LEJOG day 13 - Dunfermline to Dalwhinnie

144 km  Elev gain: 1481m  (89 miles / 4859 ft)
7 °C (real feel 2 °C)

The second week of this journey has delivered in spades and today's journey into the Scottish highlands is an exceptional ride in the breath-taking snow covered landscape.

I take NCR 1 up to Kinross, stopping at the cosy no. 98 cafe for a coffee and delicious breakfast bun, before a habit forming stop at the Co-op to stock up with emergency sandwiches and chocolate.

No. 98. Great little cafe in Kinross

NCR 1 turns off for Dundee and Aberdeen. I'll see it again at Inverness, but for now I'm heading north on NCR 77 up to Perth. It's warmer here, there's no snow on the ground, and the route cuts efficiently through the city along the River Tay.

River Tay at Perth

I continue on route 77, encountering only the odd snow covered stretch until I arrive at Dunkeld. They call this the gateway to the highlands and you can see why. Shortly after I cross the Tay again at Logierait, now following NCR 7 as it follows the River Tummel to Pitlochry

A9 bike path, Birnam

River Tay, Dunkeld

Route 77, Dunkeld

Old railway bridge, Logierait

After Pitlochry the route hugs the A9 all the way north to my destination. I'd been expecting this to be a drudge, but I'm stunned by the atmospheric ice haze scenes travelling west from Blair Atholl.

 

Shortly afterwards the B road turns south, and the cycle route continues on the old A road that preceded the modern dual carriageway. The Drumochter Pass warning sign is dramatic, but it's several degrees warmer today and what snow remains is soft and ridable.

 

Drumochter Pass

The bike path continues with some purpose built stretches of smooth tarmac. There's no one around but me so I blast along, dropping down into Dalwhinnie as darkness descends.

I get to the Dalwhinnie Old School Hostel for the night, store my bike, and heat up my ready meal that I bought in Pitlochry. It's Sunday night and I chat to a group of friends who are unwinding after their hiking weekend. They tell me that heavy snow is on the way and wish me good luck for tomorrow.

Running total: 1538 km 15,270m  (956 miles / 50,098 ft).  79 hrs 32 mins