By Tim Francis
Published: Jan 09, 2017More by Tim
Wilderness Guide and road cycling fiend, Tim Francis pores over his road cycling history.
He shares his take on the best cycle routes in Scotland.The blur of whizzing countryside. Satisfaction at the summit. That first bite of cake. Countless cycle routes in Scotland have left their mark on me this year.
The nights have drawn in and the days are reaching the shortest of the year. Ice has made a return to our roads and the gritters have been out delivering a safety veneer of salt. The winter bikes are back on the road. In the blink of an eye or the buzz of a Di2* (electronic gearing gadget for the uninitiated) the thicker tops, legs and gloves are adorned.
Winter rides do keep the base fitness topped up. (And provide a good excuse for festive goodies to keep up the correct calorific intake). This winter I’ve been reflecting on the fantastic rides of 2016. A year that British cycling has ascended to new heights both at Olympic and World Tour level. A year that enabled me to cycle Lands End to John o’Groats, traverse the country and race on closed roads around Loch Ness. Another year I have discovered and re-discovered the amazing cycle routes of Scotland.