So, my parents are bribing the kids to come and visit, and muggins here is going to drive them up the road in late August for a week. Rather than sitting around my parents getting board, it would be nice to dump the kids for a couple of days and get a BaM ride in. So, loose plan is to get the train to Aviemore, then cycle back down to Dalgety Bay. I figure I could maybe do part of the Cairngorm Loop to Blair Atholl, but am then stuck on how to get from there to Fife. There's all that Perthshire Gravel stuff, that could get me to Crieff, then it would be over the Ochil's somehow...?

Basically, I'm after a few days of nice easy riding on the hardtail. Open to ideas and route suggestions, etc.

The Pictish trail goes past there. Start on the CL in Aviemore, then the section shared with the Pictish then Pictish to Dalgety Bay?

Depending on how long you have, instead of starting in Aviemore you could get a train up to anywhere on the Pictish that works out right for distance, it goes past a number of stations.

Loads of ways Bob.
The Pictish trail does it but via a somewhat lengthy diversion, albeith with some nice riding (See Seans reports ). You can follow the route I used last September which is more direct and includes the Glen Tilt descent but does finish with a fair bit of road riding in the last 30 miles. There is also a way through between the above or you can go through the Ben Alder area as a further alternative. Lots of variations on all of these. South of Dunkeld it can get a bit faffy if you want to avoid the road. I'm actually thinking of going for a play in this area this weekend so watch this space.

Anyway I've got all manner of GPX's doing this, PM me and I can drop you a few. A few good road / gravel options to.

I had thought about the Pictish Trail Sean, but figured I didn't want to go that far East. I need something that I can bosh out over an afternoon, a full day, and a final morning, max. I just picked Aviemore as it seemed like I could link up various trails from there, but I don't mind starting from Dalwhinnie, Blair Atholl, or anywhere else for that matter. I maybe over estimating how far I can go in a day here, so starting in Blair, or Pitlochry, maybe the better option anyway. Even riding from my folks and doing a big circle would be fine, just figure I shouldn't pass up the opportunity to ride in the Highlands if I can.

Figure this would probably be one for you Phil, so I'll drop you a DM.

I've decided to revisit this trip, as mentioned in passing last Cheery Friday. Going to take the last week in May off and get the train from Dalgety Bay to Aviemore on Monday the 26th and cycle back to Dalgety Bay over four days, hopefully making it back on Thursday the 29th.

Thanks to Phil, I have some slightly better route choices than I did previously, and depending on fitness levels and weather, I have a choice of distances too. The current preferred option is the blue line, which is a round 389KM and takes in the top loop of the "new" Cairngorm Loop, before heading off towards Ben Alder. Alternatively, if I'm not feeling up to that, then the red line is 315KM, and again, there's scope to just head south from Aviemore to cut the distance down even further if necessary.



I've done plenty of walking in The Grampians, and once in the mid-nineties cycled on a BMX from Dalwhinnie to Culra Bothy while wearing placcy boots, I've not walked or cycled since the change in access laws. I still find it hard to believe that I can go just about anywhere, within reason. Regardless of access rights, I'm more worried about tyres choices and resupply, so...

I currently have my "winter" tyre setup on the Scandal, with a Hans Dampf (Super Gravity, ADDIX Soft) on the front and a Nobby Nic (Super Ground, ADDIX SpeedGrip) on the back. Normally around this time of year, I'd be thinking of putting the Nobby Nic on the front and sticking a Rocket Ron (Super Ground, ADDIX SpeedGrip) on the back. Although if it stays really dry, I also have the Racing Ray (Super Ground, ADDIX SpeedGrip) and Racing Ralph (Super Ground, ADDIX Speed) combo I first used for the North York Moors 300 the other year.

I think the Hans Dampf is probably a bit much unless it's been very wet, and I'm worried that the Ray / Ralph combo will be too lightweight given all the exposed granite. I'm sure I'll get on fine with the Nobby Nic / Rocket Ron combo, but am open to suggestions, especially as Ron has been round the block a few times and is heavily patched inside.

As for resupply options, I'm assuming around 100KM a day at ~10kph, starting around 07:00, which should allow plenty of time for stopping. I'm assuming that there'll be plenty of small shops and what not along the way, and at least one place each day where I can stock up. As a veggie though, are there any areas where I may struggle to find at least a Ginsters cheese and onion pasty? Or places that I should absolutely make time to stop for an ice cream, etc...?

Finally, I'm assuming patchy mobile in places, so the old Strava Beacon wont be a reliable way for keeping people informed about where I am, etc. I've been thinking that post divorce having a proper tracker like a Spot, or InReach, would be a sensible investment anyway. So I was considering hiring one for this trip to see how I get on with it, before taking the plunge. So far I've found GTC who'll rent me an InReach for £12 a day, is there anyone else that provides this kind of service...?

TIA.

Hi Boab
Ballater, Braemar, Kingussie, Newtonmore, Aberfeldy and Auchterarder have co-ops. Tomintoul has a good shop. There is a cafe at Rannoch station a few k off route and at Bridge of Balgie in Glen Lyon.

Kenmore campsite has a cafe and posh deli

Tyres wise I'm not sure. Most of the trails are stony so plenty of grip. The boggy bits are fairly short. My Bonty XR2's always work well....

I've just hired a spot from https://www.tracktrail.co.uk/ seems cheaper than GTC.

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 1:27 pm Hi Boab
Ballater, Braemar, Kingussie, Newtonmore, Aberfeldy and Auchterarder have co-ops. Tomintoul has a good shop. There is a cafe at Rannoch station a few k off route and at Bridge of Balgie in Glen Lyon.

Kenmore campsite has a cafe and posh deli

Looks like the Co-op in Braemar is permanently closed and I'm not trekking all the way to Ballater for a Ginster's pastie. Will either have to stock up in Aviemore, or clean out whatever is available in Tomintoul and see if I can last on that till Kingussie. Otherwise I'll have to time things for the petrol station just outside Braemar which has pretty crap opening hours.

I haven't started on my crib sheet yet, but it looks like I'm going to have to have a bit of a think. Looks like the distance breakdown I had in my head will result in me having to do a number of detours to ensure enough supply for the end of a day, start of the next day. Will have to ponder for a bit I think...

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 1:27 pm Tyres wise I'm not sure. Most of the trails are stony so plenty of grip. The boggy bits are fairly short. My Bonty XR2's always work well....

I think I might just switch to the Nobby Nic / Rocket Ron combo, which should be fine; unless it's bone dry and dusty.

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 1:27 pm I've just hired a spot from https://www.tracktrail.co.uk/ seems cheaper than GTC.

Oh, good call, will do a bit more digging...

Thanks Phil!

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... s-braemar/
Same location, phew!

I did wonder why Google Maps was saying that there was a Greens and a Co-op right next to each other; with only the Co-op showing up on street view. Decent enough opening hours for me too, I can stop at ~80KM and roll in for breakfast the next day, or try and get through Braemar late and pick up breakfast before I stop for the night.

Just have to actually commit and book everything now...