Sunday 22nd September – Saturday 28th September 2024
Embark on an exhilarating cycling adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Highland Perthshire and the Cairngorms National Park. This journey promises a perfect blend of winding roads, scenic routes, and cultural exploration. In Highland Perthshire, pedal through charming villages, alongside pristine lochs, and amidst rolling hills, immersing yourself in the region’s rich history and natural beauty. As you transition to the Cairngorms National Park, conquer diverse terrains, from dense forests to rugged mountains, enjoying the thrill of downhill descents and the reward of panoramic views. Relax in Handpicked accommodation each evening and enjoy locally sourced cuisine.
Meet your Wilderness guides, Simon, Beckie and Finlay, at the train station in Stirling this morning before making your way north to the charming village of Dunkeld, your home for the next few days. Along the way, stop and enjoy a visit to Scone Palace – an impressively grand red sandstone house which holds over 1000 years of history within its walls. Family home to the Earls of Mansfield and the ancient crowning place of Scottish Kings, it’s a brilliant place to explore. Arriving at your hotel this afternoon, take some time to settle in before a bike fit and a warm-up lap around the meandering back roads.
Route Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45148775?privacy_code=kEQR1ZL5CpX9mc7amFfYozZ46AmW3PT7
Note: If bringing along your own bike, please arrive at the station with it ready to load onto the trailer.
Overnight: Dunkeld | Dunkeld House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Name:
Simon Harry, Beckie Davies & Finlay Sutherland
Meeting Place: Stirling Train Station, Goosecroft Road, Stirling, FK8 1PF | Meeting Time: 10:30
If travelling from Edinburgh to Stirling on the morning of the 22nd, we would recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure the best ticket price and reserve a seat for the journey. Tickets are best purchased directly through the ScotRail website below.
After a relaxing breakfast, we’ll hit the roads and enjoy our first full day in the saddle. Begin directly from the hotel, pedalling towards the village of Aberfeldy, where you can pause at a delightful local cafe for a cyclist-friendly lunch. Cruise along the picturesque route that winds beside the River Tay, traversing River Branty on a smooth descent—a fitting end to this scenic ride. As the day concludes, cosy up in an oversized armchair and enjoy a glass of something special.
Route Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45148791?privacy_code=w47d3rcttmazTQgXSWKtfG8oI5LU3B0P
Overnight: Dunkeld | Dunkeld House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Saddle up and enjoy a journey from Aberfeldy to Pitlochry, passing the spearheaded peak of Schiehallion, one of Scotland’s most iconic Munros (mountains standing over 3,000 ft). After a stop in Loch Rannoch for a bite to eat, hop back in the saddle to conquer the rugged northern shores of Loch Tummel. Roll through the panoramic Queen’s View and trace the scenic lakeside route, culminating in the bustling town of Pitlochry. Perhaps recharge at a local pub before a triumphant transfer back to Dunkeld.
Route Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45148855?privacy_code=WRwcFZ1bTSbVb4NQzcQ2uehxO3q3yH1w
Overnight: Dunkeld | Dunkeld House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today we leave Dunkeld behind and set our sights on the Cairngorms Nationl Park, pedalling into the rugged mountains. The ribbon of tarmac winds its way along the valley floor before culminating in a testing climb up the Spittle of Glenshee. From here, you are rewarded with a fast and flowing descent down into the village of Braemar. Unclip your shoes and enjoy a pint in the local pub or hop back in the saddle to cover a few extra miles and the opportunity to make this a milestone 100 km day. Rolling into the village of Ballater later this afternoon and settle into your accommodation, your home for the final few nights in the heart of Royal Deeside.
Route Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45148761?privacy_code=zcsKfqVHLm50sp0IsDLnXdPA8IZZNdp2
Overnight: Ballater | The Balmoral Arms
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin the day with a more relaxed loop starting from your hotel for a morning ride on some lovely single-track roads through the hills and heather. Midmorning, indulge in a tour unveiling the intricate process of whisky-making, from malting to maturation. Witness the copper stills and oak barrels, absorbing the sights and scents of this time-honoured craft. Conclude with a delightful tasting session, savouring the distinct flavours of Scotland’s finest whiskies.
Route Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45524240?privacy_code=USfjLe1rg72nGlAvWm3o1xyK1r4cvENA
Overnight: Ballater | The Balmoral Arms
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Embark on a thrilling looped road cycle from Ballater to Strathdon, immersing yourself in the adrenaline-pumping terrain of the Cairngorms National Park. Traverse undulating landscapes, conquering challenging ascents amidst heather-clad hills. Strathdon beckons as a well-deserved pitstop, offering a chance to refuel before the exhilarating descent back to Ballater. This route, punctuated with captivating twists and turns, guarantees both a physical and technical cycling adventure, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Scotland’s rugged beauty.
Route Details: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45148748?privacy_code=Y6IW8U9k6HEhbYepBCpyI3cLOL7LzKu5
Overnight: Ballater | The Balmoral Arms
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Savour a final Scottish breakfast before bidding your guides farewell and hopping on your coach and to the city of Aberdeen. Here, the trip will end and you can begin your onward journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pick Up Location: Balmoral Arms Hotel, Ballater | Pick Up Time: 09:30 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs 30 mins
This morning, you have the option of departing at Aberdeen Train Station or Aberdeen Airport.
Bike Hire:
We have an excellent fleet of bikes available to hire – including road bikes and E-bikes. If interested in hiring, you can check out the fleet alongside pricing information in more detail here.
Included in the hire cost is an accidental damage waiver which covers accidental damage to the bike that may occur during the trip. Each bike comes equipped with a bike computer, a compact handlebar bag plus a saddle bag with a spare tube, tyre levers and a pump.
To do our bit for the planet and fitting in it with our ethos, we will no longer be supplying water bottles. If you wish to bring your own bottle, your bike will be fitted with a water-bottle cage for your convenience.
Bring Your Own Bike:
You are also more than welcome to bring your own bike. If you choose to do so, please ensure it’s in excellent working condition and has been recently serviced – either by you or by a reputable bike shop.
In addition to your bike, please bring the following items:
Multi-tool, including a chain tool
Mini pump and/or CO2 canisters
Two spare tubes and a puncture repair kit
Because we will need to load your bike onto one of our trailers, please ensure that your rear wheel is clear of any obstructions; including lights, mudguard or pannier racks. Please ensure that your tyres are no wider than 45mm so that your wheels will fit into the slots on our trailers.
Due to the small group nature of our trips, we are unfortunately unable to carry bike boxes or bags with us, so please make prior arrangements if necessary.
If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020
US: 866 740 3890
Dunkeld House Hotel |
Dunkeld |
Perthshire |
PH8 0HX |
Scotland
Phone: +44(0)1350 727771
Web: dunkeldhousehotel.co.uk/offers
13-15 Victoria Road |
Ballater |
AB35 5RA |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1339 755413
Web: crerarhotels.com/balmoral-arms
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Contact Number: +44(0)7947 772 066
I make a yearly pilgrimage to France to catch at least a few stages of le tour, and have actually managed to get my wife interested. I’m a qualified British cycling coach, mountain bike guide and currently help wee ones get into the racing scene through skills tuition and coaching.
With my other hat on I work in the environmental education field helping deliver outdoor learning for organisations such as the forestry commission. Having taken a 2 year ‘Lets go to the other side of the world’ sabbatical with my wife to be, I headed to New Zealand to live out of a van to get to know the country – the results of which was that on my return I needed to live in a place that had mountains, open roads and a slower pace of life – The Highlands it was.
Ten years later I have children with Highland accents, enjoy that slower pace of life and can actually do a passable ‘gay gordon’ at any ceilidh.
Contact Number: +44(0)7483 845 688
Growing up in the South of Scotland, I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and pushing my limits – my parents were less impressed when I showed them how high I’d climbed in a tree above the electricity wires. I was lucky enough to go on a residential to Outward Bound with high school where I realized that the outdoors could be a career. I definitely saw myself in our instructor Tom, who dragged us up an extra hill to look at some lichen. Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked with folks from age 3 to 90, in a wide range of settings, from gentle strolls and bug hunts, and to skiing moguls with teenagers that were definitely better than me. I love sharing my passion for the outdoors and hope that people can get some of the same joy and peace from it that I do.
Contact Number: +44(0)7907 135 861
I am a passionate mountain biker and mechanic of over ten years and have an enthusiasm for anything with wheels, having spent most of my adult life in education studying to be a graphics designer I decided to launch headfirst into the world of work and travel to New Zealand to work in a Primary School. After returning to Scotland I realised my true passion was in the outdoors which is why I moved to Fort William to study Adventure Tourism Management.
Since graduating last year I have been keen to cut my teeth in the world of guiding as well as facilitating my passion for all things bicycle-related. I’m super excited to work alongside some well-respected and renowned guides and hopefully hit a few trails along the way.
Sunday 22nd September – Saturday 28th September 2024
