Timeline
Mark J went for a bike ride
April 26, 2026
Aberdour to Forres - Leg 3 Grantown on Spey to Forres
Gravel dash from Garntown on Spey to Forres to catch the 1300 train to Aberdeen and then on home. Left campsite 30 min late. Punctured rear caning it over loose gravel, stones ping left and right, trying to make up time. Luck ran out and punctured. If it had been…
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Mark J went cycling
April 25, 2026
Aberdour to Forres - Leg 2 Kenmore to Grantown on Spey
Started where day 1 left off - in an upward trajectory. 700m of climbing in the first 30km, including a number of punchy 17% ramps. The downward undulating ride from Drumochter was most welcome - shame about the biting headwind. That’s how it roles - blessed with a tailwind on…
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Paul likes this.
Mark J went for a bike ride
April 24, 2026
Aberdour to Forres - Leg 1 Aberdour to Kenmore
Taking the less direct route. Day one was a bit of a “Spring Classic”, if almost half the distance. Nice steady flow for 100km , then BANG - 17% ramp, gravel switch backs between 8-10%, then another 17% ramp into a long steady 2.5% drag. Undulating terrain along the south…
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Paul likes this.
Mark J went for a bike ride
April 21, 2026
Aberdour to Dundee
Navigating a short route to Dundee while avoiding busy A-Roads. There are plenty of other options for this leg. Including coming up via Auchtermurchty then over to Newburgh and follow Tay along to Newport on Tay (a good ride).
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Mark J went cycling
March 22, 2026
Aberdeen to Nairn - Leg 2 to Findhorn to Narin
Leg 1 was Aberdeen to Findhorn (175km).. Overnight at Findhorn, 25km to Nairn and then train back to Aberdeen.. Sandend campsite (NJ 554 662) was recommended by local rider; looks equidistant between Aberdeen and Nairn and may make for a more balanced effort over two days,
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Mark J went gravel riding
March 21, 2026
Aberdeen to Narin - Leg 1 to Findhorn
Made Findhorn. by nightfall. Would have missed last train back from Nairn to Aberdeen and connection south. Not many images as navigating, eating and racing clock most of day. Suggested camp and Sandend would have made for a more relaxed ride. However, no places to eat or shelter there -…
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Paul, Tomas🏴🇱🇹 and Neil-K like this.
Mark J went cycling
February 14, 2026
Dundee to Aberdeen (quiet roads)
Reconnaissance ride for a longer route. Tried to avoid A-Roads. Happy with mixed surfaces. Loop form St Cyrus to Inverbervie a nice road, but a bit of a climb if including in a 600km + ride. Reviewed and have made adjustments since completing.
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Tomas🏴🇱🇹 likes this.
Mark J went cycling
December 30, 2025
Quiet Roads Around the Forth
Route avoiding gravel paths from Society to Grangemouth via Bo’ness. Uses mostly quiet roads with little traffic.
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Paul likes this.
Mark J went cycling
November 8, 2025
Loop of Forth suitable for dropbars and slicks
Minimal time on busier roads, mostly quiet B roads.
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Derry-boy likes this.
Mark J went for a bike ride
August 12, 2025
Killin - Kenmore - Glen Lyon - Glen Lochy
I favour anti-clockwise route, as riding down Glen Lochy into the evening sun is one of life’s little pleasures. The alternative is finishing on south Loch Tay road, which is rather undulating and something I prefer with fresh legs :-)
Extra bonus is a douk in Loch Tay to cool-off…
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
Mark J went for a bike ride
July 11, 2025
Barra Loop from Croft #2
Short clockwise loop from north of island round to Castlebay and back. Punchy climb coming up and over to Castlebay with fast descent. Wind direction makes all the difference!
Time
Distance
Speed
Ascent
Descent
June 23, 2025
Ride to the Start - Ride to the Sun
I like to put in a long ride on around the solstice. Opted this year to join in with RttS again. Chaps (Fraser & Gary) who organise it do a fantastic job, with great support from a number organisations - Chapeaux to them both. (ridetothesun.co.uk if you want to