Day 5 – Wednesday 15 May 2013
Tomintoul to Ballater
34 miles/55km. (21 miles/33km off-road). 2050ft/625 metres climbing. Summits and passes: Culardoch 2400ft/730 metres; Felagie 1140ft/345 metres
Started in sunshine from Tomintoul, with 27 hard off road miles to cover taking us over some amazing mountains with views very few people will ever see. Got to top: snow, cold, windy – so stopped for lunch. Had one of the best down hill descents this week. Went through some beautiful forests which led us through Balmoral Estate, popped in for cream tea with the Queen (but forgot to get sponsorship from Her Majesty 
). Then hit our only bit of tarmac for the day. All up hill and raining – lovely 8 miles. Paul has found out from local doctor he has been over using his knee. Lol. Now can’t walk. Seems to be able to ride 50 miles a day though… Finishing a gruelling 35 mile ride in rainy Ballater. Last 55 miles tomorrow.
