LEJOG Day 10 - Perth to Ballater (67 miles)

Today's ride

There was much talk last about last night about today's ride. Essentially today was to be a ride of two halves. The first half-ish (40miles) was predominantly uphill to the start of the climb at Glenshee and then the long down hill (26miles) run to Ballater.

As the ride to day was a relatively short one there wasn't any particular rush to get going. In fact we had time to find a bike and for Jordan to get his etap gearing to be adjusted. So after a small wait outside the shop Jordan returned with a smile. All sorted ☺ onwards and upwards, literally.

Given that we gave the rest of the tour and good head start we thought it only proper to set a good solid pace and see if we could catch everyone before the feed stop. Everything was going well until we hit the Cairngorms. The views were just amazing even with low lying cloud and mist. Every turn just revealed another picture postcard moment. This meant stopping every two minutes to take another picture.

Before the big test we had the feed stop. Unlike most days, as we rolled in, everyone was there. Tucking in to the cakes and biscuits.

Bellies filled and we were off and enjoying the great views along the valley.

It wasn't too long before the challenge of the day presented itself. The official stats are 5 miles long with an average gradient of 4% and elevation gain of 1078ft. Also at

Glenshee in the distance 

shrouded in cloud

2011ft above sea level Glenshee has the honour of being the highest main road in the UK. What makes this climb a mecca for cyclists is the last 1.7 miles. It starts at a leg warming gradient of 9% and then towards the end has a long section of 12%. The sort of steepness that makes you want to get off and walk. Not today! Slowly but surely one by one I overhauled my fellow lejoggers. Reaching the summit, I was greeted by Jordan filming our pained expressions and again we were greeted with no views. The only thing that you see at the top was this big sign.

Back on the bikes and start the descent. Into the mist and drizzle. Still feeling nervous from the Fleet Moss descent I let the bike just roll down the hill. Still not quite brave enough. Top speed of 49.21mph, sooooo close. After about 3 miles of descending I caught John who had stopped to take a picture. We then joined forces and enjoyed the long down hill road to Ballater. Jordan had decided to go for it and blitz the last 25miles. We didn't see him again until we reached the hotel (he certainly looked like he went for it😅😅)

As we followed the directions to our hotel we noticed an ice cream parlour. We were early to the hotel and couldn't check in. Only one thing for it a quick U turn and back to the ice cream parlour. One hundreds and thousands cone with a mountain of mint chocolate chip and white chocolate stuffed in it. Lovely. As we had time we were able to wander around the town. Rachel put out a message to say that they (Pat and Andy) were in the Balmoral pub for a beer and were planning on having a burger for dinner. A number of us joined them. I ordered the "fat attack" yep that is a big knife holding it all together (you see can't the onion rings and tomatoes 😂) I was defeated. 

More laughter and chat and then time for bed. I've totted up the mileage so far and we are now at 764 miles. Another big day in the saddle tomorrow. 89 miles across the Highlands past Inverness to our destination, Dingwall.