Ride - Scotland, Ballochbuie Forest
Where
This is my third ride around the Deeside remnants of the Ancient Caledonian Pinewoods (previously Glen Tanar and Glen Ferrick and the Finlets). According to Clifton Bain … “Part of the royal estate of Balmoral in Deeside, this large ancient pinewood was spared the 19th centiry fellings by the intervention of Queen Victoria. Some of the trees are 400 years old and there are lovely areas of peatbog with stunted pine less than 2m tall and over 100 years old.”
I parked on the side of the A93 and rode about a mile to the Invercauld Bridge (the old brig o Dee) where I crossed into the forest.
I wasn’t able to ride the gravel that skirts the western end of the forest because there is some sort of deer “management going on and signes requesting that people not use those trails. I assume that means they are culling the deer and I’m quite happy to stay away from the guys with guns.
I noted after my ride that there is a singletrack stretching eastwards from the second bridge I stopped at. I should explore that trail at some point.
These old forests are just magnificent. The trees aren’t very tall but their shapes are so chaotically free from encumbrance. I don’t see many animals on these rides but I did see a red squirrel and I heard more bird-song than I recall for a while. Maybe the spring visitors have started to arrive.
Gallery
Gear and Nutrition
Nothing unusual in terms of nutrition. A hearty breakfast was followed by electrolytes then a complex carbohydrate energy bar. More electrolytes were washed down during the ride and afterwards. Post ride energy was supplied by another energy bar and plate of soup.
The only disappointment of the ride was the state of SurPug’s gears. I’ve replaced the rear derailer cable, the cassette, chain, and the derailer. Unfortunately, the chain wants to move when I’m in the top 4-5 gears. Luckily it only affects the high gears and not the low ones I need to climb. Nevertheless, I need to figure this out.