One Of The Hardest Mtb Routes Across The Cairngorms

Strava Link - / strava
This one was a big one! I had been wanting to go from the Braemar area over to Aviemore or vice versa for some time, but certain logistical constraints (other people needed and ideally a vehicle at the other end) held it of for a while.
Thankfully Ben from Deviate Cycles was free for a few days and was up for an adventure. We were also joined by Iain, Ben's friend and old physics teacher, and finally Louise fromwww.headintheskymtb.com/
This route was more full on than most would choose in the first place, add to that, the less than ideally weather conditions, and you've got yourself a proper Scottish mtb adventure!
Supporters of the channel
Patreon - / mctrailrider
Deviate Cycles - bit.ly/3VqBdFK
Vitus Bikes - vitusbikes.com/
20TwentyBikes - bit.ly/3OVHHt8
PayPal Donations - www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_...
Bikes
Main bike
Deviate Claymore (custom build) - store.deviatecycles.com/colle...
Ebike
Vitus E Sommet VRS - vitusbikes.com/collections/e-...
Camera Gear
Main POV Camera
GoPro Hero 10 - gopro.com/en/gb/shop/cameras/...
Drone
Skydio 2 - www.skydio.com/skydio-2
Riding Equipment
Full Face helmet
Specialised Gambit - www.specialized.com/gb/en/gam...
Open face helmet
POC Tectal - amzn.to/3k7yiAf
Medium sized backpack
USWE Patriot 15 - amzn.to/3kb3yOz
Large backpack
Kriega Trail 18 - amzn.to/37xM75Q
Riding glasses
Oakely Jawbreakers - amzn.to/37wYOOg
One piece suit
Dirtlej Dirtsuit - amzn.to/3bnmPsj
Shoes
5Ten Trailcross - amzn.to/2NsmHzw
Bike computer
Garmin Edge 530 -amzn.to/3aCCV24
Bike Computer Mount - www.76projects.com/shop/endur...

[@Walking-Wanderers]

Wow. Enjoyed that crazy ride. Thrilling even from our couch. -Bear, Yak, Unicorn.

[@jennyleverington7680]

Im a 60 year old women and just came across your video's. Youre bloody crazy and amazing! I Watched these last 2 videos with my eye popping, my mouth wide open in shock and fear, my heart was in my mouth. I'm never going to experience scotland like that, but with you about i dont need too, i felt i was with you. It was great. Thanks for the ride❤🎉

[@McTrailRider]

Wow, thank you!

[@deepwoodguy2]

Howdy....USA here.......after watching you and your friends chat with King Charles...utube algorithm brought up 3 news channels showing your meeting....2 from the UK and one from Australia.......news heard round the world.......good job..........👍👍

[@McTrailRider]

Seems that the king is quite a big deal! Thanks for sticking around mate, really appreciate it👍

[@jimmacgregor4122]

You can only admire the skill - and the bravery - cracking video.

[@Lottie628]

Been binge watching your videos which are thrillingly brilliant. Well done

[@McTrailRider]

Fantastic! I’m pleased you’re enjoying them😊

[@ez182]

Love the channel mate, keep it up! 👍🏼

[@McTrailRider]

Thank you, will do.

[@stu.c]

Andrew, your love of an unrelenting chunky descent is the equal of my mate's love of a shitty, muddy, rooty, techy climb. I can't fathom either, but as always I'll applaud you both for it...😅

[@McTrailRider]

😂😂 my love for the chunk could be classed as an abusive relationship to be honest😜

[@deedontworry]

Love these type of rides! 🔥🤘

[@McTrailRider]

You and me both

[@scotlandmyhome7484]

Respect 👊 that’s some route you guys did & that decent off Braeriach after a long run just to get there makes it even more impressive! ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@McTrailRider]

Was definitely a big effort day. The last descent would have been bit easier on fresher legs😜

[@D.R.MTB.48]

Awesomeness bro . Great ridin by you all . Cheers dude. Always luvin the vids 😎

[@McTrailRider]

🤙

[@Shooterthecat1]

Excellent scenery and camera work!!

[@McTrailRider]

Thank you very much!

[@chrismarshall5743]

I'm so impressed by your riding your skill level is amazing

[@McTrailRider]

Cheers Chris, been working on the skills for a very long time, so it’s nice to be getting somewhere with it.

[@kisilvan]

Chapeau to you. Getting down the last bit on Braeriach. Hard enough walking it. Great vid

[@McTrailRider]

It was way tough than I had given it credit for.

[@gethappycyclingcampingoutdoors]

AWESOME, great video great riding.

[@McTrailRider]

Cheers dude!

[@A_AAA232]

that was some route! big skills on some of those rock sections, shame the weather didn't hold out but still some awesome riding, cheers

[@McTrailRider]

Gutted about the weather tbh, the views should have been incredible.

[@estimateparagon]

After watching your videos for the last year or so, I ordered my Highlander II today. Great video

[@McTrailRider]

That’s awesome mate! I am certain that you’ve made a great choice and will be genuinely delighted with your bike👍😊

[@SargeFG]

Absolutely savage trail, added to the bucket list

[@McTrailRider]

Be prepared mate, it's a biggy

[@kyled121]

I came down that route after a nasty fall on Braeriach. It wasn't easy just walking it! Well done!

[@McTrailRider]

Oh, not a great place to have any kind of issues, glad you got down alright.

[@rhettetherington1351]

Incredible riding by all of you. What an epic day!

[@McTrailRider]

Louise certainly proved her skills on this one. The rest of us knew each others level, but Louise was left in a tough position of having to prove her skills on some seriously tough terrain. She crushed it though💪💪

[@rhettetherington1351]

@@McTrailRider You all crushed it. I can only dream of that skill level.

[@andyraven6219]

I remember Ian guiding Brian Kennedy on Ben's Mont Blanc bike enduro, back in 2017. A great rider.

[@McTrailRider]

I’ll need to rewatch those videos to see Iain👍

[@theamateuradventurer]

Amazing!

[@McTrailRider]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Mugtree]

OMG Andrew absolutely epic. That there is my kind of day and riding. It looked absolutely mental. Fair play to you all. Oddly I have a wee route planned for next Easter Braemar to Aviemore - mmmmm. Thank you again for your amazing videos

[@McTrailRider]

May still be a it too much snow at that time, but you never know👍

[@Mugtree]

@@McTrailRider fingers crossed I’ll be lucky but plenty of options. Had that last year when I wanted to do Ben Macdui on my way from Aviemore to Braemar. Had to go round instead 🤷‍♂️

[@McTrailRider]

@@Mugtree thankfully there’s plenty of lower options too 👍 I’m sure you’ll find a decent route. Give me a shout before you come up mate, could be keen to join you if you want.

[@Mugtree]

@@McTrailRider thank you Andrew will do 👍. Hoping to do Cairngorms Torridon, Skye and Nevis 🥵👍

[@darrylhausman-pk8cq]

You've outdone yourself , Andrew Excellent vid , fantastic views & by the high number of F Bombs dropped by yourself , very exciting . Best MTB site I've viewed

[@McTrailRider]

The f bombs were higher than usual must say😳 Still a good gauge of the ride as you say though👍 Glad your enjoying the videos👍

[@heywood165]

Don’t worry dude, I watched your videos before you met someone famous and I’ll keep watching them long after. Next time you’re in the English Lake District, give me a shout and we can hit some ebike trails. Keep up the good work! Oh yeah. Sorry my comment is late, I’m about 2 weeks behind KZbin as I’m too busy riding/working most of the time.

[@McTrailRider]

I’m grateful for this comment dude 😊 Been a bit mad recently, so it’s great to get regular comments from regular viewers👍

[@heywood165]

@@McTrailRider Don’t be mad, just adjust your expectations. You’ll get sporadic views for a few months then things will level out. You’re bound to pick up subscribers, but don’t expect it to change your life too much, just accept any good sponsors that come along! 👍🏻

[@Isabeltao2121]

Tremendo!! :))

[@starrgazer1000]

Was the bike you were using custom made as it is hard to credit that such a fantastic bike as yours can take so much punishment and hard wear. Also have you ever had a serious puncture or split tyre en route anywhere. One would have thought that really would be dangerous with rough treks such as yours. Best of luck in all you do. Also your memories will be with you forever. I mentioned in an earlier comment that a friend of mine now deceased was a Television engineer with Redifusion in the fifties and sixties and he was the chief of TV maintenance. He often visited Buckingham Palace to service the television in the Royal apartments. He was working on it when a boy popped in to see what he was doing and that boy was Prince Charles. Wilton Smith the TV repair man was an old friend of mine. The sister of Charles, Anne also appeared in the room but lost interest quickly and left. Charles stayed to chat to Wilton as he was as a young boy fascinated with the workings of the television set. The televisions usually had to be serviced twice a year as a couple of valves were often in need of replacement which were always failing. The horizontal hold and the vertical hold were always giving trouble. This was about 1957. Best wishes in all you do and as HM said don't fall off. Peter Starr London

[@McTrailRider]

My bike has all the parts that I chose to put on it rather than a standard build, but the frame is the same that anyone else can buy. They are really good bikes, and can take all the abuse we can through at them. Had plenty of punctures before, mainly in Spain, but the modern tyres are also very impressive. I did read your comment on my other video, but couldn’t respond to everyone as it all got a bit out of hand😮 Cool story though, cool to hear that Charles was an inquisitive person, even from a young age.

[@starrgazer1000]

Thanks for your courteous comment. Sorry you had so many negative comments from people. Don't take it personally dear boy. Trolls are a creepy lot. People hate what they don't understand. Best wishes Peter Starr@@McTrailRider

[@McTrailRider]

@@starrgazer1000 it’s to be expected with that many views on any video, and especially involving the king, as many feel passionate about him for good or bad.

[@rogereheadbyrne4790]

What a Journey!Thankyou Andrew!Watching Vicariously wishing I had your skillset! My bike has 180 mil travel both ends but I would've shaken my teeth out on that one! Haha very impressive ride mate!

[@taffycymroukmtb9073]

😎 great stuff Buddy enjoy the video 👍🚴🚴🚴👌

[@McTrailRider]

Thanks 👍

[@jpdisenyo]

no gloves = hard as the Cairngorms granite. good video 🙂

[@McTrailRider]

Could have done with gloves on this occasion, it was bloody cold at one point 🥶

[@ArdGeal]

Ropey as F in bits lol!!! Great effort by all! (Don't fancy the HAB bits like)

[@McTrailRider]

True that!

[@Codeset08]

Ben making those steps look easy 😯 Shame the sun didn't stay out for you all.

[@McTrailRider]

Ben is just ridiculous on stuff like this. Next videos are sunny ones thankfully.

[@collettmcdouall8814]

WOW!! 😀

[@sheadleeful]

Gloves are the best!😁

[@McTrailRider]

I’ve heard rumours of the benefits of gloves😜

[@cb6866]

Thanks for sharing that Andrew....rest , bud I've not heard you that tired before . It was intense though , shit !

[@McTrailRider]

I’ve been worse, but not by much😜

[@mitchwarren1600]

Another great route for me to actually come and do . Is that the same Ian McKenner from the original Deviate location?

[@McTrailRider]

It is indeed the same Iain👍 Super nice guy!

[@Adlemtbadv]

So chunky you could carve it 😮

[@McTrailRider]

😂

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

Having done this route and many more in the area, I'm surprised you never got any pinch flats.

[@McTrailRider]

You and me both! Was running the lightest casing tyres too.

[@bennysh]

Welcome to another episode of the favorite "bike abuse" 😅 wow this is real *mountain* biking!

[@McTrailRider]

My bikes certainly don’t get an easy life 😂 They deal well with it though💪💪

[@Ruffest]

How can you say full fryup without fruit pudding? 😂

[@McTrailRider]

Don’t think I’ve ever said those two together tbh

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

Das ist cool, ja? 🤘🤘

[@McTrailRider]

oh Ya

[@cityproofdad]

whats you dji action settings for this view??

[@McTrailRider]

Ultrawide 4k 30fps Dlog m colour profile

[@cityproofdad]

@@McTrailRider rocksteady or +and is a chest mount i quess

[@McTrailRider]

@@cityproofdad standard rocksteady and mounted on the chin bar of my helmet. My criticism of the camera is that for chest mounting, rocksteady isn’t enough, but rocksteady+ crops in way too much.

[@cityproofdad]

@@McTrailRider true but is helmet heavy ill rather

[@leetori1]

Skills

[@McTrailRider]

Cheers

[@pendulum1997]

What?! No king this time?

[@McTrailRider]

Unfortunately not. Could do with Charles in every video😜

[@MTBScotland]

That guy is not a physics teacher. Where is his beard.

[@McTrailRider]

He had to retire after he shaved it off😜

[@rob141]

Don't think you're going to get as many views on this video as the last one. But awesome nonetheless

[@McTrailRider]

Sadly back down to earth again🥲