The first guided tour I did while in Strathspey was with Mike’s Bikes, a bike rental and guiding company tucked off Grampian Road, Aviemore’s main street.  Sales and rentals of E-Bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, and the sale of biking equipment and clothing are all supplied here.  They provide guided bike tours through the region and free Wednesday evening group bike rides for locals and visitors, encouraging weekly outings with new routes.

The U.K. isn’t known for warm, dry weather, and biking in the rain is approached with just as much enthusiasm as biking in the sunshine.  Plans don’t change for rain, and if you have the energy and the right clothing, there should be no reason why you can’t get outside with a smile on your face.

I went on my first E-Bike ride on a private tour with Sally, one of Mike’s Bikes awesome employees working in the shop that day.  During the season, they often rent out every bike they have, but since it was October, there were plenty of bikes to choose from.

After seeing a few options for tours, I decided I wanted to see Glenmore Forest, Rothiemurchus Estate, Loch Morlich, and my very first bothy:  Ryvoan.  We set out on our bikes, the sky cloudy and the air warm.

The temperature was so pleasant, I just needed a bike helmet and a light jacket over my long-sleeve shirt and stretch pants.  I loved that we were able to ride right from the bike shop through the town and onto the Rothiemurchus trail.  We were soon surrounded by the ancient Caledonian Forest I had heard so much about.  We passed large swaths of heather, wild mushrooms, moss, and rode along the Cairngorm range until we came out above Loch Morlich.

Back down on the Old Logging Trail, we passed the Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Center, the Cairngorm Reindeer Center, the Glenmore Lodge, and set out towards An Lochan Uaine– otherwise known as the green lochan.  We stopped at the beautiful green lochan for some photos and a protein bar, then headed up a rocky trail and to the top of the next hill (Ryvoan Pass).  Because of those E-Bikes, I wasn’t winded when we got to the top of the hill.  Instead, it was a relaxed and enjoyable ride.  I could see these bikes being the perfect tool for a family excursion- especially towards the end of the ride when the kids are winded.

We approached Ryvoan Bothy as the pass flattened out, stepped off our bikes and had a look inside.  It was just what I was expecting: a small stone room painted white, a black fireplace, small windows, and a stack of wood by the front door.  The smell of the fire from the night before still permeated the air.

We coasted back down the hill, past the ancient Caledonian pines, rode along Loch Morlich and back to the Old Logging Trail.  We were back in Aviemore just in time for the rain to start with some gusto.  I changed back into my jeans and sweater in Mike’s Bikes and thanked my awesome tour guide Sally (who put up with my many, many questions) and the cool bike employees in the shop before heading across the street to the Mountain Cafe for a hot cup of coffee.  What a wonderful way to discover the area over a few hours: lakes, trails, a bothy, and enjoyable exercise.  I could see myself doing this again very soon.