Thursday Away day Ride to Ballater

Robin reports:

"Here is the ride report from yesterday.Hopefully you may already have strava and photos from others.

It was a new day for the freewheelers in two respects . Firstly we were on a new route and secondly my wife Bryonie joined us as our guide !

7 of us met at Ballater Car Park around 9.30pm (Ian Sharp,Jeff, Dave , Dick, Scott, Robin and Bryonie). We cycled a short distance West on the  Braemar road till we came to the sign to Lary on the right. We cycled about 3 miles up that road till it ended in a farm yard and then further north on a track for another 3miles to a remote shooting bothy at the site of the former Morven Lodge under the shadow of Morven.

Then back down the track to the farm yard at Lary where we turned West along further tracks and another farm yard and various gates till we came out beside the River Gairn at the spot where the Macgregor clan met in 1745 to march with Bonnie Prince Charlie! 

Then further West up more fairly rough tracks and past ruined manses and chapels to the A939 road from the Lecht to Ballater where the smooth tarmac was much appreciated ! 

Then over the Gairn hump back bridge and a wonderful mostly downhill ride to the junction with the Braemar road and back to Ballater by the track beside the River Dee and some wonderful scones and bacon rolls ( with marmalade). Total distance 20 ( hard) miles or 31 kilometres. Total bike time (3 hours). Overall grand outing with good company."

Photos came courtesy of Dick and Ian: