♥ An Aird
August 9th, 2010 • Cycling, Mountainbiking • Somhairle
A trip home gave an excuse to hit the old stomping ground, the formative trails which ignited a love of woods, rocks, mud and the mountain bike. An Aird is a large tract of upland on the Northern fringes of Loch Ness, it’s highest point is only 400m or so but the roads and trails I frequented tend to head straight up and over the shallow ridge that comprises the spine, the gradients are steep in parts and provide a solid challenge.
Life has changed inexorably over the years and much has changed on the hill too. Paths that were well used by horses bike and foot have fallen faint, silent and overgrown. Despite the influx of new homes and people to the hill the interiors seem less well travelled as they once were. There are hot spots like, Reelig Glen, Abriachan and the Mam Mor walks which through convenience, car parking and way marking have become popular (with good reason), taking local feet and tyres away from the network on which I cut my teeth.
Anyone who has spent a lot of time in one piece of country – especially when growing up – will understand the affinity that builds up between the person and the land. Finding and cutting routes, following faint deer tracks, exploring and stringing together pieces of trail to create secret un-interupted loops which only you and some select others know is special. In my absence a lot of these treasured gems have been reclaimed by nature and are no longer rideable or even distinguishable.
This sense of home and belonging is something I miss in my suburban surroundings. Something I long to re-kindle later in life. I may not end up back in An Aird but it remains that where ever I settle – I will always ♥ and return to An Aird.
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