Training Log Archive: SarahD

Day 2 back to Glenmore by the Feshie. Forecast was rubbish, but still dry when we got up and light rain just starting as we set off. Good progress over the first 18km to the track end but then the hike a bike began. And it was every bit as bad as expected over the next 10km. Decided rapidly that I was using less energy and moving just as quickly pushing compared with getting on and off every 20m. Pleased eventually to reach better track but it was pretty wet by this stage and a couple of crossings of the Feshie reinforced the cold so decided to cross it a 3rd time so that we could hit the track / road on the west side. Once we hit the road we weren’t leaving it and put our heads down to grind back to GM as fast as possible. All round pretty gritty stuff for several hours and took a good while for the feet to thaw out. A few minor mechanical issues (including lack of brakes) but thankfully no show stoppers.
Definitely type 2 fun but a memorable adventure with good company! I’m really not a MTB er though and this didn’t help me find the love!

C • Another epic :-) 4

Cairngorm circular part 1 from Glenmore to Linn of Quoich via Tomintoul with DM. Ryvoan, Eag Mor to Dorback, Tomintoul, Loch Builg and over the shoulder of Culardoch. Stunning day sandwiched between rubbish. Mostly big track riding, but still felt like a lot of bone shaking having not done any MTB in recent times. Single track bits weren’t too bad and had much less hike a bike than I anticipated. Long way though and low on energy by the end- probably not eaten or drunk enough. Pleased to have the pre located van to crash in overnight. Stags roaring like crazy all night.

Clachnaben and Mount Shade loop from the AA box with EM. Legs tired from last night but ok for an easy paced run. Ming day - good to have had a date otherwise likely wouldn’t have gone out.

Collecting a bunch of controls at Cambus. Dried up overhead, but another set of wet kit to add to the pile.

Short trot round the woods at lunchtime

DR @ GT. W-u to usual start at bridge, then ~11' tempo on west track to second bridge, 5 x 1' hills up middle track, ~11' tempo back along east side. First attempt to do any flat effort in a long time and was well off the back of the group. Hadn't given big torch time enough to charge properly and lent my petzl to E, so struggling for light on the second half of the session, but put in a decent enough effort. Roaring stags, hooting owls and a big orange moon - all in all a bit more appealing then the village green :-)

Crathie - Gairnshiel circular from Ballater, out by S Deeside. Legs felt heavy at the start but loosened up into it and climb over the top really didn't seem too bad. Such a lovely circuit.