Back on the Mainland

At the moment we are in Braemar and plan to spend the next few days here before heading South.

We caught the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool at the back end of last week and made our way across to Aviemore to meet friends Vida and Illya for a weekend of mountain biking.

Relaxing in the sun – Ullapool

Sunset Ullapool

On the Saturday we rode what has become our default Aviemore route (when we have failed to plan anything else!) – the Sluggan Pass and Ryvoan Pass route which has a bit of everything and is a good way to pass a few hours.

On the Saturday night after beer and wine our thoughts turned to what we should ride on the Sunday. We have all ridden the bottom end of the Lairig Ghru and know it to be one of the best sections of natural single track around, our normal access being to ride up and return via the same route. However enthused with beer and wine and loosely studying the OS map we spotted a possible circular route and agreed to give it a go in the morning.

I had in my head that this was going to take a couple of hours or so – four and a half hours later we made it back! A true hike-a-bike route and probably not to be repeated by choice, and with the biggest rock garden (the Chalamain Gap) I have seen!