So the destination was 'somewhere in the hills above Dunkeld' with Jimmy G, Dave (Northwind) and Dave's mate Morne, as well as my good self, confirmed as show ups. I lazed around all day looking at the varying levels of drizzle outside before eventually loading up and heading up the road just after 2. On arrival a heavy rain shower came on so I sat it out whilst listening to 'Singing in the Rain' on the radio. When Herb Brown wrote this music, he clearly hadn't experienced slashing rain at 3 degrees C..... Eventually it passed through and off I went into the murk....
Dull blurred shot (again!) but very true to life.
As I climbed up I became increasingly aware of much ice on the track; of the 'suicider' variety that lead to many a slither and a couple of bits that had to be walked.
Once passed Loch Ordie the track deteriorated just as full dark fell. No messing, on with the Maxx D, at Maxx, and try to pick my way round the worst of the puddles as well as avoiding the lethal ice. I'd noted a possible variation to the route which I would check out when I got there. Later the track deteriorated horribly into a mess of cow hoof prints, mostly frozen solid thank goodness, but anywhere sheltered and it was rather gungy. On checking the GPS, I discovered I had already made the turn to the alternate trail and was a few hundred meters up it. I should have turned back but, as usual, figured that going on would be a far better bet, despite endless experiences of this manifestly not being the case.
It got progressively worse and I was struggling to get round (or through) some bits. At least my sense of humour wasn't suffering too much. Eventually the track rose out of the dip it had been following and the surface improved immediately. Soon enough it joined another trail and off I went with a grin as the ground was frozen and I was now riding in and out of snow. Behind I caught the flash of a light which looked like it was a bike coming up the trail I should have been on. At another turning I waited, thinking it would be Jimmy, but it never appeared. Odd. In fact I was following a fat bike tyre print which I figured would be Jimmy so goodness knows who this light was. After one rather dodgy bog crossing I picked up a rougher way and made good progress to the bothy. A light was shining in the window and Jimmy himself came out to greet me. The fire was on and the place lovely and warm, with only us in residence - top stuff!
On with the bothy TV.
We chatted, ate and drank, but there was no sign of Dave and his mate. No point worrying as there was BA we could do about it so we figured they'd had a problem and had to cancel or turn back. Then at 9.30 they appeared looking somewhat bedraggled. Morne's back brake had croaked and a fall had knackered his shifter.... They soon got installed and we talked and drank to the wee small hours.
Breakfast in progress
Morning view, most pleasant.
Jimmy was for lazing around in the bothy for a bit before heading back the way he'd come up. Dave and Morne were thinking of heading up to Glen Loch and over the Cairngorms Loop route to Blair Atholl but Manny's lack of brake and possible snow levels made this a less appealing option. I'd figured on heading north for a bit then picking up the Cateran Trail, following this south and then heading back to Dunkeld via various back roads. Dave and Morne figured this was a better bet for them so off we went through more snow, ice and swamp. After turning off the main trail, the ground was dryer but the snow levels were going up. Obviously the fat bike ploughed through it all effortlessly!
Dave on the snowy trail.
The Cateran Trail was a beaut - a nice mix of made path, grassy tracks and the odd farm / house access track; heading steadily down Strath Ardle. We had one close shave getting round fallen trees but then got snookered by a big cluster of them. We could have battled round them but the risk of there being more made this a highly dubious prospect. So back we went and across the river onto the main road. Fortunately from Bridge of Cally the Cateran Trail was clear so no A93 schlepping required. Instead we schlepped along a somewhat soggy trail over the moor. Then some nice wee back roads past lochs Marlie, Clunie and Lowes finishing with a final trail to Dunkeld.
So a great weekend with some snow / ice and bog tastic riding!
. Liked that first 'murky' photo.
.
