Alternative Winter Event '26 (and Feb BAM)

Once again, Shaff on the BB forum organised an alternative event for those not able or willing to travel to Wales. The official event nearly didn't happen due to an unseasonal dump of snow (for Wales, these days) and the re-arranged date involved more traditional rain.

So John Climber, from whom I had bought my pack raft off a few years ago, had been tasked with providing my Grid refs, and he came up with 11, in a roughly SW / NE line stretching from Devilla Forest in the west to Abernethy in the East. Two jokers in the pack were one on Castle Island in Loch Leven and another on the summit of Knockhill, the owner of which is well known hereabouts for being rabidly anti-access. 

After a certain amount of route planning and procrastination, I penciled in this weekend to bag them. As per the whole year so far, the weather looked pretty horrible until a few days before when Saturday looked to be a good 'un. Then Friday into Saturday was being mooted for solid sunshine and a dry night. Right then, plan reversed - I'll ride out to Pitmedden Forest on the Friday evening and then pick off the GR's riding home. I left the house just after 5 and followed an easy (and mainly tarmac route North East-ish.

GR1 Burley sands on Loch Leven as the sun goes down. The hill opposite is Benarty, a GR on it's summit. Lost in the gloom is Castle island!  

Heading along the back road to Strathmiglo, I became aware that my GPS had shut down. Pressing the on button elicited no response so looks like the batteries have died. Except they are brand new Eneloops just fully charged.... Fortunately the shop in Strathmiglo was open so more batteries were obtained, and off we go again. (oddly, the GPS was still plotting a route when it was dead - I have no idea how)

At about 8 I entered the woods after the lengthy but steady climb out of Strath. I didn't muck about, just wandered into a level-ish area off the track and pitched up between the trees. Now after the fab forecast of yesterday, I was somewhat miffed when I'd re-checked that morning that it was now going on about rain and sleet all afternoon and through the night. It had actually been dry and bright all day and heading east had revealed a few showers around, but nothing on me. Hurrah! After a relaxing evening, as usual eating, drinking and reading, whilst listening to many owls, it started to rain. 10 hours later it stopped....

To be fair, I slept well despite the noise and was only awoken to the racket of a couple of pheasants at dawn, and a more restrained chorus sometime later. So I had breakfast, packed up and got going

The morning after a rather damp night.... Although I was bone dry inside, despite a bit of bivvy bag sliding around. And overhead the sky was clearing so no excuses, get on with it!

Next GR by the Pitmedden downhill trails. These seem a bit more substantial than when I used to ride them ten years ago. I picked my way down the easiest one and then after a bit of road, cut down to Abernethy via another trail. Everything was rather soggy after the rain....

Stupid trail name!

GR at the Cross in Abernethy and the Nook Cafe, which looked too posh so I grabbed a chicken curry pie and a coffee from the shop for breakfast part two.

So, of course, I then had to climb all the way back over the ridge of Pitmedden and back to Strathmiglo. But rather than re-trace an easy route to and round Loch Leven, I figured on cutting through the Lomond Hills. Mistake...

It was fine at first on good tracks, but the short cut path to the Tyndall Bruce Monument was an absolute swamp.

Not a GR but a good spot. Snowy hills were visible to the north but according to the SAIS the snow was all frozen solid so skiing will have to wait until it softens again. Better trails followed but the track to Holl res was a mud bath and the trail to West Feal Farm and my next big climb bog-tastic. I ground up this, wishing I'd just ridden round the loch.

Also not a GR - Bishop Hill, but to the left is my next GR on Benarty Hill, another in the Cleish Hills and just about visible my last one of the day on Knockhill. To the right are the Ochills - all the big snow from two weekends ago gone - but sporting a dusting of white slush from last night.

The descent was fun, and fairly dry, but the Loch Leven trail was distinctly wet. Much huffing and puffing on the climb out of Vane Farm followed and further pushing up the ridge path to Benarty trig point as the trail was gunge-central.

Next GR, at last! I was feeling pretty weary but sustenance was coming after the lengthy descent. More mud....

More GPS grief - I'd been going by memory so far but needed an exact location for this one and for some reason, my GR track went into the archive (I didn't have my specs on so couldn't see what I was doing) and I couldn't seem to retrieve it. So this is a bit approximate on the Meedies bike trails.

The excellent Lochore Meadows cafe provided tea, soup and cake, and I was feeling much more energetic as I rode up to the next climb.

Next GR, or thereby. John's list showed a picture of this trail with a spooky image of a miner in the trees. Must be a swizz as I couldn't see him, and in fact have never seen him on the 100's of times I've been up this trail. Further on I encountered forestry work, that I had also encountered on my ride home from work the other day. For some reason, the contractor has spread mud all over several tracks and the place is mud central. I have no idea why, and this and their piss poor site management means a letter is going out to F&LS to tell them to sort this out. Grrrr.

More bog world followed and I was thinking this ride was heading into the realms of BB200 territory, distance aside. A bars above head push onto the next GR confirmed this.

The GR - This bump has no name but the handfull of rocky gnolls hereabouts are known as the Inneans. They are all ex volcanoes, and it's a nice walk round them, as well as providing a few good bike trails. Then there was more bog and even some tussocks... Just need an axle deep muddy farm track now.... Knockhill ahead, here I come!

After the fishery (GR1 from last year) I was on a blessedly good track to the knockhill road, which despite it's 'A' status was empty. There was nothing on at the race track so all was quite as I passed it's main entrance and headed along a core path I knew would be a another glop fest. 

Knockhill summit GR after a lengthy climb and another barbed wire fence wrapped locked gate, sporting a "no footpath" and a "no entry from 1st of March to 1st of June" sign both of which are cobblers. I was up for a rammy with the farmer but he didn't appear, so I cut straight west down the Knockhill couloir (which I've skied twice, last time on my 50th birthday after skiing from my front door!) to rejoin the core path and... a farm track covered in 6" of wet gunge, cow sh*t and p*ss. Luverly. 

In the distance, I noticed a small tractor bearing a hay bale - my friends off to feed the cows in their small holding. So obviously I called in for a cuppa and a chat. It was getting dark by this time so the last two GR's would have to wait. I sploshed down their track and trundled the half mile to the village and home. The bike was utterly filthy and it took an age to wash. I then spent the evening eating a lot of food and relaxing on the sofa.

Sunday was decorating day, finally finishing off my front bedroom. But after clearing up, it was only 3 and despite the forecast, all was dry. So on with the gear, out with the Straggler and off on a local circuit via Kincardine Co-op for supplies (and another pie!)

Keir Dam outfall in Devilla forest. Usually a nice technical challenge, but not on my road tyred stragg with a pannier full of shopping. The dots around the bike is plastic confetti which some utter f**kwit has thrown everywhere, right where the ducks and moorhens can swallow them. I despair.... 

More slurry like trails followed - I've never known it this bad since 2012. I sincerely hope we don't get a summer like that year.

Hurrah for the Spar! I'd actually been in here last week, but by car, so this made it official. Then it was just a case of one last climb back up home, another bike washing session, and more food and drink.

Castle Island will have to wait as Nature Scot ask you not to take water access during the breeding season. Total distance 92 miles, with a lot of climbing yesterday. So another good ride round my local manor and good training for the years adventures. Thanks to John for providing the opportunity! Will the trails ever dry?

2026 Bivvy a Month, again...

It's that time of year again, where I spend far to much time procrastinating on whether or not to start another BAM campaign, then procrastinate on when to do my January bivvy.

This year was my closest to a fail since I started this nonsense. Firstly, I had to miss the Scottish Winter Bivvy, moved to January from its usual December slot, due to family demands. This was a pity as it was at the end of the major snowfall that had blessed my New Year trip. The following weekend was very nice, weather wise. I'd been slated to do a music weekend but this got cancelled at the last minute and for some reason, I couldn't be bothered to go out for a bivvy...

Then I had had to go down to Mum and Dads the following weekend and suddenly, it was nearly February!

I finally made it out last night, on the last night of what has been a full-on month. Apart from the above I've also been written off with a shocker of a cold this last week. As it was the weather for this weekend looked to be yet more grey dreich driven by a cold easterly. This was not the weather to be out in with a head full of snot...

Anyway, I took the bike into work on Friday thinking I might get out later on but as I arrived home, the rain came on and I felt lousy. So in at the death. Saturday ended up being dry, pretty much, so I should have done a decent bike ride but I'm in the middle of a decorating project just now so cracked on with that, plus the Mukluk build (more later). Finally at 5 I headed out. The weather had cleared and it actually promised a decent evening. Of course it did rain, but just a sprinkle of light drops. No drama, just an easy ride along the Fife coast and yet another pitch in Devilla forest, much like last December. The night ended up bone dry and I did appreciate laying back listening to various night time birdies after 4 hectic weeks at work and a load of other stuff.

I do appreciate the opulent luxury of the deschutes when the weather is a bit iffy.

In view of an un-forecasted nice day, I grabbed breakfast at Kincardine and picked my way via various soggy trails to Dollar, grabbed a sarny from the Co-op and headed up one of the Ochills harder climbs.

View to the Forth, home in the middle near to the hill with the aerials on it. This climb is a brute, actually 600m of height gain from it's notional start on Dollar Main street. After a bit of tarmac you get the full joy of a steep track, a steeper path, more track and then the crux - a bars above head thrutch straight up the side of Saddle Hill, followed by a further grind up onto Whitewisp, pushed in it's entirety. 

The hills had been shrouded in cloud but it was lifting as I got up on high, reward for a huge effort to get here. Much sogginess followed to Innerdounie and on the long descent. Sat below the summit eating my sandwich, it was really quite mild as I watched the view opening up around me. As I twiddled the last miles home, the cloud dissipated completely and all the hills were revealed for the first time this year.

So off we go again. Once started, it's easy to keep going (until next November). I'm doing another Alternative Winter event for February, March I'll try and get up to the Cairngorms, although we appear to be having a proper winter so this could be interesting... In April, I've penciled in a Highland Trail ITT. I suspect this won't happen, but I'll try and get a few days away at least. Then it will be the summer...

2025, another year, another load of bike riding

This year has been another one that didn't go quite to plan although more due to my own fault rather than external factors - specifically, injuries and motorcycling! For the first year since 2010 I've failed to do any kind of bike tour / multi day effort and on the subject of failure, I also failed to get beyond Contin on the Highland Trail Group start and failed to make the start of the BB300. I've been down to see Mum and Dad a lot this year and that is partly to blame I suppose but holiday wise, the big news was a motorcycle tour with others, to the Adventure Bike Rider Festival plus a grand UK tour thrown in - my first for many years. 

I have done a lot of miles - 6413 - which is possibly my highest ever. I may have done more in 2015 and 2021 but I didn't keep a complete ride record for both those years so that's just a guess. Ironically, this high mileage was because of my many cycle-less trips south, as I tended to cram miles in at every available opportunity and also ended up doing many rides over 100 miles (18!) and a lot in the 70 - 95 range to boot. So overall a good year and herewith the highlights:

Highest Bivvy:

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.

Longest Bivvy ride:

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)

Best bivvy:

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.

Worst weather:

I've been rained on a lot this year, despite all the hot weather. The Deschutes has largely shrugged this off so no bivvy disasters, just a bit of dampness to deal with. I've managed plenty of totally dry bivvies and gone bivvy bag only once, so I'm not complaining. No sub zeros this year though!

In total I was out for 14 nights so not a great showing but they were all pretty good nights out, even the wet ones. Apart from the Highland Trail bivvy, all were done from the house and I've many times enjoyed a relaxing night away from home, on my own, with a couple of beers and a book whilst listening to much nature. I can feel myself heading towards being a recluse but part of me doesn't really mind this. That said I've been pretty social this year so there is hope yet!

Ride highlights:

As well as the above I've done a lot of good rides, long and short. In the main, these have also been round my local patch or at least started from home and I have cashed in on what was a stunner of a summer. Winter was a disaster in terms of skiing but the fat bike got a good work out.

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...

In terms of other disasters, I've managed to break two ribs this year, one thanks to ice and the other thanks to a miss-timed log hop. I also gave myself a nasty back injury which wrote off one tour and took ages to heal. That said my usual dodgy knee issues haven't caused me much problems, despite all the miles.

So another year passes. I'm 55 next month and starting to formulate retirement plans. This year will hopefully get me out on some multi day trips, I've penciled in an ITT on the Highland Trail for the end of April / beginning of May and I'm off round the southern end of Ireland on the motorbike at the end of May. Visits to parents will continue in order to keep Mum sane and Dad amused. Other than that, I'll be doing another BAM, get out on one of my seven bikes at every available opportunity and also try to crack the 6000 mile barrier.

Happy trails!

2025 Century ride record

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

Highland Trail Day 1 route with north side of Loch Lyon variation. Not quite a century but gets in here as it nearly was and a hard ride.

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

Tarmac beyond it for 2k

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