Speyside Way: Craigellachie – Ballindalloch
A few days ago this option looked like the perfect cycling day but I was woken by a heavy shower battering the windows. Decision time, I had completed all the walks that I had planned, indeed more than I had planned, but I did not want a wasted day.
Sadly showers for most of the day was the forecast on the BBC report. Along with temperatures dropping and turning much colder. As always on a solo trip throw everything into the car so I had all my wet weather gear thus it was a goer.
I parked slightly away from the formal start as I wanted to visit the Telford Bridge on my return.
As said on my last report navigating whilst cycling is an issue so I hummed and hawed about heading down to a wooded car park, no Speyside Way signage but this looked an obvious spot. Fortunately I did and I was correct.
I knew that this entire section would be relatively flat and would not need my dubious navigating skills as it is almost a straight line following the river. Wow, actually following the river was a bit of a novelty. So no deviations unless I opted for one of the several offered on route. But none of these deviations were planned for me today, with the forecast I wanted the straight out and back route.
From the start this was a beautiful eye catching bike ride. At this time of year the trees were vibrant bursts of colour but so was the track. I was constantly riding on a bed of fallen leaves and pine needles, all shades, quite stunning.
Plus for a large part of the cycle I actually had the River Spey in sight, even at eye level, miracles will never cease.
As I skirted Aberlour the 1st of three heavy showers dropped a deluge on me but dubious balancing skills I got my hood up and continued on my way.
As someone who was occasionally partial to a malt it was fantastic to be cycling past so many distilleries right beside the track, the aroma frequently made me think about stopping a buying a bottle.
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| Dailuaine, I liked the simplicity but would have liked a wee bit of info, guess its a private remembrance. |
I always stop and take a look at War Memorials when I pass them but this oh so simple one was interesting. No names, why and how I don't know but it was effective.
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| Apparently free camping here for Speyside Way walkers. Multi bird feeders so presumably a private house. |
Another highlight of this section is that for the most part you are cycling along the old railway track. Some are abandoned stations with a some of the structure left, buildings and platforms, but others have been converted into homes.
Not only are there plenty of tourist snap opportunities it wouldn't be the River Spey without the Salmon fishing huts. Not sure how many fishing beats this section is divided into but there were a lot of huts around but a lack of anglers.
Today’s daft question is how fast does a male pheasant run? Well after surprising 3 different males at different times today they all took off down the track running in front of me for about 100 yards. We maintained the same distance on each occasion and the speed was just over 10mph. I had a laugh shouting get out of the way your slowing me down. The females were more sensible, when spooked they immediately took off and flew into the trees, energy saved. It made me reflect on how many odd wildlife situations I have encountered over the years, I have been fortunate.
Another aspect of this stretch was just how many bridges/tunnels I went under/over/through there were so many. Some were very narrow and one memory was of a wooded narrow bridge just after Aberlour. It had a sign saying for safety a maximum 5 people at a time. Too narrow to cycle so I walked across, just me and the heavy Ebike and was aware of the wood creaking under me.
The section finished at another ex-station, Ballindalloch but for some reason the small parking area was sign posted as Cragganmore!
At the end of this section I took some time to reflect on a super bike ride, it would have been even better on a dry day but would have taken much longer as I would have stopped so often to take photos.
Highly recommended as a bike or walk at this time of the year.
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| Magnificent iron cast bridge with faux pas turrets at each end. No longer in use for road traffic. |
Simply returned the same way. As I was passing Aberlour my senses were overwhelmed with a huge scent of sweetness. What was it I thought then I spotted the sign for the Walkers shortbread factory. It made a change from the aroma of the distilleries.
So same route apart from the short extension to visit the magnificent Telford Bridge.
Back at the car cleaning the mud and debris off the bike before getting it on the bike rack was a big task in itself. It takes longer than cleaning walking boots but it did not spoil the day, it was a memorable bike ride.
Ascent: 68m
Distance: 40.9km
Time: 3.11
Wildlife: Pheasant; Jay; Goosander; Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Rook; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Coal Tit; Robin; Blackbird; Mallard
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