I have spent yesterday and today down in the Cairngorms with Caleb doing a bit of riding. I managed to blag a few days off while Caleb was still on school holidays and not working during the week.
Yesterday afternoon when we got down was a complete washout, so not much happening there but today dawned lovely and we made a plan. So from where we were staying at Kincraig, to have breakfast at Rothiemurchus, then head out the Eanaich valley to Loch Eaniach. A past favourite from Macretro and Brian and I rides. Maybe not Zigzags 
Was pretty chilly early on with cloud still covering the tops of the mountain but otherwise sunny. I was on my Pugsley with the Nate tyres removed and the old faithful Endomorph rear and Larry front, Caleb was on his Karate Monkey 29'er.
We did a lot of exploring and side tracking, went down to Loch an Eilein loop before heading back to the junction to head down the Eanaich valley.
One surprising section was the little loch at the sort of five way trail junction where you turn towards Loch Eanaich through the gate was virtually empty! It took me a minute to realise where I was. We only made it a a bit down this track to just where you turn off and up the steep hill to start with the shower that was covering the whole valley and hills. We pondered for a few minutes whether to get soaked or turn round and head to Glenmore and Loch Morlich where the sun was still shining. We headed for the sun
It was a great ride to Glenmore and as with the loch the river was very low. Another observation was a junction not far over the river where I remember having a photo taken with my 1X1 on a Macretro ride. Caleb duly took a photo and I told him of the Macretro ride and it was a couple of years back from memory. I have just had a look and it was the Macretro Cairngorm ride back in 2015! , the one where we went Rothiemurchus, Glenmore and Boat of Garten then back to Aviemore. Time flies hey, and I did well to spot the place as the log has seen more solid days that's for sure.
We had some lunch at Glenmore then the rain became more steady so we retreated back to Aviemore down the trail. With the rain still coming down as we packed up. It was forecast for the afternoon so we made our way back north, stopping for refreshments at Brians along the way.
Good to get out for a few days.
Jamie
