Well after a busy month if not longer of visitors and weekends where I was away, sometimes riding, sometimes not I finally managed to get down to see Brian and get out for a ride together. Have been flying solo for a while now and was missing our adventures and also his company. Brian has had a bit of an issue with his knee for a short while but he assured me it was getting better and that a ride was definitely on the cards.
First problem up here was the rain for Sunday, Brians way didn't seem much better but just to the south was meant to be fine. So a quick look at the map and a rough plan to just head to Daviot and ride the national cycle route 7 south to Carrbridge, have a coffee and see where we are for time etc. Brian was on his Rohloff Voodoo and I was on my ever dependable Long Haul Trucker. I have been riding mainly my Mercian and Jack Taylor lately with the Trucker used for commuting etc sporadically lately. I really wanted back on one of our rides to get back into the Trucker and evaluate a couple of things, mainly as I may be buying a modern frame to build up and just wanted to see if I really needed to.
Brian was with family in Inverness when I came through and picked him up on route and we were still down, parked in a layby getting ready to ride just after midday.
A nice leisurely pace had us riding along the cycle paths and empty roads through Tomatin, Shlochd and along to Carrbridge in a decent time despite the now growing headwind. Even the long drag up out of Tomatin didn't seem to bother us and with Brians knee co operating it was all in all a very pleasant ride. We stopped at a bakery/coffee shop in Carrbridge and sat outside in the sunshine enjoying a cuppa and a cake before heading pretty much back the way we came. Quite disconcerting in places as you could hear the traffic close by on the A9 but couldn't see it so often you thought someone was coming up behind you. We seen barely any cars at all when we were on the small roads themselves.
The Trucker was it's usual comfortable pleasure and realised on the ride that it's about 11 years I have been riding this lovely bike and so I probably should have it dialled in by now.
Great to be back out riding with Brian on our always enjoyable day runs exploring. It seems like our summer has been used for visitors and other activities, which has been great after a couple of years of covid hiding away, but still, I miss our rides.
Jamie
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