I've been away for a few days, to Aviemore allegedly for a bit of climbing. However after 4 days, my
ankle was playing up (turned it on a rock or boots laced too tightly), so I and chum Jez enquired
into bike hire. The very helpful warden at Aviemore Youth Hostel pointed us at Speyside sports (I
think) who confirmed they had 4 bikes left (this being the so called skiing season, bikes a bit thin
on the ground).
After getting our selves in order we walked to the shop, laden with credit cards and proof of ID,
none of which was needed. Two Specialized Rockhoppers of uncertain age and uncertain maintenance
awaited us. It was 10:00, so the proprietor said call it half a day, we close at 5:30 so back by
five lads. Eight quid each, good value in my book. I persuaded him to spray some lube on the chains
and off we went.
First stop the tourist info office to buy a map showing the various trails round the area - we
plumped for one showing the Rothiemurcus Estate and off we went.
I'm not an off road cyclist usually, give or take a bit of rough stuff on the tadem club rides, so
our ride might seem a bit tame. We found our way fairly easily on broad tracks on a cold day with a
sprinkling of snow. About ten minutes into the ride we stopped for our first wildlife moment, as a
red squirrel ran across our path. Neat.
Off gently through the forest, we skirted a lochan the over a foot bridge and to Loch Morlich.
Across the road and round the back of Glemore Lodge to a coffee and bun stop at the reindeer centre.
We then headed over the hill to the north towards Boat of Garten. Stunning views of Cairngorm and
the Northern Corries as we looked back.
The next wildlife moment came as we disturbed three deeer grazing by the edge of the track. Neat
again. Up through the forest then down towards the road, through a bit shown as "marshy" on the map.
Except it was very cold, so what was marsh was now ice. Interesting. We managed it without fallig
over and stopped at the road for a pie from the backpack. Then wildlife moment three. A pine martin
scampering in the woods across the road. Really neat.
We broke out the OS map as we'd nearly finished the other one and it was only two o'clock. Up
towards Loch Garten on really small lanes then picking up the Speyside Trail back towards Aviemore.
Wildlife moment four as we saw buzzards looking to feast on flagging cyclists.
By now we were getting shagged out, heading into the wind, so stopped for the last of our coffee and
sarnies. A few nmore miles and back to the shop by half four.
An entirely excellent day, 48km.
Tim