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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2015 7:04:21 GMT
I didn't put this up earlier as (a) it's not my ride, and (b) I didn't think it qualified as a forum ride as I am the only forum member likely to be on it..! But after mentioning it in an earlier thread it was suggested I put it up as a new thread, so here it is. Five of us going up on Tuesday 9th June, stopping for 2nd brerakfast at Blairgowrie, then driving on toward Braemar and riding the Linn of Dee loop. Also hoping to get a look up to the southern end of Lhairig Ghru...  Then to our digs in Ballater on Tuesday afternoon. Big day out on Wednesday...  And if we've survived that, on Thursday another quite big climbing day...  Then we drive home! And on Friday afternoon - if I can get out of bed - I shall try to post any photos I might manage to take. But don't hold your breath, my compact digi cam has just gone haywire, chewing batteries and factory resetting itself every day. So I'll have to use my very old and very un-smart Nokia phone. But I'll make an effort to snap something as long as we are not getting soaking wet or eaten alive by midges. I am really looking forward to this trip... and I'm sure no-one would be upset if I say anyone else is more than welcome to join us on any or all days.. It would be great to see anyone else who can make it along. |
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Post by hodgy on Jun 4, 2015 9:22:02 GMT
Nice one Graham !
In my opinion there is some of the best mountain biking in the world in the Scottish Highlands ..and having ridden in and around that area you really are in for a treat ..the one that holds my interest the most is the Lochnagar route ..so plenty of pics please ..as this is one I will do one day
Have fun chum !
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Post by Chopper on Jun 4, 2015 13:55:13 GMT
Im in Ballater right now, big mountains all around, ive seen plenty bikes on cars and mine aint one of them -  pop into cyclehighlands behind the church at the green, really good shop, dont bother with the other one its shit haha, still snow ob the mountain tops, the weathers been ok just overcast, enjoy mate |
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Post by hodgy on Jun 4, 2015 14:59:55 GMT
Can't remember which bike shop I was in when we were up there a few years ago ..one was really helpful with routes ..the other guy was a knob ..
Why are you in Ballater without a bike Chopper ..it's gotta be a family holiday and the missus said no! Lol
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Post by Chopper on Jun 4, 2015 18:53:02 GMT
Can't remember which bike shop I was in when we were up there a few years ago ..one was really helpful with routes ..the other guy was a knob .. Why are you in Ballater without a bike Chopper ..it's gotta be a family holiday and the missus said no! Lol . Correct ! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2015 19:09:46 GMT
Im in Ballater right now, big mountains all around, ive seen plenty bikes on cars and mine aint one of them - pop into cyclehighlands behind the church at the green, really good shop, dont bother with the other one its shit haha, still snow ob the mountain tops, the weathers been ok just overcast, enjoy mate That's good to know. I was packing the winter gloves anyway. Sorry you've not been allowed out to play |
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Post by hodgy on Jun 8, 2015 17:41:19 GMT
Just to wish you a fantastic trip ..ride safe !
More than a little envious ..although those climbs are going to be brutal
Pass on my best wishes to Ian , Russell , Ted & Angus ..play nice !
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Post by hodgy on Jun 12, 2015 5:11:03 GMT
Not sure if these boys have made it safely !
I did hear from Graham on Wednesday who said he was struggling ( !) ..then it went quiet ....
Should find out more today...
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Post by hodgy on Jun 13, 2015 3:27:29 GMT
...it transpires that he took quite a large chunk of skin from his left shin ..saw him in Hexham yesterday.
This was while walking a steep section with the bike and his flat pedal pins decided to attack him !
This is why I use spd's !
..don't know too much about how the rest of it went though ....
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Post by glynnsixo on Jun 15, 2015 15:19:30 GMT
come on then graham, fill us in the gory details? did you get any good riding in? any scenic photos?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2015 16:43:57 GMT
Not a massive gore fest Glynn - nothing worthy of "old men who should know better", although the title still is accurate - just enough to wreck my week and dent my pride. What an idiot. First day, 4 offs, several bruises and minor lacerations, and 1 deeply pin-gashed shin. Just about put paid to my highland adventure.
I managed about 15k of the second days' 55k ride and nothing at all for the last day. My favourite ride was after I turned round on day two and headed back down the valley into sunbaked meadows beside mountain streams and onto the woodland singletrack that had been a long and awkward ride/hike up. Fine and flowing fun down of course. No-one else got to do it that way, so it felt like I'd scored instead of bummed out!
The food and drink we found round Ballater were very excellent, the Lochnagar Tandoori (no kidding!) did a fabulous Balti and the Alexandra Hotel has much better than average bar food, good ale and plenty very fine whisky. My bunkhouse hostel was a brilliant find, first class facilities for a bargain price, wish there were more like them. The 'budget' room I'd booked was due to be painted, so I got a free upgrade to 'Superior'.. <whooohooo!
There are so many trails in the Ballater area that I'm bound to go back and maybe find some that I can actually ride next time!
I have a few pics from days 1.3, and a few that Ted took from days 1 & 2. When I figure out what size to upload, and remember my photobucket password, I'll post them. But just wanted to get this up so y'all can stop worrying (ha!) ;-)
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Post by Chopper on Jun 16, 2015 17:08:31 GMT
Not a massive gore fest Glynn - nothing worthy of "old men who should know better", although the title still is accurate - just enough to wreck my week and dent my pride. What an idiot. First day, 4 offs, several bruises and minor lacerations, and 1 deeply pin-gashed shin. Just about put paid to my highland adventure. I managed about 15k of the second days' 55k ride and nothing at all for the last day. My favourite ride was after I turned round on day two and headed back down the valley into sunbaked meadows beside mountain streams and onto the woodland singletrack that had been a long and awkward ride/hike up. Fine and flowing fun down of course. No-one else got to do it that way, so it felt like I'd scored instead of bummed out! The food and drink we found round Ballater were very excellent, the Lochnagar Tandoori (no kidding!) did a fabulous Balti and the Alexandra Hotel has much better than average bar food, good ale and plenty very fine whisky. My bunkhouse hostel was a brilliant find, first class facilities for a bargain price, wish there were more like them. The 'budget' room I'd booked was due to be painted, so I got a free upgrade to 'Superior'.. <whooohooo! There are so many trails in the Ballater area that I'm bound to go back and maybe find some that I can actually ride next time! I have a few pics from days 1.3, and a few that Ted took from days 1 & 2. When I figure out what size to upload, and remember my photobucket password, I'll post them. But just wanted to get this up so y'all can stop worrying (ha!) ;-) For such a wee place Ballater has some fine eateries, we dined here, and the servings were huge www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g190738-d1547628-Reviews-La_Mangiatoia-Ballater_Aberdeenshire_Scotland.html and this Indian www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g190738-d4214210-Reviews-India_on_the_Green-Ballater_Aberdeenshire_Scotland.html and also some tasty cafe's around the town, in fact that's all i did ...EAT  Was it Habitat you stayed in mate, it looked BRAAAAAWWW  |
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Post by hodgy on Jun 16, 2015 17:10:21 GMT
Sometimes shit happens Graham ..and what defines a person is how you deal with it ..
"Offs " can happen at any time and to my mind you have just had pure bad luck ..especially when the worst of them happened when you weren't riding !
I feel sorry that it worked out the way it did for you ..after looking forward to going for so long ..but you are right there will be another time .
You're a bloody good rider ..so don't forget that !
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2015 17:29:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2015 16:55:07 GMT
Better late than never.... some pics. ![]()  Day 1 - Linn of Dee  Ian B. Typically heroic pose  Russell the muscle... he just can't be stopped.  Puncture no.3 and where is the trail?  No Ian we are NOT going up the Lairig Ghru.. (bothy left of centre)  but we will stop here at the Corrour bothy, no ice cream or cakes sadly. L-R.. Ian, moi, Russell and Angus  Nice falling water spoilt by four garish idiots |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2015 17:14:49 GMT
Second day - Mount Keen  This was my last push of the day, and it was a wrong way.. blasted heather!  I'd turned back and rested at this shooters lodge, in better nick than my hoose    My little reward.. running back down through this pine wood with the tree sap oozing in 23 degrees of sunshine.  The others however were doing this..  20 miles later they were scaling the munro, yes all pushing apart from Russell..  Could almost be Mt Kilimanjaro.. Ian and Russ on top of the world. Well done to them! All picture credits to Mr Ted Liddle, cameraman supreme, also top bloke and a fount of wisdom, knowledge and experience, almost nowhere he hasn't ridden, climbed, ski'd. And he was up there too, 70 years young and with a metal knee fitted less than two years ago... |
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Post by hodgy on Jun 19, 2015 17:33:07 GMT
Crackin pics Graham ...never did fancy Mount Keen !
At least you have some good memories..but you are right about that Linn of Dee ride ...not a chance of riding some of that unless you are Danny Mac !
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Post by glynnsixo on Jun 19, 2015 17:42:35 GMT
very nice graham .......that looks epic.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2015 22:59:54 GMT
Some great pics looks epic and hard work  |
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pop into cyclehighlands behind the church at the green, really good shop, dont bother with the other one its shit haha, still snow ob the mountain tops, the weathers been ok just overcast, enjoy mate
