Glen Tilt started off with easy landrover track then changed to difficult singletrack and neither Jamie or I seemed to be able to come to grips with it so some pushing and falling off ensued. I had a funny "Italian Job" moment at one point having come off on the side of a steep bank and was somehow straddling the bike but unable to move either up or down without falling further, Jamie wasn't far behind and came to my rescue.
Jamie On Glen Tilt Singletrack.
Cairngorms 003 by youngray50, on FlickrAfter crossing the watershed we followed the River Dee and took a breather at "The Linn of Dee" pictured below, a narrow gorge fantastically carved by the power of the water rushing through it.
Cairngorms 008 by youngray50, on FlickrAfter a bit of road we hit Braemar and stopped for some food and to stock up on provisions for the night. Braemar was followed by a lot of landrover track but the scenery more than makes up for it.
Looking south from the slopes of Culardoch at about 700m.
Cairngorms 009 by youngray50, on FlickrWe passed Loch Builg and then the Linn of Avon, the others would be camped up somewhere ahead and we found them a few miles short of Tomintoul, a 50 mile day. After introductions Jamie and I set up our tarps then joined the others by the fire to cook some food and chat. We were camped close to a road and a farmer stopped and asked us politely to make sure our fire was out properly before hitting the sack and we assured him we would be careful. Half an hour later he is coming back the other way and stops again and produces a ten litre plastic container just to make sure we have enough water to douse the fire properly. We turned in around twelve and slept till eight.
Bivi Spot In The Morning.
Cairngorms 010 by youngray50, on FlickrDay two was supposed to have regular rain showers but thankfully this didn't happen and we only saw a little rain. The riding pace between us was fairly well matched so we mostly rode as a group giving good opportunity for some banter between us. Gari who lives in Aviemore had told us that there was some sweet downhill singletrack after Eag Mhor and he was true to his word. Two sections, the first being shorter than the second of fast flowing singletrack through lovely woodland, we all had a blast.
Passing by Eag Mhor.
Cairngorms 014 by youngray50, on Flickr
Cairngorms 020 by youngray50, on FlickrPaul, Orange full susser, 26".
Cairngorms 015 by youngray50, on FlickrJamie, Ragley mmmbop hardtail, 26".
Cairngorms 016 by youngray50, on FlickrMike, Inbred 29er rigid (he jokingly refers to it as "the tank", pick it up and you'll soon realize why!)
Cairngorms 017 by youngray50, on FlickrJim, Ibis full susser, 26".
Cairngorms 018 by youngray50, on FlickrThe singletrack was over all too soon but the riding was still great. We hit Aviemore for a late pub lunch and to restock then on to Glen Feshie where we found a lovely spot to bivi. A 45 mile day today. We didn't arrive here until about 9. We set up camp, collected wood and got a fire going. After eating we settled down to chat and consume various types of alcohol and such a good time were we having of it that it was 2am before we realized how late it was and decided to turn in. Needless to say it was a later than usual start the next day.
All packed up and nearly ready to roll on day three.
Cairngorms 022 by youngray50, on FlickrThe last day and 35 miles left to do. We had a biggish climb early on to take us out of Glen Feshie over to Glen Tromie. Some "almost there" singletrack took us through some woods but we lost a lot of time due to fallen trees. Then there was some "non existant" singletrack followed by more "almost there" singletrack and we lost more time still. Jamie and I had a train booked and we were now pushed for time. We forded a river to pick up a landrover track headed in our direction to save us time. I was now starting to worry that we would miss our train. There was a later train but if all the bike spaces were taken we might not have been able to get on it.
Jamie and I were leading and at Gaick Lodge we looked back but couldn't see the others anywhere, they must have had a mechanical. A quick conflab and Jamie and I decided to push on, we knew the guys would understand. Pushing a gear or even two higher than I would normally we picked up the pace, I felt good but on the climb up to Loch an Duin I started to get a pain in my right thigh and I began to think i'd pulled something, luckily it didn't get any worse so we maintained the high pace. Before we knew it we were back onto tarmac with a lovely downhill run all the way to Blair Atholl. We arrived at the station with 40 minutes to spare.
A superb three days spent in great scenery with great people, thanks for the company guys
.
.
.