Many cyclists have their favourite routes. I feel lucky that we have such a prolific network of on and off-roads routes to choose from in Courier Country and I love to explore new areas.
But I often return to regular haunts. One of those is what I like to call my Tour of Flanders route. I have never ridden in Flanders, but these local farm lanes, caked with the mud of farm vehicles that throw up dust in dry weather, and clog your derailleur with grime in winter, always bring to my mind the images I have seen of professional road racers battling the Flemish terrain.
Looking at the route on a map it is rather modest as it heads south from Blairgowrie and east of Rosemount, with only five miles of these dirty farm roads to ride on, but there is something about them that draws me in and I am always keen to ride the route.
Another favourite of mine is Bonnington Brae to the north of Blairgowrie. This climb is a real hidden gem that heads north into Glen Shee just to the east of the River Ericht and along by Drimmie Woods, before dropping you out at Bridge of Cally.
One pleasure I get from cycling, if I am not riding my bike, is poring over maps and finding new routes to ride. Often exploring and getting “lost” on a ride is a great way to discover new routes, but such a strategy comes with many caveats and you must be prepared for rides not always going as expected.
There is always the chance that a route you pedal down will end up as a dead end and result in a steep climb back up to retrace your course. So I usually try to get a feel for a new route by examining maps and looking at the various options.
Doing so always throws up a multitude of choices, and I often find lots of places I am keen to explore.
Hence, one of my favourite bikes is my gravel bike, an on/off-road hybrid that rides equally well on tarmac as it does on muddy tracks. This bike means I can link options of some familiar road routes and give them a whole new spicy flavour by adding in some of the huge web of trails and tracks in the area.
It is like having a favourite recipe and realising you can double-up on the flavour by chucking in a huge dollop of Marmite.
I do the same when I am heading abroad to work as a guide. In my time off I will get the chance to cycle on some classic routes, but often my favourite rides have been on the unexpected and hidden gems that no one else is venturing onto.
One area I have explored relentlessly is that around Bourg d’Oisans in the French Alps. The area is a Mecca for cyclists, all drawn to Alpe d’Huez and its famous switchback ascent.
Of all the rides I have done there my least favourite is Alpe d’Huez. Thousands of cyclists make the pilgrimage every week to that mountain, but you are more likely to find me on the opposite mountainside making my way up to Villard Reculas.
It is a stunning route and despite having ridden there several times now I have never seen another cyclist or indeed another vehicle. I have long been an advocate of venturing off the beaten track.
And when I do I am never disappointed.
Where to ride: The Ericht and Isla – Blairgowrie
Distance: 24km
Description: Starting by Tesco in Blairgowrie head south, before turning left to follow the River Ericht. Follow this road to a T junction where you turn left. Turn left agin at the next T junction and follow this road as it winds its way around to join the main Coupar Angus/ Blairgowrie road. Head into Coupar Angus and then onto towards Meigle. After a mile turn left, signed Aberbothrie and stay on this road, crossing the River Isla, until you reach the main Blairgowrie road and head back to the start.
