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The rain stopped during the night but
by morning was back again. It’s a good job this is my last camp as
the tent was totally sodden as I packet it away. I was on the road
by 07:15 which unfortunately coincided with the rush hour traffic.
The first part of my ride was uphill along the B979 and for a while
was still on the number 1 cycle route. |
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After a couple of miles the official
cycle route turned off to the right on its way to Aberdeen but took
a very winding way to get there. My planned route is to continue
along the road north. Although busy with traffic I didn’t have much
of a problem. The rain continued but was fairly light. Approaching
the B9077 I took a right turn along a minor lane then down to the
B9077 which I soon left to cross the River Dee and join the Old
Deeside Railway line route which is now a cycle and walking route. |
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Old
Deeside Railway now a cycle route |
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The railway was opened in 1853 and
closed in 1966. As I rode along it was nice to see the occasional
information board for long closed and demolished stations. The
weather was still overcast but the dense foliage canopy over the
trail meant it hardly mattered. |
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Station
building on old Deeside Railway |
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bridge
on the cycle route |
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After 10km I was approaching the
centre of Aberdeen. Although the trail continued I left it at Great
Southern Road to head south and over the King George VI Bridge over
the River Dee. My plan was to cross the river twice and get a better
view of the area. The overcast and misty weather meant I could
hardly see anything. I re-crossed the River Dee by the
Wellington Suspension Bridge, also known as the Chain Bridge. It
was opened to pedestrians in November 1830 and to traffic in May
1831. Then closed in 1984 to vehicles and pedestrians in 2002. It
was restored in 2006/07 and pedestrian use was re-instated in 2008. |
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Just after crossing I headed under a
stone railway arch to follow a steep narrow footpath up to a
succession of streets that I followed to the Railway Station. |
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near
Aberdeen Railway Station |
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About to
set off for Edinburgh |
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On the
train crossing the Tay bridge |
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I’d made good time and arrived at
09:15am. I was in luck with getting cycle reservations for my
journey home. The total single fare was £45.65. I caught the 09:52
London Kings Cross train to Edinburgh. It was interesting looking
out of the window as I was able to identify many views where I had
ridden my bike. I arrived in Edinburgh at 12:26 the transferred to
the 12:51 London Euston train to Preston. I reached Preston at 15:15
and cycled home via Penwortham, Avenham Park and the cycle route
through Bamber Bridge. |
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The Tay
bridge and old piers. |
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From the
Forth Rail Bridge |
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Preston
and cycling through Avenham Park |
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Return to
Whittle Wanderer
