{"id":33947,"date":"2022-02-27T10:00:38","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T09:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=664824"},"modified":"2022-02-27T10:33:23","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T09:33:23","slug":"bikeradar-rides-exploring-scotlands-moray-coast-trail-by-gravel-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bikeradar-rides-exploring-scotlands-moray-coast-trail-by-gravel-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"BikeRadar Rides | Exploring Scotland\u2019s Moray Coast Trail by gravel bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Sean McFarlane\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 27 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Tucked away on the north-east coast of Scotland between Inverness and Aberdeen, and just outside the well-trodden North Coast 500 tourism trail, the region of Moray is perhaps less heralded among the thousands who head to the north of the country each year.<\/p>\n

For many, however, that\u2019s exactly the reason to visit, to avoid the UK\u2019s staycation crowd and explore the unique terrain of this underrated Scottish gem. Specifically, the gravelly delights of the Moray Coast Trail, which we\u2019d come to explore by bike.<\/p>\n

To get there, we travelled, along with what seemed like half the planet, up the A9, peeling off northeast towards Elgin when we got to Aviemore, with the majority carrying on northwest to Inverness.<\/p>\n

The silence that hit us not long after gave the impression we\u2019d taken a wrong turn, though as we travelled through the famed Speyside whisky region, we realised that many tourists may well have been preoccupied with matters other than driving.<\/p>\n

From Elgin, we headed on north towards the coast and reached the starting point for our ride, which was the town of Lossiemouth, often referred to as \u2018the jewel of the Moray Firth\u2019, complete with two beautiful sandy beaches.<\/p>\n

Collective knowledge<\/h2>\n

The 50-mile Moray Coast Trail is a smaller part of the larger 100-mile Moray Way, a long-distance path popular with walkers and a shiny object in the new world of gravel riding<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019d have to leave the latter for a return visit, but for today we were fully focused on the Coast Trail part of the triangle.<\/p>\n

Living in central Scotland has a variety of perks, but coastal riding isn\u2019t readily available, so it was going to provide a refreshing change of scenery.<\/p>\n

\""Moray\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The 50-mile Moray Coast Trail is part of the longer Moray Way.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy McCandlish \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Local knowledge came by way of Mark and Martin from the newly formed Moray Gravel Collective.<\/p>\n

Though work got in the way of them joining me and photographer Andy for the ride, they kindly put together a route for us, which included a largely road-based return to base in Lossiemouth.<\/p>\n

I had vague memories of visiting this town before and a few texts to friends confirmed that we\u2019d been here more than 20 years ago on a surfing trip. Just like my surfing skills, that visit hadn\u2019t been memorable, but the town has aged well and looked to be thriving.<\/p>\n

The seagulls seemed particularly excited by our arrival, which again reminded me of summer holidays gone by. But this was northern Scotland in mid-November.<\/p>\n

Our route would cover a good portion of the Coast Trail. We\u2019d head east out of Lossiemouth and turn around at Cullen, but the full 50-mile trail actually starts west of Lossiemouth in Forres.<\/p>\n

Our start out of town was aided by a pleasant breeze at our backs, which took us immediately into forest.<\/p>\n

\""Moray\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Cycling on a mud-free carpet of pine needles was a lovely start to the trip.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy McCandlish \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The soil was sandy but firm, with a most agreeable top dressing of old pine needles, a wonderfully smooth off-road surface, free of the mud I\u2019d come to expect on gravel rides at home.<\/p>\n

This is the Collective\u2019s local stomping ground for short, local rides from home, with numerous singletrack options springing off the trail that looked tempting but would no doubt get me quickly lost.<\/p>\n

We soon moved onto tarmac cycle track, and wooden sleepers rattled as I passed over the splendid Spey Viaduct, completed in 1886 and built as part of the long-defunct Moray Coast Railway.<\/p>\n

\""Moray\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The impressive Spey Viaduct now provides a car-free route for cyclists.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy McCandlish \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The railway industry\u2019s loss is the bike rider\u2019s gain, as these old lines are now the scene of traffic-free riding all over the country.<\/p>\n

On we went to Spey Bay, where river meets sea and good vibes are abundant. The third longest river in Scotland has a special place in Scottish culture, for its salmon and whisky heritage. It\u2019s incredible to think how many salmon swim through the tiny river mouth each year.<\/p>\n

Our eastward progress continued with some delightful sandy, pine-needle covered singletrack. The Collective guys had told me this was their favourite section and it was easy to see why.<\/p>\n