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.