A royal day out

Jr and I (Bigmnan) had planned a family weekend in Braemar which would include a return to the Desside climbs of a few weeks ago witha bit of variety thrown in for good measure. We would reverse the route and include a coffee stop in Ballater.

The sun was in the sky and the forecast was dry and so shorts with only light shower blouson was the chosen kit.

JR wanted to have a 'social ' cycle however as we powered out of Braemar the hot air billowing from his nostrils faster than a BP oil spill meant this as going to be no tourist outing!

At Crathie , we checked for Phil and Lizzie out for donder on their bikes however they were not at home. A sharp left and the climb was instant. These country roads have obstacles rarely seen around Fife. A fellow roadie was off his bike searching in the heather for something. He had been flying down the hill and hit the cattle grid at 40 miles per hour and lost his bottle ............. his water bottle. The road surface around the grid was as rough he was lucky his bottle was all that was thrown from the bike!

As we climb through the trees, with limited wind, the flies buzzed around my head as perspiration oozed out of my head. With movements remnant of the karate Kid, I upped the pace to try and loose them. JR merely smiled at the antics from afar.

In no time the climb was complete and the views towards the Cairngorms were spectacular. It was a brake burning drop down to Glen Gairney and the road down to Ballater. Some freshly laid chips on the road brought back less than positive memories of the 'sand pits on the Cape Epic routes. Slow speed was the order of the day.

A fine spot of lunch which would have been fit for Duracell consumption was enjoyed by all and then it was a breeze back upstream to Braemar for a nice cool beer.

64km round tip towards the circumvention