Sadly, this year's Snow Roads. didn't go to plan
.
0600 start and the run to Banchory via Cairn o' Mount was good, though the descent into the headwind was a taste of things to come ....
The Oyne Control was reached fine, then the into-the-wind-all-the-way-with-showers meant rain trousers were donned at Rhynie and I was dropped by the wee group going up Cabrach. Going down again, if I stopped pedalling, speed dropped from 25kph to 13

, so no 'free miles' here. A flat tyre 15km from Dufftown meant I left the Control there 4 mins before it was due to close
and was last on the road.
Knowing I was chasing time and still butting into the headwind and rain, my mind gave up, followed shortly by my legs. After going over the Lecht and turning off for Braemar, I really couldn't face the next 2 hills before Braemar, so ... I packed.
Flagged down a passing car and scrounged a lift to the Control at Braemar, only to find MrRidley had also packed, after walking the final km into Braemar, his knees having decided enough was enough and his neck was very painful.
Arranged a bed in the YH for MrR and I set off to ride over Glen Shee and back to Kirrie. Only 2 cars passed me the whole way back - the first was upon me before I could jump/fall
off the bike and appeal for a lift and the second as I was about to turn off for Glenisla
. No more lifts
, so I rode on to the finish
, arriving at 0045, where it was great to catch up with Noodley, dropping in to the Arrivee to see old friends.
3 hrs sleep and a pleasant drive back to Braemar for MrR in the morning. He was feeling better, though much of our conversation centred around the theme of "we're
never doing another audax; we're not good enough for this stuff; how can we buy an Audax Ecosse cycling shirt now ?" etc.
- it
is a tough ride
- there was a strong headwind much of the way
- it was wet - the rain wasn't vertical like last year, it was coming at 45[sup]0[/sup]
- it was a chilly day
- it was held 3 weeks earlier than last year (which makes a difference to weather, darkness etc)
There is unfinished business ....