approaching for some time but I could also see the end of it and realised that it wasn't worth even stopping to put waterproofs on. Glen Orchy again put me onto quieter roads. I'd driven this road before and can't say it made much of an impression on me, but cycling it, with the decent weather, it turns out it's really, really, nice. The river is full of interesting pools and falls and there's even the most southerly remnant of the old Caledonian Pine Forest. In fact, I was enjoying it so much that I was finding any excuse just to stop and delay getting back to the van to finish what had been a really good ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summary: I went for a ride. Not much happened. It wasn't an "Epic". It was great!</span><br />
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Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-43594773834735944862019-05-15T14:51:00.003+01:002023-04-24T13:40:35.798+01:00May Summit Bivvy<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Well, the weather has certainly been somewhat variable. Late snow falls and then a mini-heatwave gave me the idea of doing a high bivvy I had promised myself over the winter but had somehow never fitted in. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I left around 17:30 in scorching heat and headed up towards Glenmore when I bumped into Neil out for a wee spin and he accompanied me for a bit of a chat (and was on hand to take a photo of/for me). </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /><br />Once at Glenmore, the hard work begins so it was a grind up the ski road to the Sugar Bowl car park then up the old zig-zags and thence to the car park. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I made an effort to cycle up the main access track as much as I could but it's incredibly dry and dusty so traction was almost impossible to find. Luckily, I didn't have to cross any snow until past the Ptarmigan. What little there was created a bit of extra drag on account of it being so soft. With time in hand, I made it to the summit and worked out where the best shelter would be. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I found a wee spot in amongst the rocks and laid out my bivvy bag, mat and sleeping bag before getting some water on for some soup. It was very relaxed, with only the occasional whirr of the Automated Weather Station for company every 30 minutes. I hoped it wouldn't be so loud as to stop me from sleeping. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I watched the sky gradually change colour then, just after 10, I flashed Mim with my torch a couple of times and she confirmed she could see me from our bedroom window. That was quite a weird feeling; on the one hand quite remote, but with this very strong connection to home. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I awoke just after midnight; (1) the moon turned out to be very bright, despite the overhead haze, (2) the wind had shifted and I could now feel it buffeting my bivvy bag and trying to get in the top and (3) my bladder was crying out for relief. The latter made up my mind. I quickly exited the bag, did the necessary, then picked up the bag and moved it round a bit to a big rock shelf I knew from a previous bivvy. However, I was now even more under the glare of the moon. Luckily, my hat was big enough to roll it down and cover my eyes. Though I could still hear the wind, I was now well out of it and settled back to sleep.<br /><br />By 3:30 or so, the wind had turned again, strengthening too, and I was getting more buffeting which was also cooling me down quite a lot. I now faced the bivvy-dwellers dilemma - get more sleep or stare transfixed at the developing colours in the sky. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">After a while, I cooried down, knowing it wasn't too long before sunrise. At 4:30 I had the water on again for coffee. I've been experimenting with meths stoves recently, in preference to wasting partly-filled gas canisters and not had a lot of success. As it turns out, my meths was just getting too cold. This time, I had the bottle in a bag and the bag inside my sleeping bag being warmed up by my body. This worked a treat and it lit first time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKGXE-7mNLMZsYmD9pVUZYatv90yZ1BZIbon1V6VzTyZO23zLl5iRlOAEVhwqxITOC9m-aLIT0qmPYroWoJqhZhqBANeFJyWyVwnNicm4-qHNYLAZMkLd3XvQmsLg275XoZRnE06oCqI/s1600/P1050685.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKGXE-7mNLMZsYmD9pVUZYatv90yZ1BZIbon1V6VzTyZO23zLl5iRlOAEVhwqxITOC9m-aLIT0qmPYroWoJqhZhqBANeFJyWyVwnNicm4-qHNYLAZMkLd3XvQmsLg275XoZRnE06oCqI/s640/P1050685.JPG" width="640" /></a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><br /></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Packing away my gear, I took the mat out of the bivvy bag and found that the bottom of it was absolutely drenched through condensation. I guess an indication of (a) how cold the rock had been and (b) how well the mat worked given I had been warm enough on it all night. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The return trip through Glenmore highlighted just how cold it had been, with frost on some of the parked cars. Back in the sunshine, however, it was again very pleasant.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /><br />Oh - and no midgies or ticks! This summit camping has much to recommend it.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-82056160005810473352018-07-07T16:22:00.000+01:002018-07-07T16:28:02.688+01:00BAM 2017 Round up<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />Time passes...<br /><br />It's a while since I provided any updates to this blog so I thought I'd start by doing a bit of a re-cap and summary of what I've been up to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bivvy-a-month (BAM) concept has proven to be an absolute winner. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">When I've been disinterested, poorly or just downright lazy it has provided enough of an incentive to get out for a bit of de-stressing under the stars. Most recent exploits have been fairly local to me. On the one hand, this has reduced the amount of exploring I've been doing. On the other, it has made me even more grateful for living where I do. Many of the spots I've chosen would be great if they came in the middle of some long-distance route, so some readers may find inspiration.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><b>August - Whiteness/Ardersier</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition to BAM, I've also been chasing another geeky statistic - VeloViewer. Within VV there is a concept of "exploring" grid squares, trying to get to as many as possible and linking them up into Squares or Clusters. Browsing the map I notices a few unvisited squares on the Moray Coast and then one of my colleagues had mentioned Whiteness beach. I was keen to put the two together and scraped in my August BAM until the last night of the month. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG4uTDS-oCaDJrL3j72njdXl6NkHDAz3371iU71Ug_EYP2sMGly-1I_ANijq_5M7GU-VJ_EmsE0uh5tCxXhlKsGocXMLyABqg1E6Qigz8xUSsv_OuKSL1IE5wZe6tGdm1C0CpnMxGoqE/s1600/P1040511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG4uTDS-oCaDJrL3j72njdXl6NkHDAz3371iU71Ug_EYP2sMGly-1I_ANijq_5M7GU-VJ_EmsE0uh5tCxXhlKsGocXMLyABqg1E6Qigz8xUSsv_OuKSL1IE5wZe6tGdm1C0CpnMxGoqE/s640/P1040511.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving the van in Nairn, it was an easy trundle across the golf course and then along the ever-narrowing beach until I reached the end of the spit of land. In fact, my course shows me having been into the sea on the maps. I had been prepared for a beach/dune bivvy spot but then I came across this lovely area of grass just outside an old house that has been beautifully restored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pitched the tarp using the two bike wheels, looking out to sea. With a bit of a breeze, I was pretty well sheltered and enjoyed a wee bit of supper before nodding off. Unfortunately, the wind direction changed by about 180 degrees overnight, meaning it was blowing <i>into</i> the open side of the tarp. Too unwilling to do anything about it, I just rolled over in my bivvy bag and got back to sleep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn't take me long to pack up in the morning and head back to the van, an early start seeing me home for breakfast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>September - Cross-Scotland twice with Neill </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neill had set off on an Outer Hebrides bikepacking trip and we'd discussed what route he might take back, favouring reversing the HT550 route from Ullapool towards Croick then to Garve. His trip was lass than favourable with a mix of poor weather and some physical discomfort. As a result, I acted as ambulance driver, picking him up in Ullapool and driving him home. However, the seeds had been sown so, as soon as he was able, we decided to ride that route in both directions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've done the Ardgay-Ullapool poop previously but I hadn't expected quite so much time and effort to get to the Croick junction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also took the more southerly option past Corriemulzie Lodge. Again, I hadn't expected it to be quite as slow along the Allt nan Caorach section so was glad when we were finally in Glen Achall with a chance to scout around for bivvy spots. With a likely spot in mind we hot-tailed it down to the delights of Ullapool for food, accompanied by the dulcet tones of Johnny Cash...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Replenished, we headed back up past the quarry in the dark and set up tarp and tent. Before long we were visited by the local farmer, worried that we were poachers. A long, pleasant and rambling conversation followed before they headed off home and we got some kip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We awoke to a dampish morning, the dew having been heavy overnight. A quick breakfast and it was "only" a matter of heading back East again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We took the more direct route to Croick and turned South. At this point, Neill was struggling a bit so I gained a gap and took the very unusual (for me) opportunity to brew up a coffee out of the headwind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also detoured on the way back to the A835, approaching via Strath Vaich rather than Strath Rannoch. I'd passed the end of Strath Vaich so many time that I was determined to find out what lay in its upper reaches (mainly some estate houses). A further short-cut back along the road brought us back to the vehicles and we both felt we'd had a good ride out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">October - Tullochgrue with Ross and Ally</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chat with the local mates had indicated that I might convince a couple of them out for a bivvy before the weather turned too cold and a mild night proved to be just the job. My aspirations were, in any case, constrained due to a heavy fall off my bike, almost ending in a potentially fatal fall into the Spey. With banged up ribs, I wasn't exactly in the mood for a long trip. I'd had an idea of camping at Tullochgrue, above Rothiemurchus. It has one of the best views of the Northern Corries and is also a great spot of the Northern Lights are putting on a display. However, the flatter spots are right next to the road and I knew we'd need a reasonable area for three of us. I took the opportunity to scout the area out and found a great, more sheltered, spot just down the hill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'd met up with Alex for a pre-bivvy drink... that became two, then three, then four. Fair to say it was quite late by the time we left the Woodshed for the short cycle. With loads of space though, we soon got comfy and we was quite amused by the fact that we could just make out the lights of Aviemore through a gap in the bushes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a great spot and one I'm sure to revisit. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">November - Loch Pityoulish</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a picture-postcard idea of what it's like when the snow has fallen. Folk imagine that a fatbike will be great, regardless of the snow conditions. In truth, there are long spells when the snow on the paths and tracks has been compressed into a bumpy, icy, assault course. So it was when I was trying to fit in a November bivvy. Road or track, both were affected by ice so I knew I wasn't going to be going far. Fortunately I remembered that I'd been meaning to try a pitch beside Loch Pityoulish. The one, almost permanent, downside of the spot I had in mind is that it is subject to the prevailing wind coming off the Cairngorms and whistling across the loch. However, the wind patterns offered an opportunity, the wins having swung round to the North West. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I managed a whole 4 km or so from the house before it clicked that I'd forgotten my sleeping mat. I returned briefly to pick it up then almost through the bike down the road crossing a patch of ice. The track through Rothiemurchus deer farm proved to be one long sheet of ice that I had to navigate via its narrow verges. The spot I'd sought out turned out to be ideal, well sheltered and with a view of the open skies and snow-covered hills. It was noisy though. The sound of the A9 traffic was drifting from the West, no doubt helped by that breeze. It proved to be quite a cold night too, though I was more than warm enough in my winter-weight bag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I was packing up in the morning I spotted a bit of stone wall on the wee hillside above me. I discovered it was a tiny graveyard with a tremendous view. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>December - Carn Sleamhuinn</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was another VeloViewer chase (see August). I'd spotted a couple of squares that I'd somehow managed to bypass on other rides and walks so concocted a short route to link them up, coupled with a choice of bivvy spots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My route initially took me past Carrbridge then across the A9 into an area of forest just south of Slochd. The map showed two sections of forest track approaching with a couple of 100 metres of each other and I hoped there would be a way to link them. As it turns out, the map is out of date and there's a very good forest road leading down towards Sluggan Bridge. This was my first likely camp spot. However, the cold, still air had settled down in the glen here beside the river and I hit a very cold area - around -6C - with hard frost on all the grass visible in the mooonlight. At that point I decided that my second option - high up the hill - was likely to be better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tracks leading up Carn Sleamhuinn are rough and bouldery and would be familiar to those who had walked or ridden the Burma Road before it was somewhat tamed. I had to make a detour of 500m or so to make sure I visited one of my wanted VV squares. As I climbed, I was on the look out for a likely bivvy spot but once I was with 500m or so of the summit cairn I knew that's were I would end up. The ground is broken peat on a sandy base but I managed to find one lump big enough for the tarp. Amazingly, given the altitude and exposure, there was little breeze. I could just make out a bit of a glow from the lights of Aviemore, steeply beneath me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a good nights sleep, though the wind suddenly made its presence felt around 8 am, gusting over the tent. I just turned over and tuned it out for a while but, eventually, my bladder declared the moments respite over so it was a matter of quickly bundling everything together, strapping it on the bike and heading home via another VV detour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So - that's me managed 12 out of 12 for 2017 (with some additional bivvies not documented here in addition to that). As a "reward" Stu for BearBones commissioned a badge for those completing the collection. I must say it looks mighty fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-18956489317345693142017-07-22T23:56:00.001+01:002020-03-25T19:16:52.034+00:00So Low<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>In the whole spectrum of mountain bike riding, I guess bikepacking is seen as the safe, bimbly cousin of the likes of Enduro. Yet here I was, cold, wet through, hurtling down a steep gravel track in the middle of the Highlands as fast as I possibly could on a skinny-tyred hardtail, loaded up with luggage and juggling the needs of speed and smoothness, in order not to get a debilitating puncture - or worse. .......</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The high point of Carn an t-Suidhe looking over to Loch Ness</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the start of this year I decided I was going to stay away from year-on-year comparisons of how far I'd ridden, how many metres of ascent I'd racked up and just relax into enjoying my riding. Almost inevitably (as seems to have happened in may previous years) summer has come round and I find I'm now doing less than I was in the cold, dark months. It's like I've just got a bit bored, or just not as well organised. Couple that with the constant stream of updates on Facebook and Twittter, of posts on forums etc and I'd started to develop a bit of depression. It seemed no matter how much i wanted to get out, I always found an excuse not to. What's more, I've simply got out of the habit of doing long days and certainly not multiple long days. The sensible approach would, of course, be to build up my stamina again, with a longer term goal in mind. However, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with a fairly busy July I thought I'd better get something done about my "bivvy a month" plan. Not being able to coordinate with my usual companions also gave me the opportunity to try out a 200km loop I'd been contemplating that might require a bit of experimentation and where I'd rather not drag an unsuspecting guest with me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The premise of the route was simple enough - use a combination of old military roads and the new(ish) South Loch Ness Trail to circumnavigate the extensive and fairly empty area of mountains known as the Monadliath. In my case, that involved starting in Aviemore and I headed out from home on tracks I know really well. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuPjb5eF8KmXSFGiAwapIKFFkjzZPPt8_Rx3bdRtOAKKUTXW-SLeEdtMZ_B3YHhDgg3_V9IRS9RCgtlsoLi6pnZ7ZD5u4CLO6emjOp24jEAJvG3Rg6chm3lUtYDmR8LU-f_NWQns8Eic/s1600/P1040341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuPjb5eF8KmXSFGiAwapIKFFkjzZPPt8_Rx3bdRtOAKKUTXW-SLeEdtMZ_B3YHhDgg3_V9IRS9RCgtlsoLi6pnZ7ZD5u4CLO6emjOp24jEAJvG3Rg6chm3lUtYDmR8LU-f_NWQns8Eic/s640/P1040341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't normally stop to photograph this as I see it so often!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6tDWuTlc8ZXyk1ZOJM9Pf_0e8xMFtHqarpnUj0eh0WdbbZOzkCHJ-gmOj3rJCyEM0O_jTYn_CcxEmNNAJhtaPyOsF4ymKkTl7ZBiDve6PsD7p-BwIVMbcK-1tFYV4whD72AnMcdh-yk/s1600/P1040349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6tDWuTlc8ZXyk1ZOJM9Pf_0e8xMFtHqarpnUj0eh0WdbbZOzkCHJ-gmOj3rJCyEM0O_jTYn_CcxEmNNAJhtaPyOsF4ymKkTl7ZBiDve6PsD7p-BwIVMbcK-1tFYV4whD72AnMcdh-yk/s640/P1040349.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sweet woody singletrack</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cO3qP1jUUO5UCD_0cXCHCY6mvMJcG6oxF6VITmOidEh9xrJVY1Hfz4LyBN_81_s_alTTmYnXWqJdfBKiC_admelRDmFAgMInVyHokPa3qDqUUjUBJwK2gTwKubH77yN7v2kSfdlzHaw/s1600/P1040350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cO3qP1jUUO5UCD_0cXCHCY6mvMJcG6oxF6VITmOidEh9xrJVY1Hfz4LyBN_81_s_alTTmYnXWqJdfBKiC_admelRDmFAgMInVyHokPa3qDqUUjUBJwK2gTwKubH77yN7v2kSfdlzHaw/s640/P1040350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tonights destination in the distance - under all that cloud!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heading south through Glen Feshie and then out to Insh, I found a section of track that used to be very boggy has now been resurfaced. Perhaps as part of the Speyside Way extension to Kingussie? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMV3ndnYWwtC3k6-uOkNazEqoCAYDlGmBrT7_cgzJGy5YxpDcdNFIbICA_JQ88jauo8M19GVZaVPatw0QQheBrV-iliu3bYGC2tzl59JJapojsGrHCGkQiyJUrzsllJm7T4lzh_DxUaZ4/s1600/P1040352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMV3ndnYWwtC3k6-uOkNazEqoCAYDlGmBrT7_cgzJGy5YxpDcdNFIbICA_JQ88jauo8M19GVZaVPatw0QQheBrV-iliu3bYGC2tzl59JJapojsGrHCGkQiyJUrzsllJm7T4lzh_DxUaZ4/s640/P1040352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was a bog last time I rode it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once at Ruthven Barracks I was now essentially following the old General Wade Military Road all the way to Fort Augustus. Evidence of the route is everywhere, the many bridges, the culverts and the straight lines. Wades men were paid by the mile and he didn't mess around with many bends!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ6Sq1zHscFBbGam_NBWX07c7eSUth13PQtVTwUXLnSBT-GTdQO7Y2fEb6ZGCc7PDaUajG32awVwatTtQhQ2agYSK5w18CpvYYSmjWkcNlGm7Wy9y2zYfMyr3k5qbgbA-_QzbWm0tkz0/s1600/P1040354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ6Sq1zHscFBbGam_NBWX07c7eSUth13PQtVTwUXLnSBT-GTdQO7Y2fEb6ZGCc7PDaUajG32awVwatTtQhQ2agYSK5w18CpvYYSmjWkcNlGm7Wy9y2zYfMyr3k5qbgbA-_QzbWm0tkz0/s640/P1040354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruthven. The start (or end) of the road to Fort Augustus</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTFxVHwfnNMbD1re-kU6K5DoYwikwiOlao8wAF0aV_P3eamp7GC_2oq7Lzoh4mqYg4vu19gTwU3ooTzV3U8G1Io4NagiqiZyQ_Isr2HWjJ9HttlnppuktAzsG6xJmhEqLfm9GX9ivS0A/s1600/P1040355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTFxVHwfnNMbD1re-kU6K5DoYwikwiOlao8wAF0aV_P3eamp7GC_2oq7Lzoh4mqYg4vu19gTwU3ooTzV3U8G1Io4NagiqiZyQ_Isr2HWjJ9HttlnppuktAzsG6xJmhEqLfm9GX9ivS0A/s640/P1040355.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not heavily used, this section nut a good link between the Cairngorms Loops and the HTR 550 ITT routes.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjW9rlQ-puW85thx1JZc2R10JmYRXK2OIX119MVJqUViCcp8UbGHRsWQt4t_vkO5ASJAv4RxAk5DZInYdt4_53OsTdtL5K0QLeVj2-Wk5EUpmqetD5JRYZTRWreZuI9bxf7emuvGFyxk/s1600/P1040356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjW9rlQ-puW85thx1JZc2R10JmYRXK2OIX119MVJqUViCcp8UbGHRsWQt4t_vkO5ASJAv4RxAk5DZInYdt4_53OsTdtL5K0QLeVj2-Wk5EUpmqetD5JRYZTRWreZuI9bxf7emuvGFyxk/s640/P1040356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wade everywhere</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrWn0y2bHoDO8jC7f6fLC0DeuslOEbtKXtFHdTbzLlpv5kMTJTfGMNz5ASYAljnukZef29AfTrl4cfCF9cld8_nPbsTFE3p9g6JtcrLPHW05SNmdIdMx8jYSotunmmTRvpT-2hlWX3Ug/s1600/P1040364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrWn0y2bHoDO8jC7f6fLC0DeuslOEbtKXtFHdTbzLlpv5kMTJTfGMNz5ASYAljnukZef29AfTrl4cfCF9cld8_nPbsTFE3p9g6JtcrLPHW05SNmdIdMx8jYSotunmmTRvpT-2hlWX3Ug/s640/P1040364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Watching me, watching you</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3J9h1xLTNJ1gdSh2Px3_aBLoa06q5OuHhyphenhyphenTvE5ldUSYkFzYZEY9IYZPx7Shb4JLSp-6vDeok6uNreq_DybmqdeVAMsCyzh4oqieM8ghBez3z6GVAvCfFwJ3xA-OAXzfop1YVfMzI-0Ws/s1600/P1040369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3J9h1xLTNJ1gdSh2Px3_aBLoa06q5OuHhyphenhyphenTvE5ldUSYkFzYZEY9IYZPx7Shb4JLSp-6vDeok6uNreq_DybmqdeVAMsCyzh4oqieM8ghBez3z6GVAvCfFwJ3xA-OAXzfop1YVfMzI-0Ws/s640/P1040369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across the A9 and back onto the old RoW</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_i7OI0JYF-bZ3fnCOk3YodMDphSAgAyNbXO1jLzJQcUGYE6z6EWRmiRNf2li8ZdMWckUvYtCElIvMXfx_DJKYrzZOi_O6HGJD1Chf4ZGkzqdkXRXBbwEgTub-prKS1GYGVRdUvQmgAg0/s1600/P1040371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_i7OI0JYF-bZ3fnCOk3YodMDphSAgAyNbXO1jLzJQcUGYE6z6EWRmiRNf2li8ZdMWckUvYtCElIvMXfx_DJKYrzZOi_O6HGJD1Chf4ZGkzqdkXRXBbwEgTub-prKS1GYGVRdUvQmgAg0/s640/P1040371.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking west</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnbBIap3-64lWFW7_thRiIkKNqA5s3kDH8dmD1q_Iu-Qh58zkvMo4_QdENqCj5m47lm8CZEbmt8qGjgL42S9kPuUzy8vKLUM61kVP8ZQFSgwRwRv5gUen5tnHoJy-UZ0murZnjkIdqOQ/s1600/P1040373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnbBIap3-64lWFW7_thRiIkKNqA5s3kDH8dmD1q_Iu-Qh58zkvMo4_QdENqCj5m47lm8CZEbmt8qGjgL42S9kPuUzy8vKLUM61kVP8ZQFSgwRwRv5gUen5tnHoJy-UZ0murZnjkIdqOQ/s640/P1040373.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't say you've not been warned!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd been expecting rain all day and as I approached the minor road at Catlodge it put in a brief appearance before abating again. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw6KDZAH5zDeeKzcAfK9ZzLS1dyfIACUQETrlvQ4jYLQfVMyWL_wdKuZwR1l9SOw2kph5fhJhpyUzyH5UJFTUQzewHMYXNxpUiC5yOGkZQbWTOZC8MtWCyVGM2fj7Zo3wgnLCDnUQ94A/s1600/P1040376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw6KDZAH5zDeeKzcAfK9ZzLS1dyfIACUQETrlvQ4jYLQfVMyWL_wdKuZwR1l9SOw2kph5fhJhpyUzyH5UJFTUQzewHMYXNxpUiC5yOGkZQbWTOZC8MtWCyVGM2fj7Zo3wgnLCDnUQ94A/s640/P1040376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Orphaned bridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_wpjHwAAZzJ_Nb52B85ehhDdR0cP0C9vaCUFp32EpH-9YWPPA-WoxtIh1rZv-4RwonvBI4NoTq0IUB5-P8MLDuj-QRKscR6ILDTNZ1JJBjtQ0U5xGWFqjlWMt40iFOmr3oRFH0-1FCw/s1600/P1040382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_wpjHwAAZzJ_Nb52B85ehhDdR0cP0C9vaCUFp32EpH-9YWPPA-WoxtIh1rZv-4RwonvBI4NoTq0IUB5-P8MLDuj-QRKscR6ILDTNZ1JJBjtQ0U5xGWFqjlWMt40iFOmr3oRFH0-1FCw/s640/P1040382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Traffic jam, Garva style</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, it still looked dark and foreboding in the West and by the time I reached Melgarve Bothy it was full on. I actually considered stopping here instead of carrying on up the hill but decided that it was still too early and would give me a very, very long day 2. It got wetter and wetter as I climbed and the exertion meant I was soaked through by the time I reached the top of the zig-zags and the old hut on the col. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7oGDFNgR2T-6gTXRcHzOXvAZml7Jpu-QczmHVzwSmtM57zYK34HVhhjH9E5fUVHTkv586snmIFBpSj9Xfo0ZfIXx2ASliiTqK5WCqRo7ivhgboaEDKZbun0oV7lgMi1-6UPzQ18730E/s1600/P1040384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7oGDFNgR2T-6gTXRcHzOXvAZml7Jpu-QczmHVzwSmtM57zYK34HVhhjH9E5fUVHTkv586snmIFBpSj9Xfo0ZfIXx2ASliiTqK5WCqRo7ivhgboaEDKZbun0oV7lgMi1-6UPzQ18730E/s640/P1040384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Feint rainbow indicates prevailing weather at Garva Bridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR3Geqrl5vo74SLDb73qLmXHoaTH-eLnQVYDEZMxzEmlWe-op4bUFY8GA53hirrQ46Uc4EPpTqAGsTdRbl_0fTD410Y513ToWdLhaO0tcKz-NPtnX86KNPyCd8gwm2z_qVPe3vq_YbLc/s1600/P1040385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR3Geqrl5vo74SLDb73qLmXHoaTH-eLnQVYDEZMxzEmlWe-op4bUFY8GA53hirrQ46Uc4EPpTqAGsTdRbl_0fTD410Y513ToWdLhaO0tcKz-NPtnX86KNPyCd8gwm2z_qVPe3vq_YbLc/s640/P1040385.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dreich</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU0lbJkND33IY784rNv9uy9bVw62ehr3MbOjDwkMcnD9mcQ4ZAtRfXmBxKq5p1m7A7i0CsEH8TOP5L231rFwO7Tz6QT9dfE4lhYAhfpmV9Jdxs9DU39geUjkqeEOe4XKeqdlS0B3V1xI/s1600/P1040386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRU0lbJkND33IY784rNv9uy9bVw62ehr3MbOjDwkMcnD9mcQ4ZAtRfXmBxKq5p1m7A7i0CsEH8TOP5L231rFwO7Tz6QT9dfE4lhYAhfpmV9Jdxs9DU39geUjkqeEOe4XKeqdlS0B3V1xI/s640/P1040386.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Still dreich - but at least we're now heading down</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhyphenhyphen36HsV5-e3Ck-U28puFZqoFUklc1hZphTIXAXVpUzUPJmFTjotyG3rBjDnM6BJzo1aIDCLT_EQu9lc99WmTiiTBZoLFpUi6gGFWfG2VeX_RXW8UUp2I0Fzw_sl-PdK_HBApweyU_eY/s1600/P1040387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhyphenhyphen36HsV5-e3Ck-U28puFZqoFUklc1hZphTIXAXVpUzUPJmFTjotyG3rBjDnM6BJzo1aIDCLT_EQu9lc99WmTiiTBZoLFpUi6gGFWfG2VeX_RXW8UUp2I0Fzw_sl-PdK_HBApweyU_eY/s640/P1040387.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking hopeful</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JFr6NugJDQ9Nj772OSU4pCa8kG7_CV9qAvwGq4fnm6x6yufPSQFzyYsRAznkthY4tRAA5vZcEKb__5DsZ7ZAizzO0nWzHiT-B8iWlIDM0s2l8XM-icXcbGMHVlFJoaV7xoy8jhDNXYQ/s1600/P1040388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JFr6NugJDQ9Nj772OSU4pCa8kG7_CV9qAvwGq4fnm6x6yufPSQFzyYsRAznkthY4tRAA5vZcEKb__5DsZ7ZAizzO0nWzHiT-B8iWlIDM0s2l8XM-icXcbGMHVlFJoaV7xoy8jhDNXYQ/s640/P1040388.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pizza calls!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd been avoiding looking at the time all day, preferring just to ride until I felt ready to stop but in checking the GPS, I caught sight of the Time and it turned out to be after 8pm. By now, all I could think about was getting inside somewhere for warm food and a drink, and thinking the chippy closed at 9pm, I careered down off the summit as fast as I dared. I reached Fort Augustus at 8:45, parked up the bike and presented the soggy mess I was in the chippy, taking off my wet helmet and jacket and dashing to the counter, only to be told they were open until 10!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A huge pizza was ordered, along with both hot and cold drinks. Despite my hunger, I could only manage around half of the food but I was in no hurry anyway as at least I was warming up.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq0ktPCFFQT4vAWsCUxzjFnRM002xRs9VFLqpEabK3VNmIncJke0tKDBLBGyEPHynP9HTC51V-NOUliVXL2O3KdKnvV8wNazaCjkbDMY_rPUEetBeYC588aTdXDxzMNjbIreaDzdOKuU/s1600/20170713_210741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq0ktPCFFQT4vAWsCUxzjFnRM002xRs9VFLqpEabK3VNmIncJke0tKDBLBGyEPHynP9HTC51V-NOUliVXL2O3KdKnvV8wNazaCjkbDMY_rPUEetBeYC588aTdXDxzMNjbIreaDzdOKuU/s640/20170713_210741.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the meat. ALL OF IT!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At almost 10, I headed out into quite a pleasant evening. The clouds had all but passed over and everything smelt very fresh. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaL0dJMPopWiAqHNOApIZdgyHBmxKVb3pEK5nzpXjCVrSdBkJ_Ntc-vy0jqXqnUsqXIZdZeSTHKJ6KknHleTeQDjx-Un4n5o1Zish2ehgTxORZCtijEspN6_AVJaEdMAeO1Jd5wE8rNc/s1600/P1040390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaL0dJMPopWiAqHNOApIZdgyHBmxKVb3pEK5nzpXjCVrSdBkJ_Ntc-vy0jqXqnUsqXIZdZeSTHKJ6KknHleTeQDjx-Un4n5o1Zish2ehgTxORZCtijEspN6_AVJaEdMAeO1Jd5wE8rNc/s640/P1040390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loch Ness</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now I'd be following the South Loch Ness Trail to Inverness and I found the new section on the outskirts of Fort Augustus that avoids the steep road climb - not that this was any less steep. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkq1P3YBVvYq7fmkofiSesgUJwfJnhVw-_g4sSAIUAGI_Ut0rR9CFl-FFAUF1lPrUt_nByuBQnL4G-yYWuZsXqogqLAJ2S7WGR7BIzG3-ge-2Ip4lV1axzY52F4LpSD4rWlAP-byNyqY/s640/P1040392.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fort Augustus far below already</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkq1P3YBVvYq7fmkofiSesgUJwfJnhVw-_g4sSAIUAGI_Ut0rR9CFl-FFAUF1lPrUt_nByuBQnL4G-yYWuZsXqogqLAJ2S7WGR7BIzG3-ge-2Ip4lV1axzY52F4LpSD4rWlAP-byNyqY/s1600/P1040392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4vJ15MdngLQMC4JWpq2gf3IcO0ct8kHMrTXwpIZasotSrfwxXkacSXsr1dqREfYvQEqSdDlMoO07IlFvplg7JX6MGoKMb9TlWzIiJ80Iflhzd5pkWErJJIx6X4qH1yvjVXoH0d0X5m0/s1600/P1040394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4vJ15MdngLQMC4JWpq2gf3IcO0ct8kHMrTXwpIZasotSrfwxXkacSXsr1dqREfYvQEqSdDlMoO07IlFvplg7JX6MGoKMb9TlWzIiJ80Iflhzd5pkWErJJIx6X4qH1yvjVXoH0d0X5m0/s640/P1040394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the new South Loch Ness Trail extension </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a couple of miles, the track ended at a compound for the new windfarm construction and it wasn't clear how I was supposed to get back to the road. I found a watchmans hut and knocked on his window, giving him a huge fright. After pointing me in the right direction, he asked if I was stopping for the night and I replied that I'd been planning on Loch Tarff. He suggested a spot behind a large mound on the main parking layby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The advice was great. i was able to get right down to the lochside, taking advantage of the breeze to keep the midge at bay and I was pretty well hidden from any passing traffic. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOkkTQcxeWHH31J3cLJHxAgLOpmeXx3RPq7G4u8O_dGwnqtwsdJ5m_RAqIV13iYyEboLSI4BtwobzqIDuncSBGaJE6Y3klq80CVtzr3hTajmu2TvIiXNqh0knWzyl79hkqMm83I6NA9c/s1600/P1040395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOkkTQcxeWHH31J3cLJHxAgLOpmeXx3RPq7G4u8O_dGwnqtwsdJ5m_RAqIV13iYyEboLSI4BtwobzqIDuncSBGaJE6Y3klq80CVtzr3hTajmu2TvIiXNqh0knWzyl79hkqMm83I6NA9c/s640/P1040395.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Night at Loch Tarff</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6PvZEyQkGhSeoHXuYbb3rCXkuha0vsRc-JQd0hyphenhyphenzfndBrnxzm3BnZkhiBxpcx1dhFOp6fQA1N1FnIf8RmSs3gsNNkyB3IPff3j54CywbKqA9bQ23hsZXxwri-_iSm7cweIAPIcP9Qw4/s1600/P1040397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6PvZEyQkGhSeoHXuYbb3rCXkuha0vsRc-JQd0hyphenhyphenzfndBrnxzm3BnZkhiBxpcx1dhFOp6fQA1N1FnIf8RmSs3gsNNkyB3IPff3j54CywbKqA9bQ23hsZXxwri-_iSm7cweIAPIcP9Qw4/s640/P1040397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Morning at Loch Tarff</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTJpnTN7lyDgV_hLMgBpDONsdxz59re73fvV78en4Iy_USC7jAG-r5Kuq-jg-9GJ9R6ptSESrJF_n8rQWBeieXlTwVweOAB_uAvI941xgN0IMNdUu9Ldk6Rgus3qgeZnNvQU8VTwg0Ho/s1600/P1040399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTJpnTN7lyDgV_hLMgBpDONsdxz59re73fvV78en4Iy_USC7jAG-r5Kuq-jg-9GJ9R6ptSESrJF_n8rQWBeieXlTwVweOAB_uAvI941xgN0IMNdUu9Ldk6Rgus3qgeZnNvQU8VTwg0Ho/s640/P1040399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some early morning warmth</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ckFwEbe58b7xdoNAnDn84OZD_5f7UTvx8Ry3yxLn8-wQnzLCAnwavEi1_wCSrc8xNlsvZXQtHeHAJC6IsaCx9tp2CUW9VyLmNsUqeeDbfcTfUV_k2RVI12vsdLdHoiKp6NhgENrTwGI/s1600/P1040403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ckFwEbe58b7xdoNAnDn84OZD_5f7UTvx8Ry3yxLn8-wQnzLCAnwavEi1_wCSrc8xNlsvZXQtHeHAJC6IsaCx9tp2CUW9VyLmNsUqeeDbfcTfUV_k2RVI12vsdLdHoiKp6NhgENrTwGI/s640/P1040403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My bivvy spot - from the road</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00SUhay3e01ZvwuGzqFMHu7jX1CNoPhh30JNXqM8Blqo0sxUDH9x81RcdAnRFhLkPGEEOqUjDqoJctGzRPkCLLH2LomO59ZiNCEmNcJaBRv8NHCXLYI2Iseo0Bf6E2y7zdxh_BmLoxoM/s1600/P1040404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00SUhay3e01ZvwuGzqFMHu7jX1CNoPhh30JNXqM8Blqo0sxUDH9x81RcdAnRFhLkPGEEOqUjDqoJctGzRPkCLLH2LomO59ZiNCEmNcJaBRv8NHCXLYI2Iseo0Bf6E2y7zdxh_BmLoxoM/s640/P1040404.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And looking back down to Loch Tarff</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I awoke to a lovely morning and had a relaxed breakfast. I fact, I was enjoying just being there so much that I sat for much longer than usual. I'd have stayed even longer if I'd had more gas for my stove and more coffee to drink. Eventually, I got packed up and headed up the "steep" part of the SLNT to the summit of "the Suidhe" - a view that rarely disappoints. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpcvjrhSmxNL2E44YbV2v3adZvFeo1aPjQtLZpnxQYuet85iHaBBAr0bzZRl_1AinHrtZBzQkPdLy_hHVBp_OtrFUoDSboUcMCdVCBsx4ka82PhYt22nHeaXMDrTzhIxcdVLEBnyq9as/s1600/P1040408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpcvjrhSmxNL2E44YbV2v3adZvFeo1aPjQtLZpnxQYuet85iHaBBAr0bzZRl_1AinHrtZBzQkPdLy_hHVBp_OtrFUoDSboUcMCdVCBsx4ka82PhYt22nHeaXMDrTzhIxcdVLEBnyq9as/s640/P1040408.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loch Mhor in the distance</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nA5jMZxoeOQTktjIcf8MGOzLr0fzrBtQuzA8TVfuWPEqaAu0ZJPWxVDmP_DqTYUJKlIsfdsCYbZ0p1J7PpiMLwS5o-7__02HHe6rMFLVsegmWnBD9d9mpAVcLSzMBpawnK-ZvoFe7Kk/s1600/P1040412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nA5jMZxoeOQTktjIcf8MGOzLr0fzrBtQuzA8TVfuWPEqaAu0ZJPWxVDmP_DqTYUJKlIsfdsCYbZ0p1J7PpiMLwS5o-7__02HHe6rMFLVsegmWnBD9d9mpAVcLSzMBpawnK-ZvoFe7Kk/s640/P1040412.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The SLNT markers - some easier to find than others</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8ijH82NnGI8arimJ7n8dAQlrZKuuRyxFnz0Y48ZBNGNco6tXh6NtdY2nUAanCFcpeQI7TQYUavYi5GQ0HQgFj6JOROgdCylXt-1K9y1nqqL3WeLZfVBY_F5wAu7WAd2qM516_d-mCCA/s1600/P1040413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8ijH82NnGI8arimJ7n8dAQlrZKuuRyxFnz0Y48ZBNGNco6tXh6NtdY2nUAanCFcpeQI7TQYUavYi5GQ0HQgFj6JOROgdCylXt-1K9y1nqqL3WeLZfVBY_F5wAu7WAd2qM516_d-mCCA/s640/P1040413.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More evidence of Wade</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSldweB3toBFznQQGQnlNtluYmWiQJMScO8_qCqVfjyitPQqkkrkw9Jd8pERNBsK_ifnsSMckFJ_RNVp7Dpq7MpguoPz9ZauBX7JiH_lDcrYufjObCFz0j7YD_2K97C6q3A-1sCv2Wd5Q/s1600/P1040416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSldweB3toBFznQQGQnlNtluYmWiQJMScO8_qCqVfjyitPQqkkrkw9Jd8pERNBsK_ifnsSMckFJ_RNVp7Dpq7MpguoPz9ZauBX7JiH_lDcrYufjObCFz0j7YD_2K97C6q3A-1sCv2Wd5Q/s640/P1040416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lovely old section of road - buzzards mewling on both sides as I shot this.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G-IPPLR76dnBZ6sWpRKEHVJf4-FF0fqJVtYnkuaLpHzZhb5Q70tH2HBHPR1Ip2RcP_5C4GAY06YGKKbrGX6fduAwYzAmXeg-UIORMTPtkI6xR1aWpajlaVYc5n6YTf_1bWz3BcTB7XQ/s1600/P1040418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G-IPPLR76dnBZ6sWpRKEHVJf4-FF0fqJVtYnkuaLpHzZhb5Q70tH2HBHPR1Ip2RcP_5C4GAY06YGKKbrGX6fduAwYzAmXeg-UIORMTPtkI6xR1aWpajlaVYc5n6YTf_1bWz3BcTB7XQ/s640/P1040418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And some more rugged looking stuff too</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From here, there's a wide variety of paths, tracks and backroads to Foyers where I arrived to find the Waterfall Cafe was open and serving breakfast. That was too much of a temptation and resulted in another lengthy halt. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpLxmL1VfzqkN8TCaxdRL8HfLG75egfmrR5im_FKjDAwQ-yvVhqG5cx5kQnXgS0gWocrDYjK5Vq74x6oBtHRBKtglse1o__ifxuAaY-3K6WeYEnJb8YmSMeCxYvxTqZN1p_5N1vBnJ-U/s1600/P1040420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpLxmL1VfzqkN8TCaxdRL8HfLG75egfmrR5im_FKjDAwQ-yvVhqG5cx5kQnXgS0gWocrDYjK5Vq74x6oBtHRBKtglse1o__ifxuAaY-3K6WeYEnJb8YmSMeCxYvxTqZN1p_5N1vBnJ-U/s640/P1040420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Always worth exploring if you've time - but leave the bike.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was now faced with a choice; the official SLNT route takes a hilly and rough route to Inverfarigaig and the suggestion is that cyclists avoid the worst of this by heading along Gleann Liath. Opting for the "full experience", I chose the footpath. Having now done both options by bike, I strongly suggest the Gleann Liath variant if on two wheels.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCWYuZKmgxx_UOtobEgilBbPTpDsB3PUGnNZkX1AxuIrIOpBjyz4zZ1487rOhfUI_OGvU9hWlSAGg4aiVlRW6XYt5pgZ3P82gehSRNturXJBRuTGJ6xCbAgrCPPFxHMEemQ1c0umF5kc/s1600/P1040421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCWYuZKmgxx_UOtobEgilBbPTpDsB3PUGnNZkX1AxuIrIOpBjyz4zZ1487rOhfUI_OGvU9hWlSAGg4aiVlRW6XYt5pgZ3P82gehSRNturXJBRuTGJ6xCbAgrCPPFxHMEemQ1c0umF5kc/s640/P1040421.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Via ferrata - with the bike</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFsMGgHXvVMcbyity9llSqvi_REOF3YDu7hq1lSvFhzxm81B_ooFZQ7NaTUuHHlsdrODX7YsyyBI1IZlpc6XXECzfXMv2r0AG3yWo2A2Kc2y7Cg80Wb11ASYPZWSwPaOYxvSnnxLHUG8/s640/P1040422.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Steep.Very steep</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFsMGgHXvVMcbyity9llSqvi_REOF3YDu7hq1lSvFhzxm81B_ooFZQ7NaTUuHHlsdrODX7YsyyBI1IZlpc6XXECzfXMv2r0AG3yWo2A2Kc2y7Cg80Wb11ASYPZWSwPaOYxvSnnxLHUG8/s1600/P1040422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having reached the level of Loch Ness at Inverfarigaig I now had the delight of the "Corkscrew" road. It's hard to describe this. The zig-zags are steep, tight and narrow but at least have most of their complement of tarmac. Once it starts to flatten out though it deteriorates into no more than a rough farm track. However, it's an efficient way to gain height again and the climbing continued all the way up to the Fair Haired Lads Pass. From here, I was treated to a great view of Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness before once again taking my inappropriate bike down a really steep, switchback descent. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A-PdeMSqm95XElmaVF9RzIbvvZ03qP3RWc1F2oEna3kHu9-UKVUzhlTQzMwI9RuvhG7t3cmSywaRBQN2DINtAbXmu4XzLgL9cFQFfG-Qpw0fCDF5mG-8mIXrVpPrEXcyGNzZ3clcVuo/s1600/P1040423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A-PdeMSqm95XElmaVF9RzIbvvZ03qP3RWc1F2oEna3kHu9-UKVUzhlTQzMwI9RuvhG7t3cmSywaRBQN2DINtAbXmu4XzLgL9cFQFfG-Qpw0fCDF5mG-8mIXrVpPrEXcyGNzZ3clcVuo/s640/P1040423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, this is a "road"</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymDGhDU5Nudntv2GIJcS6Hux-oYso_JDgk9MiEDJIMigMWdl-_RWeA4uEzrmrjtfTmjQQKQysqFg2T_S9EfcI42tRRxjio6-PaPntPp6SyNvfC3IkwymihmvTo8UTl5pspFa7vEn2q5o/s1600/P1040427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymDGhDU5Nudntv2GIJcS6Hux-oYso_JDgk9MiEDJIMigMWdl-_RWeA4uEzrmrjtfTmjQQKQysqFg2T_S9EfcI42tRRxjio6-PaPntPp6SyNvfC3IkwymihmvTo8UTl5pspFa7vEn2q5o/s640/P1040427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Urquhart Castle - a view few tourists will see of it</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CzdIi_fuZSXWe5zREXYdMu7Vmu00sLQx8Hjfqh2UidwZPP5VdbqnLzU3mbZNv03ItQFevKq_anpt3k-QvHV8Ei7MmaV3bt8xDn1D0vjJyhjG6uilPkpErM5xPypARhyphenhyphenQD-BhRU54iDk/s1600/P1040429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CzdIi_fuZSXWe5zREXYdMu7Vmu00sLQx8Hjfqh2UidwZPP5VdbqnLzU3mbZNv03ItQFevKq_anpt3k-QvHV8Ei7MmaV3bt8xDn1D0vjJyhjG6uilPkpErM5xPypARhyphenhyphenQD-BhRU54iDk/s640/P1040429.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Start of the descent to Loch Ness. Wrong bike again!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time I reached the lochside again I was almost at Dores and, once again, the temptation to stop was too much. This time I just opted for a cold beer and a packet of crisps but I was aware that overall I was much slower than day one.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ5zDFizZsoDz6CTeiR-D-9Jljss8mKPv3WU4s1AJPq7mW8TbGhRTM5HdEJKxcyP9Js7oqdz0iWKQFSS0DKAXhHP6rAQcGQ5iOn8nlAyeaa-v-V1debOziavy1NG86ts-rvdehkFN09g/s1600/20170714_121949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ5zDFizZsoDz6CTeiR-D-9Jljss8mKPv3WU4s1AJPq7mW8TbGhRTM5HdEJKxcyP9Js7oqdz0iWKQFSS0DKAXhHP6rAQcGQ5iOn8nlAyeaa-v-V1debOziavy1NG86ts-rvdehkFN09g/s640/20170714_121949.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pint of lager and a packet of crisps please</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFEp91Kqz_zTy4J4hOIuvxtn1f23BgXnYUmbjFhPrF97a8cgXzmjeN-1rY2RQQIwOLfeqWY5P75O0VAoeJrrocHBbxtT-DI5YbC64rllzjCqL_S71Q4zUhpYTjoNxvEmwacpR9roadVY/s1600/P1040430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFEp91Kqz_zTy4J4hOIuvxtn1f23BgXnYUmbjFhPrF97a8cgXzmjeN-1rY2RQQIwOLfeqWY5P75O0VAoeJrrocHBbxtT-DI5YbC64rllzjCqL_S71Q4zUhpYTjoNxvEmwacpR9roadVY/s640/P1040430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From this......</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfLihnR8RRagLWdPyUYxJNjsei0aR0WUCosSsRhg3jYlpoHHEAvjRTexRjtwJIrbNnPHDUH_HgOsr8zvgTxlsDo8jV2NQBiK00FV2YJc-nYKJpa0OqbklaP3eJ764zvI5b6gBAu4wF-0/s1600/P1040431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfLihnR8RRagLWdPyUYxJNjsei0aR0WUCosSsRhg3jYlpoHHEAvjRTexRjtwJIrbNnPHDUH_HgOsr8zvgTxlsDo8jV2NQBiK00FV2YJc-nYKJpa0OqbklaP3eJ764zvI5b6gBAu4wF-0/s640/P1040431.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.... to this in a few hundred metres</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another steep climb took me back onto the off-road section of the SLNT and I was eventually spat out onto the Inverness Distributor Road. This just felt weird. The vast area of tarmac seemed quite alien after two days of being almost always off-road. Before long I was at the Old Edinburgh Road and once again hooking up with General Wade towards Aviemore.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj9Xr9BYvCEN6VKDOJdJkHjAgTs5fkVwNZ__Idcl7sNWMPE7MtqxYRN5vr17qtCliMkW_t_TmA54E2LSO3MG4apX9qCZMRhi0VKu_6h_FWBbTERf2N3E3UC8GmqBxgdVQx5HiJuYAsdE/s1600/P1040432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj9Xr9BYvCEN6VKDOJdJkHjAgTs5fkVwNZ__Idcl7sNWMPE7MtqxYRN5vr17qtCliMkW_t_TmA54E2LSO3MG4apX9qCZMRhi0VKu_6h_FWBbTERf2N3E3UC8GmqBxgdVQx5HiJuYAsdE/s640/P1040432.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back to Wade</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSndTGsxyalFCrmpLqbaTiPBy3JrgFUkY4zXQUy5w84Fx_7D3qUg849NqCHS1KEBLuV__yEv-0YS9pEm3qZDzF50sLWMXBCdkcMYHdIvMClt-Xa0O8EsNBPD5YTT6IciP0OgnkAcUZFM/s1600/P1040433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSndTGsxyalFCrmpLqbaTiPBy3JrgFUkY4zXQUy5w84Fx_7D3qUg849NqCHS1KEBLuV__yEv-0YS9pEm3qZDzF50sLWMXBCdkcMYHdIvMClt-Xa0O8EsNBPD5YTT6IciP0OgnkAcUZFM/s640/P1040433.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just because</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking back down to Inverness</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">I'd tried this route before but was obviously much fitter the last time. The hill out of Inverness seemed relentless and I was too weary to get up enough speed to outrun the many flies that were buzzing around me. It was a relief when it finally started descending again, though the track has been gated off at one point (to be reported) and is overgrown for a short distance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The section round the quarry and over to Moy is mostly fine - a great place for a "gravel" bike - but the final couple of km, which is always boggy, has been made even worse with some felling under way. An alternative here would be to use the soft shoulder of the A9 for about 1km and I reckon I'd do that next time. In fact, this whole area could be transformed once the A9 dualling work reaches this section. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reaching NCN7 at Moy, I followed this to Tomatin for yet another break. This was when I discovered I'd left my wallet at Dores. After a moment of panic, I called the Dores Inn to find that it had been handed in. That over, I managed to pay for a drink and a bit of chocolate with my phone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Exiting Tomatin, I was now on the only bit of todays route I hadn't ridden. It's a short section of farm track that bypasses the flooded Wade Road up to the Slochd. I expected I'd be off pushing for much of it but surprised myself with a slow, but steady, pedal up until I was higher than the main road and could, at last, see the Cairngorms in front of me.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Northern Corries - almost home</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And back to the National Park</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided to stay on NCN 7 for a while and was soon over the lovely bridge at Sluggan. The next climb was another on which I expected to be walking but a bit of determination got me over it for the fast descent to Kinveachy. So fast, actually, that I took a wrong turn and found myself exiting onto the A9. Thankfully, the road was quiet and only a handful of vehicles overtook me before I found the crossing I'd meant to take and picked up NCN7 again through Boat of Garten and back to Aviemore.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTMeWWXs61STb0vYkK0U7Vflz_UawTnxI2j66fMO1Z6eIouD7A-McGgih-C-F2rYC4OAmQr5vb-rP85A-U0H492bHtUdTaULO_85mEqlDCY4DGKp4wYUmi_5CeLEX9xWYesgTahAUhKc/s1600/MM200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1024" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTMeWWXs61STb0vYkK0U7Vflz_UawTnxI2j66fMO1Z6eIouD7A-McGgih-C-F2rYC4OAmQr5vb-rP85A-U0H492bHtUdTaULO_85mEqlDCY4DGKp4wYUmi_5CeLEX9xWYesgTahAUhKc/s640/MM200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">203km / 3,745m of ascent</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having completed this loop, it occurred to me that others might want to follow suit and I thought it might be a bit of fun to give it a name - I'm thinking the Monadliath Military 200. If I get around to it, I might even create a web page with more info and a record of completions. I guess a decent time would be around 36 hours, though I really would encourage folk to take their time and explore lots of the other wee bits off-route, like the Falls of Foyers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The section of this route between Laggan and Tromie Bridge also provides a mainly off-road link route between the Cairngorm Loops and the Highland Trail 500 bikepacking routes should anyone want to join them up into a Scottish Highlands Mega-route!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.scotroutes.com/Routes/MTB/MM200.gpx" target="_blank">Download GPX file here</a></span></div>
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<br />Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-70370001253935901002017-07-07T21:47:00.002+01:002017-07-07T21:47:48.847+01:00Summit Solstice <div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a few years, when I was working at the Bank, I managed to persuade some colleagues that seeing the midsummer sunrise from the top of a mountain would be a very cool thing to do. Three years we tried and only on the first - at Cairngorm - were we successful. I thought it was about time to retry the venture and managed to rope in two local buddies, both keen to try out their bivvy gear with a bikepacking trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initial plans had involved beer and food in a bar but we instead met up later and pedalled up the Old Logging Way just as the sun was officially setting. The sky looked amazing as the sun dipped below cloud level and we barely needed our lights on the first part of the ascent to the main car park at Cairngorm Mountain. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2sBDO228KdpGQvmUs7fFUTXv1k1mnC7MztzFLcqQVLWGsTMcnojpvcXnZ8NreJtD48IDiCCowAQd74yA7msEprv2IP_0AQ4mwwoe65TbKUkwtj6SgIXVP3vlLDLC08Q301uMtUzEhT0/s1600/P1040305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2sBDO228KdpGQvmUs7fFUTXv1k1mnC7MztzFLcqQVLWGsTMcnojpvcXnZ8NreJtD48IDiCCowAQd74yA7msEprv2IP_0AQ4mwwoe65TbKUkwtj6SgIXVP3vlLDLC08Q301uMtUzEhT0/s640/P1040305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Old Logging Way approach</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHKssk1QHVayJDyK6gjMh5Tai88RohktFYiLzROxejb5vbS1Rg8593lRy-YVXAFDlXhE3XXgVQk_bxxrvRYUUG4rmzcFCr-aT942YpT8YaQVzd1mGp1fJp6pMZhwu1oWAeunnawy2djs/s1600/P1040308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHKssk1QHVayJDyK6gjMh5Tai88RohktFYiLzROxejb5vbS1Rg8593lRy-YVXAFDlXhE3XXgVQk_bxxrvRYUUG4rmzcFCr-aT942YpT8YaQVzd1mGp1fJp6pMZhwu1oWAeunnawy2djs/s640/P1040308.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time for a photo stop</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte3I1k1A5UEJS81Avt8FK-8KBD-AjleFU7mGIkwZ4_2LHC16iWNr5-5E19q3OJ7qKbQSbEQzi8RAHEzc5Axr4ZwR8KQKDiRA7FsvftOO7CNvQn863oFKIm1x4FSo8VsYq6Tl7bt6DCRk/s1600/P1040312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte3I1k1A5UEJS81Avt8FK-8KBD-AjleFU7mGIkwZ4_2LHC16iWNr5-5E19q3OJ7qKbQSbEQzi8RAHEzc5Axr4ZwR8KQKDiRA7FsvftOO7CNvQn863oFKIm1x4FSo8VsYq6Tl7bt6DCRk/s640/P1040312.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see my house from here!!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was windy though, and this made the tough climb up the main access track even harder. What's more, it didn't bode well for a summit bivvy. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alasdair has obviously been eating his carrots</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4N4IaYI25f91aa8YfzOdHnjAqjqj3uAk0_Kw5k0yk0f8YMRdMwONMMdbqP73EN7yMwzVm8HXgRevcbFWsEOb_cYT-spP_Vd231nDWVieJtn6LYdtLtHfsC9XPpAeFcSPdIyXTA253kI/s1600/P1040314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4N4IaYI25f91aa8YfzOdHnjAqjqj3uAk0_Kw5k0yk0f8YMRdMwONMMdbqP73EN7yMwzVm8HXgRevcbFWsEOb_cYT-spP_Vd231nDWVieJtn6LYdtLtHfsC9XPpAeFcSPdIyXTA253kI/s640/P1040314.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam on the old zig-zags</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2M7ORi90oKVbuJ8MK1Qa-X4noK0yUexxnGItGrOeZEUb9qQtXaH8G6oITfAkuc9rnmhtYd4SuCf_udJjPiNv3F6n8chOubKB0G5VuX9Yn5rGnOY0ec8j5LDikFkvbmGRm-3JV6XmHaU/s1600/P1040315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2M7ORi90oKVbuJ8MK1Qa-X4noK0yUexxnGItGrOeZEUb9qQtXaH8G6oITfAkuc9rnmhtYd4SuCf_udJjPiNv3F6n8chOubKB0G5VuX9Yn5rGnOY0ec8j5LDikFkvbmGRm-3JV6XmHaU/s640/P1040315.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Final climb to the Ptarmigan</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On reaching the Ptarmigan restaurant we found that it was quite a bit calmer and that we wouldn't have to invoke our contingency planning of bedding down in the restaurant viewing balcony. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final part of the ascent saw us encountering the occasional bank of hill mist, it looking quite spooky in our lights. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSusuGxzV_73CNIN5O1RWIFoOpJdauuVZ0_kGCXesl8L2FYAgbX_KPFHM130hSqFCcfY7ugqlmg4JKZApidZ4CR047CaroEWM14Jk-3egwgstg-jMumEgRzNzizJt5et_n2_X7vo3-_g/s1600/P1040319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSusuGxzV_73CNIN5O1RWIFoOpJdauuVZ0_kGCXesl8L2FYAgbX_KPFHM130hSqFCcfY7ugqlmg4JKZApidZ4CR047CaroEWM14Jk-3egwgstg-jMumEgRzNzizJt5et_n2_X7vo3-_g/s640/P1040319.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spooky shadows on the mist</span></td></tr>
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I'd expected we'd encounter other like-minded adventurers but we had the summit to ourselves. Maybe just the fact it was midweek, though the weather forecast had looked ok.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In trying to locate a suitable bivvy spot, I was only after something out of the strong wind and reasonably flat. A slabby area in the lee of the summit cairn turned out to be pretty much perfect. Adam and Alasdair both chose grassy patches not far away and after a bit of chat and a swapping of hip flasks it was time to get the head down for a couple of hours before sunrise.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm0OZMFDe0BskVSF4SZvffIsnr-7fiOGBBE60jaUdmoLB1x_LTasaxFc4hdoYJhSr4U_jS3LH44OSpY7IazupS8rr2uxYO40plomeF6HBLRxhKHWZSEEXy3LkqfLQX4-ghmqEcrZuxCk/s1600/P1040320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm0OZMFDe0BskVSF4SZvffIsnr-7fiOGBBE60jaUdmoLB1x_LTasaxFc4hdoYJhSr4U_jS3LH44OSpY7IazupS8rr2uxYO40plomeF6HBLRxhKHWZSEEXy3LkqfLQX4-ghmqEcrZuxCk/s640/P1040320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robo-Adam</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I soon nodded off, only awaking when my alarm sounded after 4am. The hill mist was still below summit level and it became obvious we were unlikely to catch any glimpse of the rising sun. That being the case, I snuggled back into my bag and dropped off to sleep for another couple of hours. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC65N7ybc5by6z1TliwDvhIWSNjjohVOVFnK_bwGTEAvc3FP_ze49BUYIBqd6L2nNXVTcsGOr48SS1FkY0Nyc4WGfyCuyijokBIISPLTcrSgxBxHdzWt9GXE_4Qya1A_hDQtyV-nRKSw/s1600/P1040327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC65N7ybc5by6z1TliwDvhIWSNjjohVOVFnK_bwGTEAvc3FP_ze49BUYIBqd6L2nNXVTcsGOr48SS1FkY0Nyc4WGfyCuyijokBIISPLTcrSgxBxHdzWt9GXE_4Qya1A_hDQtyV-nRKSw/s640/P1040327.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam contemplating the slope down to Loch Morlich</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After 6, I heard Adam and Alasdair chating and we decided to head down the hill. I felt pretty much rested but I knew they'd not had the same amount of sleep and were keen to get home to a "real" bed for a few hours. Maybe that's the difference in kipping out more regularly - you become accustomed to it.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mist in the corries</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiusDb3RZtq7m5XaWhWUifWgu0IXweL1xvCgI88Z1H68MuDj4q_tBYj98bfDd6S_YszmdGORyb_MWrtyEmjuxWrYM8fjrWYOllJOQ_Hq7j7ye0mhiRBzFRvay2dINvdG8inhqME8Aieg/s1600/P1040329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiusDb3RZtq7m5XaWhWUifWgu0IXweL1xvCgI88Z1H68MuDj4q_tBYj98bfDd6S_YszmdGORyb_MWrtyEmjuxWrYM8fjrWYOllJOQ_Hq7j7ye0mhiRBzFRvay2dINvdG8inhqME8Aieg/s640/P1040329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My bed</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The descent down the main access road proved to be fast and very, very loose and we all had smelly brakes when we reached the mid-way point. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was great pulling into Aviemore as the town was waking up, thinking "<i>I've already been up a mountain today</i>". Perhaps next year I might manage to persuade a few others to join me. We might even see the sunrise again!</span></div>
Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-81831689252006471352017-07-03T16:23:00.002+01:002020-02-01T22:09:24.135+00:00Northern Cairngorms loop - revisited <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm easily led. In trying to come up with an idea for Junes "bivvy a month", we were always likely to be constrained by me not currently having a van so when Neill suggested doing the Northern Cairngorms loop it was an easy decision, despite the fact I'd been round just last Autumn. On the other hand, it also gave Neill a chance to navigate using his newly-acquired Garmin Oregon with me overseeing it on a route with which I was familiar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Always looking to experiment and/or improve things I opted to fit the suspension forks onto the Pact for a change. This was also partly due to a shoulder injury, figuring that a bit of bounce would relieve any stress. I also fitted the Revelate Sweetroll rather than the Harness/Saltyroll combo I'd been favouring. The Sweetroll has additional strapping points to fit it better to the Jones Loop bars and I wanted to see if this was worth it before, potentially, selling it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ready for the off</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The weather forecast was mild, a light breeze. With the potential for midge, I also opted for a tent rather than bivvy bag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a planned chippy at Braemar we were in no particular need for an early start and we left the Old Bridge Inn just after 10. The "puddle of doom" was encountered on the way to Nethy Bridge, Neill opting to ride straight through it with David and I attempting, unsuccessfully, to maintain drier feet by skirting round it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjZSrAGwrckKy1IbwZt33KFYJ_rAvWKY2jfMhn6otOF0KYcjNPL1AVuDWChGE7G2awFhiV5Vc9NCczdXO6w8QRidpyxsUTZruQ_sCn5CS70AQWY2ss8WJ1Vlm0x2XSmfG7fdkqU8EHQo/s1600/P1040273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjZSrAGwrckKy1IbwZt33KFYJ_rAvWKY2jfMhn6otOF0KYcjNPL1AVuDWChGE7G2awFhiV5Vc9NCczdXO6w8QRidpyxsUTZruQ_sCn5CS70AQWY2ss8WJ1Vlm0x2XSmfG7fdkqU8EHQo/s640/P1040273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A favourite singletrack section in Abernethy Forest</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Faeshallach and Dorback burns were quite low on account of a rather dry spell so it was no real surprise to find the Brown low too. Three dry-shod crossings of the meanders took us to the path on the south side of the glen and we managed to bushwhack through from there. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Climbing away from Dorback</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the wee steep push up to the forestry track, the fast descent out and the final spin into Tomintoul we declared the first part of the ride a success and adjourned to the Fire Station cafe. We made it just before a coach party arrived which, given the speed of service, was a bit of a blessing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tomintoul represents one of the significant turning points of the route and from here we turned south. Although I was familiar with the route I was holding back at any junctions in order to give Neill full practice with his Oregon.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWa1YVS2PhqpZl7d_NQJKHSsm1qkipCoahfHGOUs8NtBf5o8xzI3KaHbg7mGxyRwshRFmgumTYbI4OuG-zY43lmPzXKCF_YBGzWNAHvKYaoYG4otwro7qHWGV4l_R3q-xWmswhoeSEwU/s1600/P1040277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWa1YVS2PhqpZl7d_NQJKHSsm1qkipCoahfHGOUs8NtBf5o8xzI3KaHbg7mGxyRwshRFmgumTYbI4OuG-zY43lmPzXKCF_YBGzWNAHvKYaoYG4otwro7qHWGV4l_R3q-xWmswhoeSEwU/s640/P1040277.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A corner turned</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ride up the glen past Inchrory seemed longer than I remembered but we were soon enough on the Loch Builg track. Based on my previous experience I'd warned Neill and David that this section would involve quite a bit of pushing. As it turned out, I was completely wrong. Whether it was the bars, the forks, the drier conditions or (unlikely) my improved bike handling, this bit turned out to be a real treasure. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Passing Inchrory </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lovely Loch Builg singletrack</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Skinny dipping was considered....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHv4MFov5bGLoAIijCqvWwCPhyphenhyphen4-hWiiYuoHJ7ltXUqodZvErwM1sAH-U1Sl-jR5ipXokMH_5uFbx6I2NsEzC8buTn3IhyphenhyphenNtT-Qv-4tOBwir4V2B8BpbOMGHZTvw7kM9uveBgV7_LxSk/s1600/P1040285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHv4MFov5bGLoAIijCqvWwCPhyphenhyphen4-hWiiYuoHJ7ltXUqodZvErwM1sAH-U1Sl-jR5ipXokMH_5uFbx6I2NsEzC8buTn3IhyphenhyphenNtT-Qv-4tOBwir4V2B8BpbOMGHZTvw7kM9uveBgV7_LxSk/s640/P1040285.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New hut (closed to the peasantry)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The same couldn't be said for the slog to the new lunch hut above the River Gairn. The wind had been strengthening all day and now we were fully into it. After a few minutes at the hut it was then the climb over Culardoch. Despite the headwind, I decided to dig in and ride the full climb. A couple of sideswipes had me almost off the wide track but I made it with no dabs. That meant a 15 minute wait at the top of the climb until Neill and David appeared. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DRAMATIC!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neill ecstatic as he reaches the top of the climb</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Given how blowy it still was I was keen to get down again and we made a fast descent into the pretty woodlands near Invercauld. I stopped at a junction here, determined not to be taking the lead and, while faffing around with my camera, looked up to see Neill charging down the wrong descent. Despite pedalling - and shouting - as hard as I could it was almost 1.5km before Neill heard me. That meant another climb before we got back on track. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time lost meant we were now concerned about the chippy opening hours and we were very glad to see that it was still serving when we arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We didn't plan to go too far after dinner, so set out to get past Linn of Dee and see what turned up. After a couple of miles we saw a reasonably sheltered spot but decided to press on to White Bridge. The flat grassy area here looked great but was quite exposed to the wind. A search further up the glen didn't prove fruitful (the one sheltered spot was already fully occupied) so we were left in a bit of a quandary. With dark clouds coming over the mountains and the time of evening I wasn't really in the mood to keep looking. I've been caught before with these dilemmas and experience says "take what's on offer" so I backtracked to White Bridge just as David and Neill took another look somewhere else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it turned out, this was a master stroke. I found a tent-sized spot behind the bridge and was soon pitched with hip-flask in hand.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cold and cold running water</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4m6ufriCuvo1DwnSV6Hmv6jBFKYbXujc0bqf_3HbKBeOixgpiOGw4Fnw2x_TqmSE6jv2hCO2_WjOuu2QKn0mEI_XFPt5_4Rz6sPhS4JHIDKKRkykbIELq7gGYLnzOqqoPDpzypaBq14/s1600/P1040298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4m6ufriCuvo1DwnSV6Hmv6jBFKYbXujc0bqf_3HbKBeOixgpiOGw4Fnw2x_TqmSE6jv2hCO2_WjOuu2QKn0mEI_XFPt5_4Rz6sPhS4JHIDKKRkykbIELq7gGYLnzOqqoPDpzypaBq14/s640/P1040298.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a tight squeeze</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was an uncomfortable night. I just couldn't get my temperature right. It was too warm to be fully in my sleeping bag - I woke up a couple of times with sweat running down my neck - yet too draughty to lie outside it. I've so far avoided buying a lighter weight "summer" bag but this had me reconsidering. Despite that, I awoke bright and early, checked Neill and David's tents were still pitched and set about breakfast. Still there - a second coffee then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I was prepping to go I spotted their tents were down too so set off in pursuit. They'd stopped at the confluence of the Geldie and the Bynack to brew up in the shelter of the old red-roofed house as their camp spot had been just too windy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Geldie-Feshie watershed was next and I recalled I'd struggled along here in the gathering gloom looking for somewhere to bivvy. In daylight it looked much more appealing, with several spots looking likely candidates. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD0sSjagB9gf5vPBE9kP0XMPOf2PJRBVwP905GoMgVgw4_5H5lod27uOq9PXu_lhPSR1jHXbmvJQgc-h3h8g3WroSefFtHBYa1Q2mCIbIfDNKzACCgY8vGwdahY9kDLcDncTJxvLfxsw/s1600/P1040299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD0sSjagB9gf5vPBE9kP0XMPOf2PJRBVwP905GoMgVgw4_5H5lod27uOq9PXu_lhPSR1jHXbmvJQgc-h3h8g3WroSefFtHBYa1Q2mCIbIfDNKzACCgY8vGwdahY9kDLcDncTJxvLfxsw/s640/P1040299.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another easy crossing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The drier conditions were obviously helping make it more rideable too but we were still reduced to a lengthy hike-a-bike to the Eidart. I actually took a little detour here, opting to follow the path shown on the OS map and part of the official Cairngorms Loops route. Suffice to say that both can safely be ignored in favour of the more direct route now plainly visible due to its popularity. The same can also be said of the short section immediately after the Eidart bridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The old route does give a better view of the falls.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The track all becomes rideable again as Glen Feshie develops - though the wee landslips and the crossing of the Allt Coire Gharbhlach still require some manhandling. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tricky with a loaded bike</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We opted for lunch at Loch Insh Watersports centre before taking the Speyside Way from Kincraig to Aviemore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was certainly worth repeating the route. The two sections I struggled with last time were both more bikeable than I remembered/encountered and timings for their passage are useful to have in planning other routes in the area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm torn on the Sweetroll/Harness decision. I prefer being able to pack the Saltyroll off the bike and just clipping it into the harness but the Sweetroll does sit "better" on the Loop bars with less rubbing of the headtube. Some further experimentation may be in order. </span></div>
Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-12914377778894781572017-06-09T17:42:00.000+01:002017-06-09T17:48:48.323+01:00Familiarity breeds....complacency?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've written before that I'm incredibly lucky to be able to live in Aviemore as the selection and number of trails surrounding it is immense and varied. As is often the case, it takes an outsider to remind me of my good fortune and a few days ago I was showing some friends around some of the trails which resulted in some appreciative comments, e.g. "<i>do you guys ever go home</i>?" and a couple of wee videos edited together by Kenny Wilson.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 1 was the Burma Road from Aviemore, followed by a selection of other tracks to get us to Carrbridge in time for lunch and a quick spin back through the woods at Boat of Garten for ice cream at the Kilted Fudge Company in Dalfaber.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Making a bit of a splash</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the top of the Goat Track</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time to go down</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 2 was a selection of little singletrack sections linked by the big track round Loch Morlich and Loch an Eilean before running down the top of "Cake or Death" for, err, cake at Inshriach. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's important to look up sometimes! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ross styling it before cake</span></td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jO3Ai1ud8TI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jO3Ai1ud8TI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both days had a great mix of trails, banter and food - even the weather was behaving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also managed a spectacularly stupid fall on one of the very easiest of easy tracks in Rothiemurchus. The cuts, grazes and gravel rash would be bad enough but I also landed very heavily on my shoulder which has resulted in quite a bit of pain. With a two-day bikepacking trip coming up, I'm keen not to push things too far so a bit of an enforced absence from mountain biking is in order.</span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-21792121651213654242017-05-14T21:40:00.003+01:002020-07-07T15:57:10.091+01:00Roads less travelled<div dir="ltr">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IAFYCTLpjYNP5Y_wdL7hn1kUhry6T1jZqmaaCObAtEdm0FDd9gShHfTFkYZ0yDDA1iiY2aLT87zBxd17hznlaBAlLax3yoMjzfLWaWkYOh28dJKssDSt7f2z-hlJnYvy4tQboyCdCJM/s1600/P1040107.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IAFYCTLpjYNP5Y_wdL7hn1kUhry6T1jZqmaaCObAtEdm0FDd9gShHfTFkYZ0yDDA1iiY2aLT87zBxd17hznlaBAlLax3yoMjzfLWaWkYOh28dJKssDSt7f2z-hlJnYvy4tQboyCdCJM/s640/P1040107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the signs that bikepacking in Scotland has become a lot more popular is the proliferation of routes being published and discussed online. Living in Aviemore, I'm very aware that many of the more popular options pass close by and there are other areas that are getting a similar level of attention. However, it's still possible to find some rarely-visited little corners of the country and one of these is Morvern, south of Ardnamurchan. Together with Ardgour they form a wonderful but relatively little visited area. Being devoid of Munros they've escaped the attention of much of the hillwalking community and being surrounded by the sea makes visiting them slightly more complex. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd also been attracted to the area when trying to fill out my long-term plan of cycling Scotlands coastline and had come up with a couple of routes in the area. With an atypical long dry spell in progress it looked like this would be an ideal option for Shaun and I to get our May bivvy out of the way.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ardgour ferry at Corran</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Meeting first in Corran we drove to Strontian for lunch. It was a superb day - the West Highlands bathed in sunshine. Sitting outside the cafe there was certainly a temptation to cancel the planned ride, drive to Sanna and just bivvy down on the beach. We gave in though and set off along the road for 9km or so to reach the route I'd planned.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The hottest place in the UK!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It all started off well enough. A rough track led down to a steading - where it promptly disappeared into a field. Through that, we soon met the line of the old track and were alternately pushing and riding as best we could manage. It was fun in that sort of "what a great day to be outside" kind of a way. I knew we were heading for a point on the map marked as Lurga where there was a ruin. It turned out that this was the remains of an old lead mine. </span></div><div dir="ltr">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1Dg46eOu3p74lcL_cPLRZ90l17MMbM_AqP23aIsDI3Kd5EUVzdRdMsfbiMNmgOr2V-noVT_WMxtEByWZrotuEkhmw_OeB7uUF16bnJZkCkPP_lFMrYooTrbYhwM_DfI4yo0Q_LhYGak/s1600/P1040080.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1Dg46eOu3p74lcL_cPLRZ90l17MMbM_AqP23aIsDI3Kd5EUVzdRdMsfbiMNmgOr2V-noVT_WMxtEByWZrotuEkhmw_OeB7uUF16bnJZkCkPP_lFMrYooTrbYhwM_DfI4yo0Q_LhYGak/s640/P1040080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A good start</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScsN0wIOkNyNGNKdk-_huSsofwdDnAfAKnJXQ2vBwMge_VqJUsO6zrl7u2nsEsaQHGMT3VTpjlUPCuxktYqbHDNsyn-jmdIwwgqsYxMkFkhorkNdWMAfPjN_FUxSEpwFQx__GC9mYIL8/s1600/P1040081.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScsN0wIOkNyNGNKdk-_huSsofwdDnAfAKnJXQ2vBwMge_VqJUsO6zrl7u2nsEsaQHGMT3VTpjlUPCuxktYqbHDNsyn-jmdIwwgqsYxMkFkhorkNdWMAfPjN_FUxSEpwFQx__GC9mYIL8/s640/P1040081.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Followed by a bit of this</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBCtLSxTgcF8TK2XOHP0sU2F0X7sXebz27CkUp0QWAV20tyS7xTjTnfbkrKzebsH-bb2H6WrxYoKQN7ZMemamTEB5oad68tL66UlZVNa8Q2o8D-6F8qJ2gye05TBu89_8IhEFNb_c_Jo/s1600/P1040085.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBCtLSxTgcF8TK2XOHP0sU2F0X7sXebz27CkUp0QWAV20tyS7xTjTnfbkrKzebsH-bb2H6WrxYoKQN7ZMemamTEB5oad68tL66UlZVNa8Q2o8D-6F8qJ2gye05TBu89_8IhEFNb_c_Jo/s640/P1040085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lurga lead mine</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd hoped that the track might improve from there but the opposite was true. We were relegated to mostly walking until we came upon a second building at Crosben and a good track out from there. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Here, Shaun managed to catch a deep puddle and he fell into a mix of mud and cowshit. Thankfully we emerged from this section of track at Acharn old bridge over a decent river and he was able to wash most of it off.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Smelly Shaun</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Clean Shaun</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ardtornish Castle</span></td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After a very short road section, we had easier tracks past the castle at Ardtornish and then onto an old road alongside Loch Aline and the clay mine to Lochaline ferry terminal. A ferry had just docked and we were lucky to find the little snack bar just minutes before it closed for the day. </span></div><div dir="ltr">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Back at sea level - Loch Aline</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">From here, I'd plotted our route along the quiet road. I was aware that an almost-parallel off-road route existed in the forest just inland but I preferred the chance of decent sea views. In the late afternoon sun we were treated to carpets of harebells and the thick coconut smell of gorse flowers.</span></div><div dir="ltr">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Harebell everywhere!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">At Drimnin we ran out of tarmac and set off along an old "destitution road" to Doirlinn. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Shaun digging his bike out of the thick gravel!</span></td></tr>
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</div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After an initial very steep and very loose climb (a deep gravel had been laid down as the estate is building a distillery) it settled into a lovely track, climbing and descending round many corners, each revealing a different view of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The warm temperatures hadn't abated much and Shaun was beginning to run low on water. We also knew we'd need to top up for dinner and breakfast. A check of the map showed a reasonably large river ahead - well, it needed a bridge - so that became our target. Unfortunately the river turned out to be out of reach down a mossy, steep-sided gully. Another look at the map showed one more burn before our planned bivvy spot, this one with a house (or ruins) beside it. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When we got there, the house turned out to be in good condition and obviously occupied. I knocked on the door and was greeted by a kindly lady we later christened "Mrs Friendly". We chatted for a while, about ferries, about access, about the number of folk passing by, and she invited us in for a cup of tea. That caught me out. I wasn't sure if she was merely asking out of politeness and accepting was therefore impinging further upon her self-imposed exile, or if she was keen for company. In any event, I declined on the basis that we still had a bivvy spot to find before it got dark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">She seemed surprised that we were planning to bivvy at Doirlinn and when we got there we understood why. Apart from the immediate vicinity of the old Drovers Inn, the land was covered in heather, bracken, gorse and birch scrub. What's more, we could see nothing of a potential continuation of the track that we'd need in the morning. After a few minutes scouting around in the scrub - both Shaun and I collecting numerous ticks as we did so - we decided to camp in the front "garden" of the old building.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Late sun on the otters playground</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonights tipple is....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunset over Ben Hiant</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Does it count if there's a picnic table?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Loch na Droma Buidhe</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a guest for dinner</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Over dinner we were able to watch a couple of otters swimming around before they retired for the evening and as the sun set and the air cooled down, we followed suit. Now, I normally sleep really well outside, especially if I've been riding for a while, but this was the most sleepless and restless night I can remember. It seemed that I barely slept between vivid dreams - dreams that were all to do with me camping outside this building. I'd hear noises, people speaking, dogs, footsteps and all the time I was in fear, frozen still, eyes closed in my bivvy bag. I'm not a superstitious person but the feeling was definitely one of a haunting. Maybe this was why Mrs Friendly was looking at us a bit odd?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once Shaun was awake we agreed we'd head off before breakfast while the ticks were still stupefied by the chill of the night. We could hear forestry machinery up the side of the loch somewhere and surmised that was on our route. We located a wee bit of track leading away from Doirlinn and headed through the scrub as best we could, lifting the bikes where necessary, pushing our way through, trying to spot signs that anyone else had been this way. After a couple of hundred metres we spotted a wooden pole, then another. Someone had obviously tried to mark out a way through. A few hundred metres later and we came to a wider and more defined track. Still barely rideable though, so more pushing ensued, some of it through thick gorse. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Still clawing our way along the "almost-there" track</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually we reached the forest road and a chance to make a bit of distance. Shaun refilled his water bottle and we set off between massive woodstacks, evidence of the ongoing forestry activity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once we'd hit the forest track, we made good time up to the head of Loch Teacuis and decided this was a good spot to have our postponed breakfast. From here, we could also see across the loch to the location of the next planned section of the ride. I was less than impressed. After an initial track, it appeared that there was no sign of anything amongst the grass and bracken and the thought of a long push uphill in the heat of the day - only to be followed by a long push back down again - was enough to put me off.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Loch Teacuis</span></td></tr>
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</div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Decision made, breakfast eaten and bags re-packed, we therefore set off along another very quiet road, completing a short loop of the small peninsula before striking back uphill on the road for a fast descent and short flat spin back to the cafe at Strontian.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Impressive rock wall at Sithean na Raplaich</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-mBNrhPzhOZhnyFsar_dbFzFumlfbhbIZGevQ2OceSUuXTv2_paZXeRA1_RSDGAuivISe4BY80vK9eOvzY8Yl0gv__AQH4nYEToEe3NPHcinTLRRxsrGI7WetQqd8Clbtswr9F5Bsvk/s1600/P1040145.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-mBNrhPzhOZhnyFsar_dbFzFumlfbhbIZGevQ2OceSUuXTv2_paZXeRA1_RSDGAuivISe4BY80vK9eOvzY8Yl0gv__AQH4nYEToEe3NPHcinTLRRxsrGI7WetQqd8Clbtswr9F5Bsvk/s640/P1040145.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Back on the "main" road</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bCbC4JH3PIz60YcCb0a64iqcYD2hHyxQYao7dDIMiHenwdB_v384TKUVr5qgzLRGjVpozGckY-L2d65GxBYx_kuj6mP0u0jl8Ypxv6rdpVMrVup_Aj83zrit9yVQH1_jxQExu1rmPX0/s1600/P1040147.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bCbC4JH3PIz60YcCb0a64iqcYD2hHyxQYao7dDIMiHenwdB_v384TKUVr5qgzLRGjVpozGckY-L2d65GxBYx_kuj6mP0u0jl8Ypxv6rdpVMrVup_Aj83zrit9yVQH1_jxQExu1rmPX0/s640/P1040147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strontian - and the cafe - just over there</span></td></tr>
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</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The route we did had much to commend it. I'd certainly consider it as a decent day ride, some of the tracks would be much more manageable with unladen bikes. As for the section we avoided, it appears there might now be another circular route, made possible by recent forestry works. Maybe a return visit when it's just a wee bit cooler! </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-91735912948187283772017-04-10T23:52:00.003+01:002017-04-11T13:26:46.610+01:00Back round Ben Alder<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a vast area of "wild" country south of the A9 and north of the road to Kinloch Rannoch that nevertheless has a large number of cross-country tracks through it. For years, as I've driven up and down the A9, I've looked down along Loch Garry and fantasized about exploring it. When I was doing lots of hillwalking I was looking at routes north from Rannoch-side but they all involved quite lengthy logistical issues. It always seemed simpler as a cycle but I just never got around to it. Planning a bivvy weekend for April, it looked like I'd finally come up with a good plan.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheinadwkpbQ1jdvP_4x8bWVLL6ugxp1ugrsdyadXSVVrXSv9US4VHIXzNNizIp8367oPq7qP8gRfzuo_b_GMF2drIzoVWi8yaTY1sgLRQnOAX2zHS5B5kv4-c55ktYvoO8WzpfUcIYWtE/s1600/P1030903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheinadwkpbQ1jdvP_4x8bWVLL6ugxp1ugrsdyadXSVVrXSv9US4VHIXzNNizIp8367oPq7qP8gRfzuo_b_GMF2drIzoVWi8yaTY1sgLRQnOAX2zHS5B5kv4-c55ktYvoO8WzpfUcIYWtE/s640/P1030903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neills steed</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A fence. And a gate.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDT3EhLWXrEiAiCfSGGRs8WjA09ua-r9otAwd2aFlnwuhxnR9aPW99OkZ1DA6wcUQH7Y-g5KTlXfZxJumN897bgZjVFlqgtQx-eU-Hy75iedxvr6LohkbCMMiEeOntRwPns4hFFRakBc/s1600/P1030904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDT3EhLWXrEiAiCfSGGRs8WjA09ua-r9otAwd2aFlnwuhxnR9aPW99OkZ1DA6wcUQH7Y-g5KTlXfZxJumN897bgZjVFlqgtQx-eU-Hy75iedxvr6LohkbCMMiEeOntRwPns4hFFRakBc/s640/P1030904.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What the mature gentleman is pedalling this year</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We left Dalwhinnie after a good lunch at the cafe and headed along NCN7, up and over Drumochter summit against a fairly stiff headwind before reaching the turn off for Loch Garry. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GmG3iYEhWtozyO83XFF2wgll9nv67DGFYE434whfoNvs03W3fb6CeiJxt4lrVi1cVjilqdd05KV9sBK5WxOeXaq6eaOebZVJe00Ogyj9IaMMeEvh2DR9awYn_jKa2JC6IVYcW_yCqEY/s1600/P1030910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GmG3iYEhWtozyO83XFF2wgll9nv67DGFYE434whfoNvs03W3fb6CeiJxt4lrVi1cVjilqdd05KV9sBK5WxOeXaq6eaOebZVJe00Ogyj9IaMMeEvh2DR9awYn_jKa2JC6IVYcW_yCqEY/s640/P1030910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's not a smile, it's the headwind stretching my face back</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, it was a lovely sunny day. Imaging having dreamed of this and it being dreich!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcL_kRn1dCEj5BG6EAc-PLgIGtw89x6luI2iZ80N6vM0laai5XuL2q4tqp5_u2r592c7zXcgb2xUAoMwsvbRsOCpbTyJ5fD92f-d_QArQFnf4odlt8bIvSpkDltXai6Qci9h1BL9AokM/s1600/P1030911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcL_kRn1dCEj5BG6EAc-PLgIGtw89x6luI2iZ80N6vM0laai5XuL2q4tqp5_u2r592c7zXcgb2xUAoMwsvbRsOCpbTyJ5fD92f-d_QArQFnf4odlt8bIvSpkDltXai6Qci9h1BL9AokM/s640/P1030911.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As close as I've been</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once I got to the loch I was actually feeling quite elated. I'd experienced a similar feeling a few years back in Fisherfield as I stood on a little causeway after having seen it on maps for years. I had a few minutes to take it in before we headed along the very good track on the north side of the loch. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpk0kHTALpd70dtPYA7Rz_YYhyphenhyphenJf9bkN2IBzymg9tt5HYRsMfMaV2c7gThh5RaT4jZZS5Sf813grp-3KJ7dcBji1Zbw4rbrkbUbXeNSkE4krhGZn6kTSkV-Qyl_Yp5BTKZkR6PJNj4W0/s1600/P1030916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpk0kHTALpd70dtPYA7Rz_YYhyphenhyphenJf9bkN2IBzymg9tt5HYRsMfMaV2c7gThh5RaT4jZZS5Sf813grp-3KJ7dcBji1Zbw4rbrkbUbXeNSkE4krhGZn6kTSkV-Qyl_Yp5BTKZkR6PJNj4W0/s640/P1030916.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost there</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1S8noc4UIzrtVa-MgNSPFDEu4zjtOU4_0RCqgW42S4Xv120rAgh0V0rs0N6HZOUGR2IS9A8_C3jomW1kPfvCQGLG7vDoJfkbKKC_MblG-CFemmvkdOaqgz43TGXSEnJfFLqSspykVEI/s1600/P1030917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1S8noc4UIzrtVa-MgNSPFDEu4zjtOU4_0RCqgW42S4Xv120rAgh0V0rs0N6HZOUGR2IS9A8_C3jomW1kPfvCQGLG7vDoJfkbKKC_MblG-CFemmvkdOaqgz43TGXSEnJfFLqSspykVEI/s640/P1030917.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking back at the A9</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This did, however, come to an abrupt end and we were then into a couple of km of hike-a-bike over some very soft ground until we reached a recently built hydro track.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eqSu_4f0LnmHTg7zvv2czUVRy7C8YROjjPm1BDIM8ScrZc8t-PLCjr2zuLAufZBQU8mASAWbKmGrwYCPeH972mTWmv8Ynqog51mzc3Utbod2lauiuwYZb9YjeokcOBUKooxIQtQIw7U/s1600/P1030920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eqSu_4f0LnmHTg7zvv2czUVRy7C8YROjjPm1BDIM8ScrZc8t-PLCjr2zuLAufZBQU8mASAWbKmGrwYCPeH972mTWmv8Ynqog51mzc3Utbod2lauiuwYZb9YjeokcOBUKooxIQtQIw7U/s640/P1030920.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That'll be the end of the track then?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This took us past Duinish bothy so I had a wee peek in. It looked pretty comfy inside - middling as these things go. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw6SFdkaEVdZdzw75i2d4Ug9GiEGqiBIE4zeIm4-LItjW-So_PL-fVWxly-caBdAekWFdPkiPzo1PSJ-F50Pqnh7fAKoUGpedVAI_yiUS-BI3nZG9JXI3BUzXBGDO5V7o3LTbtjnSXws/s1600/P1030925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw6SFdkaEVdZdzw75i2d4Ug9GiEGqiBIE4zeIm4-LItjW-So_PL-fVWxly-caBdAekWFdPkiPzo1PSJ-F50Pqnh7fAKoUGpedVAI_yiUS-BI3nZG9JXI3BUzXBGDO5V7o3LTbtjnSXws/s640/P1030925.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Duinish. The North Wing needs some work....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYJDv-zNCX98cP1NT5XFx2i1l3edNlaT9J6NbUbmMBSDCgReS-YkT772xow5KFsKOwgr5kwitktrXLrLYyvyJLGV9IcBKlmJlCiIn1_A88zgW2gdijsGphHRWNoJbbhV15ZZb0S7pCuY/s1600/P1030927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYJDv-zNCX98cP1NT5XFx2i1l3edNlaT9J6NbUbmMBSDCgReS-YkT772xow5KFsKOwgr5kwitktrXLrLYyvyJLGV9IcBKlmJlCiIn1_A88zgW2gdijsGphHRWNoJbbhV15ZZb0S7pCuY/s640/P1030927.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a fine setting though</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhip_aN2wjwpRqq49pVfC3oZlkSSXwrfdLsnhrNrhvavSaGvRvHMNW68KuT2O9fqDDG5QO5m7G9QX-tmYiZrbzEkN4VJnARYTO9tn19lilgf6A8-Fy7T5ICayvbSxOnWxXMjiDSP2yreEE/s1600/P1030930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhip_aN2wjwpRqq49pVfC3oZlkSSXwrfdLsnhrNrhvavSaGvRvHMNW68KuT2O9fqDDG5QO5m7G9QX-tmYiZrbzEkN4VJnARYTO9tn19lilgf6A8-Fy7T5ICayvbSxOnWxXMjiDSP2yreEE/s640/P1030930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Goodbye to Loch Garry, back on a hydro track</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a bit more hydro track we crossed the brow of the hill and saw the long descent ahead of us. I stopped for a wee nibble before heading down and off we went. Almost at the bottom, I had a look at the little food bag on my bars only to discover I'd left it open and my bag of chocolate nuts and raisins had bounced out. I was desolate, but not so much that I wanted to go back up to find them!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Early evening sun on Loch Rannoch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A brief stop at Loch Rannoch and we were soon on the turn-off for the "Road to the Isles". </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIYKP877baz7db_3e43CrVeTiYydhfwJrrUWVQrMxQNPCSh8cFf-P-638p5ZWb5HHPNBHNhblj66VrBY6MFFHITy6Ooh2HBBR60OocIxYG0J4qZP9uPZkJEXzorsZP0XHDRZFllXJt8E/s1600/P1030942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIYKP877baz7db_3e43CrVeTiYydhfwJrrUWVQrMxQNPCSh8cFf-P-638p5ZWb5HHPNBHNhblj66VrBY6MFFHITy6Ooh2HBBR60OocIxYG0J4qZP9uPZkJEXzorsZP0XHDRZFllXJt8E/s640/P1030942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Off the tarmac again and onto the newly surfaced track</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This track has been significantly improved since I was last here and is now a wide, smooth motor track. I'm a bit ambivalent about these developments. On the one hand, tracks like this are needed to aid hydro and wind schemes - a good idea as it's green energy and creates an income that isn't just tourism. On the other, they can scar the hillsides and remove some of the challenge of cycling in them. This particular one is to aid in another hydro scheme and the track will eventually be narrower again. There are already signs of erosion too so maybe we just need to give them a little time. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDA1qMkAk4m8Dz1DwVrXd-vNiRbPGtRPttqsCrHMwtl25Pj_LnSo5fdNHIXAj9aiFDoc8mfEi3lSrnKRTXOAgY15CKvI9Gm5OanEY3O9Auhsgdi9ejKLe4Ohodm4joeOAQfT3RCGveQQ/s1600/P1030949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDA1qMkAk4m8Dz1DwVrXd-vNiRbPGtRPttqsCrHMwtl25Pj_LnSo5fdNHIXAj9aiFDoc8mfEi3lSrnKRTXOAgY15CKvI9Gm5OanEY3O9Auhsgdi9ejKLe4Ohodm4joeOAQfT3RCGveQQ/s640/P1030949.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shaun on the track, just about to reach the lodge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCv918LFrLvX3mbkseSO-1mEej9hOkYd8ejMdhd7HuLnliK1sIPhi_eFgCOXgbfVtr24HLuHrQMbDG_T58IVqIohUVMNVzeasFCTNtavvNUl2aa9N8wGO3KYhyphenhyphenaQxtiSuvksCDx6DJ1c/s1600/P1030950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCv918LFrLvX3mbkseSO-1mEej9hOkYd8ejMdhd7HuLnliK1sIPhi_eFgCOXgbfVtr24HLuHrQMbDG_T58IVqIohUVMNVzeasFCTNtavvNUl2aa9N8wGO3KYhyphenhyphenaQxtiSuvksCDx6DJ1c/s640/P1030950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tucked into the side of the lodge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1fYhOL6J4-W70I2_4f3386lkCJ27ln47nJOy4poQjnJVTxJujzP5TeFOM_jyAsNpgvbDYedTA-8uHVT8T2JNnm0vj2AIXWumNRNPsdjvF2LTf1UDGIezookhG-DbDwIUTHauuYEJgU4/s1600/P1030959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1fYhOL6J4-W70I2_4f3386lkCJ27ln47nJOy4poQjnJVTxJujzP5TeFOM_jyAsNpgvbDYedTA-8uHVT8T2JNnm0vj2AIXWumNRNPsdjvF2LTf1UDGIezookhG-DbDwIUTHauuYEJgU4/s640/P1030959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neill with his supper</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd had a look at our potential bivvy site on satellite imagery and it didn't disappoint. High above the moors, we had a stunning view out to the hills around Glencoe and over to Ben Nevis. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Bcpji79qxU0_Hs4_L_CWB31RVU92OninApXyoskEXi2-LP0H64KHI4SqGsFgsC9CzrYgeGiv3rmuKKjNnpQYPECdinXk7yKbVaz_fVhCHgBYvpeKl5EN5YLqcvD1urPmeBOHVVhj8A/s1600/P1030960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Bcpji79qxU0_Hs4_L_CWB31RVU92OninApXyoskEXi2-LP0H64KHI4SqGsFgsC9CzrYgeGiv3rmuKKjNnpQYPECdinXk7yKbVaz_fVhCHgBYvpeKl5EN5YLqcvD1urPmeBOHVVhj8A/s640/P1030960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My bivvy set up</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiNgFUiohSoET7X719NN2XO596FyC1UgnQieDUjaeEThIM7dZCqI1qsnWhrng5bVl1cl-s48aEBbO9j-hpJe029qTszf0L6jE4FElRKrEJTWI83UfNZkwrNiq93Fqz7nQDN3Ohyphenhyphen4kZvQ/s1600/P1030963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiNgFUiohSoET7X719NN2XO596FyC1UgnQieDUjaeEThIM7dZCqI1qsnWhrng5bVl1cl-s48aEBbO9j-hpJe029qTszf0L6jE4FElRKrEJTWI83UfNZkwrNiq93Fqz7nQDN3Ohyphenhyphen4kZvQ/s640/P1030963.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A goods train looking a little incongruous in the landscape</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was here that Shaun announced he might have to head back the way we'd come in the morning as his GPS had ejected itself from his handlebars at some point. We discussed where and when we might last have seen it, even going through photographs we'd taken, but couldn't come to a definitive conclusion. Suspicion centred on the same track that my nuts had taken leave.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiltI9ROkwbEjWgsVSApyXvLRUuMeuzZrEcs32IQfNr9vtJ7SJl1KOj0Nd08WQazuiMhXog3Lzd_j7MxH4V_qB3NhaUGXUbgGKF2hWmSODxiwFRkenE06gja5ktqw-92FgFnz3Qi3Hfdw/s1600/P1030965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiltI9ROkwbEjWgsVSApyXvLRUuMeuzZrEcs32IQfNr9vtJ7SJl1KOj0Nd08WQazuiMhXog3Lzd_j7MxH4V_qB3NhaUGXUbgGKF2hWmSODxiwFRkenE06gja5ktqw-92FgFnz3Qi3Hfdw/s640/P1030965.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dinner on a slate. How hipster.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bivvys made, food cooked and we were in time to catch a cracking sunset.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9e_DJkzxQomm-hJekzbpWpomr0tdEq_XJgrUDUbPAEYCAulSh9uh_WNcCDTefy79UKszNyBi8CNAIm7BJDFTbtae8S7eMx49sqTMA_Cl4AN9pdxvoGG4TOWk2l9pzSIDGg-g5aO5o_c/s1600/P1030975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9e_DJkzxQomm-hJekzbpWpomr0tdEq_XJgrUDUbPAEYCAulSh9uh_WNcCDTefy79UKszNyBi8CNAIm7BJDFTbtae8S7eMx49sqTMA_Cl4AN9pdxvoGG4TOWk2l9pzSIDGg-g5aO5o_c/s640/P1030975.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mountains of the West beyond the Blackwater Reservoir</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RYWuTNnLN1OHZZGbEhuWGndYdWo9teVgKF-KPKcTvx37HWxXwyiBbeTYxN_tppSLAOcJUrbc7IH57EguhM-Tsmc9yddUdl8JMLW8G6SGppnt8XAkdYoyuehjPy33UuNOs164zXg-ogA/s1600/P1030974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RYWuTNnLN1OHZZGbEhuWGndYdWo9teVgKF-KPKcTvx37HWxXwyiBbeTYxN_tppSLAOcJUrbc7IH57EguhM-Tsmc9yddUdl8JMLW8G6SGppnt8XAkdYoyuehjPy33UuNOs164zXg-ogA/s640/P1030974.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunset behind Ben Nevis</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The moon was also ridiculously bright. In fact, I was glad I'd brought me tarp as it was helping to reduce the glare when in my bag. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczQWYnJOoML28uzRmFKhIi-qx2ye2Yvkd006mRsPhAOHzqWPZjO-n1x3AElv8Y74HDGZoa-8HhzdPIeyhR5v1xo1WgZKfwm-1bCm4VPE-kAtREk_XXI-7U9EKKsI59VZk5FiEyuiHQDM/s1600/P1030982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczQWYnJOoML28uzRmFKhIi-qx2ye2Yvkd006mRsPhAOHzqWPZjO-n1x3AElv8Y74HDGZoa-8HhzdPIeyhR5v1xo1WgZKfwm-1bCm4VPE-kAtREk_XXI-7U9EKKsI59VZk5FiEyuiHQDM/s640/P1030982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not quite a full moon but the thin cloud wasn't dulling it much</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The winds of the day before had dropped off overnight and we awoke in a bit of low cloud, so much so that the tarp was dripping in condensation. Shaun decided that the GPS hunt might not be too productive and decided he'd complete the route.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I'd planned for breakfast at Corrour Station so packed up relatively quickly, not bothering to eat. It was a damp, atmospheric, descent down to Loch Ossian and the warmth of the cafe was much appreciated. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumlFmcaup_hSegKp5GNd_qI92Fl8N6HlDrS6rbzZ62KGOa90UWVDUkf61Hp9kpCAvtxYVt4T158cjZXYgKCrt_WJDI4k2wIWZYHSw-MUJZjfaavw9M7EXRQEAbEaih9HVu3PNoJxmnc4/s640/P1030987.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loch Ossian appearing out of the morning mist.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVDZr1bEiJOc8Y0Wjcp8LH9dppnrfbBGyku05WfPm4GguObR2baRt6SB8UzRdyoRYwnv62-WkmeUus8_P3zQLXgrMWWc7p4yocUZ6Ve8G2WzwN2GTnUgDxKt2EmJ55WVXS7Gt7B2vfNA/s1600/P1030984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVDZr1bEiJOc8Y0Wjcp8LH9dppnrfbBGyku05WfPm4GguObR2baRt6SB8UzRdyoRYwnv62-WkmeUus8_P3zQLXgrMWWc7p4yocUZ6Ve8G2WzwN2GTnUgDxKt2EmJ55WVXS7Gt7B2vfNA/s640/P1030984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loch Ossian</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few teething troubles were apparent - no coffee grinder, no card payment - but I had the most awesome Venison Lorne Sausage. I mean, this was superb. I'm trying to track down the supplier so I can buy some for cooking at home!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8xoBQ6tg-liJDsfMiM9OgiU_KsELVA7RwT0Th7K5xg84jZ4V0e5URsk0LX2-IOMpY8j9UZD3Diedw4nL_pmqjz5xQmF3IBi2dgWSsU2_vABvjKXyaM3GFMIVrmq335R0hPywCizjfz4/s1600/P1030991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8xoBQ6tg-liJDsfMiM9OgiU_KsELVA7RwT0Th7K5xg84jZ4V0e5URsk0LX2-IOMpY8j9UZD3Diedw4nL_pmqjz5xQmF3IBi2dgWSsU2_vABvjKXyaM3GFMIVrmq335R0hPywCizjfz4/s640/P1030991.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Corrour may be remote but it feels well connected!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After breakfast I took Shaun and Neill out to the wee bridge made famous in Trainspotting.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeLgEsHkIF1TKAhMHQzJKg-SznslqIKvEhWY6V_Ey9J_zDkyJzl6e2PhTXbrqlvD71449ymK_6cglCbWXXZJF3XET6kf61ZYaoR3l73P18fJfwI7rBJmpE8HAiRieTCYfsU44oYVwdt0/s1600/P1030992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeLgEsHkIF1TKAhMHQzJKg-SznslqIKvEhWY6V_Ey9J_zDkyJzl6e2PhTXbrqlvD71449ymK_6cglCbWXXZJF3XET6kf61ZYaoR3l73P18fJfwI7rBJmpE8HAiRieTCYfsU44oYVwdt0/s640/P1030992.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of these is an effette arsehole. One of these is a wanker.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A relatively speedy transit along the south shore of the loch took us to yet another new hydro track. Again, this made for relatively fast cycling, until it too abruptly ended. I knew what was in store here though, a 6km hike-a-bike section up to the Bealach Dubh. I'd hoped we might manage it in 90 minutes or so but it turned out to be 2 hours of pushing and shoving, crossing peat hags and wee burns. We'd opted to take a steep climb out near the end to get onto a better track and that wee bit was lovely. In fact, I need to come back and explore it another time. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLREn86-7RpXUVZj7gwjeIp3BJTXLk7jUhOTRAFEXe2VUvjrFQ5BR-BCdap-yCxEB-OrHApYNWuCe5WaPGjJD2HuhkeWzVH06U4xgtI52NAMRuWGcyhESJV_FtrCA4PuA1kXKTDarDJ7A/s1600/P1030999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLREn86-7RpXUVZj7gwjeIp3BJTXLk7jUhOTRAFEXe2VUvjrFQ5BR-BCdap-yCxEB-OrHApYNWuCe5WaPGjJD2HuhkeWzVH06U4xgtI52NAMRuWGcyhESJV_FtrCA4PuA1kXKTDarDJ7A/s640/P1030999.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loch Ossian disappearing into the mist way below.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quite a few folk had commented on the descent from the Bealach Dubh and we met some walkers as we were approaching it who also reckoned it would be great cycling down.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neill about to start the descent from the Bealach Dubh</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdpwcFvyWenZBHhd5u1fb14Echdnhge3qOQuKZrx4oAeZhf4IBDpXzfgF102eR4Hp11DizzYHt7cVSNqxL1DaIJAFeFvwOeBkyPjDvo67rNjNWmZS8YxpgKptwoTRprHKlrl_zghaQy4/s1600/P1040004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, it didn't disappoint. There are loads of water bars though. Some I was happy to just crack on over, some made me wince a little and a few had me off and pushing over. It's all a nice, swoopy descent though and the three of us thoroughly enjoyed it. I suspect a repeat visit with an unladen bike (and in my case some suspension) is in order.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Long Leachas of Ben Alder</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ben Alder and the Lancet Edge creating a fine backdrop</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From there, it was a fairly straightforward ride over to Loch Ericht and then a tailwind-assisted sprint back to Dalwhinnie. Not long after we arrived, it started raining. Ah yes - it's all in the timing!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shaun and Neill patiently await my arrival at Loch Pattack</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UUhf1ft5JhlN4_kc1obuc_MNbkPhKpVMr-Dp5ZZ31CfmJZVvi4PDYECqZB4cV8XOy35v7GOOpkkee8276prnMni5_EnoJfVMlXPbQx9TNpEeLL8YCliAfQjk0gBlfDVSuaRYtqYTNME/s1600/P1040012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UUhf1ft5JhlN4_kc1obuc_MNbkPhKpVMr-Dp5ZZ31CfmJZVvi4PDYECqZB4cV8XOy35v7GOOpkkee8276prnMni5_EnoJfVMlXPbQx9TNpEeLL8YCliAfQjk0gBlfDVSuaRYtqYTNME/s640/P1040012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last look back along Loch Ericht as the weather starts to close in</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A good loop then. Of 103km, only 8km or so was actually having to push the bike and, as a percentage, that seems pretty fair. Strangely enough, I didn't mind that as much as I did when encountering similar obstacles on the Speyside Way just a few weeks earlier. Maybe my expectations were just more correctly set.</span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">103km and 1,435m of ascent</span></td></tr>
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<br />Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-79740907039624227412017-03-17T18:49:00.000+00:002020-01-30T16:00:46.290+00:00Moray Way - No Way!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By now I really should know better. Sometimes my desire to explore needs to be tempered by what other folk have to say on the matter.......</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cycling on the Speyside Way</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Speyside Way between Fochabers and Ballindalloch and between Nethybridge and Aviemore is suitable for cycling. Between Boat of Garten and Aviemore, the route is shared with a section of the SUSTRANS millennium cycle way. The 'off road' sections between Ballindalloch and Tomintoul, and between Ballindalloch and Cromdale cannot sustain cycle traffic, and we ask you to avoid them. Between Ballindalloch (Delnapot) and Cromdale an alternative exists using the B9102. Cyclists are asked at all times to ensure that they use the route in a way which does not cause damage to the track surface, or cause inconvenience or danger to users on foot or horseback.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That seems pretty straightforward - "cannot sustain cycle traffic" is <i>obviously</i> a hangover from the days before the Land Reform Act and can safely be ignored. I mean, it's not like we're not roughty-toughty mountain bikers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was the thinking as Neill and I discussed routes for a proposed bivvy. With his friend David back in the UK for a couple of weeks, we wanted something relatively straightforward and not a huge drive from Aberdeenshire/Montrose. I'd become aware of the <a href="http://www.morayways.org.uk/walkdyn.asp?inst=1&dynid=757" target="_blank">Moray Way</a> from a couple of recent rides in that area and it seemed to fit the bill fairly well. It's an amalgamation of the <a href="http://www.speysideway.org/" target="_blank">Speyside Way</a>, the <a href="http://www.morayways.org.uk/moray-coast-trail.asp" target="_blank">Moray Coast Trail</a> and the <a href="http://www.davaway.org.uk/" target="_blank">Dava Way</a>, coming in at around 100 miles/160 km. In fact, I'd cycled most of it before, though I'd always taken to the minor road along Speyside rather than stick to the signposted route. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to correct that and to scout out the remaining sections. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'd decided to split the route somewhere around Roseisle Forest. That would be over half way and, as we were going anti-clockwise, we'd eat a meal in Lossiemouth before doing the last few easy miles in the dark, along the beach when the tide was fairly low. Ah yes, the plans....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ready for the off in Grantown</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meeting up in Grantown again had a familiar ring to it as we'd set off from here on a similar, shorter, trip in December. This time though we were straight on to the trail rather than having lunch first. The initial section of the SSW from here takes a few, easily missed, turns through Anagach Woodlands on its way to Cromdale. Here we passed a lane to the B9102, the possible road-based detour that would take us to Ballindalloch. Not for us though, we decided we'd stick to the marked SSW all the way to the coast. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Onto the railway line for the first time at Cromdale Station</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it was at Cromdale we started to encounter the notorious Y walking gates. Now, they're a clever design, if they're only to be used by walkers, but with a fully-laded bike they are a complete nuisance. We soon developed 2 techniques; Option A involved trying to jam the gate open and then bumping the bike through on its rear wheel. This worked frequently. Where it failed we resorted to Option B. This needed two folk to hold the swinging sections of the gate open while the third rolled their bike through. By the time we'd done a dozen, we were getting pretty adept at it. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Technique A in action</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crossing the A95 we were soon into the section I'd never ridden, through the forest on Tom an Uird. This turned out to be very straightforward forest track and we were wondering why there'd been any need to persuade cyclists to avoid it. A short fast descent took us to a minor road crossing. As were were doing our gate routine here, a friendly farmer suggested we should avoid the next section as "we'd end up walking it all". Of course, we thanked him for his advice but looking ahead, the track seemed completely fine. It was 11:12 and we were looking forward to lunch in Aberlour. When we next crossed the A95, it was 13:15, during which we'd travelled the grand sum of 8 km. Not shown on the OS maps is that the official SSW has now been diverted up another hill and round some boggy, bouldery field margins. We were reduced to walking almost all of it, watching our timetable slip and all the while dealing with more of those damn gates. Sticking to the A95 for 5.5 km would have saved us almost two hours of clarty bike-manhandling. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David reaches the top of the final push</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it was, the pain was mostly over by the time we reached the old railway line down by the river (one particularly cow-trodden field notwithstanding) and we spun along to Aberlour as fast as we could reasonably manage.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Making progress at last</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sorry sir, you missed the last train.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Le late lunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lunch was, by this time, very much appreciated and when we left we were spinning along quite merrily for a while but the mornings toils had taken their toll on Neill and he was finding it hard to keep up on the Ben Aigan and subsequent climbs. As a result, it was dark by the time we reached Fochabers and any thoughts of a short break here were dispersed by our need to make progress towards our planned overnight stop. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHEN2Lf_HhlRzlIpCeAeixNZywbs0FT675YcMPnlvdPTAim-6a1Dy_du_4VR3-3vQqo3sSgA-bj0fyNrMDvMJlbm1znhSyMOV3ypNtl0E3904lgLnFyHbNuZevOgWK-eWFgfqs5W1BUE/s1600/P1030736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHEN2Lf_HhlRzlIpCeAeixNZywbs0FT675YcMPnlvdPTAim-6a1Dy_du_4VR3-3vQqo3sSgA-bj0fyNrMDvMJlbm1znhSyMOV3ypNtl0E3904lgLnFyHbNuZevOgWK-eWFgfqs5W1BUE/s640/P1030736.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That'll be the lights on then?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd already scaled back the days riding a little, reckoning that any spot just past Lossiemouth would have to do. Personally, I was just worried about getting some food and in particular that we'd miss the chance if we delayed any further.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neill was now beginning to cramp up a little and by the time we reached the SSW turn off onto NCN1 and the Moray Coast Trail he had already resorted to walking occasionally. We considered taking to the road to Lossiemouth rather than the beach trails but reckoned it would be slightly longer and, as we were already beginning to see the lights of Lossiemouth, made a bee-line along the beach as best we could. Poor David was struggling occasionally on his "unfashionable" 2.1" tyres and the patches of soft sand but we mostly managed to stick to the firmer stuff. With Lossiemouth still a little away, I persuaded Neill it might be a good idea to get some food in him. Not that he didn't have any, just he was saving it for "when he really needed it". Yeah, I reckoned that time had come. Desperate not to lead us on any unwanted diversions I took to scouting ahead a little at a time, making sure the track was passable etc. Being on the beach, in the dark, with the waves crashing on the shore was a pleasant diversion from the mild stress I'd developed considering the food options and worrying about Neill.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82F0mUwtyED_wHgbVgJjzzZGDgnMIYieN1JtwgoLiBUScF0arYQ8yDh2CpkiNyNAymcWXzTLhjVCSl7h5uRny6wcCbicIDz5sScSEvIt8s6TD0A-ZiLhkyaVR0-U9KPWgyM4uuI2tSgU/s1600/P1030737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82F0mUwtyED_wHgbVgJjzzZGDgnMIYieN1JtwgoLiBUScF0arYQ8yDh2CpkiNyNAymcWXzTLhjVCSl7h5uRny6wcCbicIDz5sScSEvIt8s6TD0A-ZiLhkyaVR0-U9KPWgyM4uuI2tSgU/s640/P1030737.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lossiemouth - finally!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It was almost 22:15 when we reached Lossiemouth and we knew that any sit-in opportunities were well past. Fortunately we found takeaway Chinese and takeaway Pizza shops within a few feet of each other. A brief discussion of options and we were in, ordering pizzas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd not normally comment on such things but I really, really have to give a big shout out to the guys at Pino Pizzas in Lossiemouth. Not only did they give us great pizzas, but they let us sit on their inside window ledge, distribute our muddy gear around and basically take over the place. Quite what they made of us, I don't know but we were offered use of the staff toilets too. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SDs7kBOt0oRZ7tghnyp4w4lPkJiiUVG7WxSRauHLquawXcNUHqh9LWeQ2mXG-vdBpCD4hpX9o3uAco3ljFTgNAKwwxMddt6auIiPNONFqE4yYV9deZgEE1tikwCAtlzxZT2x-qGdAG8/s1600/20170310_223522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SDs7kBOt0oRZ7tghnyp4w4lPkJiiUVG7WxSRauHLquawXcNUHqh9LWeQ2mXG-vdBpCD4hpX9o3uAco3ljFTgNAKwwxMddt6auIiPNONFqE4yYV9deZgEE1tikwCAtlzxZT2x-qGdAG8/s640/20170310_223522.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did sir reserve a table?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of that would have been OK but when Neill got his pizza, he sat with it on his lap, opened the box to let it cool and there was then a comedy moment as the whole lot slid off and onto the floor, of course turning upside down in the process. The look of desperation on his face was at the same time both amusing and frightening. Having struggled all afternoon and evening, here was his meal laid out on the floor of a takeaway. I did, at first, think he was going to eat it regardless but he came to his senses and went to order another. By now, the guy at the counter had realised what had happened and offered to make another. There was then a bit of a stand-off as Neill insisted he pay for it and the server insisted he wouldn't take any money. I, meanwhile, was already wolfing into mine - carefully!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was 23:10 when we then set out to find a camp spot. All the previous delays had now conspired with the tides to put the broad, sweeping, easy to ride beach out of bounds to us and we had to take to the trail in the dunes. With a combination of gorse and tall maram grass, trail finding was exceedingly difficult and every time we looked down to the beach, it was either beyond a steep drop or still covered by the sea. The dunes themselves were no use for pitching on but I was aware that we'd eventually leave the coast a little and head uphill where the terrain would change, so this became the point I was focussed on.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS3aw5gVxDc1yi0qAzjiDm-g70wAIxHg-3Th9pjbue4_sBBG3NfYpU5Zj0ILuaqmbLUfoKvpaPhey0d3PotLemPlZ_xfEiPRUugXYJCyJXW_D8UiXdQ6BlZmin7Ii0JACKiMw_LsLcfQ/s1600/P1030748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS3aw5gVxDc1yi0qAzjiDm-g70wAIxHg-3Th9pjbue4_sBBG3NfYpU5Zj0ILuaqmbLUfoKvpaPhey0d3PotLemPlZ_xfEiPRUugXYJCyJXW_D8UiXdQ6BlZmin7Ii0JACKiMw_LsLcfQ/s640/P1030748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spooky moonlight</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time we reached a likely spot it was 00:30. We scouted around for a while and, while nothing was perfect, we decided this would have to do. At 1 am we were finally stopped for the night, tents pitched. I lay down in the sleeping bag, watching the occasional break in the clouds and then awoke with rain on my face. I must have fallen asleep in a few seconds and had done so without fastening up the tent. I did so now, listened to the rain for a couple of minutes and then passed out again until the morning.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View from the pillow</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regardless of the fact that we had longer to cycle today than we had planned, I didn't get the impression that anyone was in much of a hurry in the morning. Having been along this way just a few months back, I knew that we'd be cycling almost all day today, only one short section of cliff-top stuff around Hopeman to get in the way. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No beach riding today either</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pulling into Burghead, I made straight for the Bothy Bistro. It didn't disappoint. Pancakes with bacon and a couple of coffees soon made everything alright and we set off for home. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Burghead </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNhethtzXJuqpRnFduMyuD9VJqXsXGMkRUTbVsiM9siE_DAKbqYiqZdVJ5L82SDD3MjgStpOlOC7us-TxLiOz-ve7X9doz-X-ghmtUvZhDBuaB2Pz_vVV-fXLokSV174F3-xKWr0J8iI/s1600/P1030759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNhethtzXJuqpRnFduMyuD9VJqXsXGMkRUTbVsiM9siE_DAKbqYiqZdVJ5L82SDD3MjgStpOlOC7us-TxLiOz-ve7X9doz-X-ghmtUvZhDBuaB2Pz_vVV-fXLokSV174F3-xKWr0J8iI/s640/P1030759.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ben Wyvis</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last stop before lunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The day was also getting warmer and by the time we reached Roseisle Forest we were all removing layers. I even ended up in shorts. Findhorn gave us another chance to top up on calories and caffeine before the drag up Dava Moor so it was into Macleans for Lasagne pie and toasted teabread. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Dava Way is, by now, so familiar to me that I can almost recount every twist, turn and hill. Neill was still struggling along so it was a case of cycle along, stop for a while, repeat, repeat. However, by the time we reached the Half Way hut, we both knew it was almost all downhill back to Grantown so we took an extended break while David caught up on the wonders of electric lighting before covering the last few miles back to the cars. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And just look at those big, wide, cheesy grins!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At "only" 160km, this should have been a relatively easy trip. In fact, I'd been harbouring a desire to knock it off in one, long, summer day. However, even allowing for careful timing to allow for the tides, I reckon the signed Speyside Way section that we walked is going to eat into times too much. Using the B9102, as the Speyside Way folk suggest, would probably cut a good couple of hours off our timings anyway but then there's the feeling that you'd not really done the "proper" route. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now I've done it all, I'll certainly be advising anyone who asks to avoid that section. No point in everyone being as stubborn or obstinate as me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For what it's worth, our total moving time ended up at just under 16 hours. </span><br />
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Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-35431425188156222582017-03-05T17:11:00.002+00:002017-03-05T17:12:43.623+00:00Running with the deer<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite my history of foot problems, I've dabbled with running on and off since Mim took it up in training for her Everest trip. I learnt to ignore the immediate discomfort of sore calves and work through it until the running felt easier. I slowly got a little faster and able to run a little further.... then gave it up almost completely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Mim has now started a series of 10k and half-marathon events, I've re-started in order to give her some company and encouragement. I've even bought various running shoes in order to see what works best for me. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The latest footwear - Hoka One One Challenger ATR2</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a result of the A9 dualling programme I got sight of a map showing a path linking two other areas I knew and today went off to explore it, thinking that a bike would likely be a hinderance. The path exists only as a figment of someones imagination,even though a short section has some rudimentary waymakers in the shape of little sticks with a daub of yellow paint on . Even round these sticks, no trace of a path exists. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following made tracks, deer tracks and often no tracks, I got back with soggy, muddy feet and scratched legs after scrambling through heather and birch forest in search of this elusive track, but.... I also got a wonderful feeling of freedom. No chasing fastest times, no planned route, just wandering through ancient woodland with deer around, with the birds singing and taking the opportunity to pause as I went, get the sun on my face and the fresh air. I even discovered a local bouldering crag that I never knew existed. It would appear that, even at age 58, an old dog really can learn new tricks.</span><br />
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<br />Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-28781295585157087952016-10-15T00:29:00.003+01:002016-12-13T01:11:15.971+00:00Bearbones 200 - Wales for a weekend<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I should really start this post with a wee reminder (to myself). This blog only came about because I started to pass on some personal notes I was keeping about some of my trips. I find it fascinating going back over them a few years later and re-discovering what was going through my head. That anyone else finds them interesting is just an added bonus so excuse me if I sometimes seem a little self-indulgent or introspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bikepacking. It now seems to mean a lot of different things to many folks. My simple take on it would be to consider it a fashionable word for what was always just touring. However, many are creating a bit of an ethos around it, differentiating it from traditional touring on the basis that bikepacking is more concentrated on lightweight, speed and efficiency. Thing is, it's difficult to determine where the crossover lies. And then there's "adventure racing". Now, I'm not a racer. I just wasn't born with that gene. However, I do enjoy the buzz that's obtained from participating with other folk. It's a feeling some understand and some don't. Those who've ridden in Sportives or taken part in 10km/Half/Marathons with no chance of being at the front of the field will likely feel where I'm coming from. With that in mind, I decided to sign up for the Bearbones 200 in 2016. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Green. It's my favourite colour.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The BB200 is a (roughly) 200km circuit in Wales, put together by Stu from the Bearbones Forum. The route changes each year and includes a wide range of surfaces and track types. The goal is to complete the route in 36 hours, though many will go much, much faster. The rules are few: it's all self-supported, no sag-waggon, no emergency phone number, no waymarking, no feed-stations and there's a minimum kit list that's there to help ensure all participants can make it through a night in the hills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Preparation</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a few long rides and some overnighters completed over the summer, I was relatively certain I'd manage the route in less than 36 hours. Of course, that would require a number of other conditions to be met. I'd have to avoid injury, mechanicals, particularly foul weather and the possibility of simply getting "lost". Specific preparation consisted of getting the bike organised, choosing the right amount of kit and then, finally, having a look at the route. In terms of bike setup I opted, unusually for me, to take a small rucksack in addition to some bike bags. This gave me more water-carrying capacity (important for long rides in the dark), somewhere to stash extra food if I had to acquire it en route and it would also make the bike a bit lighter and, hopefully, easier to manage over the infamous BB200 hike-a-bike sections.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stu only publishes the route a week before the event so there's not a huge amount of time for research. I was pretty busy anyway but resisted the temptation to look it all up on Google Streetview. It was enough just to work out where any food/drink stops might be and pack food accordingly. On the OS map it certainly looked a lot different to where I normally rode in the Scottish Highlands. Typically, I'm used to there being few paths and tracks and for long periods of wild riding. Here, the route was surrounded by many other tracks, crossed roads and went through small villages and hamlets on a regular basis. With a lot more junctions to go wrong at, I felt the opportunity for making wrong turns was much greater. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At almost the last moment, we were also told that there was a Community Cafe at Bwlch-y-sarnau about 140km into the route that would be open all through the night. This looked like a terrific option and I took a mental note to see where it would fit into any refuelling plans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Getting there</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, even to get to the start line I still had to drive to Wales. I woke the night before departure at around 2am with a splitting headache and realised I was suffering from a migraine. "Shit", I thought "that's all I bloody need". Trying to get back to sleep was impossible until I'd manage to calm it down with some painkillers. Waking up to set off I wasn't much better, so the drive was undertaken in silence (noise really goes for me) and trying to make sure I was concentrating on the road ahead. I knew that riding (or any strenuous exercise) usually dumbs the pain so wasn't so worried about the BB200 itself, if I could only get there safely. With a couple of food stops and a small shopping trip on the way, it eventually took me 12 hours - all of Wales done in the dark. Suffice to say I was pretty washed out when I arrived at the Star Inn and parked up my van for the night. I got the sleeping area sorted out then disappeared inside for a couple of soft drinks - trying to be sociable and taking in some of the chat from other participants, much of which seemed to be about past events or the technicalities of various GPS systems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The short drive to the start area gave me my first opportunity to see the terrain I'd be riding in for the next couple of days. More pastoral than I'm used to certainly and no huge mountains, but enough closely packed, steep sided hills to justify the expected 5,000m of climbing. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wales has hills. Who knew?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Day 1</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I faffed around at the start for a while, drinking Stus cofee and eating Dees toast, watching other folk and their bikes, or listening to some of the chat. With a self-selected departure time between 8:00 and 10:00 I didn't want to be right at the sharp end and neither did I want to hang around too long and waste daylight. Around 8:30 I passed the starter and made my way out of Llanbrynmair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn't take long for one rider to pass me. Then, a few minutes later, I passed a couple of others. That was to set the scene for much of the event. Like Sportives I've ridden there's a varying state of fitness, stamina, speed and strength that makes some of us faster in some parts and slower in others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be honest, I was finding the scenery a bit uninspiring. This was at least in part due to the mist that was hanging around. dulling all the colours and ruling out any longer-distance vistas. Partly also due to the migraine. Meanwhile I was applying what little "strategy" I'd decided upon; go steady, don't race, don't worry about timings and progress. I was studiously avoiding looking at the track counter on my GPS, sticking to the map page by turning on the screen whenever I reached a junction, trying to memorise the next couple of junctions then riding off again. This tactic meant that my GPS batteries wouldn't need changing often. However, it was getting a bit of a faff as there were so many junctions. Even when with other riders, there would usually be a quick discussion of which was the correct direction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the ride progressed, I'd meet other riders on and off. I'd either catch up or be caught, maybe ride in company for a wee while, then something would happen and we'd be split again. At one point I was in a group of 5-6 riders and for quite a stint it was just Richard and I sharing the gate opening and closing duties. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The riding was certainly different from at home. I loved some of the old "ways" like Offas Dyke and was less happy when trundling through some field margin. Still, judging by the daylight I was making decent progress and I was happy to reach Knighton earlier than I'd envisaged. In my initial estimates, I thought I'd be arriving in the early evening. I'd even started thinking of it as Night-town. I knew this was approximately half distance and was the place most likely to provide hot food and a stocking up of provisions for the up-coming night section. It was certainly a bit of a sight, with various bikes leant up against shops and cafes, others being ridden up and down the street as riders contemplated their options. After being solo or in a small group for so long it was actually strange to see so many gathered together here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I opted for a wee cafe with a couple of bikes outside it, and found Jo and Mark inside just about to head off though other riders were still coming in. It turned out to be 16:30 when I arrived and, unbeknown to me at the time, the cafe normally shut at 16:30. However, the lady serving said nothing as I placed my order, nor when others did. Seems she was quite happy to extend her day a wee bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was fully an hour later when I set off again, still happy to have made it round this far, albeit with somewhat tired legs. Perhaps it was that feeling of tiredness that made me look down at my back tyre. It was looking really low so I pumped it up a bit, watching a couple of riders (including Richard) pass. It always takes me a wee while to warm up after a stop so I took things very steady. The all-night cafe was only 40-45km away so I knew there was no need to rush. </span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lights on time heading West</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not long after that, the daylight started to fail and we were presented with a rosey glow of sunset. That also meant lights-on for the first time. The ride into the darkness was really enjoyable as was the route itself although finding the correct track in the dark was sometimes proving problematic. This wasn't helped by not being around any other riders, though there were a couple of times I'd see a light off ahead of me which was strangely comforting. Around now, I also started to develop an irrational fear. Although I'd taken a good look at my brake pads prior to leaving Aviemore, and was at that time convinced they were fine, I suddenly started to worry that I was running out of pad material. This was, I think, related to the amount of muddy track we'd gone through but it's not something I normally think about. Now, it seemed to be preying on my mind on every descent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My navigation also seemed to be going to pot. I was trying as hard as I could to stick to the GPS track we'd been given but in the dark the correct route couldn't easily made out amongst many of the sheep tracks. I got to one particular section halfway between Llanbister and Bwlch-y-carnau where the GPS track made a sharp left turn and I couldn't see anything at all even when I was right on the track point. I searched back and forth for almost fifteen minutes then just headed downhill, pushing the bike through head-high bracken to get to a mapped lower track. Stu had warned about requiring a sense of humour and it was here that I lost it for a moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Overnight</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was therefore extremely happy to make it to the Glyndwrs Way Community Cafe at Bwlch-y-sarnau at 23:00. With a few bikes already outside I wandered in to what appeared to be a wee oasis. Food and drink were my immediate priorities. Despite only being 40km from the last stop I'd been out for another 5 1/2 hrs and felt I needed topping up. I also met Richard again and reckoned it was his light I'd seen across the moors earlier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With only 60km to go I reckoned I'd had enough of night riding and would prefer to see more of Wales by riding during daylight hours. That meant stopping for a few hours and I scanned the cafe looking for somewhere I could get some rest. Luckily, Mark was just vacating a nice sheltered spot so I threw some gear in that area and went out to get my overnight stuff. By stopping riding I'd also cooled down a bit so was glad to strip off my damp kit and crawl into my sleeping bag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll not say it was a fulsome sleep. With riders coming and going there was a general hubbub going on but I was tired enough and managed a couple of good hours before being woken by another couple of riders (Mac and Rob) setting off. Aware of not trying to disturb anyone I crept around for a while, helping myself to a cup of coffee and re-packing my gear before slipping out into the still-dark morning around 5am. Thinking of the bike, I applied a little chain oil but, curiously, neglected to even look at the disk pads I'd been so worried about earlier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Day 2</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the ride out of Knighton earlier had been a bit tough due to an hours stop and some significant hills, the first section after the cafe was worse - due to the state of the track. I'm guessing it's also used by quite a few off-road vehicles and it was certainly the worse for wear. Huge muddy puddles, some filled with cow shit and piss. It seemed everything was getting covered by it and riding faster only made it spread. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Llanidloes was the next major settlement. In my preparation I'd noted that it had a supermarket and some cafes but it was still not yet 7:00 so I knew nothing would be open and trundled through in the pre-dawn. On the first hill out of the village, I remembered to start looking around a bit more and caught the sun coming up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn't see any other riders for quite a while and I was rather enjoying touring round the countryside early in the morning watching yesterdays mist being burnt off and brighter colours popping out. Hafron Forest was a particular highlight though I was expecting to meet other riders coming towards me on some of the sections as they appear to be well used as a trail centre. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming out of Staylittle I saw a couple of riders ahead and pushed a bit harder to catch them up. This was </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mac and Rob who'd left the cafe about an hour before me. We settled into a wee bit of a rhythm for a while, swapping gate duties and chatting about the route. We all knew there was to be a bit of a sting in the tail and found it not long after passing the Star Inn at Dylife. Here, the GPS track clearly had us going up untrammeled ground through grassy tussocks. We'd sometimes take a different line, being pulled away by a tempting sheep track before checking the GPS and tacking back again. I'll not lie, it was frustrating, especially when there would be a better looking track just off-line somewhere which would disappear round a corner. After a few more climbs and descents I found myself slowly pulling away from them until the "elastic" snapped and I was once more riding alone for the last five or so km into Llanbrynmair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the finish, Dee checked me in while Stu supplied me with tea and a bacon roll. Some riders who'd finished earlier were hanging around and others were still arriving. it was a sort of quiet chaos A total time of around 28h45m was a bit better than I'd expected and within my original target of 32h. I was therefore quite happy and contented. I could easily have sat about longer, just relaxing in the pleasant atmosphere and banter but knew that I still faced a long drive home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The journey home</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Determined to make it as far north as possible before stopping, I motored on until reaching Tebay services, all the time dreaming of a bowl of pasta. The best they could do was a rather insipid macaroni cheese, which completely missed the spot. Further north approaching the central belt I had a sudden craving for Chicken Chow Mein and remembered there was a little service area near Cumbernauld that had an adjoining Chinese Restaurant. I made it with barely three minutes to spare before they closed up but they made a big carton of Chow Mein up for me and I wolfed it down in the van. That felt much, much better and I headed further north before I felt that tiredness was finally catching up with me. I pulled into the car park at Bankfoot around 22:30, laid out the sleeping bag in the back of the van and lay down for a couple of hours rest. It was 6 hours before I awoke.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Summary</b><br /><br />It was a great weekend. I achieved pretty much everything I wanted to; a ride in Wales, a chance to meet up with some folk I'd only chatted to online, a test of some different riding and packing strategies.I was well within my original target time and could have made it in less than 28 hours (for a Blue badge) simply enough. Could I have made it round in less than 24 hours for a Black Badge? Maybe - on that route and in those conditions and without a long stop in the cafe. But then I'd have missed seeing so much and that, to me, would have been a bit of a waste. Other than weary legs, I didn't suffer any other aches and pains so riding position, pedal position etc. all seem to be well dialled. Even carrying the rucksack didn't induce any back pains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bike worked perfectly despite the clart it was covered in. The brake pad worry that haunted me on the first evening and throughout the second day turned out to be completely unfounded and there's still lots of life left in them. The choice to run with rigid forks and 29er wheels also seemed to be the right one given the state of the surfaces and the extensive tarmac stretches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My one equipment glitch was the GPS. I always run it in power saving mode for best battery life. With a new set of Energizer Lithiums in at the start, I got round the whole course without needing the spares I'd brought and it was only switched off for the 5 hours or so I was at the Glyndwrs Way cafe. However, that meant having to switch the screen on at every junction and often taking a wrong direction. Without doubt, I need to consider how I set it up when there are quite so many junctions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wales is a lot different from my usual riding. In some ways it's more like the Scottish Borders, especially with the amount of livestock around. I found the number of paths and tracks confusing at times, especially in the dark. The people were exceptionally friendly. Most I met en route were keen to know about the event and very happy to see us all. I'd certainly come back to ride some of the nicer tracks and explore many of the ancient sites.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And other events? Maybe. I felt this was an ideal "taster". I enjoyed being part of something, feeling the buzz of the other riders and meeting up with them occasionally through the weekend. I'm not quite sure that would be true of much longer events where the field would be more stretched out through the route. A Cairngorms Loop certainly appeals and has the advantage that I'd be more familiar with the area and so could concentrate more on riding and less on looking around. However, I suspect my desire to see where I'm riding rather than racing through it means I'm still a tourer at heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd also like to add a massive thanks to Stu and Dee. They've created something wonderful. The enthusiasm of the many participants and the affection they feel for the event is well justified.</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-68772233331206676242016-09-07T00:25:00.000+01:002016-09-07T01:38:50.021+01:00NCN78 - The Caledonia Way - in a Day!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although I didn't mention this at the time of my last-but-one blog entry, my little investigation into maintaining a 10mph average speed was a prelude to another ride I'd been thinking about for a year or so. National Cycle Network Route 78 - <a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-78" target="_blank">The Caledonia Way</a> - was recently launched as a signed route between Campbeltown and Inverness. At just under 240 miles and with some significant hills en route it certainly makes for a bit of a challenge. I'd originally thought about riding it over two days, with a camp or B&B somewhere mid-way but the logistics of getting to (or from) Campbeltown made this somewhat impractical. Ferries from Ardrossan only make the direct crossing three times per week. The Sunday sailing is too early to catch by train from Aviemore and the Thursday/Friday night sailings arrive after 9pm, enforcing an extra night away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The solution was simple - ride back in a single trip. That there were two other ferries required only complicated it slightly more....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking at weather patterns, working days, seasonal ferries and general fitness, it all came together on the first weekend in September. That would give me a decent amount of daylight (though sadly no moon). I changed the tyres on the Amazon from the GP4Seasons to the rather more robust Schwalbe Marathons, fitted a third water bottle (for the long night riding) and made sure the dynamo lighting was all OK. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stage one of the actual trip was to get to Ardrossan. That meant three trains and a pedal across Glasgow. In fact, I opted to drive to Inverness first as that left my van in the right place for the end of the cycle. Changing at Perth, I was sharing the cycle space with a Pole who was travelling through Britain. I had to ask why he'd come all this way and his answer was that he'd already cycled in every other European country (Iceland excepted). In fact he'd cycled to Beijing for the Olympics in 2008. And here was me thinking my ride was a bit of an adventure!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of my favourite cycle trips involve trains </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Glasgow itself was a bit of a shock. I guess I've been out of the city for too long as I found the noise, smells and general busy-ness of the place all a bit scary and unpleasant. I was very glad when my train to Ardrossan pulled out and then deposited me at the ferry terminal for a bit of a wait. The ferry was a bit bijou compared to those that sail to the Outer Hebrides and has seen better days. It was a calm sailing though and we were treated to a lovely sunset over Kintyre.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd be riding somewhere over there - once it was dark.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My original plan had been to depart at exactly midnight. This was just a bit of a whim, it appearing tidier in my mind that the whole route was done on the same day. However, at 9:30pm I'd already been awake for 14 hours, travelling for 13 and was just keen to get going. Add to that the need to be at the Camusnagaul</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ferry by a specific time, a forecasted dry weather window that was due to break down at midnight and the frankly depressing thought of finding somewhere quiet to relax in Campbeltown on a Friday night and it was better just to get on the move.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Desperate to get out of "Dodge"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn't take long to leave the lights of Campbeltown and a couple of outlying little hamlets. Then it was just settling into the rhythm of night riding. For those that haven't tried it, there are a few differences; fast descents are taken a lot slower to allow for unseen potholes and sharp corners that would be very visible in daylight, as a result, hills are often approached slower too (no fast run up). With not much to see, other senses have more opportunity to intrude - the smell of a beach as you suddenly come down to sea level, the rushing noise of a fast river, the chill of entering a small patch of trees. All of these seem sharper, keener than during daylight hours. Perspective also alters - a few times I was wondering what lights were off to my right before I figured out they were on Arran, they just seemed much too close.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Folk might also think there's very little else to see when night riding but more of the local wildlife is up and around. Toads and frogs pause crossing the road; voles, moles and mice scrurry back and forth in a panic; rabbits and badgers usually try to outrun you; after a while you begin to panic as every bit of brown bracken looks like yet another young deer ready to spring out across your path and bats swoop across the road caught momentarily in the headlamp. Owls are frequently heard and every flock of sheep you pass starts a chorus of baas. One thing I'd not experienced so much before was to see so much gossamer from spiders caught across the front of my bike and illuminated by the lights. At first I ignored it but after a while there was so much it was distracting and I'd sweep it off occasionally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With nothing to stop for, I was nibbling some food and taking the occasional drink whilst just grinding away at the pedals. Of course, it's important to sometimes just stop and look around at the night sky, especially when there is so little light pollution. The stars are also a good omen - as long as you can see them the skies are clear and you're not going to get rained on.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bright lights of Ardrishaig</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The street lights of Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead came as something of a shock after so much time spent in the dark and I was treated to other little patches of light as I went along the Crinan Canal towpath before heading north again to Kilmartin. From there, the road along Loch Awe seemed to be one constant climb, one where I was having to play dynamo pothole chicken. This is when you climb slowly up a hill, with your dynamo light down to a mere dim glow, crest the summit, then you're flying down the other side before the dynamo has a chance to get the light back to full strength. Don't speed up so quickly and it stays dim longer, speed up quicker and risk hitting a pothole. It's a difficult game....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was round here that some daylight started breaking through the clouds and I started to meet the occasional car. Taynuilt would have made a good place for a break if it hadn't still been too early so I was back into the hills for a seemingly crazy detour to Connel (the NCN78 spur to Oban breaks off along here now). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvbJHOD8Cirqn_5oL5QY3ImQpyEAiupe9XssUInrZB7bu32q16f3qPVBpot6amzYUntSlDc7j6BgSOqdIGTnrYgcIryKhryPQ2w6nAubxNQaTg8N0ekQTPRkcP6PjR_uJsr9WKL7MsS4/s1600/P1030415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvbJHOD8Cirqn_5oL5QY3ImQpyEAiupe9XssUInrZB7bu32q16f3qPVBpot6amzYUntSlDc7j6BgSOqdIGTnrYgcIryKhryPQ2w6nAubxNQaTg8N0ekQTPRkcP6PjR_uJsr9WKL7MsS4/s640/P1030415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fascinating Falls of Lora on an incoming tide</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Around this point, my chain started skipping in the smaller cogs. This was a fairly new chain and cassette so it I knew it shouldn't be wear so messed around with tightening the cable a little, but to no effect. Listening more closely, I worked out that I had a stiff link on the chain. I was approaching the half-way point and, as expected, the little shop at Benderloch was open for re-supply. I took that as an omen to grab breakfast (sausage roll, coffee, chocolate milk shake) top up my drinks bottles and fix the chain by using a Powerlink. It was a fair bit of time stopped but I was actually well ahead of schedule - not only by the two hours premature departure from Campbeltown, I'd actually made time up on the road too. In fact, I was now considering the Camasnagaul ferry. My original plan was to catch it at 16:30 - that being the last of the day. However, I was now over three hours ahead. That meant I could, if I pushed it, hope to make the 12:30 instead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With new purpose I set off on the excellent new cycleway that's been installed between Benderloch and Ballachullish. I'd had some reservations about this section after driving past it often. It just seemed to be forever crossing the main road. However, this impression is misleading as, at cycling speeds, the crossings are actually quiet intermittent and unobtrusive. From Onich, NCN78 makes use of the (sometimes widened) pavement. Less than ideal but better than the A82. I was lucky enough to make Corran just as the ferry was arriving and that there was a decent queue of cars ensuring a fast turnaround. I made a pleading phone call to Highland Ferries asking that they hang on a couple of minutes for my arrival and then pushed as hard as I could northwards. I could have taken it easier as the wee ferry hadn't even arrived when I did.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH1iRGMbJhyXeWa0iZGpeYVxpUBvfrBGcGbzFnFcQpy6FflPj41gvB3x3OumNQNYwtqPkw90jf6rNc8qrFAI78fwRrtY9HMP7mJ95I0J92IL9UtNWkt8w4qAbpP9p2xP6fnlaAZmoc2A/s1600/DSC_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH1iRGMbJhyXeWa0iZGpeYVxpUBvfrBGcGbzFnFcQpy6FflPj41gvB3x3OumNQNYwtqPkw90jf6rNc8qrFAI78fwRrtY9HMP7mJ95I0J92IL9UtNWkt8w4qAbpP9p2xP6fnlaAZmoc2A/s640/DSC_0758.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wasn't the least bit worried.....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stepping off the ferry in Fort William I felt a tremendous sense of relief. I was ahead of schedule, it was a lovely day and I could now finish the ride at any pace I wanted. What's more, I'd already ridden all of NCN78 north of here and knew exactly what was to come. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">McDonalds was my chosen spot to relax. Fast food, cold drinks and a place to keep an eye on my bike. I didn't even mind that it was so busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's an easy canal and road section to the wee hamlet of Clunes but then it's a forest track for around 10km. This was the main reason I'd decided to fit the more robust tyres. They handled it OK.... ish. It was certainly a rough ride and I could have perhaps reduced tyre pressures a little but I sought out the smoothest sections and tried to unweight the bike as much as possible on the roughest. A bit more easy path, the lovely new cycletrack along Loch Oich and then more canal path took me quickly to Fort Augustus. This was its normal bustling self with lots of folk watching the canal locks in operation of just sitting out enjoying the evening sun. For me, it was a chance for another wee break - my third of the trip. The Londis store furnished me with another coffee and more juice for my bottles. I was caught between the desire to finish the trip as quickly as possible but also trying to steal myself for the final big challenge - </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Struie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a bit of a monster climb out of Fort Augustus. I've done it before, with fresher legs and on a much lighter bike, and knew it would be really hard this time. I wasn't wrong. Twice I just gave in and walked the bike for a while. Once I reached Loch Tarff, I knew the end of the climb was in sight and just ground it out to the top</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMICgGOgbwhxkM3UtR2tQRxaE6tLS5FsngrNi_VEYgfCIi5EYkf28HabkPJ_HbAssly75Lq1kC5t8CUqIEHLz9IXW0iLXhg891S9VliYcNi7w1ViWQ1ThL7KVhw_5ed4giQENKQvGmE0/s1600/DSC_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMICgGOgbwhxkM3UtR2tQRxaE6tLS5FsngrNi_VEYgfCIi5EYkf28HabkPJ_HbAssly75Lq1kC5t8CUqIEHLz9IXW0iLXhg891S9VliYcNi7w1ViWQ1ThL7KVhw_5ed4giQENKQvGmE0/s640/DSC_0763.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All downhill from here. Sort of.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With that out of the way, I started to feel quite strong again and used the downhills to maximum advantage (actually creating a few Strava PBs on the way - a surprise given I'd now cycled 200 miles). As I sped along the shores of Loch Ness, the sun started to set again and I reflected that I'd seen the whole day go by from the saddle of a bike. Surprisingly, I didn't feel tired - at least not in the sleepy sense. I knew that some fatigue was there though as tight maneuvers past small bridges etc weren't quite as sharp as they should have been.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NCN78 takes a final small detour when entering Inverness but gives a really fast descent, on a shared-use pavement, down to a roundabout. I was glad it was now quite late again as there were no pedestrians likely to be mown down in my haste. Past work and then the wee climb to "not quite" the castle and then it's the "End of NCN78" sign. It all seemed a bit of a low key ending.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdjD_uJ7dLW40fJTDXnHHE6PlVoxYlLOXWBugrad7ZmRuaMBxl410HfVZEq6GmzLnf_gf118dKXdCSZLpU4Qkjtg7ktje1j3eSoOrenX7sCpC6WZM5mQwIGC282IQQ-2TCxsPHgoTfIQ/s1600/DSC_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdjD_uJ7dLW40fJTDXnHHE6PlVoxYlLOXWBugrad7ZmRuaMBxl410HfVZEq6GmzLnf_gf118dKXdCSZLpU4Qkjtg7ktje1j3eSoOrenX7sCpC6WZM5mQwIGC282IQQ-2TCxsPHgoTfIQ/s640/DSC_0766.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was much darker than it looks here!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Numbers</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Total distance was 372.5km (231.5 miles)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Total climb was 4,237m (13,900ft)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Total time was 22:39:14. Riding time was 19:24:42</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Average speed was 16.5kph (10.25mph)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Route</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NCN78 makes a fabulous challenge or an enjoyable tour. I met a couple on the Camasnagaul ferry who'd taken two weeks to get there from Campbeltown, stopping at various places en route. The roads in Kintyre are undoubtedly hilly, though they'd be more flowing in daylight. The Loch Awe section suffers from being enclosed by trees for too much of the time. The new cycle tracks through the Appin section are absolutely splendid - a real credit to everyone involved and should be used as an example by councils everywhere. The section at Onich is, by comparison, a poor compromise. What's most needed though is a better surface on the 10km of forest track at Clunes. This just jars (literally) when the rest of the route is so well executed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The logistics of getting to/from Campbeltown will undoubtedly hinder greater use of this as an "end-to-end" route, which will be a real shame. Perhaps a marketing exercise as has been carried out for the North Coast 500 would start the ball rolling on increasing demand and it would be nice to see the public transport operators helping out by increasing ferry sailings and bike spaces on trains. While we don't yet have all of that, it shouldn't put anyone off. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOI47BIsEpB8OlgZkkbqOpWnZh2e7o4wYlpkmU0F-yRZzI00vmoYCvFOqO0s91lHA6XBNpi32hwQQPJZPlHDF4bNL-S5bGQcoYqYsBZe7c9MUDrCY6oBdeScmnw1V4I49HhDg5GrO8Qo/s1600/NCN78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOI47BIsEpB8OlgZkkbqOpWnZh2e7o4wYlpkmU0F-yRZzI00vmoYCvFOqO0s91lHA6XBNpi32hwQQPJZPlHDF4bNL-S5bGQcoYqYsBZe7c9MUDrCY6oBdeScmnw1V4I49HhDg5GrO8Qo/s640/NCN78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Postscript:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite feeling great at the end in Inverness with only some mild muscle tiredness to contend with, three hours later I was in absolute agony. My left Lateral Collateral Ligament was sending out massive waves of pain from my knee and no position could be found to alleviate it. For a while, I was seriously considering dialling 999 and demanding some serious painkillers. I eventually fell asleep by keeping it completely stationary and letting the previous 40 hours catch up with me. A day later, rested, with more painkillers and the application of ice, I was able to function again. Two days later it's like it never happened....</span></div>
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Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-10007783284915575362016-08-06T16:45:00.000+01:002016-08-16T20:24:57.157+01:00A Northern Cairngorms Loop<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Between walking and cycling I've managed to find most ways of crossing the main body of the Cairngorms but a couple of options had somehow eluded me. In an attempt to correct this oversight and as way of familiarisation of a possible future ride I chose to combine them for a short overnight bivvy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first part of the ride was definitely familiar to me. The route from Aviemore to Tomintoul passes through lots of interesting spots. Safe to say this was by far the wettest I'd ever ridden it though. Lots of puddles and muddy spots didn't promise well for the later river crossings.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A wet warning of what was to come - bottom bracket depth. <br />The sign has to be a joke - there's no way round this.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of my favourite singletrack after Forest Lodge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s4flFl2o1Kk7g6c54M21dy-paWq8eL7cvx4K4wrH4V0ScyNXjYsuCRRAcM4-JjkToRpBai9FSBAVDPj8zoYry1U4K6VlkO4rHeotXi7fCrFp3Ec5UlxUPUYsq8GrgB-7Nfqd1q6PH44/s1600/P1030341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s4flFl2o1Kk7g6c54M21dy-paWq8eL7cvx4K4wrH4V0ScyNXjYsuCRRAcM4-JjkToRpBai9FSBAVDPj8zoYry1U4K6VlkO4rHeotXi7fCrFp3Ec5UlxUPUYsq8GrgB-7Nfqd1q6PH44/s640/P1030341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking across to Strath Nethy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Faeshallach was flowing but I made it across through careful use of boulders as stepping stones. I doubted the next crossing would be as straightforward.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP4NCV2bmFfZncRQCJ80yJm4nw6MX7jNO8ju5enlO5ahA7DkuEJoaMtRX71XyJcDQMG1OPCoie6XNzEKU8zYTizbQUUHtBnofGKZ6M1xCAscrCJRt_ML2MBBYDkFloJdhyaS1XClg-bs/s1600/P1030344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP4NCV2bmFfZncRQCJ80yJm4nw6MX7jNO8ju5enlO5ahA7DkuEJoaMtRX71XyJcDQMG1OPCoie6XNzEKU8zYTizbQUUHtBnofGKZ6M1xCAscrCJRt_ML2MBBYDkFloJdhyaS1XClg-bs/s640/P1030344.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Faeshallach - I made it across here with dry feet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-JKPfd1psinTqtDDvoNAJ-P1jXux485M8mj7F8O8R6y6f1iFtAZbPiHVB_UuTNhGlV1gyGL5knzw-qBuQMKauOhL7RHywkPzp4vyoZ0LBUdx5NG1Z5DlVm0BixdhCqACqxR6oqWp4K8/s1600/P1030345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-JKPfd1psinTqtDDvoNAJ-P1jXux485M8mj7F8O8R6y6f1iFtAZbPiHVB_UuTNhGlV1gyGL5knzw-qBuQMKauOhL7RHywkPzp4vyoZ0LBUdx5NG1Z5DlVm0BixdhCqACqxR6oqWp4K8/s640/P1030345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Approaching the Big Egg (gaelic Eag Mhor - the big notch)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUciwOv1lgIPmgIoQXm5txZ1hVBu8hyHQk9yKUpTuztG-suvE0eE1Deii-q253JlICZpvguGHjWsQbCzIZ0Es55jxDGnhbgUQOlxVWwNT2zvmaVsCkdLsBzdh1vhk2J0D_1aA2a3Q5hY/s1600/P1030346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUciwOv1lgIPmgIoQXm5txZ1hVBu8hyHQk9yKUpTuztG-suvE0eE1Deii-q253JlICZpvguGHjWsQbCzIZ0Es55jxDGnhbgUQOlxVWwNT2zvmaVsCkdLsBzdh1vhk2J0D_1aA2a3Q5hY/s640/P1030346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a cracking place for a ride</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZekwOseMIEkQD2aANe_kOmIylxM-HUTo09j8bUSnQ4vMCPdvWiPEXlyP0rjcGgbOQgeczRgCaWG5YnPD6Qka_qjvIZhU3qZc5PipP-dkZDgGKszNBe2eOsWSrohPQMYYMYESVq8h6qo/s640/P1030347.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some care required. Having an accident here would be no yolk.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZekwOseMIEkQD2aANe_kOmIylxM-HUTo09j8bUSnQ4vMCPdvWiPEXlyP0rjcGgbOQgeczRgCaWG5YnPD6Qka_qjvIZhU3qZc5PipP-dkZDgGKszNBe2eOsWSrohPQMYYMYESVq8h6qo/s1600/P1030347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnewTMFD-zutVwxbKXtWWHWJ6KfXm5K4jp72ftjrMp90nYawsUvI8M3oX6wDEbPFzmf6Wgm0RTsrJTyZ1Rvz2nmf2wlzNzDkWsDJzzVVNC4v1_T66DliqqXzYjo33T6b6bmjVg-EHLP0/s1600/P1030349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnewTMFD-zutVwxbKXtWWHWJ6KfXm5K4jp72ftjrMp90nYawsUvI8M3oX6wDEbPFzmf6Wgm0RTsrJTyZ1Rvz2nmf2wlzNzDkWsDJzzVVNC4v1_T66DliqqXzYjo33T6b6bmjVg-EHLP0/s640/P1030349.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Purple poo - a sure sign it's Blaeberry season</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On reaching the Dorback Burn my suspicions were confirmed. Not only has the burn changed its profile through the gravel banks, it was flowing fast and deep. Knowing that the Burn of Brown was still to come, I didn't bother faffing and just waded straight across. That was the boots properly wet now, and no chance of drying out. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8_PDLMwyaX13feiyqChrOBp8sP7pQn54adqmIFuHItktcs5df0uDuQ0lYNx6mjsjQi3aJXaUmK-0FDF0LKIW0xg7c7IXemLiENU-nxBebNXWVB67oRJE_nMBJ_UUtWsl34OwRu3OHSU/s1600/P1030350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8_PDLMwyaX13feiyqChrOBp8sP7pQn54adqmIFuHItktcs5df0uDuQ0lYNx6mjsjQi3aJXaUmK-0FDF0LKIW0xg7c7IXemLiENU-nxBebNXWVB67oRJE_nMBJ_UUtWsl34OwRu3OHSU/s640/P1030350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Dorback Burn. A change of direction and deeper than I've seen it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX8jNtD3Y_5ZsautR5qUX14SCPDsoHSU2JoepbF90xy1299Mnsq4CBrUKOplxHVEd_BBargwIyFiNhqq4RyMquHRDZxIwczEo-q-kTdMRR39Jdsxs86wTpE2_Kpa3p72BsX1Xkv3X3bM/s1600/P1030356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX8jNtD3Y_5ZsautR5qUX14SCPDsoHSU2JoepbF90xy1299Mnsq4CBrUKOplxHVEd_BBargwIyFiNhqq4RyMquHRDZxIwczEo-q-kTdMRR39Jdsxs86wTpE2_Kpa3p72BsX1Xkv3X3bM/s640/P1030356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking back at the Big Egg. I was going for another pun but I reckoned an oeuf is an oeuf.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Burn of Brown was crossed three times before I made it to the path on the south bank. This wanders in and out of the trees a lot and, having wet feet already, I'm not sure it was worth the effort compared with just making more crossings. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zq_xOOUAGe3j2QuTVIs7fFTtZH8r3hyF1Jk-WJJ-rH4FZckFJkTBYLBKeH1OXCZUFqzBqEkyxTbppc_QYFUf2qadCZ5OpZrLfo3EZ8YoXOhFL0OeBGsXoc_jqM4egCFyrI9pZP585lk/s1600/P1030360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zq_xOOUAGe3j2QuTVIs7fFTtZH8r3hyF1Jk-WJJ-rH4FZckFJkTBYLBKeH1OXCZUFqzBqEkyxTbppc_QYFUf2qadCZ5OpZrLfo3EZ8YoXOhFL0OeBGsXoc_jqM4egCFyrI9pZP585lk/s640/P1030360.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wonder how many folk this has put on the right path?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpdWKxLNa7c1gSKgEaQNMHDUmiVEOWPmYgZUQ_2ocBd6w-h_lHiQWe5RC4dCHxBtR6uaf9hbY5qPWN4BWoCLQi84pA7djPhvGe1crupn4DNIPrVHruCrO-dcVKlBG9jJ_y37Fxe9M7fI/s1600/P1030362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpdWKxLNa7c1gSKgEaQNMHDUmiVEOWPmYgZUQ_2ocBd6w-h_lHiQWe5RC4dCHxBtR6uaf9hbY5qPWN4BWoCLQi84pA7djPhvGe1crupn4DNIPrVHruCrO-dcVKlBG9jJ_y37Fxe9M7fI/s640/P1030362.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first of three crossings of the Burn of Brown</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On reaching Tomintoul, I popped into the Post Office for some food and drink, kicked back, took off my boots, wrung out my socks and let my feet air in the sun </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for a while. Of course, I'd no sooner done this when a big cloud came over and killed the warm sunlight.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLFZh3BLnBCwmPajsETtaSpMxGbCRWcorWWxHuM0L8auzxGuASKPTLMPcbqIXjmWaejYQADaw3NqHMyMj6PLN5ZFcdtcZ2VHbTND5Ue40qbtXjWL4TEh9lwC4dLr9wmVWZGLqbjRHoxw/s1600/P1030364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLFZh3BLnBCwmPajsETtaSpMxGbCRWcorWWxHuM0L8auzxGuASKPTLMPcbqIXjmWaejYQADaw3NqHMyMj6PLN5ZFcdtcZ2VHbTND5Ue40qbtXjWL4TEh9lwC4dLr9wmVWZGLqbjRHoxw/s640/P1030364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Going my way?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving Tomintoul I was finally on some unfamiliar territory. I have to say, the middle reaches of the River Avon are really very pleasant and there was a definite feeling of heading upwards and into more remote territory as I went. The road and track certainly made for good progress, though when this ended to become rocky singletrack it was even better fun. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z5L5W6lOsWj6k2f1xLqwC20BtuTA5sau0GWb2utnvfbrDZE9kl4NKSd86vcsQJVsEcpoumxdN8rcQR2yYzEj5y4Nr_xLm9ZO6S1JtSt_G73dCXGXq3KQkMMG5enFkRbFy7oSmtwhJhs/s1600/P1030365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z5L5W6lOsWj6k2f1xLqwC20BtuTA5sau0GWb2utnvfbrDZE9kl4NKSd86vcsQJVsEcpoumxdN8rcQR2yYzEj5y4Nr_xLm9ZO6S1JtSt_G73dCXGXq3KQkMMG5enFkRbFy7oSmtwhJhs/s640/P1030365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just below Queen Victorias viewpoint.I bet she didn't cycle here!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9ZtpZuUwcf8Hm0UzMu-D-yY12hcYeSH3_l3RuufUDCvNXXDOf5Bt7gCygPl-KV1jtaHFG7x7TMjxLAh-kOzmyag0-oC9RqW1lMmFBIUEotfSuwNQAMtBjiunCtNwzRgBv5Xh6fyC2hI/s1600/P1030367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9ZtpZuUwcf8Hm0UzMu-D-yY12hcYeSH3_l3RuufUDCvNXXDOf5Bt7gCygPl-KV1jtaHFG7x7TMjxLAh-kOzmyag0-oC9RqW1lMmFBIUEotfSuwNQAMtBjiunCtNwzRgBv5Xh6fyC2hI/s640/P1030367.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Disguising itself as a fallen tree, the carnivorous Highland Bearcow awaits an unsuspecting salmon.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reaching Loch Builg, the track became a bit more boggy and less well defined, necessitating a little walking but with already wet feet I wasn't making much effort to avoid puddles. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguYMKqyNTIcbyQDS2LPGm1N6n8jngb648ehJ_1Lw5PfwoMO-xA2nFfK4ANdiAMsArMkTy_ABLUOeiXThrnbOwZIf3VJvSlD-w2WbvlT2iYhYXwwgY0YbP5ISdG4bVieRAeqd7NwYxaZY/s1600/P1030369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguYMKqyNTIcbyQDS2LPGm1N6n8jngb648ehJ_1Lw5PfwoMO-xA2nFfK4ANdiAMsArMkTy_ABLUOeiXThrnbOwZIf3VJvSlD-w2WbvlT2iYhYXwwgY0YbP5ISdG4bVieRAeqd7NwYxaZY/s640/P1030369.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unexpected beach on Loch Builg</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The climb up Culardoch went a little quicker than I'd expected. Perhaps it was the threat of the impending rainclouds approaching from Ben Avon. They finally broke as I was at the summit so I stopped being so stoical and donned a jacket for the first time of the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The descent was on loose and steep estate road. I was always tempted to go faster but I kept repeating my two wilderness riding questions; </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">where are you</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">? and </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who are you with</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">? The answers kept coming back </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the arse end of the Cairngorms </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I only have my Spot tracker for company. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAR7-rlzqgHOar50OSbByVlC1kkb5phfMK_gb8q4H_v7KYodwfwDSYJuhBR2HgRhDSl9M5yjQU_LzvPckv1_ye5SCiqa4HfDBmsWHgXtP5VXHsCrwP_CWCIpiFoAl1OfzQ4p21wMwhXI/s1600/P1030373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAR7-rlzqgHOar50OSbByVlC1kkb5phfMK_gb8q4H_v7KYodwfwDSYJuhBR2HgRhDSl9M5yjQU_LzvPckv1_ye5SCiqa4HfDBmsWHgXtP5VXHsCrwP_CWCIpiFoAl1OfzQ4p21wMwhXI/s640/P1030373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The descent off Culardoch just as the rains came.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reaching the woods near Invercauld was a welcome change of scenery. There's a definite "Braemar-ish" feel around here that somehow differentiates it from the Rothiemurchus side of the massif.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQq5Sg4aDctyZQGQvzzeUSR_XnVtsVWS50Lo1CPEYoSJbXZuUqnzg-JZaF0cmFi2VF1gQiSSzQnKIE6sM9tbhNoIOtg-sy7vzpYBVU0D-qqPZ_yp3Wd4sooo9uQQ4dxTOKrr0eHJTY10/s1600/P1030375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQq5Sg4aDctyZQGQvzzeUSR_XnVtsVWS50Lo1CPEYoSJbXZuUqnzg-JZaF0cmFi2VF1gQiSSzQnKIE6sM9tbhNoIOtg-sy7vzpYBVU0D-qqPZ_yp3Wd4sooo9uQQ4dxTOKrr0eHJTY10/s640/P1030375.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quite a welcome sight after the bleaker high terrain</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kUXBaCC71vlzDY9cy_voZn8NZfADYzNWLzq_ThWIa_DsCFaP6RaopibPTCizgriFYvw6j_SME9Fo3bPSIjLlbzdGM4kMsEWhreqQTRApFxMeODfT7nMgQx_iJ5CjghUKYnOKrNthEfA/s1600/P1030378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kUXBaCC71vlzDY9cy_voZn8NZfADYzNWLzq_ThWIa_DsCFaP6RaopibPTCizgriFYvw6j_SME9Fo3bPSIjLlbzdGM4kMsEWhreqQTRApFxMeODfT7nMgQx_iJ5CjghUKYnOKrNthEfA/s640/P1030378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking towards Braemar and Glen Dee (and a bed for the night)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F3sauHp9994GQELVL4V8e1NehPWkXdk7poM32ys2GCSBXDgJHLRaXcahkIGrf57D-iVXkJXRQw2CNLaaYwfKqnhDfSZOLY7HhfEa-0M7MRqyEkU6zW3Htq7yocMMAewEDInOf8qZ8tY/s1600/P1030380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F3sauHp9994GQELVL4V8e1NehPWkXdk7poM32ys2GCSBXDgJHLRaXcahkIGrf57D-iVXkJXRQw2CNLaaYwfKqnhDfSZOLY7HhfEa-0M7MRqyEkU6zW3Htq7yocMMAewEDInOf8qZ8tY/s640/P1030380.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Been there, done that.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Braemar was an opportunity to grab some food (from the chippy) and take stock. I'd not been watching the clock, occasionally trying to judge time of day by the amount of daylight. I was happy with it being not quite 7 o'clock and headed out towards Linn of Dee to ponder a bivvy spot. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEoxZA0qNOnu_8ScwT8c4DVoWrvDt8lCrYzgg_XHHKCErWMNJrbaWT6QbWuYN53d_M077ikTtiGXVUR8KnVUcFNOoZ8StdWUktA2GNWNwAs9fSGECuCdtH1lVAO2hhSAr8n-apPtPMXM/s1600/P1030382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEoxZA0qNOnu_8ScwT8c4DVoWrvDt8lCrYzgg_XHHKCErWMNJrbaWT6QbWuYN53d_M077ikTtiGXVUR8KnVUcFNOoZ8StdWUktA2GNWNwAs9fSGECuCdtH1lVAO2hhSAr8n-apPtPMXM/s640/P1030382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting nearer</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEIFhzZwYC27YZKqTH6nXVy65j9QSyn0fNq21G6I795OmoiiONTnABf2IqYKoMcOMGEZRcs_Op26EGyMapzuk6YBOvVb4rkvl_sSJwMU3eQYPjh1piRHL8HMhUNOiYPuW8nuJ9NRhyRM/s1600/P1030383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEIFhzZwYC27YZKqTH6nXVy65j9QSyn0fNq21G6I795OmoiiONTnABf2IqYKoMcOMGEZRcs_Op26EGyMapzuk6YBOvVb4rkvl_sSJwMU3eQYPjh1piRHL8HMhUNOiYPuW8nuJ9NRhyRM/s640/P1030383.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Still too early - crack on</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSliYHBRXiEL4qAYwslupTWMybCGZCClWcwJptb_d5qlmlhPi94uxG9lCiihw52YpwL7MdKbQ3d3655I1q5qfr8RuglI88VAMy3eWAyW6JHURs3cLmfyp_L5FjBkQYjCc87URgVwN3b68/s1600/P1030384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSliYHBRXiEL4qAYwslupTWMybCGZCClWcwJptb_d5qlmlhPi94uxG9lCiihw52YpwL7MdKbQ3d3655I1q5qfr8RuglI88VAMy3eWAyW6JHURs3cLmfyp_L5FjBkQYjCc87URgVwN3b68/s640/P1030384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Demanding and potentially dangerous - just like being at home then!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPQyuE_7dr__TiHtGQV63SA_gSCLoT6Ap_Gy1Bo513ThYZ8cZs3v1rRU_tFsbbD8y2OPLeWFBTQ44y3yRrCusJ2FUl9yWqFjnH6wnkwHxcF_9D6NUZ01Di0DqgphF2u3nhzQx2XZiBZ4/s1600/P1030385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPQyuE_7dr__TiHtGQV63SA_gSCLoT6Ap_Gy1Bo513ThYZ8cZs3v1rRU_tFsbbD8y2OPLeWFBTQ44y3yRrCusJ2FUl9yWqFjnH6wnkwHxcF_9D6NUZ01Di0DqgphF2u3nhzQx2XZiBZ4/s640/P1030385.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice spot - but not for me</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Linn of Dee came and went - far too early. White Bridge then? Too early and some campers already there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Geldie would have to do. I got there just as the rain started and even looked at the old building as a potential stopping point but the midge were numerous and good ground hard to come by. I decided to head upstream. I knew that wet ground was sure to follow and hoped it wouldn't slow my progress too much but it became a bit of a boggy trudge, interspersed with the occasional bit of pedalling. I was now in that spiral where it was getting dark and I was getting increasingly slow, leading to it being even more dark as I headed towards the watershed. What's more, the whole area was sodden meaning I could see no decent bivvy spot. As it got darker, I opted to continue on to the waterfall of the Eidart, hoping that the change of terrain would give me more options. It turned out not to be so and I (carefully) crossed the bridge with the water roaring beneath me. By now, all I could make out of the track was the line of tyre-marked puddles. Another look at the map confirmed that I'd now be heading down to the riverside and closer inspection showed a building. I expected this to be a ruin but I figured that no one would build something the middle of a bog so this was likely to be my best hope for dry ground. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was, thankfully, correct. An old stable, walls mostly gone and with holes in the roof it did, however present my best bet for stopover point. I had, briefly, considered pressing on to Ruigh-aitchechan bothy in Glen Feshie but I knew this was likely to take quite a while, would involve crossing the landslips in the dark and might not make me too popular with anyone else already asleep there. My tarp made a useful temporary wall patch, cutting off the breeze coming from the west and though the ground was a bit rocky, the air mattress took it in its stride. A quick change out of wet gear and I was in the sleeping bag in double quick time. I had a stove with me but that seemed like too much faff and, having managed to forget a hipflask, I made do with some water and nuts for supper.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaxs8RUhKI7_1q8h-BgBFYMI00rIwNFVQABALudFycLbohTZDjdzBpTAtEvd0v7UweXRt7wdvuRAqF_0iDMRTxQ_piXCT57x6dWwdwqAc4dhL_sJfmvmicRD5oIBAg2JPQGDKoonQ7nY/s1600/P1030389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoaxs8RUhKI7_1q8h-BgBFYMI00rIwNFVQABALudFycLbohTZDjdzBpTAtEvd0v7UweXRt7wdvuRAqF_0iDMRTxQ_piXCT57x6dWwdwqAc4dhL_sJfmvmicRD5oIBAg2JPQGDKoonQ7nY/s640/P1030389.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not exactly 5 Star</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It wasn't a bad night, the midge netting on the bivvy bag kept the menace at bay and I fell asleep very quickly. The 5:30 alarm call wasn't necessary though. I'd woken a couple of times and watched as the night broke into reluctant daylight. By 4:45 I adjudged it to be bright enough to consider making a move. A quick breakfast and hasty packing session before donning my wet clothes (brrr!) and I was on the move. Thankfully, I was able to pedal most of the way out, though I doubt I'd have made as good progress in the dark. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wiDat4lIisfsUCOvIgCJBrna19hHQp3LwKiihmBxqRNqEx1MzymTx6kYc-6TE3pPFqvOpz_USoOzTDT8y1QZrOTuTfvp3MrUuKzwSr0duRiA39xyxOiAXYwePrtjU5PijoLKL-RtmTQ/s1600/P1030390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wiDat4lIisfsUCOvIgCJBrna19hHQp3LwKiihmBxqRNqEx1MzymTx6kYc-6TE3pPFqvOpz_USoOzTDT8y1QZrOTuTfvp3MrUuKzwSr0duRiA39xyxOiAXYwePrtjU5PijoLKL-RtmTQ/s640/P1030390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A faint glow of sunrise</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The upper reaches of the Feshie in this area have a definite non-Cairngorms feel about them. In fact, it reminded me of my trip into Kintail earlier this year. I was also coming back onto familiar ground and soon reached the area where two significant landslips make manhandling a bike a bit precarious.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXm7V_qEXQoV4O2j1UbeWu1cFxnXZ7BBOjLa5Zz9Zd6q6MTEuCkIWtERgxByLGrJuaTwyAMDNJBDVbYE6bXh7sWXZNKlbmsyOID-uo_TA39QdwmPfLYVsvLiryPefPSNUYfau5Tladg24/s1600/P1030391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXm7V_qEXQoV4O2j1UbeWu1cFxnXZ7BBOjLa5Zz9Zd6q6MTEuCkIWtERgxByLGrJuaTwyAMDNJBDVbYE6bXh7sWXZNKlbmsyOID-uo_TA39QdwmPfLYVsvLiryPefPSNUYfau5Tladg24/s640/P1030391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bit tricky this one - not to be attempted in the dark!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9uq8pZ-HGDV8toh2TYny2JaZXa8w5gsK8tuC_MoD0OT7UndHuN0WSVfchBQkb6R-BBGrRkpmn3Llp5ymb8Ov57ccM1YUbDUA7-Iank1QQdU3XMugUabGc_bGZ_RYzy82tdOfEwgeseI/s1600/P1030392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9uq8pZ-HGDV8toh2TYny2JaZXa8w5gsK8tuC_MoD0OT7UndHuN0WSVfchBQkb6R-BBGrRkpmn3Llp5ymb8Ov57ccM1YUbDUA7-Iank1QQdU3XMugUabGc_bGZ_RYzy82tdOfEwgeseI/s640/P1030392.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The purples of late summer developing nicely</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtezShju4yhk7P1-0RhA8pOA9ljbOLFP84KZZxheGRtdmjmbDCBGitYmW_vGP-Xew1uzU5BOQBWaHHmcDWe8u96sjVEiDzPovDbtpW8QLGmJj9d95PTvY8RTse19IA9khyubWtDOVYeA/s1600/P1030397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtezShju4yhk7P1-0RhA8pOA9ljbOLFP84KZZxheGRtdmjmbDCBGitYmW_vGP-Xew1uzU5BOQBWaHHmcDWe8u96sjVEiDzPovDbtpW8QLGmJj9d95PTvY8RTse19IA9khyubWtDOVYeA/s640/P1030397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some astonishing light in the morning sun.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd also somehow miscalculated how far these were past Ruigh-aitchechan and kept expecting it to appear well before it eventually did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last bit of bike-pushing came when crossing the Allt Garblach. This minor river crossing was transformed into a deep canyon last year when we experienced lots of flooding. What was a nice stepped descent, small bridge and stepped climb out now necessitates a lot of manhandling on steep, loose ground. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnF8QTF0HnHJhhAaMmG2WxXzjFUtprmJNh9JRQTo5rE1uDlzFs24YSNuIDhGxxA8JWlkUx7oCty5ZCE_B0SuLToSYMsSA7BOzEhyphenhyphenHyIYKJxJ3BykU8u45FzQ70n3GqYCd6v4LR7JY8fM/s1600/P1030401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnF8QTF0HnHJhhAaMmG2WxXzjFUtprmJNh9JRQTo5rE1uDlzFs24YSNuIDhGxxA8JWlkUx7oCty5ZCE_B0SuLToSYMsSA7BOzEhyphenhyphenHyIYKJxJ3BykU8u45FzQ70n3GqYCd6v4LR7JY8fM/s640/P1030401.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Allt Garbhlach devastation - check out the steps on the far side</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR0WDvtE4Tk23fV_TQlGFemhzKrV21xEFLzCczK_oE4UZS90rc37Faj6wgwLmcuDqAGWpzNdq8G9K0QGAPpw-LalxJOD4MZcjib-NOG_SAx6TyJGSONJxiBGOhG0DGk6h-qg2ukA7h1Y/s1600/P1030402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR0WDvtE4Tk23fV_TQlGFemhzKrV21xEFLzCczK_oE4UZS90rc37Faj6wgwLmcuDqAGWpzNdq8G9K0QGAPpw-LalxJOD4MZcjib-NOG_SAx6TyJGSONJxiBGOhG0DGk6h-qg2ukA7h1Y/s640/P1030402.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A big drop from this side too</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cQpIHuVyBx8luBghQERi9m4qiGBw9mQyIkeeG3_ZsTJhvTdm9XLWcfYufQoIHSI_l0b86cuFGG8XMv72S8R0L9pZ7a5qSRGziY4DMJe_weKOEWL1qf76u0BcMgUoKz0Id1yQaMy3GKo/s1600/P1030403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cQpIHuVyBx8luBghQERi9m4qiGBw9mQyIkeeG3_ZsTJhvTdm9XLWcfYufQoIHSI_l0b86cuFGG8XMv72S8R0L9pZ7a5qSRGziY4DMJe_weKOEWL1qf76u0BcMgUoKz0Id1yQaMy3GKo/s640/P1030403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Easy to miss this in the dark - and suffer a serious fall</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back onto tarmac for the final stretch home</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After that, it was a quick spin to the road (watching out for a further landslip area) and back towards Aviemore. Not yet 8:00, I arranged a suitable postscript in the form of breakfast at the Mountain Cafe with my wife. With my own breakfast gone, I was forced to finish hers - and a couple of rounds of toast. Safe to say, I did so guilt-free!! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTg5TTnYzhJY5IseEGT6aSgmBYcmtcngKr4koYoGr3aNcsKCvbfQD_4aclVNnHOzwPm1z7KTtlEro-N3LebRNgtZXt0hRZYUqk4Y8HbyTkUxCbGimlDHQ43RovLmuFaIX7ThcPfR891g/s1600/DSC_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTg5TTnYzhJY5IseEGT6aSgmBYcmtcngKr4koYoGr3aNcsKCvbfQD_4aclVNnHOzwPm1z7KTtlEro-N3LebRNgtZXt0hRZYUqk4Y8HbyTkUxCbGimlDHQ43RovLmuFaIX7ThcPfR891g/s640/DSC_0716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear not - there's bacon in there too!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fE0bvpUdHif-IU_yRRFcQujEZLS3uNOlGJFSi0kTJbPuLxxm2AZafmCftx-VqpRaeu-zHd3EGrrqKOZ13IjA0TxtnqR8cTxMSNJbPJcdfL9QPG0l_OECLmamFk7RsK40Cm7Mk7KDCdo/s1600/Garmin+BaseCamp+06-Aug-16+171438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fE0bvpUdHif-IU_yRRFcQujEZLS3uNOlGJFSi0kTJbPuLxxm2AZafmCftx-VqpRaeu-zHd3EGrrqKOZ13IjA0TxtnqR8cTxMSNJbPJcdfL9QPG0l_OECLmamFk7RsK40Cm7Mk7KDCdo/s640/Garmin+BaseCamp+06-Aug-16+171438.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">136km, 2,061m of ascent</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.scotroutes.com/Routes/MTB/CairngormNorthernLoop.gpx" target="_blank">GPX File here (Right Click, Save As...)</a></span>
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Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-32090559506610367222016-07-08T23:49:00.001+01:002019-07-09T14:17:08.367+01:0010<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Interesting number, 10. 10 fingers, 10 toes, we count in 10s, we talk about top 10s, 10 things to do before you die and then, of course, there was Bo Derek.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/522ab9dae4b03f0bcd61bc37/522abd42e4b03f0bcd61c04e/522e1de7e4b00c94432a3d62/1378754034551/Bo+el+seg+braids_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/522ab9dae4b03f0bcd61bc37/522abd42e4b03f0bcd61c04e/522e1de7e4b00c94432a3d62/1378754034551/Bo+el+seg+braids_3.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't know what Dudley Moore saw in her</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got to thinking about it recently, looking at some folk who were competing in the Tour Divide Race and watching their ability to sustain a good overall average speed. Now 10 miles per hour doesn't seem very fast in that regard. Most reasonably fit cyclists will be able to average 10 mph. Sit on a bike, start pedalling and you'll soon be at 10 mph. But it's sustaining that over longer distances and durations. What becomes obvious is that trying to maintain an average of 10mph also means reducing stopped time. Every second the wheels aren't turning eats into your overall average speed and maintaining 10 mph suddenly isn't so easy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently had the opportunity of a free lift to John O'Groats so </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I planned to ride down to Inverness on National Cycle Network Route 1. I was keen to do this as we lots of customers going this way (though normally northbound) and the Cromarty-Nigg ferry service had just re-opened, making the Black Isle section of NCN 1 a good through route again. However, after a phone call from home relating to a family illness, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the ferry option became untenable</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. The last evening ferry is at 18:00 and the first morning ferry isn't until 8:15. Frankly, I was never going to make the former and I didn't fancy hanging around all night. I therefore opted for plan B - I'd stick to the "standard" NCN1 route through Alness, Evanton and Dingwall and I'd see what was needed to do to get through a long days riding at that target of 10 mph.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a bit of route planning I was able to come up with a nice ready-reckoner for when I would have to be leaving a few points en route and this would be my quick look-up for the day. Mainly, these were places where I might find food. I was carrying a little with me but was also hoping to see what I could shop-forage as I went. As back-up, I also had my bivvy, sleeping bag, mat and tarp (all having been packed when the ferry option was still on). </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The weather forecast was for light westerlies and showers. I knew I had 60-odd miles of riding west to start with but this sounded perfectly fine. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrohahjyLdbc5_G0P4yJldX8zRzvh-llgPJEFfUm9MzPWLCq1tesz7NrWxQDLd23NPCRyquYiUM_YcO2Y8eU77nryZuoaKmypl11DSylWIJR7ERYO5tl70RgNd1ZLFwpg-40xNix4iCHE/s1600/DSC_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrohahjyLdbc5_G0P4yJldX8zRzvh-llgPJEFfUm9MzPWLCq1tesz7NrWxQDLd23NPCRyquYiUM_YcO2Y8eU77nryZuoaKmypl11DSylWIJR7ERYO5tl70RgNd1ZLFwpg-40xNix4iCHE/s640/DSC_0640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fabulous still evening on the Saturday night before departure</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Standing at the famous John O'Groats signpost on the Sunday morning, I was very aware that the "light" winds were a bit stronger than ideal. It was knocking a few degrees off the temperature too as they seemed to have swung more towards the North West. On the upside, the skies didn't look too threatening.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mUrLv_2c__i55J_rPI0zx06FmUZtP-53GtN2h4hN1lIf3uCwA-bptoHRITULWX_ofpclFcI47Eppxjbse2mNURUwRR6YUkXl9egtfXHUvMVgymij_mOY4QjJXCAF7Q-fH0qL3jubv8g/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mUrLv_2c__i55J_rPI0zx06FmUZtP-53GtN2h4hN1lIf3uCwA-bptoHRITULWX_ofpclFcI47Eppxjbse2mNURUwRR6YUkXl9egtfXHUvMVgymij_mOY4QjJXCAF7Q-fH0qL3jubv8g/s640/DSC_0641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not quite so pleasant the following morning.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Undaunted - and with little option - I set off up the hill and onto NCN 1. It was 8:32.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd cycled this bit fairly recently, doing a signing check for SUSTRANS so it was quite familiar. I was though, struggling with my gears. Stupidly, I'd not checked them out after fitting the handlebar harness. The right shifter was a little stiff - though this loosened up after I jiggled the cables about a bit. The left shifter stayed stiff even after this - a sign that everything was not well..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking down to Gills Bay I could see the morning ferry from Orkney just arriving. As a result, there was quite a bit of traffic on the main road. I was glad to be up on NCN 1 and away from all of that. Initially, the headwind didn't seem too bad, but as I approached Thurso it was already beginning to get a bit annoying. My first "checkpoint" was Strathy. I arrived a whole 53 mins ahead of schedule, having averaged 12.6 mph. This was easy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2hlQCgglF2BQAAdeU9R2gaIcE7H8r-SleFmbrdHQjWvdAiGkZvPw0iZGyoIhP_gWbXLZ6oQRvt7iaX06FBhWiY3p_uYcXHKHgjBtgqmAtDiI433TKhDJKJwPQltBFjYpthKyl_-dItA/s1600/DSC_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2hlQCgglF2BQAAdeU9R2gaIcE7H8r-SleFmbrdHQjWvdAiGkZvPw0iZGyoIhP_gWbXLZ6oQRvt7iaX06FBhWiY3p_uYcXHKHgjBtgqmAtDiI433TKhDJKJwPQltBFjYpthKyl_-dItA/s640/DSC_0643.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a change in terrain as NCN 1 reaches Sutherland, the flat, rolling moors giving way to some real hills</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Into Bettyhill and checkpoint 2. Due to hills and the headwind my speed had dropped a little to 11.4 mph and it was obvious my options for grabbing food were going to be very limited. Being Sunday, the only shop in the village was closed, a pattern that was repeated throughout the day. I did manage to find a hotel and bar offering lunch so opted to climb off the bike for a while. With an overall average speed in mind, it became a frustratingly slow experience. Find staff, explain requirement, wait to be seated, wait for menu, select food. wait for staff, order food, wait for food, eat, wait for staff, ask for bill, wait for staff, offer payment, wait for change. Every minute sat waiting becomes 1/6th of a mile not travelled. As a result my 45 minute stop had dropped my speed to 9.7 mph so I was now behind schedule. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just for good measure, t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he wind also seemed to be getting stronger, however it was blowing all the cloud and rain inland so at least I was staying dry. I was, though, glad to reach </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coldbackie where the route turned south, even though that meant I was heading into darker skies. I'd been having to pedal downhill in places and I was looking forward to being able to freewheel a little more often. In fact, so happy was I about this prospect that I stopped for a c</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">elebratory coffee and cake. More delay, but I hoped that not fighting the wind would make a difference to my moving average. A short stop here meant that I went through Tongue 36 minutes behind schedule, an average of 9.6 mph, despite all the hard work along the coast road.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVXoMH9j4NfIm2bi9KB1-5_GjU4eWAYktmt3qDGC8bTi6mY_LRB9UtgsRN8z7l3MY7SXTKSuGvQyOSG1xfyYhBMD81Oa9MnwxaGwaqn-J-9v8ZJA0cBAkiEuQZ7W1kdnh4hBSlpq_e1c/s1600/DSC_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVXoMH9j4NfIm2bi9KB1-5_GjU4eWAYktmt3qDGC8bTi6mY_LRB9UtgsRN8z7l3MY7SXTKSuGvQyOSG1xfyYhBMD81Oa9MnwxaGwaqn-J-9v8ZJA0cBAkiEuQZ7W1kdnh4hBSlpq_e1c/s640/DSC_0647.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking over Tongue Bay to the Rabbit Islands</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heading south definitely seemed easier and, despite the impact on my speed, I also stopped for a couple of photographs. The view over the Kyle of Tongue is superb, often matching that of some of the Hebridean beaches. Today, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the overcast sky had knocked much of the colour out of it but Ben Loyal stood to the south looking </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">like </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">some mischievous god had plucked it out of Skye, dumped it in Sutherland and thought "</span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">this'll keep them guessing</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">".</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBpY3L5RYwYb-adtNfYhie9Pr2ri5UcW6jQ8ndTe0emljvUkElF95Lduz0q1iOX3APp3rqDStbFNJH-gRtZybciYekJD8vdvhUGM-ukHOhS_pBmVUReaiGzQXWEOzbkpV0OuEACe3_lg/s1600/DSC_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBpY3L5RYwYb-adtNfYhie9Pr2ri5UcW6jQ8ndTe0emljvUkElF95Lduz0q1iOX3APp3rqDStbFNJH-gRtZybciYekJD8vdvhUGM-ukHOhS_pBmVUReaiGzQXWEOzbkpV0OuEACe3_lg/s640/DSC_0657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The route skirts right round the bottom of Ben Loyal</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiO0l8ugMdMueZezvMhMRckM2qg7z5JiclP9aS77HZWHBw4MaD82tG6CmN4ZPB1fV6298y7vQziXInxqxfQe2URDF9RmOARPB7ZkJ2nLOyGsbyNsrx5MfSt2Ss_z2p_1shdIeKRVvGC8/s1600/DSC_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiO0l8ugMdMueZezvMhMRckM2qg7z5JiclP9aS77HZWHBw4MaD82tG6CmN4ZPB1fV6298y7vQziXInxqxfQe2URDF9RmOARPB7ZkJ2nLOyGsbyNsrx5MfSt2Ss_z2p_1shdIeKRVvGC8/s640/DSC_0651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heading towards Altnaharra on the "main" road.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the road wound up and down past Altnaharra and lonely Crask Inn I felt I was going a little faster and passed through the latter now only 15 minutes behind schedule. Digging into my food bag I found a Eat Natural Protein bar and managed to rip the wrapper open with my teeth. What followed was 15 minutes of laborious chewing. It was dry as a budgies litter tray and barely more tasty. I reckon I actually consumed more calories eating it than it gave up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the faster descents towards Loch Shin I was in the big ring and as I hit Lairg all attempts to shift out of it failed. I knew that staying in a 52-tooth sprocket was never going to work so stopped in Lairg to see what could be done. Despite fiddling around with cables and trying everything I could, the only option available was to reset the front mech so it was over the middle ring. Despite it being gala week, Lairg was pretty dead. I knew there was a hotel serving food but I was now very aware of how much time delay that would cause so I passed it by, leaving Lairg 14 minutes ahead of schedule, average speed now 10.2 mph. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I now knew that the only option for hot food would be at Invershin so pressed on arriving 24 minutes ahead, 10.4 mph average. The menu had a limited range and I struggled to work out what I wanted and what wouldn't take too long, eventually opting for a burger. Though it arrived promptly enough, I found I really struggled to eat it. It felt more of a necessity than a desire and so it took me quite a while. I also had to call home at this point, further delaying my departure. As a result I was now 29 minutes behind schedule, overall average 9.6 mph. On the up side, the weather had taken a turn for the better and it looked like I might make it back to Inverness dry. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7E4btpOA2dbEGsJdWRIjy70oBvqYOQ8uU3e91yenc83Q5Q1xdZkAMFYHWh_4d3LANP2zxUSvF8JdbPTyuv5s2a1jGX9o2zycyj8CxLWtagOrj6qpn7ndhnKVH6GL8B8aymkK_Vj6cmc/s1600/DSC_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7E4btpOA2dbEGsJdWRIjy70oBvqYOQ8uU3e91yenc83Q5Q1xdZkAMFYHWh_4d3LANP2zxUSvF8JdbPTyuv5s2a1jGX9o2zycyj8CxLWtagOrj6qpn7ndhnKVH6GL8B8aymkK_Vj6cmc/s640/DSC_0658.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NCN 1 takes an unconventional line</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across the weird bit of cyclepath by the rail bridge and I was now on some very quiet roads, becoming familiar as I hit Ardgay. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXXwWRS_r3tLCOkHv-qH4FJ-cCjIjIXg20r5fKydV0wvp68eBZtwhMurH7oxEOUDS1jy2_2wLRQG5DZgL6DHSYVUjj4N-mp2LWnxRQvd00QS2Aez0Ua2tcYtQaon4bhJTovEktD8zrBA/s1600/DSC_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXXwWRS_r3tLCOkHv-qH4FJ-cCjIjIXg20r5fKydV0wvp68eBZtwhMurH7oxEOUDS1jy2_2wLRQG5DZgL6DHSYVUjj4N-mp2LWnxRQvd00QS2Aez0Ua2tcYtQaon4bhJTovEktD8zrBA/s640/DSC_0660.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Long evening shadows heading almost due south at this time of year</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming on to the A9 at the Dornoch Bridge was a bit mind-jarring though. It's hard to believe Britains premier long distance cycle route is routed on the A9 trunk road with no path, markings or other form of segregation. Mind you, it's a wide enough road and at 10pm on a Sunday evening it's not like there was too much traffic. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSXc-ly4o16kcOBsm3rQZC7cMWSRDPnfhUvlpyr9XfDf1quCDOUqElR0AeE5NZThLlmz8LS3c2ywQH1mlmFN3mqA79pAu8m7x1O_ndH3T0ALbSqN-HLLJWj1nbxBj1D26jcrMbmFfS9o/s1600/DSC_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSXc-ly4o16kcOBsm3rQZC7cMWSRDPnfhUvlpyr9XfDf1quCDOUqElR0AeE5NZThLlmz8LS3c2ywQH1mlmFN3mqA79pAu8m7x1O_ndH3T0ALbSqN-HLLJWj1nbxBj1D26jcrMbmFfS9o/s640/DSC_0665.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking back over the Dornoch Bridge as the sun finally sets</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The turn off to Tain soon appears and what's then required is some careful sign-watching as this is where the optional route via Nigg and Cromarty peels off. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tain also marked a return of westward riding and hence of the headwinds I'd been sheltered from for several hours. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd made up some time on the last leg and just hoped this wind wasn't going to be a problem as I was now only 7 minutes behind schedule, 9.9 mph, tantalisingly close to my 10 mph target. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was about now that the lights came into play. I'd had the dynamo running all day (attracting a few flashers) and now switched on my helmet mounted lamp too. This proved essential on the run into Evanton where the cycle path flits around from one side of the road to the other with lots of 90 degree corners and road crossings. Frankly, I found it all a bit frustrating, slowing me down unnecessarily, although I can see why it would be a great thing for kids cycling to/from school etc. The road rises away from the A9 for a while before quickly dropping into Dingwall. Again, a wee bit of careful observation for NCN signs is necessary but I was past the railway station 11 minutes ahead of schedule and now at 10.1 mph. I knew it was now just about the climb over the Black Isle. The westerlies were now crosswinds and there is a decent path/track all the way to Kessock. With that in mind I just kept a steady pace up to and past Tore roundabout (where some workmen were completely mystified by this late night cyclist) and to my penultimate checkpoint just before Kessock where I found I was 24 minutes ahead of schedule, 10.3 mph. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was now pretty sure I'd done enough and was feeling elated but the rain I'd mostly managed to avoid all day finally caught up with me crossing the Kessock Bridge and then I was suddenly into the various twists and turns of NCN 1 again. I was eager to get back to the van and dry but also dreading making a wrong turning and having to back-track at this late point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A final photo stop alongside the River Ness and I arrived at Bellfield Park at 00:39. 28 minutes ahead of schedule and with a final overall average speed of 10.2 mph.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BzJ9rkFYGI-vcKvJ6Jf0Bn7uvmbrRujkofLyLDvTkIv116FBHpd6T8chjhY73Gu141KDDc_XBysWKds7dHPCj_2CyXgiNE3jOA2YlOHSE1hX59-adpLfK872KEA_lxiBfVl1RZc9cbo/s1600/DSC_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BzJ9rkFYGI-vcKvJ6Jf0Bn7uvmbrRujkofLyLDvTkIv116FBHpd6T8chjhY73Gu141KDDc_XBysWKds7dHPCj_2CyXgiNE3jOA2YlOHSE1hX59-adpLfK872KEA_lxiBfVl1RZc9cbo/s640/DSC_0667.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost there</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Target met then, with a little to spare, but quite a few lessons learnt or at least driven home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most obvious conclusion is that stopping for any length of time really knocks back the average speed in a way I'd not really been consciously aware of before. A couple of minutes here and there will always add up. Minimising stop time makes for faster times or less effort for the same time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second was that sitting down to eat a meal is often almost instinctive rather than logical. That burger at Invershin seemed like such a good idea before I had to eat it (and it <i>was</i> a lovely burger). Eating little and often, especially if undertaken while pedalling, doesn't place such a sudden big load on the stomach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Third was remembering not to panic if a leg or two is a bit slower than planned. If you're not taking hills and winds into consideration then expect the average to ebb and flow a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fourth lesson only really hit home the following day. Although it's been years since I did a ride of this length, a steady easy pace saw me through it with no major pains and aches. I was comfortable during the whole ride and was still able to enjoy it all. There's something to be said about not underestimating your abilities.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDg3L2QjbrAQy9RlgLZT-EmkJziWgioXxlQS9oEllQTYXk0MEh0iXVarINOS7BMvSMeXtaMjxCQhfGtCduG_tvPCZCWZhYtE2TCphsdWaIl8vCmNaCsji6DYIbeTMRrxc7DiKfnmMjCcI/s1600/temporary_file-1116762642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDg3L2QjbrAQy9RlgLZT-EmkJziWgioXxlQS9oEllQTYXk0MEh0iXVarINOS7BMvSMeXtaMjxCQhfGtCduG_tvPCZCWZhYtE2TCphsdWaIl8vCmNaCsji6DYIbeTMRrxc7DiKfnmMjCcI/s640/temporary_file-1116762642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Metric schmetric</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The "what if"s. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if I'd set out to do the whole ride in one day, I'd have not had bivvy gear and overnight clothes with me, the load would have been lighter and less of an effort required. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if I hadn't suffered that headwind for the first few hours. I'd have been quite a bit quicker and my legs would have been a lot fresher later on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if I was actually fitter and had a few long rides like this under my belt?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if the route was a bit longer - 200 miles, 240?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the shifter problem? Turns out it was nothing at all to do with strapping the harness on the front. A little "nut" has managed to dislodge itself, going AWOL somewhere. As a result the shifter is basically now a pile of spares</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, will there be a follow-up blog entry for "11"? I think not. I give you this instead.....</span><br />
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Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-45133154430880099332016-06-28T20:33:00.001+01:002021-08-18T00:05:23.474+01:00Act 3: The Bike (caution nerdsville ahead)<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The final push to restarting my overnight adventures comes in the way of a new bike. I say new, it's now covered over 1,200km so I've had a chance to get used to it round my local trails. I thought it might be worth explaining what it is - and why I've arrived at this particular design.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In previous posts I've told of my fatbike and where I've been with it. Truly a revelation, the fat tyres and frame have shone on "proper" fatbike terrain like snow and ice but have also shown their capability on other, more common, conditions where the amazing traction and wide floatation transform what's possible on a bicycle. However, it's impossible to deny that there is a weight and drag penalty in many other conditions. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I was therefore intrigued when Surly launched the Krampus. 3" tyre width promised to be a good compromise between fat and non-fat tyres. Unfortunately, with me being 5'7" the </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Krampus was never going to be suitable as a bikepacking platform - wee legs and tall wheels rule out many luggage hauling options.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">My previous decision to buy a custom Burls Ti 29er for bikepacking was looking pretty astute until WTB came along with 27.5+ or 650B+, whatever you like to call it. Here was the 3" tyre option for those of us shorter in leg. Of course, as a new "standard" there was the question of how widespread it would be adopted but being the impatient sort, I immediately set about seeing how I could obtain it. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Initial investigations showed that, despite the suggestion B+ might fit in many existing 29er frames, my Burls was not amongst them. The chainstays were simply too narrow to permit anything larger than a 2.4" tyre. Shame - the frame was otherwise ideal and the cost of converting it was simply going to be too great.</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The next option to consider was too look at what was on sale. At this time, there wasn't much and, having gone the custom route already, I felt willing to do so again to get just exactly what I wanted without having to compromise on details. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Step up Brant Richards and Pact Bikes. Brant was offering to work with buyers to help them arrive at a good solution to their requirements without them having to know all the intricate details. This was ideal. I'd fire over some geometry, Brant would model it and together we worked out how to fit everything I wanted into something that could be manufactured. It's a good system. Too many times I'll look at a bike (or frame, or something not bike related at all) and it won't be just what I want, requiring some compromise or other. And with a bike designer in the loop between me and manufacturer, I was a lot less likely to end up with something that handled like a dog or had some other strange characteristic.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Some of the features I decided on were as follows;</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Clearance for a 3.5" tyre. A range of B+ tyres was only just becoming and I wanted to keep all options open.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The ability to use a front derailleur (new Shimano side-swing). I still much prefer 2x gear systems to give me a range for uphill-loaded cycling and faster "road" transitions. The side-swing style creates extra clearance between the downtube and the fat tyre, though it requires a different cable routing.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Boost rear axle. This longer axle provides a suitable chainline for the wider tyres. As a "bolt-through" 12mm style it also creates a stiffer rear end, something I'd experienced on other bikes and appreciated.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Aimed at 100mm travel forks. I wanted the option of fitting rigid forks and these mostly come with axle-to-crown lengths to match a 100mm travel suspension fork. I also reckoned 100mm of travel was more than enough for the use of the bike.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> 31.6mm seat tube with "stealth" cable routing for a dropper post. This was way down the list of my requirements but seemed to offer a "something for nothing" option.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">No rack mounts. THis was a bit of a departure for me. Previous frames always had these and I'd specified them for my Burls. However, I never used them and have adapted to the soft luggage options completely now.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">100mm head tube. I wanted to keep this short as I knew the taller wheel would result in quite a high bar position anyway.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Small BB drop. A bit of careful juggling with numbers indicated that retaining a slightly higher BB would sit me slightly higher, increasing the space between saddle and tyre and reducing the possibility of the tyre rubbing on the bottom of a fully-loaded seatpack.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Three sets of bottle cage mounts. Two are internal to the main triangle and the third is fitted below. This has the triple cage mount suitable for the likes of a Surly Anything Cage, providing an additional luggage carrying option.</span></li>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Other factors like stand-over height, bent downtube to ensure fork control clearance and tube shapes/sizes were arrived at between Brant and myself and, with a final check-over of all the numbers, the frame was ordered. made and delivered in a few weeks.</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">With all of that coming together, I also had to consider some of the other components. </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Rims; The first proper B+ rim available was the </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">WTB Scraper i45 rim. This promised a nice wide rim and tubeless compatibility at a reasonable weight.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Hubs; Hope Pro2 Evo. I've used Pro2s extensively without issue and again there was little choice at this time.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Tyres; My original tyre choice was the Panaracer FatBNimble 3.5" front and rear. Light weight and a tread pattern similar to my beloved 45Nth Husker Dus on my fatbike.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Drive train; Shimano XT M8000 2 x11 for the gear range and suide-swing mech.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Brakes; Shimano XT M8000 again. I've always liked the fell of Shimano brakes and these offered a simplified brake/shifter arrangement to reduce handlebar clutter.</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Forks; I found some rigid carbon forks through ebay that took a 15mmx110 Boost axle and had the correct A2C height. A bit of a long-shot but the only option I could find. Suspension forks are Boost Rebas. The only models available were 100mm travel with a bar-mounted lockout or 120mm travel with a crown lockout. The lockout isn't a feature I use a lot and I prefer not having that additional cable (bar clutter and bar bag mounting issues) so I opted for the 120mm to try out and reduce travel if necessary.</span></li>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So - what does it look like and how does it go?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwekfIFOUSHpFKta6vQQDa1JB8tFxTRr2lEjhSETDXKGfInEmuRUdXliOtl6UmTfi_ZOc-gTxOXVw13BBLQ8M20mBktZGaknrTgn1dvD02HANwWHnXoKXrxnGYU3zXLU8JqRP0DmKwrLo/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwekfIFOUSHpFKta6vQQDa1JB8tFxTRr2lEjhSETDXKGfInEmuRUdXliOtl6UmTfi_ZOc-gTxOXVw13BBLQ8M20mBktZGaknrTgn1dvD02HANwWHnXoKXrxnGYU3zXLU8JqRP0DmKwrLo/s640/DSC_0330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">First build - FatBNimbles, rigid forks, Loop bars</span></td></tr>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Initial impressions were favourable. Light, easy rolling, seeming to pick-up and carry momentum from nowhere, comfy and grippy. Everything I was looking for really. And then it got wet. Frankly, the front tyre became a liability. With a profile wider than a standard MTB tyre but not as wide as a 4" fat tyre, the front end would just skate across any thin mud and I'd lose control. Luckily, salvation was at hand. Unlike the 29+ tyre market, B+ was coming on stream really quickly and I bought a 3" Nobby Nic for the front. This made a huge difference to grip - and therefore confidence - without it feeling like I was getting a lot of tyre drag. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I also fitted the Rebas to replace the rigid forks. I'd been happy with rigid on my fatbike, though as I explored its capabilities on a wider range of terrain, I'd come to understand how suspension and fat tyres might work. As an initial option, I just fitted them with 120mm travel (in theory more than the frame was designed for) and again it just seemed to feel "right" from the first ride. As a result, I've left them on. With a few more subtle changes, the bike now looks like this.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Ee6eK4Sykd3Bd6AlctIaiLKNyQdeU6xox8Fyo_eI0WrXnuMueQ9S1gBosn5tLvxSfL6KrW25bgLGRMkkm2ulHHrRDl8nYyosj68ySseb_sj4BtSdqanvEvUsAB2TUvCqeaUEFu99Jc/s1600/P1030276.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Ee6eK4Sykd3Bd6AlctIaiLKNyQdeU6xox8Fyo_eI0WrXnuMueQ9S1gBosn5tLvxSfL6KrW25bgLGRMkkm2ulHHrRDl8nYyosj68ySseb_sj4BtSdqanvEvUsAB2TUvCqeaUEFu99Jc/s640/P1030276.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Nobby Nic, Rebas, flat bars</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjArHU1pWpCW2e7BgInIkVuxCg-IwmII9Vn15P39InSOxS1OCVjJKUVFV-3g078evgzw4woXv4dQuBiBWTWXMt-aj-Kgr3GvWjb6m5dP1sW3KsR1v3XnwVM8mFSz0_0X5JWjC3YYa8m0/s1600/P1030264.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjArHU1pWpCW2e7BgInIkVuxCg-IwmII9Vn15P39InSOxS1OCVjJKUVFV-3g078evgzw4woXv4dQuBiBWTWXMt-aj-Kgr3GvWjb6m5dP1sW3KsR1v3XnwVM8mFSz0_0X5JWjC3YYa8m0/s640/P1030264.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Nice dropouts and the 12mm axle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Additional bottle/Anything mounts</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFraMdAt48LsH3P3eCnuvHj-Is-oYt71G-SMf5bce5XtTSf6PldaR0EQRFddOVaP68xlOVXuBJBxXpOWr9siz1RPgrpdw5gVTXlzIXGdcPfFz2ThwQQXeSyTnZxIPeFKnhU9IpZxCWkaA/s1600/P1030267.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFraMdAt48LsH3P3eCnuvHj-Is-oYt71G-SMf5bce5XtTSf6PldaR0EQRFddOVaP68xlOVXuBJBxXpOWr9siz1RPgrpdw5gVTXlzIXGdcPfFz2ThwQQXeSyTnZxIPeFKnhU9IpZxCWkaA/s640/P1030267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It <i>had</i> to have a name!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Tyre clearance ample with FatBNimbles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_RFQ_lh7pm9k-qtZsYRO6SVobWy-b1Nd8EgTtanBdlC4cGphkvGjzUehtcgUXjCBAYa_UPHXnI90hVrkiHFwjLJR3086lYjW8_bH8Vh3Vtcgcbq1NhDnwEkDVzdG6g6Veuh0mZVQwt8/s1600/P1030270.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_RFQ_lh7pm9k-qtZsYRO6SVobWy-b1Nd8EgTtanBdlC4cGphkvGjzUehtcgUXjCBAYa_UPHXnI90hVrkiHFwjLJR3086lYjW8_bH8Vh3Vtcgcbq1NhDnwEkDVzdG6g6Veuh0mZVQwt8/s640/P1030270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">"Asymmetric" chainstays </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfKG5z4fRNdGWibypUA_bUPBp7BYt2-EtS0nT6MgjcLcmr4ftr4UVbINQjz9rYyoov6elK-qyETupUyap8PJEDiK-tScA0o20VX6U_sxgz4RvTOZB3dBkb7FjAalTVa_TXZIpYALUHJk/s1600/P1030274.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfKG5z4fRNdGWibypUA_bUPBp7BYt2-EtS0nT6MgjcLcmr4ftr4UVbINQjz9rYyoov6elK-qyETupUyap8PJEDiK-tScA0o20VX6U_sxgz4RvTOZB3dBkb7FjAalTVa_TXZIpYALUHJk/s640/P1030274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Plenty of clearance in the Boost Rebas</span></td></tr>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In summary, I'm really pleased with the frame - and the bike it has helped me create. Inevitably, there are a couple of minor tweaks I'd make if I was doing again, the most important being that I tend to clip both the chainstays and seatstays with my heels. This has been a problem with all my bikes and it's mainly because I pedal like a duck!</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Some things I've still to play around with are; a more extended test using Jones Loop bars, fitting and riding the 29er wheels I also built, fitting the rigid forks again, trying a different rear tyre, maybe even fitting a B+ front and 29er rear. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And the name? Well, though I like the look of Titanium frames, I do think the bare metal needs something to break it up. I ordered some decals from RetroDecals and was looking for something in addition to the Pact logo. Brant had taken to giving some of his frames names like Fatcat and Battlecat. I thought Wildcat was appropriate given that Speyside is a home to the rare Scottish Wildcat and the frame had been conceived - and would be largely ridden - here.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Loaded up</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Cat and Dog</span></td></tr>
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Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-14814148218897283912016-06-10T17:46:00.001+01:002016-07-12T21:19:08.629+01:00Act 2 : The Ride (Affric Kintail Way)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In days long past, the outdoor recreation community in Scotland would scoff at their poor cousins south of the border. "<i>Look</i>" we'd all say "<i>they can only go on particular trails whereas we can go anywhere</i>". Then some bright spark had the idea of creating the West Highland Way. "<i>Oh no</i>", came the cry "<i>it'll result in walkers'</i> (for it was mainly walkers) <i>access being restricted and we'll be just like the English</i>". In time, the WHW and its subsequent cousins, the Southern Upland Way, Great Glen Way and Speyside Way became an accepted part of the landscape and other Long Distance Paths (LDPs) have been springing up. One of the more recent creations is the <a href="http://www.affrickintailway.com/" target="_blank">Affric Kintail Way</a>. Shorter than many of the others it does, nonetheless, represent a significant undertaking given that it passes through some of our most remote countryside. Casting around for a bit of inspiration to get back into bivvying and camping I considered that this might be an ideal candidate - especially once I added on a bit of riding at the start and end to make the logistics work. My plan was quite simple; head out on the Great Glen Way from Inverness to Drumnadrochit, meander over to Cannich, then head down Glen Affric for an early stop and a relaxing evening outside before heading through to Morvich the next day and riding up to Kyle of Lochalsh for the train home. The weather was looking great, the trails would be dry and I'd eventually get a chance to take the bike I'd designed just for this experience out to where it was meant to go (more on the bike in part 3).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not being in any particular rush, it was late morning by the time I headed out of "the office" in Inverness and onto the Great Glen Way. 8 degrees and misty wasn't what I'd expected but I was hoping things would improve. Having cycled down this section last year I was aware that there was a bit of a steep start and just ground my way up until the slopes levelled off and I was on to the moor at Blackfold. That's when I spotted the cyclist up ahead of me, bike on the ground and fiddling with her bag. It turned out that this was one of our customers who'd just had a puncture so I helped her get it fixed (discovering that my pump wasn't working) and sent her on her way, only to catch up again later just before the wee Eco Cafe at Abriachan. Now, I've always meant to stop on here and as the sun broke out we both pulled in for what must be Scotlands finest al fresco eating experience. I could try to describe it to you but would no doubt fail to convey it properly. You'll just have to visit for yourself.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDhwa0bhlaUeH4Bat7H13L0PAQxhsE7q9qT03m4xgeTto7DXye_a429SuSHwMiFMIBhRjWbUDUf5jpcBS9S5tI4gLkZy9Ec4kuYM4kTy_WYnQ1QEYkCfnS1zbL3cz6QcktXmQqzXkr5o/s1600/13315474_1136407066381280_9041716022001292902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDhwa0bhlaUeH4Bat7H13L0PAQxhsE7q9qT03m4xgeTto7DXye_a429SuSHwMiFMIBhRjWbUDUf5jpcBS9S5tI4gLkZy9Ec4kuYM4kTy_WYnQ1QEYkCfnS1zbL3cz6QcktXmQqzXkr5o/s640/13315474_1136407066381280_9041716022001292902_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Definitely chilled</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heading on, it wasn't long before I reached the more interesting forestry sections of the GGW high above Loch Ness. These undulate a bit but they are definitely better heading south than north! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3HsTunBVRNdGAp1gEB7FaOKoO7JH-Vc5rIT4iFKwBesfEJi_mSOmHOepkLL-OaR9aPsh54RVDhu1PGqcCnuG9isgE6F8gRVUuh9tN-4v40VRLT1FZ3q7hu7QFhrMFly619QRTFTU2fY/s1600/P1030099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3HsTunBVRNdGAp1gEB7FaOKoO7JH-Vc5rIT4iFKwBesfEJi_mSOmHOepkLL-OaR9aPsh54RVDhu1PGqcCnuG9isgE6F8gRVUuh9tN-4v40VRLT1FZ3q7hu7QFhrMFly619QRTFTU2fY/s640/P1030099.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quite a bit of height gain between Inverness and Drumnadrochit</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A speedy descent into Drumnadrochit marked the end of the "Prologue" so I stopped for some frozen yoghurt. I also noticed that the power LED on my SPOT tracker was flashing red, meaning low battery. A visit to the local shop only turned up Alkaline in AAA size but beggars can't be choosers and they were fitted whilst enjoying my froyo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wandering over to the Tourist Information Centre, I had a look around to see if they had any maps or guides to the Affric Kintail Way and found a lovely Harveys map of the whole route. One can never have too many maps so this was added to my pack. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6,000ft of climbing, eh?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst looking at the AKW information board, I was spotted by a hiker who'd just come through it and was concerned that I'd have a big push up the first section. I'd already spotted this on the OS map and was OK about it but we got talking about the route and my kit. As is often the case, he was astonished at how little space it was taking up and, after swapping kit details, we parted for me to head west. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The map didn't lie. Not long after entering a pleasant bluebell woods it started to climb steeply and very loose, not helped by the dry weather.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just before the "big push"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a longish day in prospect I decided to take it very easy and walk where most appropriate. Eventually, it flattened out enough and I started to make decent progress. As it turned out, despite having the route in my GPS, I found there were many more tracks around than indicated on the OS map and the Harveys version I'd bought was referred to constantly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Corrimony, the AKW takes to the road for a few miles into Cannich. This includes a rather fast and long descent, which seemed such a shame on a mountain bike after having to suffer the climbs. I always like coming to Cannich. There's nothing particularly inspiring in and of the village itself but it does mean you're entering a stunning piece of countryside with Glen Affric, Tomich and Mullardoch all spinning off from here. It's a bit like your favourite TV show having a really naff theme tune. You might hate it but it gets you excited for what's to follow. On this particular afternoon, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cannich was hooching. There was some sort of mountain marathon event on and the place was full of campers and vans. Having plenty of time to spare, I decided I grab some food and went to the pub hoping it wouldn't be rammed with runners. I was in luck. It was rammed with drunken shinty fans instead! Still, I managed to grab a burger and chips before heading out of the village again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The AKW climbs steeply up the Mullardoch road, before heading off on more forest track. The height gained is pretty substantial so there are some decent views for a while before the forest encroaches once more. There follows a steep descent down to cross the road at the Dog Falls but there's a strange subterranean arch on the way down that I've yet to find the purpose of. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhyZKu_GdRMuxwSRItJOQkusxl5TQzr5x_QpxRUgtMwqyvjD0hMZLteeWtT4a_MhEI1bcpwvUa6zvFem2fhWZhv2XfkeZcsOBarIcAy0Wf9TceT3XDVeBHFAwFeaxLyr3eyighHgH0T8/s1600/P1030107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhyZKu_GdRMuxwSRItJOQkusxl5TQzr5x_QpxRUgtMwqyvjD0hMZLteeWtT4a_MhEI1bcpwvUa6zvFem2fhWZhv2XfkeZcsOBarIcAy0Wf9TceT3XDVeBHFAwFeaxLyr3eyighHgH0T8/s640/P1030107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not very much of this, but nice while it lasts</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfCSDvKVXElNKC4CGEblKyB_Hpyh_-sWorV4TrpmWB4pvUDHlQpl8zP8hrOX0k2p1ySDn31VPNFEQJMNAEE5mdmly5CYLGsazEH81fb-59z25qF0tWUOt447feWdJek-jCGkxrBbUU2Y/s1600/P1030108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfCSDvKVXElNKC4CGEblKyB_Hpyh_-sWorV4TrpmWB4pvUDHlQpl8zP8hrOX0k2p1ySDn31VPNFEQJMNAEE5mdmly5CYLGsazEH81fb-59z25qF0tWUOt447feWdJek-jCGkxrBbUU2Y/s640/P1030108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's this then?</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WqiBnQGOh4uoFclwNXFyulQkS229Iosq_BIjbulOjNW7pk2V5E3Eo72r9XHK9oF3tMpzLIqS0Jr1zG6of-9r6QQRbjfTDjwPtAXgC_Ply1Q2KUhf1a9ZMdUrcu321F2iVSpVrnJvuoA/s1600/P1030111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WqiBnQGOh4uoFclwNXFyulQkS229Iosq_BIjbulOjNW7pk2V5E3Eo72r9XHK9oF3tMpzLIqS0Jr1zG6of-9r6QQRbjfTDjwPtAXgC_Ply1Q2KUhf1a9ZMdUrcu321F2iVSpVrnJvuoA/s640/P1030111.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It went back further than my flash could cope with</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAWrqaRICy4-5RCiFhO7enzm6Dz732-FSIoqNPKvfkUmCIMsfYcJ9irLdJFIcFBwFzSM5CL1L4j0hkvQqxM_csMsm8b-j0ehgk7VjDFRh2tdiVvlwkmQySW1kOp-fbiABZgd7K-METnM/s1600/P1030113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAWrqaRICy4-5RCiFhO7enzm6Dz732-FSIoqNPKvfkUmCIMsfYcJ9irLdJFIcFBwFzSM5CL1L4j0hkvQqxM_csMsm8b-j0ehgk7VjDFRh2tdiVvlwkmQySW1kOp-fbiABZgd7K-METnM/s640/P1030113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As expected - water levels were low</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again, the track rises and I eventually reached the viewpoint looking out to the South West. It's stunning on a clearer day but even with the heat haze it's a fantastic place to sit and ponder for a while. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC21jaMIrjyM9GNv-ljoC2J-rluEJX7BvE3qChCC9xKg-GKSWagKOtnajNqq8rLLipVyn4JxXLCD1P2saQ-1Q27LCLY8zxB4ZLtC_kUPnMvapOs01bs8bCuNPQiXAmoqaQUXebMCJlBg/s1600/P1030115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC21jaMIrjyM9GNv-ljoC2J-rluEJX7BvE3qChCC9xKg-GKSWagKOtnajNqq8rLLipVyn4JxXLCD1P2saQ-1Q27LCLY8zxB4ZLtC_kUPnMvapOs01bs8bCuNPQiXAmoqaQUXebMCJlBg/s640/P1030115.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good place for a "pause"</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84BN5SNidS9aW2TLiVxkhAea_0w9_vLaXTFVFvhlOJIoWWDow4a9jsogOEfDxj1By4HJwi-9tIXO1MORUXMN0FX_cKcMOqMLgptxUXCJrRp_xjcqI4jqtmZbjDBgxSMSGYmgJK96Plvo/s1600/P1030116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84BN5SNidS9aW2TLiVxkhAea_0w9_vLaXTFVFvhlOJIoWWDow4a9jsogOEfDxj1By4HJwi-9tIXO1MORUXMN0FX_cKcMOqMLgptxUXCJrRp_xjcqI4jqtmZbjDBgxSMSGYmgJK96Plvo/s640/P1030116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Haze knocking back the visibility quite a bit!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By now I was seeing the tyre tracks left by the HT550 participants (who would have been going the other way) and got to wondering what state they were in (mentally and physically) when they'd passed here a few days earlier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As already said above, my plan had been to stop early but by the time I reached Loch Affric I was on a bit of a high. The legs were spinning, there was still loads of light, I was well fed and watered and I was getting a real buzz from just crossing the country so smoothly and effortlessly. Like an addict separated from his choice of drug for too long I didn't want to say "enough", I just wanted it to go on like this forever. I was even thinking "I'm not stopping for photos" when I'd come round a corner and just have to slam on the brakes and get the camera out.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZuMMblOGv2Qizlm-9jrVgpmdyDKiURd608L97rtmDMPDoePukyEDdOt5_P_BxSelNpwYpUJ1kFLGGAap8yXLnezJZaWqRIoJNCqx0NkGeZ7EB0xDvW68NwbyR5n1Q-5vJoL4p84JH9c/s1600/P1030122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZuMMblOGv2Qizlm-9jrVgpmdyDKiURd608L97rtmDMPDoePukyEDdOt5_P_BxSelNpwYpUJ1kFLGGAap8yXLnezJZaWqRIoJNCqx0NkGeZ7EB0xDvW68NwbyR5n1Q-5vJoL4p84JH9c/s640/P1030122.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fantastic light in the early evening</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30esKxpGqrgjM7g8_zXJnTLAlA3pEkwo9VzDZZOLj7pECWapU8_Iy3Fe018vyEJoOiBt0psAjUHNBwTKLiPHqosLmN2cvjX6vEVtCvmVDpPX5vSGFCua-3oIZSA-nVNz-Wc1gEcIRXzM/s1600/P1030127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30esKxpGqrgjM7g8_zXJnTLAlA3pEkwo9VzDZZOLj7pECWapU8_Iy3Fe018vyEJoOiBt0psAjUHNBwTKLiPHqosLmN2cvjX6vEVtCvmVDpPX5vSGFCua-3oIZSA-nVNz-Wc1gEcIRXzM/s640/P1030127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The little oasis of Strawberry Cottage, just before the "big hills"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The far end of Loch Affric was passed, then Strawberry Cottage - looking well busy. Just after the fork in the track I saw two folk running towards me. We exchanged a few words; they were running from Morvich to the Glen Affric car park. I said they were even more mad than me but they were intrigued by the bike and that I was planning to stay out overnight. I left them to complete their final five miles and continued making my way along the bouldery, loose track. Five minutes later and two cyclists were approaching - pushing across the boulders gingerly. They'd been up Munro bagging, so we exchanged notes on gaelic pronunciation and they too were taken by how small my load was. The more so when the woman realised I wasn't even wearing a backpack of any sort. They were also fascinated by the big tyres and their ability to cross the rocks as they were struggling and had resorted to pushing. With a few minutes lost to chat, I was again on the move, making easy progress past Alltbeithe Youth Hostel.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSfcgeDHpIFEiltP4beZ-Q-qMof0_aQ0cuVzQN6MoXRCVHSBwaOp5_pYOHLr7jJD6o7xzpDqQHaYu2JyZVb0-kPLJPjNXSKrAKP9T_A5tcY1uQ3gZiJYo6c5Ba6u9t9nG9SmBr6V2vTw/s1600/P1030131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSfcgeDHpIFEiltP4beZ-Q-qMof0_aQ0cuVzQN6MoXRCVHSBwaOp5_pYOHLr7jJD6o7xzpDqQHaYu2JyZVb0-kPLJPjNXSKrAKP9T_A5tcY1uQ3gZiJYo6c5Ba6u9t9nG9SmBr6V2vTw/s640/P1030131.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alltbeithe YH. No driving to this one!</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not long after, I passed another group out camping and then I had a decision to make. I reckoned there was still enough daylight to get me past Camban and down to Glen Lichd - and potentially Morvich - but then the plan had been to camp out somewhere remote. I swithered for a while, not wanting to waste the fine night and my great mood, but eventually gave in and selected a reasonably sheltered spot just off the track and not far from the river.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite lack of recent practice it didn't take me long to get the tent up and my sleeping kit sorted out. I guess one advantage of having little kit is that choices are easy and it's hard to misplace anything. The ground was comfy, my pitch was well chosen and I eventually took the time to relax. It wasn't long before the cooling evening air saw me half-in/half-out the sleeping bag while I cooked up a little instant meal, which was eaten more out of a sense of duty than of hunger. I didn't even pop open the hipflask of whisky I'd brought along.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFXdxLGLLrt1Z_NYlN8PqSTvGKU1u6_tp77iUFlPY-WpTnAUDEX5Qg5mvcHoDFWX4ddS6FFMtLWLLC3iQdNJUrEBxIk2BNfq4HuXznb2wZc4zh2Ef36lPO6UODlRCGGi0KBzvDUVSoM0/s1600/P1030134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFXdxLGLLrt1Z_NYlN8PqSTvGKU1u6_tp77iUFlPY-WpTnAUDEX5Qg5mvcHoDFWX4ddS6FFMtLWLLC3iQdNJUrEBxIk2BNfq4HuXznb2wZc4zh2Ef36lPO6UODlRCGGi0KBzvDUVSoM0/s640/P1030134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the watershed</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoX0ecwLPz1Lo9RwPOCZD6inCjmQ5nXHxPxKGJUp_6QIK1hFWfG0tIkj-H8hxBnIBInJf-0dCcCx94odWz77_9-u9knTRyY3E9iJYC4y5IjKRqIYD6XeiI0EBNT3xa3Bd7chmDQWjJubw/s1600/P1030136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoX0ecwLPz1Lo9RwPOCZD6inCjmQ5nXHxPxKGJUp_6QIK1hFWfG0tIkj-H8hxBnIBInJf-0dCcCx94odWz77_9-u9knTRyY3E9iJYC4y5IjKRqIYD6XeiI0EBNT3xa3Bd7chmDQWjJubw/s640/P1030136.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9pm in the Highlands in June...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a stunning evening though and as the stars started to show I reckoned it was late enough to zip up the midge net door of the tent and settle in for the night. It certainly didn't take me long to nod off, though I soon woke up feeling too warm and having to remove my jacket. I woke up a couple of times through the "night" too, not that it ever really got dark.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I eventually decided to get up around 5 and, still not feeling hungry, skipped the porage option for a wee cereal bar and a splash of water. Out of interest I timed myself; 30 minutes from deciding to get up I was packed and on the move. Again - little kit, little faff. The sun from yesterday was now hidden above a layer of hill mist but I had high hopes it would clear as the day progressed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The path to Camban was a complete contrast to the easy forest track and even the bouldery stuff from Strawberry Cottage the evening before. This stuff was proper hard and rocky and made even more difficult by the fact I was climbing. Most of it was ridden - I'm pretty sure it would have made a fun descent - though the proportion of pushing was definitely increasing as the distance was covered. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFseMSTDkhghcEM1GjtJIAsTON4ONuOZY4TQ3tCSZXd8V8xFg-RHwkYDTTxWJDZE_oAn59CVOWspRaEJ5g6szLH4HovbVdIC9YED0GljCdFCjY_zrjtr6V7eJNoHRFeOLToUC5QV3GyM/s1600/P1030142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFseMSTDkhghcEM1GjtJIAsTON4ONuOZY4TQ3tCSZXd8V8xFg-RHwkYDTTxWJDZE_oAn59CVOWspRaEJ5g6szLH4HovbVdIC9YED0GljCdFCjY_zrjtr6V7eJNoHRFeOLToUC5QV3GyM/s640/P1030142.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Camban Bothy appearing out of the morning mist</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Past Camban bothy and the same story continued. What's more, it seemed that there were so many ups and downs. The hard geology here certainly belies the contours on the map so I was glad when the mist started to clear and I could make out both long stretches of track in front of me and the higher mountains. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYf6NulWldLZOUNvUP25ghKyQbdZyRXJNJGhHr23f1omvCUYOGMIof8soLwB2mBzeQ6HKbBH1KMegx0ETzCnCt5lKKFPudjtahDYvkFzfRDL7D_2wSbHCChijrNBGpCKjR87GjV7Vvds/s1600/P1030145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYf6NulWldLZOUNvUP25ghKyQbdZyRXJNJGhHr23f1omvCUYOGMIof8soLwB2mBzeQ6HKbBH1KMegx0ETzCnCt5lKKFPudjtahDYvkFzfRDL7D_2wSbHCChijrNBGpCKjR87GjV7Vvds/s640/P1030145.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQh-Ea_ngw79Za7Xj7OEDFT6hZwsDei7-9erS9ej0vRHrL8Ox5xkFMC2j5CErIdytFLStM5MjVNEZluHEkOy8Tv2YgzQYoZX7FnP91Gr0mUX9z8QZj1s41DRr9VFl7Sr2lV_gy4D0Jis/s1600/P1030147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQh-Ea_ngw79Za7Xj7OEDFT6hZwsDei7-9erS9ej0vRHrL8Ox5xkFMC2j5CErIdytFLStM5MjVNEZluHEkOy8Tv2YgzQYoZX7FnP91Gr0mUX9z8QZj1s41DRr9VFl7Sr2lV_gy4D0Jis/s640/P1030147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG7Qs-nfm6xcaKAJFx_awH2TlFkFd7Lpujk8rfl_ryHWJZssxawJqLyVboIafHQ_tBAHNhiym2N2x6R6QgTWSfomQK3HnWOIniROQn61hVp5lMCbMahS4ijO7QYbX2lYRyEL8A8XwOAs/s1600/P1030149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG7Qs-nfm6xcaKAJFx_awH2TlFkFd7Lpujk8rfl_ryHWJZssxawJqLyVboIafHQ_tBAHNhiym2N2x6R6QgTWSfomQK3HnWOIniROQn61hVp5lMCbMahS4ijO7QYbX2lYRyEL8A8XwOAs/s640/P1030149.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mist finally breaking </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0EmsZEavbiB4KOz-kslwrdkCq3x2K8qNAdPKBuKEc6ZHUlCWUCcBMZJ0bM9wbYZafvmDBE7pjSacz-SQcxA4BVToV8c5Er9oQSoSfhAvpI4lCEbD1WkBs4xGHYpeOMe8cG0W_0pCsN8/s1600/P1030151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0EmsZEavbiB4KOz-kslwrdkCq3x2K8qNAdPKBuKEc6ZHUlCWUCcBMZJ0bM9wbYZafvmDBE7pjSacz-SQcxA4BVToV8c5Er9oQSoSfhAvpI4lCEbD1WkBs4xGHYpeOMe8cG0W_0pCsN8/s640/P1030151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, that's the track descending away down there...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amusingly, the river can be seen gradually running downhill on its way West but the path keeps climbing higher and higher above the river in apparent flouting of the norm. The reason for this becomes clear when a large gorge appears on the left, with the river now tumbling down an impressive waterfall through a gap in the cliffs. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwfdlg2-3NPME5KZNlNkScHM5pSgWThzAzKd08Qfh2yw1FDulYymQqqFRxymKTq63GA-IHCH7kVeMqF0tb6cHsJfAL6ONzd_1x3LOLX9h9mu9ARzS8py_Z4ZK9CSbgOMUmKcK4ASwPTg/s1600/P1030154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwfdlg2-3NPME5KZNlNkScHM5pSgWThzAzKd08Qfh2yw1FDulYymQqqFRxymKTq63GA-IHCH7kVeMqF0tb6cHsJfAL6ONzd_1x3LOLX9h9mu9ARzS8py_Z4ZK9CSbgOMUmKcK4ASwPTg/s640/P1030154.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No way down here</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The path becomes quite vertiginous for a while, especially where it crosses a large landslip. Again, I was resorting to a large amount of pushing. I'm sure that with a different bike, unladen and with company, I'd have ridden more of it but I was happy here to jump off whenever things were looking a bit too gnarly. As it went on, I could find myself getting more and more frustrated but had to fight back the urge to be too reckless.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcDWoS8ylaPPaep9mIBW5jRIZsczG7XndRrMi_28ItYOTIsOmhKkQkP4qdfUBU-pfAn3WZSj-GzvXT7DriCKyj3F2rrKttVBmwTWxmTNIi21Etcfe7cvGtOpYOHsA0SDEQY_KDqHOCGg/s1600/P1030155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcDWoS8ylaPPaep9mIBW5jRIZsczG7XndRrMi_28ItYOTIsOmhKkQkP4qdfUBU-pfAn3WZSj-GzvXT7DriCKyj3F2rrKttVBmwTWxmTNIi21Etcfe7cvGtOpYOHsA0SDEQY_KDqHOCGg/s640/P1030155.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Falling to the left would be a really bad idea</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The effect of this pushing was, however, that I was now running behind my planned schedule for catching the train in Kyle. By the time I reached the estate road at Glen Lichd House, I was beginning to have serious doubts I'd make it in time. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Glen Lichd House and the start of the estate road</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkbusUaC4IQQap8tSSm39lwYMlLhCJhzT8qhPl633NJlC0wof43eY4_5WqskAz0vQMEpAXyk6EdIHJqdEtEII-o2nMk7oFPGsdDnrv0Ql3pbu_rxIiFNJqDoYityftpjvOlhyphenhyphenQ2hAPA4/s1600/P1030158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkbusUaC4IQQap8tSSm39lwYMlLhCJhzT8qhPl633NJlC0wof43eY4_5WqskAz0vQMEpAXyk6EdIHJqdEtEII-o2nMk7oFPGsdDnrv0Ql3pbu_rxIiFNJqDoYityftpjvOlhyphenhyphenQ2hAPA4/s640/P1030158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally at valley level. A couple of nice new bridges here.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stripping off my jacket now that the mist had completely cleared I zoomed down the glen, scaring sheep off the track, fueled by large handfuls of chocolate peanuts and the last of yesterdays energy drink. Thing was, I hadn't booked my bike on train anyway so there was a chance I'd be racing up the road for no reason!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYXpDJWeihjHLMELUu4_BvpCp0bFDivJg38koqUxv8Kn1kZmzfyiXtqDw39DgduXNMs7h-UcYGwahwQMVWGzxl3QJyu_qE_sJtSFNkNArYnQuUGtAxlQ_h7eI64GIIho_bNrKdfO25lM/s1600/P1030159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYXpDJWeihjHLMELUu4_BvpCp0bFDivJg38koqUxv8Kn1kZmzfyiXtqDw39DgduXNMs7h-UcYGwahwQMVWGzxl3QJyu_qE_sJtSFNkNArYnQuUGtAxlQ_h7eI64GIIho_bNrKdfO25lM/s640/P1030159.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sea level again. That makes it another Coast-to-coast</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it turned out, I needn't have worried. I arrived with lots of time to spare and, after speaking to the driver, just loaded my bike onto the train before disappearing to Hectors Bothy for breakfast. My original intention had been to get a takeaway but I figured that the later I got back to the train, the less time there would be for the conductor to throw me off in favour of some pre-booked cyclists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The train ride back to Inverness gave me plenty of time to reflect on my trip and such wee adventures in general. I'd definitely missed them. The difficulties of the morning had in no way diminished the buzz of the previous evening and had just added to the emotional mix. Maybe next time I'll stop earlier and relax a bit more, but then there's this other plan.........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thoughts on the Affric Kintail Way</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd been intrigued by this route for a while and the development of it as a signed trail definitely makes navigation of the Drumnadrochit-Cannich section a lot easier than it was just trying to follow the GPS. There are just so many twists and turns here in close proximity. I'd also pondered over what direction would be best. If relying on trains,I reckon the logistics would probably be simpler/more assured heading from Morvich to Drumnadrochit. That would mean a huge climb out of Glen Lichd of course and all of the difficult terrain would come early on. However, aesthetically and emotionally I reckon heading west, towards the larger mountains, always feels like the adventure is building rather than diminishing. Besides, travelling east it would have to be the Kintail Affric Way.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Without overnight gear, and given two cars (or a willing driver) it could be completed in a day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It certainly has some full-on biking - especially the descent to Glen Lichd - some great, fast forest tracks and is always in amazing scenery. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best thing I can say about it is that I'd definitely do it again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can find a lot more info on it by going to the official site: <a href="http://www.affrickintailway.com/" target="_blank">http://www.affrickintailway.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Download a GPX file of the route: <a href="http://www.scotroutes.com/Routes/MTB/AKWay.gpx" target="_blank">here</a> (Right Click/Save as...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-55068164366398975452016-06-06T22:57:00.001+01:002016-06-06T22:57:34.216+01:00A Blog in 3 parts - Act 1: The Metablog<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again I feel a little explanation is necessary. It's be so long since I updated this blog and I've been giving some thought as to why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This whole blogging thing started when I stuck a couple of post-riding stories in the Singletrackworld forum. Prior to that I'd simply been taking wee </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">notes as a personal reminder of some of my trips. They are fun to look back on and help re-live the thoughts that were going through my head at the time. The feedback from my posts was encouraging and I decided I'd blog a bit more so that a wider audience </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">might enjoy them. Primarily though, it was still for the benefit of my future self. Of course, it was flattering to get some nice reactions and to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">think I was inspiring other folk to get out there too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, as I've got more and more into reading other blogs and forums, I've come to realise that my wee adventures are actually quite pedestrian. There's no </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">end of folk out there pushing boundaries and doing much more inventive and difficult trips. That got me to questioning not only the act of writing it down, but the "value" of doing the trips myself. It like; you might think it's an achievement climbing Ben Nevis but when someone is doing Everest, it causes you to have a bit of a re-think. Then, a couple of years ago, I decided I'd do the Highland Trail Race. It </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was working out OK for a while - the riding became all about "training" for the race and I was definitely at the level whereby the fitness was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fine. Thing is, my head just wasn't in it - and so I pulled out. And we moved to Aviemore. Frankly, the riding around here is awesome and I've </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">really struggled to find enough of an incentive to travel elsewhere to ride. Plus there's again that nagging self-doubt that simply being out and enjoying riding just isn't enough on its own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the above have somehow discouraged me from exploring and, therefore, from blogging about it. That's not to say I haven't been riding at all. My mileage over the past couple of years has been pretty steady and more of it tends to be off-road these days. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I've now been prodded by a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">couple of folk, I've been inspired by the recent Highland Trail Race and I've managed to put together a wee bucket list of trips I intend to do - just for myself. I'm hoping this rekindling of spirit helps encourage and inspire some more folk too. </span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-14557343246127588812015-08-21T01:01:00.000+01:002015-08-21T01:01:13.926+01:00Cycling the Great Glen Way<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After completing our northerly C2C2C, Shaun and I immediately pressed on with arranging the next ride on our bucket list. This was to be the Great Glen Way, running between Fort William and Inverness. I also had a professional interest in this as we get lots of customers hiring bikes to go this route and I was curious to see exactly what it was like, having only previously cycled the section between Fort William and Fort Augustus. I was also wanting to understand why so many mountain bikers seemed to write it off, and what might be the best type of bike/tyre for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our logistics this time were much simpler. Shaun would drive us both to Fort William and my wife would meet us in Inverness, ready to drive south back to Fort William.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On arrival Shaun and I set about readying the bikes. Shaun had obviously thought about the need for a little top-up of energy reserves given the time elapsed since breakfast and had brought a couple of extra cereal bars, of which he offered me one. I had also thought about this and headed for McDonalds......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The GGW makes a strange start through the streets of Fort William and Inverlochy and it's sometime necessary to differentiate between NCN78 and the Great Glen Way as you go. Of course, it's all easy pedalling out to the end of the canal, up the side of Neptunes Staircase and onto the long, flat canal section all the way to Gairlochy. For us, the weather was fine - a few puddles and a mild tailwind - but I've cycled against a howler of a wind along here and so know that the canal-side can be very exposed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Gairlochy there's a short section of road before the Great Glen Way is signposted off to the left. This section, and the part by the loch that follows it, is a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pleasant singletrack diversion through some lovely woods and a couple of decent picnic/bivvy spots. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Artful angles</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The road along here is signposted as NCN78 and is quiet enough too, so anyone looking to stick to easier surfaces has an option. The two options (GGW and NCN78) come together again for a short distance before both carrying on along some forest track at </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clunes. This undulates enough to provide a bit of height and the occasional view along Loch Lochy before returning to tarmac at Kilfinnan.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oV65OZxcRMGJY-A5D56Ujw6Xn_Htaabd1RecajfjK_vDI4A_D6mg8x7rEKjVa19HIBJOQuuRRlu5JtMgEdCzKJkX_J79GKyssYCvS0PbuYnqZ1PHPRe-Xp1_O2rqJjQf7stjr_TTAuE/s1600/P1020183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oV65OZxcRMGJY-A5D56Ujw6Xn_Htaabd1RecajfjK_vDI4A_D6mg8x7rEKjVa19HIBJOQuuRRlu5JtMgEdCzKJkX_J79GKyssYCvS0PbuYnqZ1PHPRe-Xp1_O2rqJjQf7stjr_TTAuE/s640/P1020183.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks a lot like summer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was here that I spotted two cyclists coming towards us, both loaded up with camping gear. I recognised them as participants in the Highland Trail Race and stopped for a quick natter. I think they were both surprised at the amount of attention their exploits had been achieving and as we left them to carry on South I couldn't help feeling it was putting our little expedition into some sort of perspective!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Past Laggan Locks and we were back on to the newly-surfaced NCN78. While I can appreciate the difference this makes for easier cycling, I couldn't help but look on at the old loch-side route that can often be seen alongside, gravelly, muddy and root-strewn, with a little sadness. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6tsvFmLZLQTeLpTv0D4Jwth1KJMARZQ9A6wiJdjARBihc3IKVO9nA7FOT00nY_wC0wCm3AGuI2x_EoSOMKaMuku9KgIhAovUPiojk3TBE90TtRLmSlzCKDzzYrhgIziiw2wRm_Ya4n0/s1600/P1020184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6tsvFmLZLQTeLpTv0D4Jwth1KJMARZQ9A6wiJdjARBihc3IKVO9nA7FOT00nY_wC0wCm3AGuI2x_EoSOMKaMuku9KgIhAovUPiojk3TBE90TtRLmSlzCKDzzYrhgIziiw2wRm_Ya4n0/s640/P1020184.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's big, but is it clever?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMdwuIGlazNkJ5wZiKbELu-_Fw0qSn5utmum9bOAlhIe_aARRZw3H1uiN3ZX8W__M9WuNWP3tGb1GYt2BtdX8mZaP40lzXqHurOq_8E-2ivGvTub0JZ_sl6c1f3bRWq4Arahn71YUZyA/s1600/P1020187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMdwuIGlazNkJ5wZiKbELu-_Fw0qSn5utmum9bOAlhIe_aARRZw3H1uiN3ZX8W__M9WuNWP3tGb1GYt2BtdX8mZaP40lzXqHurOq_8E-2ivGvTub0JZ_sl6c1f3bRWq4Arahn71YUZyA/s640/P1020187.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More angles</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just outside Fort William, we had to cross a set of locks and saw the largest boat I'd ever seen on the Caledonian Canal. We stopped for a brief chat with the lock-keeper who confirmed that it was just below the maximum dimensions for the locks - and had, in fact, been shortened as it was originally 2 metres too long. It certainly filled the lock, especially as the water level lowered.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We definitely <i>don't</i> need a bigger boat!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always keen to keep the tummy occupied, it was time for a lunch stop in Fort Augustus. Luckily, it was pleasant enough outside so we commandeered a table overlooking the canal. It had taken us a little over 3 hours to reach here, despite a couple of wee stops, so I was happy that we were making decent progress. I also knew that all of the climbing was yet to be encountered so didn't want to hang around too long. Leaving Fort Augustus, it wasn't long before we encountered the first steep climb. Having already decided that we should take the High Level variation of the GGW, I knew that there would be quite a bit more climbing and wanted to make sure I had legs for the rest of the day so</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> it was off the bike to push up for a while. A look at the figures shows that this was a 300m climb in around 5km. The big advantage of this though was that we were treated to some great views back to Fort Augustus and beyond and also up along the rest of the Great Glen. The track along here swoops over the terrain and we found it about 95% rideable, with just a couple of very steep sections to test the legs a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dropping down into Invermoriston, the path was more reminiscent of a Blue/Red graded MTB Trail with suitably impressive drop-offs. Of course, reaching the loch level at Invergarry required another big climb out and this time there was a lot more pushing as we negotiated the zig-zags through the woods. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High again</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would be fair to say that I was in some need of refreshment by the time we reached Drumnadrochit. Thankfully, the scones at the Fiddlers did not disappoint, coming with a massive dollop of fresh cream. I was, however, keen not to sit around too long as I know my legs get difficult to "re-start" and that there was yet another big climb coming up. In fact, Shaun almost missed the start of this one where it turns off the A82 pavement. Either that, or he was secretly trying to find a faster way to the end. The scenery hereabouts was quite different to that we'd been seeing earlier, with more farmland and signs of actual human habitation. The GGW was lovely though, with sections through a narrow tunnel of gorse and whin that swept to and fro.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having heard about the wonderful cafe at Abriachan Woods, I was keen to try it out and all the lovely handmade signs as we approached it lent it a strange charm of its own. However, knowing the end was almost in sight, we agreed to plough on to Inverness so I'll have to make a special effort to pass this way again sometime soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having got all this way on what were surprisingly</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> dry tracks, the wet and mud through the forest at Craig Dunain came as a wee bit of a shock. It certainly went some way to explaining why so many of the bikes I see arriving in Inverness are filthy. Coming into the suburbs of Inverness, the GGW gets a massive amount of signposting to take into account the various streets and paths meaning we had to pay a bit of attention lest one be missed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Finally crossing through the Ness Islands left us with a wee carry up some steps to get onto the last wee kicker to the castle and the official end of the GGW. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, that was the Great Glen Way. Having completed it, I can honestly say it's a great route. The new high level sections obviously make it more of a challenge (in fact, I'm now planning to do the low level options to see what they are like) and it felt like a perfect, long day out in the hills. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Channeling Vitruvian Man</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The figures show we did 119km with 2,148m of ascent. We were riding for just under 8hrs30m.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO1q-IlPI-2teisJDH15ZWLMkcgbIfffWI41-k9fQ8DrmwjPFsN9Qoab8nbXhotIEJVZ8V4xujq_h9Nos8aRCY4Y-V0DxYRscPLlpKjvEsl4VWVN8I6-FGW555RM2_5fwkRB9yD2D5t8/s1600/GGWGradient.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO1q-IlPI-2teisJDH15ZWLMkcgbIfffWI41-k9fQ8DrmwjPFsN9Qoab8nbXhotIEJVZ8V4xujq_h9Nos8aRCY4Y-V0DxYRscPLlpKjvEsl4VWVN8I6-FGW555RM2_5fwkRB9yD2D5t8/s640/GGWGradient.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A ride of two halves!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-79808290177876672002015-07-09T01:18:00.003+01:002015-07-09T01:18:45.326+01:00Not quite idle<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could just pick up where I left off with this blog and just pretend I've been incarcerated or in a coma for the past six months but the truth is I've simply been too lazy to do any updates. It's a shame really; this winter Mim and I really got into the skiing on Cairngorm and made good use of our uplift passes and the ski gear we bought at Decathlon. We're even thinking of a little foreign skiing trip later this year in order to develop our new skills. On the cycling front, I started to build up my fitness again after double illness finished off 2014. However, with no "events" planned I found it a bit tougher to keep up momentum so I decided to make some commitments as a bit of an incentive. The main part of this was to set out a list of longer mountain bike rides I'd been thinking of and had previously been discussing with Shaun. We'd both meant to get some of these done last year but time just seemed to fly by too fast so 2015 was going to be the big year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first on our list has been on my radar for several years since I read about it on a now defunct website that had all sorts of wilderness mountain biking routes. It's the northern coast-to-coast, from Ardgay on the East to Ullapool on the West. Now, the problem with most C2Cs is the logistics. How are you supposed to get back to your start point if you've just ridden across the breadth of the country - especially in the Scottish Highlands where roads are few and circuitous and public transport is almost non-existent? In this case, the answer is pretty simple - just turn around and ride back again. Yep, this little coast-to-coast rocks in at a mere 59km each way making a C2C2C possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courtesy of an early start from home, we were in Ardgay ready to set off at 8am. A good few miles of tarmac at the Ardgay end gets you to Croik and its church before you head off onto estate road. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJX2ZlAIhiAQQ9zfLQIetu5z1sYh9AowYjqVJKTvYanBRg9dkNmfp6iHlLAszcKFzKDQ4bRh8FFNudiifziGP80l9GGLW2b0valmhwknIccgUwMBqrGiv3AaP3k0ll31oQrQY43wLw1s/w1716-h965-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJX2ZlAIhiAQQ9zfLQIetu5z1sYh9AowYjqVJKTvYanBRg9dkNmfp6iHlLAszcKFzKDQ4bRh8FFNudiifziGP80l9GGLW2b0valmhwknIccgUwMBqrGiv3AaP3k0ll31oQrQY43wLw1s/w1716-h965-no/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">No more tarmac</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were blessed by a bit of a tailwind along this section and made decent time, passing massive herds of deer, though we were confused by the topology and kept expecting some sort of steep climb to get out of Strath Cuileannach. Although it never really came, there was a wonderful moment topping the crest of a rise to be greeted by the view of Suilven in the west. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feels like the West Coast now</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly, it felt like a "proper" mountainbike adventure. The track between here and Loch Achall is of varying quality and is obviously prone to a bit of flooding but we were fairly lucky with the conditions and it was a while before one rock-strewn puddle had us both off the bike. A few metres later, I discovered this little aquatic incident had knocked my mech hanger out of alignment as I was struggling to get any clean gear changes. Concerned that bending it back might snap it and being foolish enough not to have brought a spare, I had to make the decision whether to turn back now, less than half way across the country, or nurse it through for the rest of the day. I opted to carry on, trying to avoid changes where possible and crunching through a few others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time we reached the last, steep, descent into Loch Achall the wind had picked up a wee bit more and we flew along the side of the loch to the quarry track and the short road ride into Ullapool. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lunch was a fairly relaxed affair. We'd arrived ahead of schedule and had no need to hurry back. However, it's never a good idea to let the body think the days exertions are over prematurely so it was back up the hill to start the return journey. Of course, what goes around comes around and the wind now presented a stiff obstacle. The climb after the farm at East Rhiddoroch Lodge was going to be a challenge in the best of conditions but this reduced it to a walk. Once the track levelled out though, we were able to make decent progress again. Just chatting to Shaun on one of the steeper ascents, I heard a bang and suddenly saw his feet spinning wildly. Irony of ironies, it was <i>his</i> chain that snapped, not my gear-tortured one. A few minutes with a chain tool had it a link shorter (it was humongously long anyway) and we were both underway again.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW36Th904pQRLBD8l_wsX8I_c3z7CCGzEA5JNkSUKKPtcpUHKJJdu1K3DBZpD1D2SA_-Jm7tANztUBuIryT2Z1V2_2KioaXbo4MS_6CvYD9pPscxQf1RO028XdEUTrdJaPwwRhKYHuU_0/w1638-h921-no/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW36Th904pQRLBD8l_wsX8I_c3z7CCGzEA5JNkSUKKPtcpUHKJJdu1K3DBZpD1D2SA_-Jm7tANztUBuIryT2Z1V2_2KioaXbo4MS_6CvYD9pPscxQf1RO028XdEUTrdJaPwwRhKYHuU_0/w1638-h921-no/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I need to invest in some brighter clothing?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we had a wee stop </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(not a <i>wee</i> stop) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beside the bothy at Duag Bridge we got chatting to a Dutch couple who were touring the area on hybrid bikes and who'd got stuck on their way out of the bothy that day, not really being prepared for the deteriorating state of some of the tracks. We passed on a bit of advice, suggesting they could make Ullapool the way we'd come if they were prepared for a bit of pushing in places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We almost missed the climb after the bothy as it's on a minor track and we were "hurtling" along a better one. However, a small bit of backtracking got us sorted and once that climb was out of the way it seemed it would be only minutes before we were back at Croick and then Ardgay. These assumptions turned out to be false as the glen seemed to have been seriously extended in some unknown but fast-acting geological progress (OK, maybe it was a combination of headwind and tired legs). I was certainly glad to see the outskirts of Ardgay again and fall into the van almost 11 hours after we'd left.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a bad day all-in-all. If not technical it was at least an enjoyable day exploring an area most won't see and getting a fascinating view of some mountains from an unusual angle. The Coast-to-Coast thing adds another angle and I'm already thinking of another, a bit further South.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Straightforward enough</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0Ardgay, Ardgay, Highland IV24, UK57.881213 -4.363213999999970832.3591785 -45.67180799999997 83.4032475 36.945380000000029tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8150027813423304092.post-58374600800819116582014-12-10T20:35:00.001+00:002015-03-16T23:15:00.336+00:00Them's the breaks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqiz59iK-06v0jsHYaUXusmu6pLCWOVA_6XgQLrarTnJp_J0y0NrGL6b2x2nEqKvaSpRc_2Kp8vHiGhfU6tWkWaI-KZm8kqQNyFw5iGPgbIRU5T7W5CUDKZmHF7IajMVm25hF5v3Af30/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqiz59iK-06v0jsHYaUXusmu6pLCWOVA_6XgQLrarTnJp_J0y0NrGL6b2x2nEqKvaSpRc_2Kp8vHiGhfU6tWkWaI-KZm8kqQNyFw5iGPgbIRU5T7W5CUDKZmHF7IajMVm25hF5v3Af30/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dochgarroch Locks</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30th September and I'm riding along the Caledonian Canal towpath, in the dark, returning from a little exploratory ride after work. It suddenly occurs to me that it's the end of the month and I haven't been out for my obligatory bivvy. Obligatory. That's the exact thought that went through my head. I quickly considered how I could get back home, grab all my gear and head out for a wee walk or ride and complete month 21 of my self-imposed bivvy-a-month target. However, the more I thought about it, the more I came to realise that it would just have been a box-ticking exercise. Up until then, all my bivvys (or camps or bothy nights) had some sort of background to them. They were in places I'd considered visiting or had a specific view or outlook I wanted to experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a result I opted to miss this one and, having done so, seemed to somehow skip October and November too. Partly that was due to feeling a bit under the weather, which turned out to be early-stage Lymes Disease (or perhaps from the side-effects of the subsequent anti-biotics) and partly due to a general lack of enthusiasm. In any case, since November I'd been slowly working myself back up to a better monthly mileage when a comedy slide had me off the bike and I bashed my shoulder. The fall itself was nothing. A wee bit of lack of attention, a bit of pine-needle covered mud and the front wheel just slid away from me. By the time I had it back under control I was heading for the trees and I decided to bale out. Lying on the path I looked back at the bike to see it sitting perfectly balanced upside-down, as if some naughty trail fairy had tried to cover up the results of up his (or her) booby trap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ride back home was slow and steady as the pain gradually got worse and after a week or so of ooh-ing and aah-ing every time I reached for something or sneezed, I decided it was time to see the GP. She quickly diagnosed a broken rib (2nd or 3rd down), prescribed some painkillers and told me it would be 4-6 weeks for recovery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here I sit, watching the first decent snowfall of the season, unable to cycle, unable to ski (uplift passes are here!) and now reflecting on all those opportunities for nights out that I let slip away though delay and indecision. I guess this enforced break has at least re-kindled my enthusiasm for some more overnighting and I can use the convalescence time to start re-creating a bucket list of venues and goals. More islands I think, some more coastline and also taking some time to re-discover more old tracks now that many old favourites are being ridden more regularly. I'm not one for New Years Resolutions, but that's beginning to shape up like one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Scotrouteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03552787201111171261noreply@blogger.com0