Speyside circuit Aviemore - Grantown

I brought the Focus road bike for this break and today decided on a circular route around Speyside. After yesterday's climb up the ski road to the funicular something a bit lower required. The circuit started in Aviemore taking in Boat of Garten, Grantown on Spey and Carrbridge.

River Spey calm early morning

An early start saw me head to Coylumbridge then take a left and head to Boat of Garten. I stopped and had an early morning look at the very calm Spey with some nice trout rings feeding, looked decent fish but no rod with me.
Onwards the road goes past the RSPB centre. No point in diverting in for a look as the Ospreys have all left for the sunnier climates of Western Africa.
It is good riding, very little traffic on the road and almost all going against me. The countryside is in great condition so I am enjoying the views, it is not a race after all.

Nethy Bridge

Next port of call is Nethy Bridge a typical small Highland village for these parts. In other words, wide roads, some old cottages, some very big newbuilds and a hotel. On the way out I stop and look at the golf course, Abernethy I think, as there is an unusual site. A par 3 hole appears to nave the tee on one side of the public road to Tomintoul and the green on the other, wow, I wonder how many cars get hit, hope the golfers have insurance.

A short way up the road I have to stop again at Abernethy Old Kirk. An impressive kirk surrounded by a graveyard. The current building is apparently from the from the 1770's but the site has had a kirk since the 1500's. A lot of history here.

If not trees farmland

Some rolling roads take me to Grantown on Spey, a great deal of old natural pine forests, the mighty River Spey and huge grey granite buildings and homes. Of course a hotel or two. Plus a few days earlier I had made a major find, Scotland's newest micro brewery. After completing my Speyside Way section from Aviemore to Grantown I had earned food so we headed to a cafe which had behind it the Two Thirsty Men brewery. A pint of their Spey IPA and I was immediately a fan. But no beer today.

Two Thirsty Men not the cafe entrance!

Now I headed west to Carrbridge. For no real reason I had got it in my mind that this was downhill but when later I studied the GPS it was the longest climbing section of the ride. I really did not need the GPS to tell me that as I was blowing a bit harder. I also had my one near miss. Off a T junction track a big pick up appeared the passenger head back fast asleep. I thought the driver had seen me but just as I went passed he moved out right at me. Last second he saw me and hit the brakes, a close one. At least he signalled an apology and looked sheepish.

Carrbridge

Carrbridge has fond family holiday memories so a quick photo slot then back on the bike for the last leg. This was mostly downhill and only for the last 4 miles did I get the heavy traffic.
I had not eaten anything so I was starting to note energy decline but mostly downhill so home for a shower and food.
Stats: 33.65 miles. Ascent 1088 ft. Time 2 hours 36min.
  

Dalwhinnie - Pitlochry

Dalwhinnie start

Well that is another route off the bucket list, it was brutal, scenic & exhilarating. I knew my body rhythms suggested I was not in the best fitness for some reason and I should have listened to my body.
I had deferred this for a couple of days because of the excessive high winds at our base in Pitlochry. But when I woke up this morning the skies were brighter and the trees were still so decision made. A quick bowl of cornflakes and off to Dalwhinnie.

Excellent track

The wind has been SSE for the last few days and it would have made more sense to go south to north, even though there is more climbing involved the wind would have helped blow me up the hills. But, rather than have my lift hanging about Dalwhinnie it was more practical to cycle it this way.
We parked at the cafe at Dalwhinnie where 2 police traffic cars and an ambulance were stopped, having brekkie, not an omen I thought I hope I don't see you later.
I followed the main road for a mile to ensure new bike was running ok, it had had a small run and all seemed fine, and then joined the National Cycle route 7, nice big stone plaque. 

Drumochter summit

The wind was already pretty strong in my face, the clouds were dark and threatening in patches, wow. 
The route mainly goes along the old A9 and was in reasonable condition for an MTB but could be a challenge for thinner tyres, lots of loose stones and as such potential punctures.

In my mind I had broken the section to the House of Bruar into 3 sections, the first being this stretch to Dalnaspidal. No doubt that this is the most scenic and rugged part of the ride. This section is mostly uphill, it is not a difficult climb but the strong wind was already affecting me, had I made a mistake? A golden eagle is gliding just below the summit to cheer me up.

Dalnaspidal & Loch Garry

There are plenty of grouse wandering about the track and I try to ignore traffic noise on the A9. There are black clouds over the hills on my right and blue skies to my left, take your pick what the day is going to bring. Temperature on my GPS shows 8.5 degrees and my hands are chilly so gloves on. A brief pause at Drumochter Pass high point, take in the view then continue on and reach Dalnaspidal after about 7.5 miles. Text time to confirm location to driver.
I was not feeling great but continued on to my next destination at the Trinafour junction. Plenty of ups and downs but nothing too strenuous, just the wind sapping the strength. Pretty rugged terrain on the right hand side, moorland all the way to Loch Rannoch.

Another text then out of the woods and the countryside is now much flatter and plainer, the big hills are mainly gone for a while. Excellent track for all bikes and good progress being made. Being lower has taken the edge of the wind for a bit.
I ride passed a small drilling rig set up, the van has 'geosonic drilling' on it, wonder what they are looking for?
At Calvine I rejoin an A road and mainly downhill to the House of Bruar for a caffeine hit and some food. Bruar is a place for the landed gentry, not sure my cycling gear quite fits in with the tweeds and cashmeres, but do I care, haha. About 21 miles so far. As I enter the car park a flat capped, cravat lady in Land Rover towing a horse box pulls out in front of me and I am the one getting a black look, it really is that type of place. Does she care?

Straight road to Ben Vrackie

Two thirds gone and the route now follows, what can be a busy back road so switch on the rear strobe. Winds have strengthened again and of course in my face.
A long straight with great views of Ben Vrackie. Then onto Blair Atholl again with good views of the estate and the scarred path up Carn Liath behind. A red squirrel jumps out in front of me racing across the road, it made it.
Last big effort is the climb through Killiecrankie, my body is just not right, I have my doubts but put it into grandpa gear and slowly make my way up the hill, success.

Blair Atholl grounds

An up and down route with more traffic and I get through Pitlochry High street unscathed to my destination.

River Tilt

Glad I did it but boy was it tougher than it should have been. When I downloaded my data my heart rate had been consistently way above my normal rate and even on the lower flatter sections it never got to normal, proof that one should listen to your body rhythms. Hopefully just a short term hit and back to normal for next ride.
Ride Stats: Distance 31.48 miles. Time 3.06 hours. Ascent 843 ft.