Day 17 - 23 September 2009 - 57 miles

Today's ride was through Britain's big country - the heart of the Grampian and Cairngorm Mountains. I crossed seven big hills and the elevation profile from the gps recording was reminiscent of a shark's jaw. Three of these "hills" had teeth!

Left Braemar (elev. approx 1,100ft) passing Braemar Castle and rode along the River Dee to Balmoral Castle (elev. approx 800ft). Lots of beautiful pine forests and wonderful weather too. Her Majesty was in residence so no photographs of the castle (and no invitation left at the gate to join them for a cuppa! Cheeky!). Climbed the first pass (elev. approx 1,600ft) and dropped back to 1,100ft and immediately climbed again to 1,800ft dropping back to 1,200ft and passing through Calnabaichin, Corgaff, and Cock Bridge. All this over 10-mile stretch!

Then a memorable ascent as I climbed Lecht Pass (elev. 2,089ft) with another ski area at the summit (even in the autumn sunshine, the ski area looked cold!) so almost 900ft in a 5-mile stretch. Wonderful downhill coast (with some 20% grades) to Blairnamorrow and Tomintoul where I picked up the Whiskey Trail and stopped for a bite to eat.

Just north of Tomintoul is this lovely old Bridge of Avon which was built in 1745 as part of a military road.

A few miles beyond the bridge, I snapped my front derailleur cable and had to effect a quick roadside repair. Weather turned to rain so out came the rain gear for a brief 15 minute shower. Just pass Bridge of Brown, you hit a really steep climb which then settles into a more 'reasonable' pitch. Well, it would have been more reasonable but for the strong headwinds all the way into Grantown-on-Spey. The nice thing about a good blow is it does tend to move the clouds along.

I'm sitting in a lovely pub where a much-deserved pint is quenching my thirst! In the Glen Avon Hotel bar in Tomintoul, a fellow cyclist discovered this poem (author unknown) pinned on the wall which I wanted to share with you.

Glen Avon Nights

Crankin’ up Craighalkie
On a cracklin winter night
The hills an’ trees around me
Are all bathed wi cold moonlight

Not a sound disturbs the silence
But ma bike tyres’ gentle hummin’
An’ the rustlin’ by the roadside
When wee beasties hear me comin’

The Glen Avon bar, it brightly beckons
My step, it ne’er does falter
I take my place, with frost flushed face
At the alchoholic’s altar

57 miles today leaves 217 to go. Cheers, Gentle Readers!