A run on the wee ZSB 125 out East to the Cabrach and over the Lecht (202 miles). I actually did about 223 miles, but more of that shortly.
I only go out on my motorbikes if there is a good weather forecast. This run is an old favourite going out to the Cabrach and returning via the Lecht and Grantown on Spey.
Of course a day out for me always has to have at least one disaster. As I got to the top of the Black Isle I looked down and my boot was covered in oil, the exhaust was smoking and on a closer look oil was spitting out the crank case filler which was loose. I had drained excess oil last night and obviously forgot to tighten the filler cap/dipstick. Oh how stupid I am! I checked the oil level and it was really low. I carefully drove back home. There, I washed the bike and topped up the oil. It was just on the lower level mark. I also cleaned my boot. I thought maybe I should try a shorter run but decided not to chicken out. This was the planned run when I had the puncture out beyond Nairn in July. I didn’t want it to become my nemesis.
I left home the second time at about 10.40 and took my usual route through Evanton and down by Foulis Station to avoid as much of the A9 as possible.
I drove to Nairn via Ardersier where I bought a wee picnic in Home Bargains. I then stopped out at Kingsteps for my lunch. Here I experienced the second of today’s disasters. I had taken a can of that delicious beverage, Barr’s Cream Soda, from home and it had ruptured in the top box soaking everything. I dried things as best I could with a cloth I carry. I ate my lunch and tried not to cry. I am very brave. I had a thermos of coffee which I washed down my Home Bargains salad sandwich, Pringles and a Yorkie. A slave to healthy eating.
In Forres I put some petrol in the tank. The last fill did 105 mpg. Still not as good as my old Crusader Classic from 20 years back.
Ben Rinnes.
Archiestown.
Craigellachie Bridge.
Dufftown.
The Cabrach.
It is most wonderful countryside out here.
Church of Old Auchendoir.
Strathdon. Here I had my mid-afternoon snack and then made full use of the public toilet.
I stopped at Cock Bridge.
Corgarff Castle.
And then stopped on top of the Lecht. A bunch of bikers waved cheerily at me just before the top, where I normally stop. I didn’t invade their space.
I stopped to stretch my legs in Tomintoul.
I met the bikers from the Lecht at the car park in Tomintoul. They were on some guided tour. Two lovely Americans, a father and son, spent some time chatting. The father is on the left in front of the van.
Glenlivet.
From above Bridge of Brown. It is wild country out here.
I stopped in Grantown on Spey to get a steak pie and chips and a can of Coke (replacing my ruptured and empty can). I went down to Anagach Woods to eat it.
I took an old favourite route out by Lochindorb.
That is as clear as I have seen the castle.
I came by Dulsie Bridge and then Barevan where I had to stop to see the lifting stone.
Culloden Viaduct.
Mount Eagle. By now the light was really starting to fade. You know the year has moved on.
I arrived home around 8.30 as it was getting dark. A great day out and not too sore.