Another Cairngorms Loop

Share your rides with us.

Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew

Post Reply
User avatar
99percentchimp
Posts: 1057
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:46 pm
Location: North Wales!

Another Cairngorms Loop

Post by 99percentchimp »

I've wanted to have a go at this for a long time and this year was going to be it. The last long weekend and a decent enough forecast seemed to be about right to have a crack. A few photos here too https://flic.kr/ps/kNbPz
I know I'll not be massively quick over the ground and days longer than 14 hours were likely to completely defeat me so I went out with 2 overnights in mind and a plan to cover around 240km on the first two days. I thought this would give me enough of an 'easy' finish day, as a sort of mental insurance policy to make sure I could get back in less than 56 hours and still enjoy being out in the hills. I was staggered by the scale of the landscape through out the whole trip. The Caledonia pine forests and single track of both Rothiemurchus and Abernethy were fantastic, as was the fast descent to fall into bed near Braemar on day two.
The sand got into the drive train requiring a couple of good rinses with a water bottle but this was as near to a mechanical as I has all weekend (not even a puncture!). I never got the tool kit out all weekend - just a some lube once or twice.
It's a brilliant and massively varied route and asked a lot of me, at times just a little too much (3rd km of boulder field pushing!). The weather was a little too warm on day one (I like it cooler) and it ended with a massive thunder storm charging up Glen Derry to meet me coming down from the Fords of A'an. Hood up and soaked in warm rain I was amazed by the hundreds of frogs and toads that appeared in every puddle. I've never seen so much wildlife in such a short space of time in the UK... adders, slow worms, buzzards, lapwings, curlew, hundreds of landlocked oystercatchers (what do they eat?) and so many grouse (red and black). I think I heard capercaillie but didn't see them. Deer and mountain hare and even a vole at one campsite.
I had a good lunch stop at Glen More on day one and then made my way over to the Linn of Dee to camp in abandoned village before the Feshie crossing.
ImageCairngorms Loop 2017 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr
ImageCairngorms Loop 2017 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr
The last of the rain storm meant the Dee crossing looked like it would be tricky but 24 hours later it was far lower and felt safe.
A long morning on the following day led to a great pea soup and sandwich lunch at the Rothiemurchus centre about 100m off route. Recommended stopping point.
ImageCairngorms Loop 2017 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr
Then the long ride up through Abernethy to a plate of haggis, neaps and tatties and loads of coke in Tomintoul. I thought I would get up to Loch Builig to bivi there but knew I really wanted to get back over into the Dee valley that evening so carried on over to descend into towards Braemar to a mossy bivi in the grounds of Invercauld.
ImageCairngorms Loop 2017 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr
ImageCairngorms Loop 2017 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr
An early start meant nothing was open for a second brekkie in Braemar so I pushed on back up the Dee and over to the Glen Tilt. The cloud came down and the long lumpy widened track from the farm at Fealar Lodge was my least favourite part of the route.
Loved the decent down to the last farm and the final valleys with pairs of curlews around me was fantastic.
ImageCairngorms Loop 2017 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr
The final long descent was a nice end to the route too. Just a giant haddock, chips, black pudding and mushy peas to finish in the café by the bike shop before long drive home.
Massive thanks to all here for the sharing of experiences and routes that got me off the sofa last weekend.
Conquistador of the pointless
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99percentchimp/
donaldbmcintosh
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat May 06, 2017 11:26 am

Re: Another Cairngorms Loop

Post by donaldbmcintosh »

Well done. Sounds like you enjoyed the wildlife and found some good food stops! Always worth making some time for a good meal along the way...
Taylor
Posts: 3423
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:27 pm
Location: Brizzle
Contact:

Re: Another Cairngorms Loop

Post by Taylor »

I must give this another go soon.
User avatar
99percentchimp
Posts: 1057
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:46 pm
Location: North Wales!

Re: Another Cairngorms Loop

Post by 99percentchimp »

Cheers Donald, I was aiming to get to Bynack for my last night after your post/blog but just couldn't got over to Braemar with enough energy for the long plod up the Dee. My ride looked to be a bit warmer and with lower river levels than yours.... bit more safety margin for being out on my own.
It's an amazing ride - so much variety. Loved the outer loop... would think twice about the inner loop push fest again :lol:
Conquistador of the pointless
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99percentchimp/
User avatar
FLV
Posts: 4245
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:12 am
Location: Northern Edge of the Peak - Mostly

Re: Another Cairngorms Loop

Post by FLV »

Thanks for sharing, reminded me how much I like that loop.
User avatar
Richpips
Posts: 2140
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:57 pm
Location: Peak District

Re: Another Cairngorms Loop

Post by Richpips »

Looks a great trip. :-bd

It's on our list.
User avatar
99percentchimp
Posts: 1057
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:46 pm
Location: North Wales!

Re: Another Cairngorms Loop

Post by 99percentchimp »

Cheers all. Not sure I'm mad keen to revisit the inner loop but was pleased with a completion at 54.11 for a safe solo on first attempt.

Rich/Tom - I'm sure you'll both really enjoy it... the scenery and wildlife (as well as the pits stops) are great.
Conquistador of the pointless
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99percentchimp/
Post Reply