The highlights of last year both involved mountain bikes. The first was a full-day ride from Corgarff Castle up Glen Avon to climb Creag Mhor - that elusive Corbett just east of Bynack More. The view toward the high Cairngorms was excellent, and the sense of remoteness intense. The second was a three-day solo cycle ride across Scotland from Kyle of Lochalsh to Aberdeen, making overnight stops at Invergarry, Tomintoul and our home in Banchory. Invergarry to Tomintoul was a long and hilly 80 miles, passing beside the quiet Marilyns south of Loch Ness - an area I had never visited before. I chose an off-road route from Tomintoul to Balmoral, passing beside the beautiful Loch Builg under the long slopes of Ben Avon and Culardoch, before completing the ride along the South Deeside Road. This year also saw my five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son complete their first Marilyns under their own steam - Ord Ban in May and Eildon Mid Hill in October.
