Christmas Day jaunt

Work patterns meant that I had to be close to Inverness over the festive period. Although it meant that I missed festive parties back home I did get to go on a nice bike ride on Christmas Day.

The weather dictated that the Cairngorms had the best weather so I headed South to Glen Feshie and some festive trails. Obviously the roads were quiet and shops were shut in Aviemore, but surprisingly the garage was open and had 5 staff working! It was busy and I grabbed a coffee and pastry on my way past - well it was Christmas.

River crossings are easy on this bike

I parked at Feshie Bridge and headed South on deserted trails. To be honest I've never met another biker or walker on these specific trails! 

The only company I had were chickens, a Highland cow and Eagle for the first hour or two. At the far end of Glen Feshie I crossed the river to take in another favourite trail. I love this end of the glen with the braided river system. I must take Kev back here again (minus the river crossing) to appreciate this area as I'm not sure how much he took it in last time on our 80km ride!

The road to...

To find the path of least resistance across the river I had to look around and ended up initially walking along a dried up stream bed. On my old bike I would of had no choice but to push on the cobbled river bed, but then it (slowly) dawned on me that I wasn't on the old bike and thought I'd try and ride it. I was astounded by how easily the new bike was able to glide over this terrain and then the river! Amazing!

Back in the forest - the bike blends in!

After exchanging festive chat with a holidaying Dutch family I headed West to pick up the Badenoch Way which would lead me back North. Again such quiet trails.

Admittedly my feet were numb at the end after the river crossing, but this is such a great 50km loop (40km without the detour at the far end!) and I must take Abi and Kev on it sometime as I'm sure that they would love it. 

Winter Solstice

I admit that the dark does get to me a little at this time of the year.. You get up in the dark, it's dark when you get to work, and dark when you leave, in fact you see no daylight, apart from through the work windows.

Heading that way!

an teallach

At weekends when you experience day light it seems like another world...! So to mark the shortest day and because it was a good forecast I headed out in to the Fannies, oops I mean Fannich's.

Little pathside howf

Sgurr Mor

The fannies are great hills, more rugged than the East coast massive such as the Cairngorms and pretty quiet as most folk drive past them to Torridon or basically anywhere on the West.

Loch a' Mhadaidh

nearly at the col. Sgurr Mor beyond

I had a couple of hills to tidy up in this area so headed out at dawn. Initially I followed the old hydro tracks from Loch Droma. After this path quickly  deteriorated to Loch a' Mhadaidh. Surprisingly after the loch there was no path, or at least I couldn't see one, which surprised me.

climbing opportunities... 

Follow the ridge to the second hill

The earlier snow dump had greatly thawed, but patches remained and these were quite hard neve today. Heading up from the loch to the col (Eag nam Fear-bogha) I had a couple of interesting moments trying to stick with the micro spikes on the bullet hard snow because I was too lazy to put on my crampons.

jump for joy on Sgurr Mor

The day, weather, views were all fantastic and from the col I quickly got to the top of Sgurr Mor and then allowed myself a break for a snack and to take some pictures. The views were astounding, with Ullapool to the North, Ben Wyvis to the East and lots of interesting winter climbing in the surrounding hills.

looking back to Sgurr Mor. Here comes the cloud

The forecast suggested the cloud coming in around lunchtime from the West and just after leaving Sgurr Mor and dropping some height the cloud capped it's top as predicted.

Looking back up the pipe line!

From here I quickly nipped up Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich on my way back. From here I headed North and back to the van over easy but pathless terrain. I great way to spend 6 hours on the shortest day of the year.

Ben Bhraggie and beyond..

We were drawn to the East Coast again this weekend and a walk from Golspie. After a second breakfast that we didn't need at the rustic cafe we headed up through the scenic forest before all to soon being spat out on to the icy open hill above.

The statue of the first Duke of Sutherland dominates the area and skyline and is much hated by most as it symbolises the Highland clearances. Many want it removed, but others want it to remain as a reminder to the tragic past. 

It's certainly in a striking position with great views across to the Moray Coast and far to the West. 

Away from it all

For a lot of the walk I was thinking about the disastrous election result and chaos to come. It made me draw parallels with the clearances in a small way. It now feels very much like the Conservatives will create a second wave of clearances because a lot of folk won't be able to stomach the isolating future and rule that is coming and will try and leave. 

Golspie bound

Sun set on another day!

When we got back down into the forest and big burn I was able to appreciate the natural wonder of the place again and it was a great end to walk the last mile or two along the sea shore back into Golspie.   

Just the two of us...

Well today was the day....

Time to get muddy...

It's been a long time coming....

I headed out to Learnie Red Rocks to get a feel for the new bike. It was damp and overcast but I thought that the forest trails on the Black Isle would be the perfect place to suss out Aila.

I've had my Trek for 8-9 years so its strange being on a different bike. Clearly things have moved on in that time and the new bike felt very next level.

So pretty

It kind of felt like a modified, souped up tractor, which doesn't sound flattering but it's strange coming from a 26" wheeled bike with 2.2" tires to a 27.5"/650b with 2.8" plus tires. Initially even though perfectly balanced she didn't seem to want to leave the ground and skip off the jumps...

An amazing amount of grip, and staggeringly smooth ride without feeling dull like 29er's can. The forest was beautiful and serene, a rich green full of mosses and lichens dripping off the trees. There was a constant sound of flocks of geese nearby which added to the atmosphere.

The bike was equally beautiful which meant some photo stops during the 2 x loops of the forest. Can't wait to get out again, once I've cleaned and polished.

Oh dear...

Rumble in the Tumble..

It's ages since I last bouldered or climbed and probably even longer since I've seen Jack the lad so today was great to head over to Torridon with him for some bouldering and a catch up.

2 mats and a flowery lunch bag

Warm up wall

Jack promised coffee and pastries and I negotiated a very reasonable 8.30am leaving time!

Bouldering in Torridon is great, a dramatic setting surrounded by the mountains and sea.

It did feel a bit like a rest day after last weekends excursion that's for sure!

Skate boarder in the hood!