Ottobre 9, 2008 -

Aberdeen to Alford A944.

I Went out on this route around 5.30pm. There was Heavy rush hour traffic out of Aberdeen as far as Westhill. Just before Westhill, turn left along the B9119 and continue through teh industrial estate until you come to a roundabout and turn right along the B979. It takes you back to the A944 (Follow signs for Masons lodge), but its fairly quiet compared with westhill, so you can get your tyres warm and get ready for whats to come.

From here its all good! The road surface is mostly smooth. A couple of rough edges here and there, and occassional mud from farm traffic and the odd loose stone, but the majority is smooth. Lots of good sweeping bends, my favorite section between Ordhead and Whitehouse (roughly)- a smooth twisty section through the forest. Between Whitehouse and Alford the road widens and becomes an excellent high speed sweeper with pretty good visability.

Quite a lot of junctions, and lots of farms round here, so watch out for slow moving tractors/land rovers. I saw a few commuters, but considering it was deep rush hour, the traffic was very light. Didnt see any police, but doesnt mean theyre not there later.

Fuel just before Alford.

Gennaio 13, 2008 -

The best part of this starts sust outside Alford, turn right and over the bridge heading for Strathdon. The road follows the River Don through a refreshing forest with plenty of sweepers. After about 8 miles, theres a turn off for Strathdon, dont take it - go straight through to Lumsden. 3 miles past Lumsden, after a series of good turns, you cross over a bridge and go left on this paved single track.

The track quickly winds past a farm (go slow), then opens into some isolated and beautiful countryside. The track T-junctions with the A941, turn left and enjoy an ever changing bit of scenery as it flows through 12 miles of heather, forest, streams, with mountains on either side.

The road T-junctions just below Dufftown, turn left and ride it the town. The next part can be combined with the A941.