Review: Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire by Markus Stitz

Scotland’s most prolific author returns with another gem. Markus Stitz’s work ethic would put anyone to shame, but the fact he’s just released another book (Gravel Rides Edinburgh, Fife & the Lothians) in the time it’s taken me to review this one is a new personal low.

Moving swiftly on then, Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire is a book you can safely judge by its cover; anyone familiar with the Stitz oeuvre will find plenty to enjoy in this highly readable guide to off-road cycling in central Scotland’s Perthshire and the Cairngorms mountain range to its north. 

Fifteen gravel rides are packed into this slender volume’s 122 pages, and you can be sure each one has been thoroughly tested by Markus at least once.

The first thing that strikes me leafing through the pages, is what a fantastic mode of travel the bicycle is. You can cover so much more ground than walking, while still travelling at a pace that affords leisurely appreciation of the scenery and access to parts of the country unreachable by car. 

What makes Markus’s books such a delight is that his interests range beyond the pure accumulation of miles in the saddle – and he expects that yours will, too. So you will be informed about the wild swimming options on the Black Wood of Rannoch (p55); where to forage for wild mushrooms (The Wolf’s Lair, p29); one of Scotland’s best picnic spots at An Lochan Uaine; a must-visit cake stop at KJ’s Bothy Bakery, plane spotting at Perth Airport – and, my personal favourite, a warning of an “aggressive capercaillie” in Abernethie (Ryvoan Bothy, p43).

The routes are categorised as easy, straightforward or challenging (may contain capercaillies), and range in distance from 15km to 77km. Each route is accompanied by an OS map and, as ever, Markus scatters in plenty of tips – from local bike shops to how you might extend a route should you wish (for example, one route takes in part of The Badger Divide trail linking Inverness to Glasgow).

And, if the desciptions aren’t enough to tempt you, the generous scattering of stunning photographs throughout the book surely will. 

I don’t think there can be a more knowledgeable guide to cycling in Scotland than Markus Stitz. If you’re lucky enough to live in Scotland or are planning a cycling visit – maybe inspired by gravel events like The Gralloch, Grinduro! Scotland or the Frontier 300 – Stitz’s guides are the perfect companion.

Ideally sized to slip in a pocket or frame bag, you can take it with you or simply upload the route to your bike computer – links to GPX files for each route are provided – and get out there. 

Just remember to leave space on your bookshelf for the half-dozen sequels Stitz will have published by the time you finish this one!

Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire: 15 gravel bike adventures in the heart of Scotland – £15.95 from www.adventurebooks.com