A Dingwall circular
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BUYING a new bike always has that element of excitement, even for someone of my vintage. I’d had my mind set on getting a road bike to complement the hybrid I use every day for commuting to work and a mountain bike for the offroad stuff, mainly accessing hills.
Like most people with the same idea nowadays, I did a fair bit of online research. There’s a bewildering choice out there but the Giant Defy range seemed to get consistently good reviews.
I’m no speed merchant so just wanted a machine designed to give a good leisure road ride and keep me comfortable racking up the miles.
I plumped for the Giant Defy 3, in the middle of the bunch, with some nice features and within my budget.
The guys at Highland Bikes in Inverness provided some sound advice as always and helped confirm my decision.
With the bike collected and a few clothing purchases made I was ready to go, and paired up with colleague Colin Campbell for the first outing.
We arranged to meet in Dingwall with the idea of doing a circuit through the Black Isle using the Cromarty Ferry to cross the narrows from Nigg to Cromarty.
But crossing the Kessock Bridge my eye alighted on the big sign saying "Cromarty Ferry, June to October" – and this was the middle of May!
In Dingwall I checked the website on my phone and sure enough the ferry was due to resume service on May 25. Colin had still to arrive so I hastily got the maps out looking for an alternative route.
I suggested we head to Strathpeffer, then Contin, take in one of my favourite rides round Loch Achilty from there, then back to Dingwall through Marybank, Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge.
Colin was up for it, and at 30 miles it was shorter than the original choice for my first proper ride on the Defy – on reflection probably more sensible.
The A834 to Strathpeffer is a busy, straight road and drivers don’t take many prisoners as they zoom past, thankfully giving us enough room in most cases.
The climb up the hill to Strathpeffer gave me my first real impression of how well the new bike – and I – would cope with slopes.
While Colin, a much more regular road rider than I am, ploughed on ahead, I found the lightness of the aluminium Defy meant expending much less effort than even my Saracen commuter.
Downhill then to join the A835 and a right turn through Contin for a kilometre before a left onto a minor road signed to Loch Achilty.
I was getting used to the feel of the Defy by now and I knew – being familiar with the next stretch of our route – that we were in for a pleasant ride skirting Loch Achilty and on alongside the River Conon to reach Luichart power station. There we turned left to cross a bridge over a deep gorge carrying the river.
Sections of this road have been resurfaced and the tarmac is as smooth as silk, making riding a joy with very little friction to slow us down.
Past Little Scatwell the road has some ups and downs before it reaches the dam at Loch Meig with a steep little downhill section round a sharp bend to get to it.
The bridge marked the end of our outward route and having crossed it we were on the return leg, still on a relatively quiet minor road.
It’s worth noting though that there are some blind bends and drivers do tend to take the road at quite a lick, so take care.
We pushed on through the little village of Scatwell and past Loch Achonachie, thoroughly enjoying our ride and staying dry despite a rather pessimistic weather forecast.
Two younger riders flew past, silent as they approached and taking us by surprise. We were content to go at our own pace but by no means dawdling over the last couple of kilometres to Marybank and a rest – as much for my behind as anything else, still getting used to the firm Defy saddle.
Fed and watered we hit the A832 to Muir of Ord, crossing the River Orrin and passing the distillery with its distinctive aroma lingering on the air.
We took a sharp left on the A862 bound for Conon Bridge, though a more pleasant alternative would be to stay on the A832 for a kilometre and turn left on the minor road through Muir of Tarradale and Rootfield. Hillier but off the main road. Note to self for the future.
Passing the new station entrance at Conon Bridge it wasn’t long before we were in Maryburgh and then at the roundabout on the A835 and the cycle path back into Dingwall.
We averaged about 10 miles an hour – not bad for my inaugural outing. And now I’m looking at maps planning road routes to keep the momentum going.
