Glen Tilt...tough going

River Tilt Blair Atholl

It was day 2 of my 3 day outdoor trip to Perthshire. Yesterday I completed my hill walk and today it was the turn for my bike ride. I chose to mountain bike cycle part of Glen Tilt, starting from Blair Atholl. The weather forecast was still for 20-30mph winds but I hoped that the hills in the glen would deflect and subdue the impact of these, how wrong was I to be.
I parked at the tourist information car park in Blair Atholl, no charges for parking that I could see. The chain was looking a bit dry so put some oil on and ready to go. My rucksack seemed to weigh a ton but better on my back than the bike.

Carn Liath

I decided to take a cycle around the Blair Atholl caravan park just to get the muscles warmed up then headed up the Bridge of Tilt road towards the carpark about half a mile away.
I found the area okay but did not go into the carpark, mistake, deciding to take a tarmac road to my left, which was very much uphill riding, I was following two walkers so thinking I was on right route. After reaching the top and breathing hard, I looked around and realised that this was taking me away from the hills of Glen Tilt, what a plonker. I took a couple of photos of Carn Liath, checked the OS map and made a fast descent back to the carpark. I knew this carpark from walking last year and followed the walking track, which is not exactly made for MTB's, eventually I  reached a forest track and knew now I was on track but how did I miss it earlier? 

Leaving the woods

A couple of miles down this forest track and I was almost ko'd by walkers and the inevitable dog. On a fast downhill a woman stepped out from the trees on my left and I could she that she saw me but we were in no danger. Fine, but she made no attempt to warn her fellow elderly walkers, and dog, who were behind her and came out of the trees just as I flew past, a nasty collision just missed.
Once out of the trees the track has mainly farm fields on the right populated with lots of sheep and the River Tilt on the left with some beautiful deep gorges and running water, a stunning landscape.
As I came out into the open landscape the wind kicked in and I realised that my early optimism was clearly misplaced and the hills had not deflected the wind but created a wind tunnel, blowing from the east directly into my face.
The track was made up of loose scree and stones. I realised by my quite strenuous efforts that I was gaining height, whilst trying to keep my backside on the saddle to allow the rear tyre to grip was tough. The bike was skidding about on the surface, and in a vertical climb, with a constant headwind this was challenging to say the least.

Gaws bridge looking downriver above and upriver below

However, the scenery was outstanding but the effort of the ride meant that I was not taking as much in as I would like. Stopping to take pictures also gave me that little breather but my style is to keep going with minimal rest so these photo stops were brief.
There were an incredible amount of sheep with very young lambs on route but very little other wildlife. Indeed I never saw another person although there were some cottages around. 
The track can be walked all the way to Braemar but not for me today. This never ending wind was really demoralising my spirit and I was working very hard mentally at self motivation to keep going. 

Into the wilderness Glen Tilt

I cycle to the river side of Forest Lodge, a fine building, I think is an outdoor activity base but it is deserted as I pass by. Possibly just an Atholl Estate property for the stalking season. Probably make enough money in the shooting season to not need to open the rest of the year.
The river Tilt continued to tumble beside me, beautiful, clear, cold looking water. This is a salmon river but I doubt that many make it this far.

River Tilt

There now came the point where both body and spirit said no more. I am no youngster but I consider myself reasonably fit but this was just plain hard going, too tough. It was only later when I uploaded my GPS data that I realised I had climbed almost 2000 feet from Blair Atholl. Thats two thirds of a Munro and into that constant strong headwind, no wonder I was gubbed.

Looking back remote

I ate my sandwich, reflecting on the ride, lying on the grass, with beautiful awe inspiring, enclosing and surrounding hills. I was isolated but did not feel lonely, this is a freedom and solitude most people never experience, enjoy the moment.

2nd footbridge

As soon as I got on the the bike on the way down I was freewheeling which brought home the feeling of a fun, fast, bouncing MTB descent, particularly with the wind at my back. I returned in about a quarter of the time it took to ascend. 23 miles out and back and I can safely say that it was as tough a bike ride as I can remember. But beautiful views all the way, a fast and enjoyable descent, je ne regret rien.

Waterfall near footbridge