Leaving Montrose

CT - good news, we avoided eye contact  with all local. This is not a town for southern smelling bikers. A few beers in "themed pub" and on the the station. JS looked particularly nervous given he drew the short straw and was expected the share with a stranger..... The picture on his face when he found out was alone, counts as tour smile. 

Nervous look from JS 

The final tour whiskey......good night and great tour

Day 5 ( final day!)

After a proper night sleep (JA not in our room) and a leisurely start we headed towards Mt Keen (the most easterly Munro in Scotland). A pleasant upward ride towards our final big climb of the journey. A strong SW wind was ignored given the wonderful sunny weather. 

The climb up Mt Keen was very challenging but we were rewarded a glorious view of the Scottish highlands and a wonderful reminder of what we had achieved. 

Next was the most demanding downhill we have encountered. Steep, lose and plenty of boulders to topple. 

CT's bike failed stylishly but mountain repairs got him going. The mistake of the day them occurred. 15 min fast decent and CT realised the GPS was left up the mountain!!! JS and SCB lay down for a snooze while CT had to climb halfway back up Mt Keen to find it! 

A rapid 60km ride to Montrose in the beautiful sunshine and a strong tailwind finished the journey. 275miles. Many '000  of climbing and somehow the challenge was completed! 5 wonderful days (I think). No major injuries to note and 3 almost fully functioning bikes. 

Morning forest riding. 

Heading towards Mt Keen

SCB topping off Mt Keen

CT doing the same

JS (my belly is full and I also made it up)

Views from on high 

Lunch time

Gnarly dudes above Montrose

A city which has seen better days...

It official we didn't spend 5 days drinking somewhere pretending to be riding. 

Montrose lighthouse 

Thank you, our trusty steads

Team photo at the finish line (smiles are us). 

Day 4

CT - Mission and I mean mission completed. 94km and 1700m of climbing. Wonderful morning cycling through the forests near Aviemore followed by high moor riding then riding through the shooting estates up to Lake Elean and finishing off with a 20km down hill track ride touching over 55km. 

Hero of the day was SCB who realised after about 2 km his right knee wasn't functioning (at all). For the next 10 hours he was placed on a cocktail of drugs (thank you Cam) and somehow, somehow he made it. 

Now in Ballater, one more day. 90km and a small climb Mont Keen the last easterly Munro. 

One more day and finally and we are still talking. Much has been made of the repetition of stories. We are happily on rev 3 and some cases 4 and are still enjoying the repeats. 

Track riding in the Caingorms 

A view across the Carigorms

My belly is full!

1 mile to go!

Memories of lastnight....

JA - night in Avimore sit rep

Plan is to make it from the corner of the diner up the hill to the bunk beds without:

A) making eye contact with locals

B) flashing cycling shoes (especially my sky blue leather ones)

C) being accosted in the bar that's attached to the b&b (open until 1am) for wearing tight clothing, especially me as mine is exceptionally tight, coz I like aero, probably...

D) lock the door quietly...

Then it's eye masks on, tissue paper in ears and ignore the violence outside and hope we can batten down the hatches...and no matter what happens, no speaking, it'll only make it worse...

New cycling

CT - JS has been plagued poor kit selection. We think that this will sort the issue out is the Caingorms tomorrow. 

Top tips for budding mountain bikers

SCB - 1 going to the gym a couple of times before a coast to coast isn't quite enough 2 having your seat pointing 10 degrees to the left ain't a good idea if you  want your legs to work the next day 3 eating during the day generally helps things 4 Aviemore will not be winning cultural city of Europe anytime soon - by far the most dangerous part of the trip so far

Day 3

CT - this was all about Corrieyairack Pass. Leaving FAugustus at 9 we then climbed (and for some walked) 3 hours straight to the top of the past. Peaking at 780m. It blowing a cold and strong SW in the mist. At times stunning. The rest of day was fast moving riding with the wind behind. Beautiful rolling hills and forest ringing. Good day in the saddle for some ( SCB) to report on poor saddle fitting. 

Start of 3 hour climb. 

Da boys steadily climbing towards the Corrieyairack Pass. 

Typical view....

Quick photo at the top of the pass. Blinking freezing!

House for sale. Peaceful with no neighbours. Net curtains come with the house for free! 

3 young men infront of Ruthaven castle!

Random women we wandered into riding through a forest somewhere. She (and her dog in the saddle) were riding from Cumbria to the top!

Our three horses resting outside a pub in Aviemore. 

Stats for the day

84km 

1505m of climbing. 

Average speed 13.3 km/h

SCB and JA to report on nite out in Aviemore!!!!