January 2025...
I read 'The Year' again, the other week, and once again contemplated what it would be like to ride more than 200 miles a day, every day, for one year. Safe to say I'm too old for such a thing now (and to be fair I've probably never been in a position to achieve such a thing...) However I've decided to try and ride as many century plus rides as I can this year but to keep it achievable, I'll be looking to beat 12, my previous 'record.' So not many really but if I was a roadie, it would be much easier. Instead my circuits will generally have varying amounts of gravel thrown in, may even be full on off road, including the BB and at least two on the Highland Trail. I'll log every ride and hopefully have a few tales to tell at the end of it all. To be continued in December!
December 2025
Well I beat my previous annual century tally by a mile and it's been fun, mostly. I've largely avoided horrible weather, although been roasted a couple of times, I've ticked off all my usual circuits, done some variations and a few new routes too. Part of my success stemmed from having to fit as much cycling in as I could in between visits to parents, which inevitably led me to many long days to keep the mileage up. As usual, I set my annual target at 6000 miles, at one point wondered if I could push this out to 7k and in the end I've done 6400 miles which is alright. However I failed on the HT, didn't even make the start of the BB2/300 and also failed to do a cycle tour. That said I've done some fab bike rides.
Further highlights:
Sunshine in Arrochar, the Cobbler prominent. Soon after this point I was sat in the sun, eating pizza and an hour or so later drinking beer with good friends.
Several of my circuits take in NCN 7 from Callander to Killin - a cracker of a route.Another Favourite - the water board road round Loch Katrine - generally devoid of motor traffic, just watch out for glaikit e-bike riders!I've no real plan to do this again next year although I did take a notion to try to do one a week but this would prevent me doing many other fun rides. At the end of '24 I was determined to do more mountainbiking in '25 (before I decided on this caper) and this is going to be my priority for 2026.
Anyway, the following is my ride log and a very dull read but will remind me what I've done, when and prove I really did do 18 centuries!
No. 1 Sunday January 19th.
Ride length - 172.5k / 107 miles. Time / total time 8hrs / 8hrs 30.
Height gain 1983m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - dry, cold, overcast, light breeze
Ride notes.
Campsies and Trossachs. Home to Kincardine Bridge, back roads to south of Stirling, Campsies road, Kilearn, Aberfoyle, Callander, back road home
4th time doing this circuit and first without incident. First time I had terrible trouble with post Storm Arwen (Nov '21) windblow on the cycle route. 2nd was following the World Champ road race which got stopped due to two folk superglueing themselves to the road, 3rd I forgot any form of money so had to subsist on a pork pie, two bits of granola slice, 2 snickers and a packet of crisps I found on the roadside.
This time was easy, despite being January. Temps went from 4 to 7 degrees, there was little wind and it was dry with a slight overcast. The only issue were some of the forest tracks being a mess due to extensive logging activities and the frost coming out of the ground last week.
Loch Venechar cycleway.
No. 2 Sunday February 16th
Ride length - 170k, 106 miles. Time / Total time - 8hrs 15/9hrs 15
Height gain - 2066m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - Dry, mild, stiff easterly breeze
Ride Notes
East Fife gravel and back road ride. Home to Knockhill forest, Blair Adam, Lochore, over to Loch Leven trail, Dryside road then Strath to Falkland cycleway, path to Newton of Falkland, Ladybank, Cupar via cycleway / gravel path. Out of Cupar north side then Foodieash, Balmullo via quarry road, Leuchars, FCP east (diversion round Ryries wood and coast) Tentsmuir, west via usual back roads and Pitmedden forest.
On the face of it a straightforward circuit, done a few times before with variations. In the event it turned into a bit of a mission. Mucky trails, fallen trees and a stiff easterly wind slowed things up considerably heading out. Then I suffered yet another catastrophic puncture in Ryries wood thanks to a sharp stick - a first for me. I had to fit a tube and lost c40mins. Thereafter it was a good run west with a welcome tailwind. Dark at Pitmedden forest and the last 2 hours home.
On the wee roads north east of Cupar.
No. 3 Sunday March 2nd
Ride Length - 187k / 117m Time / Total Time - 8hrs 15 / 8hrs 45
Height gain - 2300m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - dry, overcast with some sun, stiff south westerly breeze, cool.
Ride notes
Trossachs. Out to Loch Katrine via Bridge of Allan, Carse road, Doune, Callander, Venechar cycle way, Loch Katrine road. Back via Statute road, Aberfoyle, NCN, Doune, Dunblane, Tilly etc.
About the shortest variant of my ubiquitous Trossachs bash - a way to do a lap of Loch Katrine from home and pick off some fine gravel. No punctures today, unlike my previous two visits. The weather was dry and fairly sunny but a stiff south westerly hindered me on the way out and helped me on the way back. Forest roads were generally fairly dry and nothing got in my way fallen trees wise. No traffic on the forest drive for the second time this year was a bonus. Just about dark for the last half hour.
On a short section of singletrack by Loch Katrine, Ben Lomond in the distance with a dusting of snow.
Looking west to gloomy mountains (Bens' Ime, Vane and Narnain)
No. 4 Friday April 4th
Ride Length 168k / 105 miles. Time / total time 8hrs 30 / 9hrs 40
Height gain 2400m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - dry, sunny, clear skies, stiff easterly, warm mid day to early evening
Ride notes
Home to Ardroy via the Trossachs and 3 Lochs way:
Out to Callander via Hillfoots, Logie, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Doune. Callander to Aberfoyle on NCN 7 (Loch Drunkie singletrack) Aberfoyle to Balloch via NCN 7 with Auchencarroch road variation. Balloch to Glen Fruin then three lochs way to Arrochar, Glen Croe forest road and descent to Lochgoilhead.
Near perfect conditions for this ride. Best time to Callander to date (2hrs 20) despite using the longer route. Did loch Drunkie shortcut which was a bit marginal and still soggy in places. Forest roads bone dry. Lunch in Aberfoyle then a fast ride over to Drymen. The sun was blazing as I peddled the backroads and the Croftamie cycleway. Beyond here I diverted onto the 'Auchencarroch road' which led into the back of Balloch via a rough trail signed as a core path. Balloch was mobbed so I rode straight on through.
Up Glen Fruin was glorious with the Arrochar Alps emerging ahead. Then onto the three Lochs Way which had been done up as part of another power line replacement scheme. That said, use by heavy machinery had left many big puddles which made my choice to remove mudguards poor. I carried on past the Glen Douglas road onto the much harder section to Arrochar. This was dispensed with easily enough but a wheel rut got the better of me with a minor fall, a scraped shin and scratched new pedal. Pizza in the sun in Arrochar then the long climb up Glen Croe. A 'Road Closed' sign was ignored and all was well with two big landslips all repaired and machinery parked up for the weekend. Ardroy was reached at 6.40pm and many beers followed.
No. 5 Saturday May10th
Ride Length 174.5k / 109 miles. Time / total time 7hrs 30 / 8hrs 12
Height gain 2090m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - dry, warm, sunny, stiff S/Westerly
Ride notes
Home to Comrie via Dunning road, Muthill, Lochearn, Callander, with the Braes of Doune thrown in and home over Glen Devon.
An oft used circuit done in blazing sun for a change. All other times it's rained at some point. The south Loch Earn road was rammed with idiots camping and other idiots trying to find a parking spot doing their best to run me off the road. I Overtook 2 cars who were dithering. By way of relief, the cycleway was oddly quiet but Callander mobbed so I went with the Braes of Doune route for a change. A hard climb this direction but the tailwind was welcome and the normally wet track up high bone dry. Back road to Blackford then Glen Devon road home. Puncture from Ardroy ride (which had sealed fairly quickly) let go and wouldn't seal. Eventually rammed a plug in but rear tyre kept losing pressure.
On the viaduct south of Lochearnhead, enjoying the view and the peace and quiet of the cycleway.
Braes of Doune windfarm track looking back to the Trossachs.
No. 6 Saturday May24th
Ride Length 155k / 98 miles. Time / total time 11hrs/13hrs 15
Height gain - 2867m
Bike - Jones
Weather - wet, drying, sunny, stiff S/Westerly
Ride notes
Very wet start, drying over into Glen Lyon. Rivers all low thankfully. Trails pretty dry after 1 month of no rain and 24 hrs of rain. All good apart from dragging rear brake, finally sorted at Culra. Corrieariyack hard work into the wind. Made FA at 19:40, nearly the longest time on my HT exploits. Long break in Moorings pizza place then a few miles into the woods off the GGW for a bivvy.
No. 7 Sunday June 15th
Ride Length 174k / 109 miles. Time / total time 9hrs / 9hrs 20
Height gain - 3700m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - dry, sunny am, variable dreich, breezy pm
Ride notes
'Grand Old Dukes' gravel sportive starting in Aberfoyle. Over to Loch Venechar, various loops above Callander, up cycleway and back via high level track, Great Trossachs path, Loch Katrine, QE Forest tracks.
Mass start organised ride. Mix of going after heavy overnight rain. Mainly off road on forest tracks with sections of single track of varying standard. Almost as hard as HT Day 1.
No. 8 Friday July 11th
Ride Length 173k / 107 miles. Time / total time 8hrs / 8hrs 48
Height gain - 2049m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - hot, sunny, cooling as evening progressed.
Ride Notes:
Home to Dunalistair tin hut via Callander, Killin, Glen Lyon, Tummel Bridge.
I avoided as much road riding as possible to Doune, using the Clacks cycleways and a couple of bits of trail to link to the NCN above Bridge of Allan. Temps started at 27 degrees and dropped progressively. Good time to Callander and Killin where I paused for a large feed. Hard work up the Pubil climb as the light faded but got down before it got too dark. Lights on approaching Bridge of Balgie. Tin hut empty so crashed out there.
No. 9 Saturday July 12th
Ride Length 165k / 103 miles. Time / total time 7hrs 30mins / 9hrs 11mins
Height gain - 1740m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - hot, sunny (30 degrees max)
Ride Notes:
Down Glen Erochty and Tummel Strath / NCN 7 to Pitlochry, A924 to Kirkmichael, then B950, A93 and U road over moor to Alyth. Then usual U road route to Tay crossing, C roads to Stanley, Methven, Dunning then home.
Departed hut at 06:55, cool at first but temps rising as the day progressed. Water at Blair Atholl then breakfast at Pitlochry. Still quite cool over hill to Strathardle but temps climbing on fab U road over moor to Alyth. Super Hot from Alyth to Dunning. Dunning climb hard work but temps dropping on roll out to home.
No. 10 Sunday August 3rd
Ride Length 160k/100 miles. Time/total time 7hrs / 7hrs 25
Height gain 1850m
Bike: Stormchaser
Weather: warm, sunny, strong S/westerly
Ride notes
Home to Comrie via Glen Devon, new road to B827, Lochearn railway path, bonus climb off NCN7, Callander, back roads home.
Similar to April but Dunning road shut so had to use Glen Devon (lots of traffic) short cut to Muthill and took new road beyond here to B827. Followed railway path on north side of Lochearn from St. Fillans to Lochearnhead. Mixed going with odd section tarmacked (overgrown and moss covered), new bailey bridge over Tarken water, several wet sections, longish rough track and odd bits of better track. On way down NCN7 threw in the bonus climb as used on the GOD, to avoid lots of tourists. Normal back road route home with Hillfoots variation. Very windy for most of day but warm and sunny.
New Bailey bridge after long section of overgrown trail
No. 11 Wednesday August 13th
Ride Length 193k/121 miles. Time/total time 9hrs 30 / 10hrs 35
Height gain 2600m
Bike: Stormchaser
Weather: Hot (32 max), sunny, easterly breeze
Ride notes
Glen Almond and Griffin gravel - home over Glen Devon (again) then back roads to Fowlis, gravel tracks to Sma glen, Glen Almond gravel highway, NCN 7 to Aberfeldy, up main road and into Griffin forest. Bottled Glen Shee but did Glen Garr instead, home via Bankfoot and usual back roads / Dunning climb.
Forecast max was 26. Glen Almond was fab with a nice breeze to shove me up the glen. Heat built on the run to Aberfeldy maxing at 32 degrees. Avoided bottling to the Tay strath and climbed up the road instead of the gravel. Really suffered in the heat and had to spend some time sat in shady breeze to cool off. Into the forest brought relief and it was a good run out to Braan. Glenshee had been the plan but gave it a miss as I needed a shop. Started up climb to do trail to Birnam and decided to do Glen Garr instead as this is a huge shortcut to Bankfoot. The trail was dust dry dry but lots of bracken and death hoof prints in the last field made it hard work on the gravel bike. Bankfoot shop provided cold drinks and food but I felt terrible rolling south. A can of coke and more lucozade at Dunning Co-op failed to make much difference so once again the Dunning climb was a grind, although the temps had finally dropped. Utterly exhausted when I reached home (again).
Ben Lawyers and An Stuc in the sun
Glen Garr was a bit much on the gravel bike although the extreme dryness helped. Bracken not shown!
No. 12 Sunday August 24th
Ride Length 176k/110 miles. Time/total time 7hrs 45 / 8hrs 12
Height gain 2080m
Bike: Stormchaser
Weather: Overcast, some sun, light breeze, fine dreich approaching Aberfoyle
Ride notes
Campsies and Trossachs circuit as per January with Carron Res forest track thrown in and off road return from Bridge of Allan.
Variable forecast ended up being mostly dry and warm, but thankfully much cooler than the roasters of late. Unlike in January the forest tracks were dust dry. Lots of roadies around and had a strange 'race' with a gent on a hybrid between Callander and Dunblane. WHW full of walkers and QE Forest full of gravel bikes. Fastest time on this circuit and longest distance thanks to extra bits.
Carron res trail looking east
No. 13 Sunday September 28th
Ride length - 166k, 103 miles. Time / Total time - 7hrs 30 / 8hrs
Height gain - 1800
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - Dry, sunny, cool am, warm pm.
Ride Notes
East Fife gravel and back road ride. Home to Knockhill forest, Blair Adam, Lochore, over to Loch Leven trail, Dryside road then Strath to Falkland cycleway, path to Newton of Falkland, Ladybank, Cupar via cycleway / gravel path. Out of Cupar north side then Foodieash, Balmullo via gravel track, Leuchars, FCP east Tentsmuir to Tayport, cycleway to Newport, west via usual back roads but cut west to Aberargie and Kintillo climb to Glen Farg.
More or less a repeat of February but without the horrible puncture. I fancied lunch at Newport so kept on through Tentsmuir. FCP boardwalk now refurbished and much more robust. At Newburgh I went with an alternative along the A912 to avoid the Pitmedden climb yet again, having been through two days previously. Instead did the Kintillo to Glen Farg Climb for the 3rd time this year. Total off road = 53k.
Looking East across the north sea, the bell rock lighthouse gleaming in the sun.
Dundee and the Tay road bridge. I've not done the Tay loop for a couple of years so may try and do it before the year ends.
No. 14 Sunday October 12th
Ride length - 194k, 121 miles. Time / Total time - 9hrs / 9hrs 30
Height gain - 2800m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - Misty am, sunny, warm pm, still.
Ride Notes
Trossachs bash number 2 - home to Doune via usual route, Teith trail as per a '24 ride but a better and shorter way in. Great Trossachs path from Callander to Brig O' Turk then usual Katrine / Statute road loop to Aberfoyle and back via usual route.
A few k longer than March's effort and a chunk longer ride time thanks to doing the noodly Teith trail and the great Trossachs path with its twists, turns and climbs. Damp mist lifted by the time I passed Stirling and the sun came out at Callander. Trails generally dry. Crowds at the honey pots, it being school hols, but had a clear run of the great Trossachs path and no traffic on the forest drive (shuts end of September!) making for fun times.
Loch Katrine like the proverbial mill pond, Ben Lomond in the distance
Ben's Ime, Vane and Narnain
No. 15 Saturday October 25th
Ride length - 187k, 117 miles. Time / Total time - 8hrs 45 / 9hrs 10
Height gain - 2400m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - Sunny, stiff north westerly breeze
Ride Notes
Loch Tay circuit. Home to Callander, NCN to Killin, South Loch Tay road to Ardnaltaig, then climb out of the strath and into the top end of Glen Almond. Down the gravel to Sma bridge, back roads to Auchterarder and home via Glen Eagles and Glen Devon.
Last day of British summertime led me to make the most of the daylight and a sunny but breezy day. Stiff NW wind would give me a shove from Killin home and the route out should be fairly sheltered. Trails pretty dry and lots of bikes around. Coffee and a pie at Strathyre then bashed onto Killin for more Co-op food. Cold temps meant I ate on the hoof and felt a bit icky on the big climb away from the loch. Glen Almond was ace and barely a need to pedal the whole way down. Dark just before Auchterarder.
A hint of snow on Stobbinean...
And a good dusting on Ben Lawyers, with more coming in as I passed.
No. 16 Saturday November 8th
Ride length - 163k, 102 miles. Time / Total time - 7hrs 15 / 7hrs 30
Height gain - 2135m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - Misty, damp am, overcast, odd shower and fog patches pm
Ride Notes
Perthshire road circuit - home to Perth via Glenfarg / Duncrievie, east through hills, north to Woodside, Caputh, Bankfoot and usual route home via Dunning climb
Road only for a change, given generally damp conditions. That said, by the end of the ride, the bike was filthy, thanks to a lot of farm vehicles. First time through the hills east of Perth on NCN77 then more backroads to Abernyte and Burleton. To Caputh took me past a very orange Meiklour beech hedge. The odd bits of A road bashing had been straightforward with little traffic but it was nice to get back onto wee roads to Bankfoot. The last time I'd been along here it was 32 degrees and I was really struggling. Today was mild for November (13 degrees) and slightly damp. Annoyingly, the only real rain of the day came in on the approach to Bankfoot but fortunately, the shop has a nice awning under which I sheltered. It had cleared up by the time I left and the sun even made an appearance on my usual route home. Sunset on the approach to Dunning and I rode straight onto the climb to get up before dark. Fastest century of the year (so far) and a good route I'll use again.
Not a day for views - looking back to the beech hedge and the monster trees behind it.
No. 17 Saturday November 29th
Ride length - 163k, 102 miles. Time / Total time - 7hrs / 7hrs 25
Height gain - 1500m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - Cold, some overcast, some sun, NW breeze
Ride Notes
Home to Falkland then Freuchie, N to Bow of Fife then Lindores, Newburgh, Dunning, Auchterarder, Braco, back road to Dunblane, home via coastal route.
Another road only circuit done quicker than the last one, so this will be my fastest century! Bit of a bonus ride, cashing in on a clear spell ahead of a hard frost and lots of icy back roads. Bike also filthy due to mud on the Falkland cycleway. I plotted this as an 'easy' local century to do if the weather was horrible but actually a good route with fine views all round. No issues, just a nice, easy 100 miles.
Sunset over the Campsies with the Trossachs hills just in view behind the power lines.
No. 18 Saturday December 20th
Ride length - 166k, 104 miles. Time / Total time - 7hrs 30 / 7hrs 45
Height gain - 1500m
Bike - Stormchaser
Weather - Cold, sunny / starry, Easterly breeze
Ride Notes
Home to Falkland via usual back roads. Kettle then climb up to Burnturk. Back road / B road to Ceres then over the hill to Cupar. North on the C road but threw in a loop past Foodiesh then over to Brunton and up the Tay Estuary to Newburgh. West to Dunning, over the hill then Clacks cycleway loop.
I set out to do about an 80 mile ride round East Fife, road only, but in the end I decided to keep on. The first extension was west to Dunning (and its shop) and my final go up the climb over to Muckhart - tenth time this year and second in the dark. On reaching Muckart, I realised I only needed to do 30k for the century so short cutted to Dollar and then followed the cycle route to Alloa and back via NCN 76 and the WFW. About 3 and half hours in the dark due to a late start but I had the place to myself mostly so that was OK. That's me done!
Looking across the Silvery Tay - my companion for a few rides this year.
Beautiful silvery Tay,
With your landscapes, so lovely and gay,
Along each side of your waters, to Perth all the way;
No other river in the world has got scenery more fine,
Only I am told the beautiful Rhine,
Near to Wormit Bay, it seems very fine,
Where the Railway Bridge is towering above its waters sublime,
And the beautiful ship Mars,
With her Juvenile Tars,
Both lively and gay,
Does carelessly lie
By night and by day,
In the beautiful Bay
Of the silvery Tay.
Beautiful, beautiful! silvery Tay,
Thy scenery is enchanting on a fine summer day,
Near by Balmerino it is beautiful to behold,
When the trees are in full bloom and the cornfields seems like gold –
And nature’s face seems gay,
And the lambkins they do play,
And the humming bee is on the wing,
It is enough to make one sing,
While they carelessly do stray,
Along the beautiful banks of the silvery Tay,
Beautiful silvery Tay, rolling smoothly on your way,
Near by Newport, as clear as the day,
Thy scenery around is charming I’ll be bound…
And would make the heart of any one feel light and gay on a fine summer day,
To view the beautiful scenery along the banks of the silvery Tay.
William McGonagall
Near the summit of Tarmangie hill, alt 620m so quite high and a lot higher than previous years.
And another hill top bivvy - Coalcraigy Hill, alt 450m, in an unsuccessful bid to avoid the dreaded midge.
Total = 210 miles split equally either side of a brief kip in my favourite tin hut up near Loch Rannoch. I'll put this down as my best (only) tin hut bivvy and hottest (30 plus degrees)
My jaunt over the Monega was a cracker with some fab trails, a great bivvy spot and pretty good weather, despite it being a bit damp and breezy on the ride out. My Cairngorms tour was also a strong contender as yet another variation on the classic Cairngorms tour delivered ace riding, much scenery and even some socialising.
Glen Tilt remains one of my favourite trails.
Snow and sun is my favourite trail / weather combo
OK, not as much snow (but enough to lead to a hard ride later on) but sun and a temp inversion makes for a fab view during an early season sprinkle.
Sun on a mirror like Loch Katrine doing one of many long rides that the Stormchaser dealt with fabulously.
A blazer of a day (and ride) on NCN 7 between Callander and Killin.
Fun on the Grand Old Dukes gravel sportive in the Trossachs. Actually one of my harder rides this year, although HT Day 1 wins that prize.
Yet another traverse of the Gaik (my 20th or so) which is also favourite trail.
Fallen trees have featured rather heavily on my rides this year, thanks to a couple of big storms. Possibly as a result, I've also managed two catastrophic punctures courtesy of sticks:
Fortunately this one happened fairly close to home, albeit just as darkness was falling. The other happened about as far away from home as I can get whilst still being in Fife - 55 miles into a 110 mile ride...
