http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Ballater advice needed en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:19:22 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307343 Thu, 23 May 2019 15:36:55 +0000 Greenroofer 307343@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Cyclingmollie - Indeed: I noticed those as I passed, but the wooden one was somehow more appealing... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307323 Thu, 23 May 2019 10:35:09 +0000 Cyclingmollie 307323@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looking at the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@57.0032171,-3.3382201,3a,75y,13.2h,78.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sH9z8ee8oB3GubR5C1vW_gg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656">bus stop near Braemar</a> I see, just along the road <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@57.0036706,-3.3409447,3a,75y,9.75h,91.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1Z1Ay_voA4JLvHupEcbCgg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656">another option</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307193 Wed, 22 May 2019 07:18:14 +0000 I were right about that saddle 307193@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@bill</p> <p>Just me having one of my thick/literal moments. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307182 Tue, 21 May 2019 21:55:55 +0000 bill 307182@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS haha yes! as @gembo says, very intentional (probably I should have spelled it out) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307178 Tue, 21 May 2019 20:20:55 +0000 I were right about that saddle 307178@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>More witchcraft. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307176 Tue, 21 May 2019 19:50:27 +0000 gembo 307176@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@iwrats I would say the minus is intentional as Mr Bill would want his sum to add up to 100 not 180 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307171 Tue, 21 May 2019 18:34:20 +0000 I were right about that saddle 307171@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>-40% in actual execution</em></p> <p>Is that minus sign intentional? I've certainly had -40% fun at times.</p> <p><em>the elevation tracker on the Garmin</em></p> <p>Witchcraft. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307167 Tue, 21 May 2019 17:10:08 +0000 Greenroofer 307167@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@bill - I love that equation and will use it a lot in future. :-)</p> <p>@Cyclingmollie - it was slow and steady but it wasn't quite as bad as you make it sound (except perhaps the very last bit!). It never got truly dark all night, so it was always possible to see the line of the horizon against the sky, even if the course of the road over the hill wasn't clear.</p> <p>I did get quite fixated on the elevation tracker on the Garmin, though: in the dark this is useful for seeing the shape of the road ahead and giving an idea of how near (or far) the summit is. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307157 Tue, 21 May 2019 12:04:05 +0000 Cyclingmollie 307157@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hard to imagine how hard the 40km uphill section towards the Cairnwell summit in the dark, with a headwind must have been. At least in the other direction you would have had the distant glow of Blairgowrie and Perth to aim for. It must have felt like riding into a complete void. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307077 Sun, 19 May 2019 22:01:02 +0000 bill 307077@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Greenroofer<br /> Sounds like an epic trip!</p> <p>To quote Mr Bill: 70% of fun is in planning, 70% in retelling, -40% in actual execution. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307027 Sun, 19 May 2019 09:38:49 +0000 Bikecheat 307027@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Incredible achievement in awful conditions. Well done! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307025 Sun, 19 May 2019 09:03:53 +0000 acsimpson 307025@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wow, that sounds unpleasant. I'm glad you enjoyed it and your bike didn't let you down. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307016 Sat, 18 May 2019 20:33:31 +0000 HankChief 307016@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Chapeau sir. Glad you had 'fun'.</p> <p>A night to remember... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307015 Sat, 18 May 2019 20:03:02 +0000 Greenroofer 307015@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's the wonderful thing about riding a bike - your assessment of what's reasonable grows really quickly. You realise that it's just a case of getting on, turning the pedals until you get to the end, then getting off. So long as you don't push too hard and don't get any sore contact points, you can keep doing it all day. It's like walking. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307012 Sat, 18 May 2019 19:26:46 +0000 I were right about that saddle 307012@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Should maybe add that that's the first long cycle I ever did. Wanted to see if I could cycle back to university after a summer working in Aberdeen. I did it over three days though. I'd never gone more than ten miles before and I was quite proud of myself. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307011 Sat, 18 May 2019 19:25:55 +0000 Greenroofer 307011@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS - I'd recommend that bus shelter. The birds were singing, and it was very nice. I would have welcomed a network of them at 10 mile intervals along the ride, so that there was always one to hand. I realise on reflection that I was quite close to the edge on that ride: had I had a puncture I would have been in trouble as I'd have got <em>really</em> cold while fixing it (dangerously so, I suspect). Lesson learned for next time.</p> <p>I don't hallucinate on overnight trips (well not so far, anyway). I do talk out loud to myself, which can be a problem when one gets back to civilisation when other people are awake... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307009 Sat, 18 May 2019 19:04:28 +0000 Frenchy 307009@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh wow, good effort.</p> <p>I did a much shorter ride around Midlothian yesterday. It was only when I turned round at Penicuik that I realised there was a north wind. Very glad I was cycling into it for 16 miles rather than 160. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307006 Sat, 18 May 2019 17:42:35 +0000 I were right about that saddle 307006@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That sounds character-forming. Did you hallucinate at all? I find the inner monologue can get quite intense when you're cold and wet and looking into a cone of light in the dark.</p> <p>That bus stop must be a lovely place to wake up. Normally. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307005 Sat, 18 May 2019 17:27:34 +0000 gembo 307005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Phew @greenroofer that ride shows some stamina mentally and physically. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-307003 Sat, 18 May 2019 17:07:48 +0000 Greenroofer 307003@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thank you all for your suggestions. In the end I used a mixture of @IWRATS South Deeside Road, @Id's south route combined with the railway path from the ANPR to the city centre (which is what @Frenchy and @Hankchief did last year)</p> <p>I've been debating where to put the ride report. It doesn't fit in 'I had a lovely ride today'. We don't have a 'I had a <a href="https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/fun-scale">Type II Fun</a> ride today' thread, but that might be a good candidate.</p> <p>I bought the ticket home from Aberdeen a week ago. During the week the weather forecast deteriorated, and by Friday it was a stiff north-easterly breeze and really quite a lot of rain.I packed what seemed like lots of clothes and food and headed out at 7pm on Friday. By the time I got to the Forth Bridge I was wearing all my clothes except the emergency down jacket. By the time I got to Inverkeithing it had started raining. By the time I got to Perth McDonalds (black coffee, muffin, hamburger since you ask) at 11pm, mesmerised by rooster tails of spray glowing in the front light I was pretty wet through and only staying warm by riding.</p> <p>The rain eased off through Blairgowrie and over Glen Shee, but the wind didn't. I saw two cars the whole time, and was grateful for the quiet roads: the climb of Glenshee would be less enjoyable with busy traffic pressurising from behind. Twice blown to a standstill on the 12% last ramp at Glenshee, I admitted defeat and walked it. There was no risk of descending too fast down the northern side: the wind meant that it was necessary to pedal...</p> <p>A snooze out of the drizzle in a<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@57.0032171,-3.3382201,3a,75y,8.34h,82.71t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sH9z8ee8oB3GubR5C1vW_gg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656"> bus shelter? near Braemar</a> summoned up the blood to move off the (deserted, it being before 6 am) A93 on to the South Deeside Road at Balmoral. This would have been lovely except for the continuous rain. Id's route would also have been lovely except for the continuous rain. They are both great for a relaxing ride in nice weather (albeit Id's route is a bit lumpy, as they promised.) The downside to both of them, on reflection, is that they have no services, shelter or settlements to speak of. You are on your own and, if the weather is bad, there is nowhere to get out of it.</p> <p>If I were to do a similar ride again I think I'd stay on the A93. It was utterly deserted at that time of day, and would have the advantage of taking the ride closer to bus shelters, shops (if open) and cafes (ditto).</p> <p>Anyway, back in one piece with 163 miles on the clock having learned the lesson that just because it's been sunny and warm all week that's no reason to assume that it won't be wintry on Saturday. Lowest recorded temperature 6C, not accounting for wind chill...</p> <p>Thank you again for the advice: it was really useful </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-306235 Wed, 08 May 2019 16:54:12 +0000 acsimpson 306235@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I walked part of the railway path in Aboyne this weekend. It is unpaved but not rough. I would happily ride it on my 25/28mm slick tyre bike. Although I would be unlikely to be doing it with 100+ miles in the saddle already. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-306222 Wed, 08 May 2019 13:17:11 +0000 rust 306222@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sorry, it won't embed and the image doesn't link so...</p> <p><a href="https://www.komoot.com/tour/48698250?ref=wtd" rel="nofollow">https://www.komoot.com/tour/48698250?ref=wtd</a></p> <p><img src="https://www.komoot.com/tour/48698250/embed?image=1&amp;profile=1&amp;width=640&amp;height=580"></p> <p>I rode this at the end of last year - Blairgowrie - Aberdeen and looped back (with a sleep hence the route only going so far).</p> <p>This brings you in from the back of Aberdeen through Blacktop. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-306216 Wed, 08 May 2019 11:44:51 +0000 ld 306216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I’ve cycled Aberdeen to Braemar in the past, and also know the Deeside roads really well from when I lived up there. Though I’m a bit unsure what they look like since the AWPR has opened, I can only assume the rural roads are quieter though, especially around Maryculter/Peterculter area.</p> <p>First bit of advice – stay off North Deeside Road (A93) and South Deeside Road (main road south of the Dee between Banchory and Aberdeen) as much as possible.<br /> The old railway line is unpaved beyond Peterculter, so not much use.<br /> You can either go north (Tarland / Echt / Garlogie) or south (Finzean / Strachan / Durris / Banchory Devenick). I’m a bit more familiar with the south route, the country roads are mainly deserted but definitely more scope for getting lost if you don’t know it.<br /> The Tarland/Echt road is a bit busier but by no means a ‘busy’ road!<br /> Both routes can be considered ‘bumpy’</p> <p>North route (we did this in reverse going Aberdeen to Braemar)<br /> <a href="https://bit.ly/2DRRUUL" rel="nofollow">https://bit.ly/2DRRUUL</a></p> <p>South route<br /> <a href="https://bit.ly/2YbKofp" rel="nofollow">https://bit.ly/2YbKofp</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-306212 Wed, 08 May 2019 10:50:10 +0000 fimm 306212@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well this is embarassing.<br /> I have ridden a bicycle along a part of the Deeside Way. Unfortunately (for this purposes of this thread) I was on a mountain bike and I can tell you nothing about the surface... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-306182 Tue, 07 May 2019 19:56:31 +0000 HankChief 306182@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"If we put aside for a moment the question about whether it's wise to attempt the ascent of Glenshee in the middle of the night"</em></p> <p>It's a great idea. It's quiet and can be very dark* but assuming you have good lights you'll be fine.</p> <p>Descending on the other hand will be interesting... The Northside is a bit wiggly but nothing so steep you'll get out of control.</p> <p>*So dark I struggled to recover the Soreen loaf that I had stashed at the Spittal of Glenshee. Not sure what the passing motorist thought of me at midnight pointing my bike (and lights) towards a hedge... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-306180 Tue, 07 May 2019 19:13:16 +0000 I were right about that saddle 306180@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The railway path is largely unsealed. And interrupted by the ANPR. Last time I was on it the surface was good, at least as far east as Aboyne but maybe not slick tyre good.</p> <p>If I were you I'd take the South Deeside Road, which is mostly charming. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19592#post-306178 Tue, 07 May 2019 18:52:59 +0000 Greenroofer 306178@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have in mind a ride from Edinburgh next weekend that is a simple case of heading north until I hit Braemar then turning east to Aberdeen to catch the train home.</p> <p>If we put aside for a moment the question about whether it's wise to attempt the ascent of Glenshee in the middle of the night, the thing I'm most confused about is the ride from Braemar to Aberdeen. Do you have any recent experience of it that will help me find the best route? In particular, Google says there's a bike route along the old railway from Ballater which looks like it could be brilliant, but everything I can see of that suggests it has an unsealed surface. Have you been that way? Is it rideable on a slick-tyred road bike?</p> <p>Any advice about that part of the world gratefully received. The only time I've been there was last year with @Hankchief and @Frenchy at silly o'clock in the morning, so it's not an area I know well. </p>