20 September 2012
Dunkeld - Pitlochry - Blair Atholl - Tilt - Dalwhinnie - Newtonmore
Miles : 55.91
Average Speed:
Hours:
Feet up : 2774
Feet down : 2174
A wonderful day of biking. The weather was overcast and nippy, but great once one got going. We encountered a few manageable showers, but best of all, no wind.
Then, to cap that all off, we followed the National Cycle Network Routes 83 and then 7, which took us along lanes, old roads, and specially created paths through totally bikeable terrain, with superb scenery. All the while avoiding the very busy A9, the main road into northern Scotland.
We were going through a valley system containing a river, a railroad, our route, and the A9 main road. We followed this valley up, up, up for about 35 miles, through a pass, and then a welcome 20 miles down. The scenery included farming, woods, and eventually wild wild moors covered with heather.
We took time out for lunch in the little town of Tilt, at the entrance to which we saw the sign to "Old Bridge of Tilt" which struck me as very funny at the time. We had tea and a club sandwich, perfect fare, and we especially loved the teacups, provided by the coffee company Illy.
We apparently officially entered the Highlands, even though I thought we had been in them for a couple of days. This was the long view of them from the top of our valley.
We are installed in the Balavil Hotel, have had a bath, dinner, and now are off to bed. We are heading for Inverness tomorrow. We are still at a high altitude, and Inverness is a port at sea level, so with the help of the NCN 7 again, we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow
Watch this space!!!!!!!!
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