If I wanted 4-5 nights in Aberdeenshire for riding, which would include Heartbreak Ridge, where would be a good base. Preferably somewhere with some ridging from the door and decent eateries/pubs, like Dunkeld?
Driving up from South Sheffield mid to end of September if that makes any difference.
Banchory, Aboyne or Ballater probably.
I’d choose Aboyne but it is the smallest of the 3 so has less pubs etc.
Ballater is ths obvious but braemar has good food.....
Ballater. It has a few pubs, cafes and restaurants quite a busy touristy place in the summer. Ideal for riding HB ridge straight from the door and lots of other stuff which you can see on Trailfinders.
We rode Drumtochy Aboyne Scolty Bennachie(only because my bike needed work and the bike shop was handy and lads knew the owner) then Heartbreak ridge and Mastermind
We booked a wee farm house on Air BnB which was about 15 minutes from Bennachie
Done 4 of us for sleeping and eating etc
Ballater
Insider tip: Brown Sugar cafe in Ballater does epic breakfast rolls. Turns out inch thick Lorne sausage with 3 rashers of bacon and a slice of tattle scone, in a roll, is horrific pre-ride fuel before a big uphill.
Belch.
Any recommendations in Aboyne or Ballater?
I usually stay in Braemar but I have done most local stuff a few times and often end up driving to Ballater
Thanks all, Ballater sounds like the best place 👍
Brown Sugar cafe in Ballater
Nice coffee iirc too.
Turns out inch thick Lorne sausage with 3 rashers of bacon and a slice of tattle scone, in a roll, is horrific pre-ride fuel before a big uphill.
Heart Attack Ridge
Will sir be taking his Gout?
Will sir be taking his Gout?
Nah, just cholesterol it seems.
