I decided to put the bike in the car today and head south to Moffat, where I would then do a big loop out to Peebles and back! 3 months ago I did the same route in the opposite direction, that time I started in Peebles! I arrived in Moffat to see the hills covered in frost, I looked at my gps and it was showing 26F! Thankfully I was prepared and as there was very little wind (for a change) it didn't actually feel too cold! So I set off and it was straight into a climb which wasn't too steep, it just kept going and going for the first 11 miles! There were some descents thankfully and the early morning mist made for some nice photos!
The roads here are in really good condition for the most part and with the hills on either side its very sheltered and a real joy to ride, I just love this part in particular!
The road then climbs gradually up to over 1100ft, this is looking back down from further up the climb!
It amazes me how the sheep don't tumble down the hills as they are very steep, they must have very good grip! A small stepped waterfall part way up the climb!
It was time for the first proper descent of the day and before long Loch of the Lowes came into view, I was hoping it would be like glass today as there was very little wind but my luck was out! It still looked lovely though!
This is quickly followed by St Mary's Loch!
Looking towards the hills back at Moffat from the other side of the loch!
Another view of St Mary's Loch from the northern end!
After the lochs its another big climb up to over 1100ft and then the big descent to 450ft into Innerleithen! The nice views just keep coming!
The River Tweed at Innerleithen!
I reached my destination at Peebles and the lovely weather continued, this is the view from the Tweed Bridge at Peebles looking north towards the Pentland Hills!
I left Peebles and turned off the main road and took the quieter back roads through the village of Stobo, from here its a gradual climb up to 1350ft for around 20 miles and the wind had started to pick up now! Of course it was a headwind and around 20mph, thankfully I was now on my second battery and had plenty juice left to turn the assist up and negate the headwind and climb! The views were still pretty special!
This is the view near the top of the climb at around 1200ft looking west towards Elvanfoot!
I reached the top of the climb and now had a beautiful descent back down into Moffat, the clouds were shrouding the top of the hills at the Devils Beeftub (very starnge name I know
) 3 months ago this was where my ride started, a nice 1000ft ascent from Moffat to warm me up!
This time I had the 1000ft descent to enjoy!
I arrived back in Moffat and was just about to turn into the car park where my car was parked when I noticed my gps was showing 69.7 miles, I just had to round it up to 70 of course!
So I continued past the car park and came across this nice little duck pond! I have passed this many times and never noticed it before, thats the beauty of the bicycle!
Another fanatstic day on the bike, I just love this part of Scotland and will keep returning for as long as I can! This route is very enjoyable both ways round, I'm really not sure which way is best...I will just call it a draw as they are both equally good!