Ride out this weekend Blairgowrie to Ballater

[MarkShelley]

I am working at St Andrews at the moment and I reckon as the weather is looking good for the weekend I may escape work and explore for a day, Saturday or Sunday, not really fussed, but weather for Saturday looks best at the moment. The A93 from Blairgowrie seems to have great reviews and is not far for me to get to from here. I would quite fancy taking in some more minor roads one way if anyone knows a suitable route.
Anyone care to join in?
I am pretty flexible time wise. According to AA ROUTE FINDER it is about 1 1/2 hours each way, but I would want to stop occasionally to get some pics so I can send them home and make th ewife jealous!

 

[Jazbee]

Hi Mark, I did the reverse of that run today (its a regular favourite). I would say carry on after Ballater and come back via the Cairn O' Mount pass (B974)to Fettercairn and Edzell? You can then either hammer down the A90, or a better option is to cut across to Arbroath and come down the coast road to Dundee and back over the bridge to St Andrews
I will be in Ft Bill at the w'end with the missus and the car or would have come along
Map showing start at Blair...

 

[freeloader]

Busy unfortunately but if you're hungry and fancy some free nosh, John Clark in Dundee are showing off the 30th anniversary GS's with test rides etc., although the email I got only mentions the 1200 versions. Saturday and Sunday.

Yes, I do work for them, but thought I'd mention this as a diversion if you're interested, or hungry.

 

[Jazbee]

Cairn O' Mount view point and Glenshee Ski Centre today. Lots of GS's on the road and 23 deg sitting outside the Hungry Highlander in Braemar

 

[turpin]

Hi Mark, I did the reverse of that run today (its a regular favourite). I would say carry on after Ballater and come back via the Cairn O' Mount pass (B974)to Fettercairn and Edzell? You can then either hammer down the A90, or a better option is to cut across to Arbroath and come down the coast road to Dundee and back over the bridge to St Andrews
I will be in Ft Bill at the w'end with the missus and the car or would have come along
Map showing start at Blair...

A good run this... would love to join in but working this weekend

 

[MarkShelley]

Busy unfortunately but if you're hungry and fancy some free nosh, John Clark in Dundee are showing off the 30th anniversary GS's with test rides etc., although the email I got only mentions the 1200 versions. Saturday and Sunday.

Yes, I do work for them, but thought I'd mention this as a diversion if you're interested, or hungry.

I am visiting you next Thursday at 830am to have my new tyres fitted as Cupar Motorcycles can not fit to externally spoked wheels.

Thanks for the ruturn route Turpin. I will do that!

 

[Stormtrooper]

A group of local bikers from Aberdeen are going over to Mallaig (West Coast) tomorrow for lunch and back again. Approx. 400 miles.

Aberdeen > Alford > Strathdon > Lecht > Tomintoul > Grantown on Spey > Aviemore > Fort William > Mallaig

Mallaig > Fort Augustus > Inverness > Nairn > Grantown on Spey > Dufftown > Huntly > Aberdeen

 

[freeloader]

I am visiting you next Thursday at 830am to have my new tyres fitted as Cupar Motorcycles can not fit to externally spoked wheels.

Unfortunately I don't work there on Thursdays (or Tuesdays) so I won't see you then.

However, the coffee machine's in the corner on your right when you walk in the door, but I'm sure Brian will keep you right on that one.

(Mentioning my name wouldn't do you much good in reducing your bill, sadly I don't have that kind of influence )

 

[MarkShelley]

Unfortunately I don't work there on Thursdays (or Tuesdays) so I won't see you then.

However, the coffee machine's in the corner on your right when you walk in the door, but I'm sure Brian will keep you right on that one.

(Mentioning my name wouldn't do you much good in reducing your bill, sadly I don't have that kind of influence )

I mentioned you when I booked up and they increased it by £20

I have now decided to do my run tomorrow as it is supposed to be a little warmer and much less wind. Don`t get me wrong. I am not a wuss, but as I have the flexibility I may as well use it and the pics will always be better with a bit of sun (hopefully!) so if that means anyone can now join me just let me know. I expect to be popping into work first thing so aim to be passing through Dundee at around 9ish.

 

[freeloader]

I mentioned you when I booked up and they increased it by £20

Serves ya right. Although I very much doubt they know me as "freeloader" though.

I have now decided to do my run tomorrow as it is supposed to be a little warmer and much less wind. Don`t get me wrong. I am not a wuss, but as I have the flexibility I may as well use it and the pics will always be better with a bit of sun (hopefully!) so if that means anyone can now join me just let me know. I expect to be popping into work first thing so aim to be passing through Dundee at around 9ish.

My partner and I will be in Dundee's Camperdown Park (just off the Coupar Angus road, not far from JC) tomorrow as she's doing the "Race for Life" thing for Cancer Research there. We won't be there as early as 9 though, she has to be there for 10 so it's unlikely we'll be there any earlier.

 

[MarkShelley]

Done the above route anti-clockwise but took a left after coming through Glenshee to Kirriemuir then back home via Forfar,Letham (where I stayed when The Open was last at Carnoustie) then Dundee. What a great change from the fens where I live! Surprisingly few bikes about. Had a couple of butt clenching moments with sheep suddenly appearing but other than that a fantastic ride. Even got home in time to watch MOTOGP.

 

[freeloader]

I'm not long back from our day out in Dundee, Catherine did the 5km "Race for Life" thing for Cancer Research, and came in last. Just over 2 hours...

...then I went round to Clarks to get a free burger, only to find out that no food had been laid on today, not even a sandwich. Now THAT was disappointing.

Went shopping, came home, switched on computer...