Mark Downie
Author

As it was my final day staying in the Cairngorms it was time for a ride up to Ryvoan Bothy, via that weirdly green Lochan, can never remember the name!

Was super wet and I think I only saw one other rider. Had the place to myself.

Also it was a good chance to finally get my @straightcutdesign bags properly filthy 😂

#advntr #vittoriamezcal #straightcutdesigns #bikepacking #bikepacking bags #masoniso #masoncycles #ryvoanbothy #cairngormsnationalpark #tartangravel

@tartangravel ...

Spending the week staying in Feshiebridge not far from Aviemore. This place is interlaced with amazing gravel tracks, single track, quiet roads and bog (for those that like that kind of thing).

After a day of heavy snow, sleet, hail and everything else a Scottish Spring day bring I finished it with my f with a sunny rise out to Loch an Eilein.

#tartangravel

#masoncycles #straightcutdesign #cairngorms #cairngormsnationalpark #gravelbike ...

The new @fairlightcycles Holt XC frame has arrived. To say I've been excited for it's arrival would be putting it mildly.

Built last night for a wet first ride today (thanks to the @pedalsbikecare team for a last minute steerer cut yesterday!). Featuring 12spd SLX, XTR hubs on WTB rims with @vittoriauk_tyres Syerra tyres. PNW Rainier dropper and some Hope bits and my trusty @wearepinnd CS2 Ti pedals.

Special shout outs to @sqlab for sending some amazing inner bar ends which are perfect for this rider with ruined arms and @bentleycomponents for his craft!

There are some really great details you can read all about on the Fairlight site and I'll report in all summer as I get the miles in. First impressions are that it's been agonised over in designing it as it feels incredibly comfortable and the geo spot on.

(P.s. frame was bought not given just for clarity). ...

A hard pull on the singlespeed up to Fionn Loch and then down to Loch Maree before the rain came. Hard to beat Scotland when the blue sky appears.

#gravel #graveladventures #gravel #scotland #salsacycles

📷 @hicksville ...

Heck! I haven’t ridden this bike since Autumn last year. My winter season kind of fell apart for one reason or another but it’s so good to back riding this bike and to finally test out my awesome new @straightcutdesign bag set up. 👌🏻 this will take me to many happy places. We have plans again. . .

@tartangravel

#masoniso #masoncycles #rannoch #perthshire #perthshiregravel #gravelscotland #bikepackingbags #scotlandbybike #advntr #tartangravel #scottishgravel #powerofthebike ...

Its been around 3 months since I last ventured out on the bike 😯☹️. A mixture of illness, starting one new job, then another, more illness and a bit of Christmas mixed in.

So today was a blessing, I left everything and just rode a slow pace on my trusty old CdF on quiet roads, tracks, no strava, no computer, no drinks bottle either 😂 forgot it (#rusty).

Anyway, I’m feeling healthy for the first time in ages so I’m looking forward to lighter evenings and cold sunny morning rides. 👍🏻

Plus sorting out my bike packing plans for the year.
@tartangravel ...

@tartangravel here -sat at home overdosing on coffee and looking back at my favourite moments from this year. I take thousands of photos, hundreds on each trip, so picking out ones that best reflect each trip is difficult! To many to select from! Maybe a blog is better to cover off each trip 🤔.

Anyway, I will spare you an explanation on each except for the last photo of my son riding his wee bike. When ever he’s out he goes off exploring, riding as far as he can even into the dark. Makes me proud to think he’s got that sense of adventure already in him, not yet 2 but with a massive appetite to explore.

Happy New Year to you all and here’s to another great year on two wheels. 🍻🚵

#advtr #tartangravel #bikepacking # #bikepackingscotland #bikelife #masoncycles #vittoriatires @straightcutdesign @vittoriauk_tyres @mason_cycles @corrourstationhouse @tartangravel @cairngormsnationalpark @firepotfood ...

Now available in our shop - @dyedbro Gravel Frame Protection Kits. Link in bio to learn more.

#advntr ...

Continuing to look back on the year these pictures are from a trip in May to do the Cairngorms Loop. We failed, only completing the inner loop before heading off to ride more gravel bike friendly terrain. I had a friend with me on a gravel bike who thought I’d arranged a ride not a walk so I felt I owed him some miles in the saddle.

We started with the inner loop and the track down into a Glen Derry was a little rough for a fully laden gravel bike, especially if you fancied actually riding the thing 😂. I enjoyed it, I had a little more tyre so it was passible.

A camp by the Linn of Dee was lovely, beautiful sunshine at sunset and a few whiskies were had, it also is in the middle of a figure of eight route wise so you have options.

Day two, we took to Glen Feshie with lots of stream and river crossings, bog and more hike-a-bike but it’s a very pretty place to spend time in.

I think anybody tacking the Cairngorms loop, and they should as it’s spectacular, should consider using an MTB with front suspension, it’ll make a massive difference to your ride vs hike ratio. @tartangravel

#advntr #masoncycles #insearchof #cairngormsnationalpark #cairngormsloop #cairngorms #linnofdee #glenderry #glenfeshie #bikepcking #bikepackingscotland ...

It’s that time of year when you start looking back and reminiscing about memories made on two wheels.

I’m going to start sharing some pictures and memories over the next week or so starting with these, taken on the first over night of the year. It was close to home at a place called Hirendean Castle, a 16th century ruin which stands up on a hill with pretty spectacular views over the Pentlands and Gladhouse Reservoir on the fringes of the Scottish Borders.

The idea was to get the kit out and ride not too far from home, have a bite, a few beers share some whisky and head home in the morning. It was March and bloody freezing so my two season quilt wasn’t up to it. That said it was awesome to be out with a crew sipping whisky under the stars. Bacon rolls and coffee in Roslin the next morning worked a treat warming us back up nicely. Sometimes you don’t need to nail 60 mile days in the hills to find adventure, it can be found just down the road. @tartangravel ...