ok. what about this one. tarbert westloch lochfyne taken the other day. honestly its been like this for over four weeks
Just a theory, but I'm guessing the roads in Highland Scotland are not as dirty in the rain as they are in Lowland England. Rocky ground, thin top soil, very little agricultural cultivation and a covering of soil-retaining vegetation like heather and moss means there isn't much sedimentary run-off. Coastal waters off highland Scotland are usually gin-clear rivers, even went in spate, may be brackish but they run clear. A few days of heavy rain down here and the rivers turn a turgid chocolate colour as soil is washed off the fields. Its only a theory because I've yet to take a bike to Scotland. Driven around in cars a few times and compared with home there was rarely any muck on the road, but if correct I'd be less concerned about riding in the rain in Scotland. As long as you're not camping, keeping yourself dry is relatively easy with decent kit. Its when you get filthy as well as wet and the bike looks like its been dredged out of a slurry pit that I get demoralised. Clean wet roads I can put up with. There's less traffic in the rain and it demands a smoother riding style which in itself can be quite satisfying. My question would be when do they start salting the roads up there?
Yesterday I did the A93 from Perth to Bridge of Gairn (just before Ballater) turned into the A939 'old military road' then a short stretch of the A95 and then off onto the B970 to Aviemore. Best roads I've ever ridden on. The A93 is just amazing
can only speak for my own Grampian area, although it is among the coldest areas it is not the only one, " early morning and standby operations run from and including 16th Nov -- 20 th march "... hope this helps.
late November usually through to march. depends massively on where you wanna go. glasgow and inland heading towards the east, earlier and longer for the grit. the west and coast stays warmer but usually wetter. bit to cold for me now on the ducs, both sorned now till april as i keep saying over and over avoid july and august and you should be fine. that rout just described is a belter btw.
yes, cracking route,, i usually do it the other way ( as i head down from Aberdeen ) , Ballater over Glen Shee , Pitlochry , ( bit of a pain with all the cameras , but at least get a little rest !! ) Aviemore and back Tomintoul the Lecht, good run...
without meaning to be pedantic,,,,,,,,,,,,, there is no real direct " west - east " route ,, all are cross country , unless you mean west - north - east....( up round the top.)
Main concerns on wet roads at this time of year is leaves, that along with agricultural deposits can make it tricky. Gritting has become very sporadic and is really only done when temperatures fall consistently, probably due to council cuts. probably wont see a gritter around til late November at earliest.
I'm in Aberdeen now just about to set off home and am taking the A93 to Ballater then down to Perth before hitting the Mroads back to Yorkshire. I love the roads up here (1st time on the bike)
Live semi rural and wife went to work other day. B road to A road. Tight, twisty, single file in areas. And steep. Real steep. Cue lyrcra lout piling down the hill, tight blind bend, pile of dung from crossing cows, face-tarmac interface. Well that's why she assumed the bloke was sat covered in shit in the side of the road with his bike in the bush....
can be a bit tricky on the way back down towards Perth with some awkward blind crests and tight corners,,, glad you enjoyed it,, thats a good time ,done a few miles there matey,,,,,, hope no tickets following !!
