RSF - The Off Road Cycling Club

A foray into Glen Muick from the free car park in Ballater. The ride is initially all on good landrover tracks once you leave the road. Easy riding on the banks of the river (worth stopping @halfway to inspect the salmon leap) until you reach Inchnabobart where you turn right uphill to enter a pleasant glen. For those interested, there are some nice hills to be walked here as well. It's obvious that you are on the Balmoral estate, who else but the Queen would have silky smooth sections of tarmac in such a wild place as this?
Once over the top, a smooth and fast descent seems to go on forever but alas there's a steep section of climbing until you reach the right turn towards the ruin of Bovalgie. This is a good sheltered place to stop and eat the snacks you will have to bring with you for this ride. The views to Lochnagar and beyond are stunning!
From now on the track gets a little rougher but nowhere too difficult as you head back to rejoin the outward route near Ballater. There are if needed two good bike shops here and cafes aplenty.

 At @20 miles and 1500' of ascent, this is a good chance to feel 'out there' without too many difficulties.