Cycling/Camping Cairngorms/Grampians : Pitlochry – Newtonmore was the first day of a five day cycling trip around the Cairngorm and Grampian mountains.
The trip took place between Mon. 4 Sep. 2023 and Fri. 13 Sep. 2023.
I cycled this route on Mon., 4 Sep. 2023.
In all my previous cycling tours in Scotland, prior to the camping tour I did in Skye in June 2023, I had used hotels and B & B’s as a place to stay at night time. However, I enjoyed the camping tour in Skye so I decided to continue with the camping for this tour.
Therefore I had planned the route to cycle from campsite to campsite around the Cairngorm and Grampian mountains..
Cycling/Camping Cairngorms/Grampians : Pitlochry - Newtonmore
- Route Map
Cycling/Camping Cairngorms/Grampians : Pitlochry - Newtonmore
- My Timings & Distances
Drove from Glasgow to Pitlochry 9.00 – 10.35 / Cafe 10.55 – 11.30 / Started cycling 12.00 / Blair Atholl 1.00 (7.23) / House of Bruar 1.25 – 1.30 (10.39) / Rested 2.30 – 2.35 / Drumochter Pass 4.10 – 4.15 (24.78) / Invernahavon campsite 5.55 (40.93)
Cycling/Camping Cairngorms/Grampians : Pitlochry - Newtonmore
- Log
I had started a bit of packing of my panniers and saddlebag yesterday. However, I did the bulk of the packing this morning, which is one of the reasons I got up at 6.30 a.m. Mostly, though, I wanted to get to Pitlochry as early as possible as I had planned a 39 mile ride today with a later start.
The drive up to Pitlochry was really good. There were no holdups and the traffic moved steadily, even at the start over the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow.
When I got to Pitlochry I went to the police station to enquire about parking. I also left my car and personal details with them. This was because I was leaving my car in Pitlochry for five days while I did my cycling tour. Thus if anyone reported my car being parked there or if anything happened to my car they would have my contact details. Eventually I parked my car in West Moulin Road, across from the Town Hall.
As I knew that there were no cafes around the mid-way point during today’s ride, I went to a cafe in Pitlochry for an early lunch. Consequently I didn’t start cycling until 12.00.
Pitlochry - Blair Athol
I set off from Pitlochry following route 7 on the the National Cycle Network (NCN 7), which I followed for all of today’s ride. This route mostly ran parallel to the A9 road. It was on some quiet roads at first and then mostly on traffic free cycle paths.
A short while after leaving Pitlochry I came to the first steep climb of the day, at the Pass of Killiecrankie.
I continued cycling along the quiet back roads, passing through the village of Blair Atholl.
A few miles past Blair Atholl I came to the large retail outlet called The House of Bruar. It is very popular with tourists as it has several shops and a restaurant.
I stopped outside this for a rest for 5 minutes.
Blair Atholl - Drumochter Pass
For the first 18 miles or so of the ride today I tried really hard to minimise the use of the electric motor on my e-bike. This was in order to conserve the battery in case there was no charging facility at that night’s campsite.
I therefore only used the first of the four levels of assistance on my e-bike a few times. I used the second level of assistance a couple of times. So for the large majority of the distance so far I cycled on my own steam, even though there was a bit of a headwind.
However, by the time I got to the long climb up to Drumochter Pass I was really tired. Also, by this time there was a strong headwind. Therefore I had to use both the first and second levels of assistance on my e-bike frequently.
Drumochter Pass
I continued cycling up the long slopes, using the electric motor whenever required, until I got to the top of the Drumochter Pass.
I stopped at the top of the pass for 5 minutes to get off the bike for a rest and to ease the pressure on my aching muscles.
Although it had remained windy it was still bright and suuny so there were clear views of the surrounding hills all around.
Eventually I officially crossed over into the Highlands area of Scotland.
Drumochter Pass - Newtonmore
By the time I reached Dalwhinnie I was absolutely exhausted. I just kept slowly plodding away, though, using the electric motor on my e-bike frequently.
I knew that the campsite I was booked into for the night was about 39 miles from Pitlochry. So once I got past the 38 mile mark as shown on my bike’s computer, I was looking out for a sign for the campsite, but couldn’t see any.
Eventually I reached the Rafia Cafe, which I knew from the map on my phone was past the campsite. I went into the cafe to ask for directions and they told me that it was down Glen Truim Road, which I remembered passing. So I cycled back and soon got to the campsite.
I checked in and left my e-bike battery with them to charge (£1 per device).
Surprisingly there was still about 80% charge remaining in the battery. Therefore I could have used it more often during the first 18 miles of the ride today, when I only used it sparingly to conserve the charge. Consequently I would not have been quite as tired as I was at the end of the ride.