May - Spring comes to Little Glenshee

A very late spring this year.  We had snowdrops out for well over a month, and at one point I think we all despaired of spring ever coming, a state of suspended animation seemed to have descended. Now the temperatures are finally rising and Sunday May 4th seemed a good opportunity to dust down the mountain bike and head for Little Glenshee.

On the way up the hedges were a patchy green but beneath the Cedendines were in flower. Despite cycling to work everyday I found the strong winds a challenge and so it was over two hours to do a ride that normally takes just 1.45. 

Still, lots of good wildlife; yellowhammers, curlews, lapwings, hares, common gulls then red squirrel. Some trees in leaf but others looking distinctly wintry. The roe deer are around but skulking in the bushes and forest edges so not easy to see with so much brown colour still around.

 

I'm riding a Specialised mountain bike at the moment and I've got mixed feelings about it.  It doesn't look particularly good, the black and white colour scheme makes is resemble an Everton Mint, but the comfort is okay and the with the big tyres it does allow for good off road cycling.  I've fitted by trusty old Brookes leather saddle which I have had since the 1980s when I used to enjoy cycling touring and had the saddle on my old Peugeot and then a later Orbit. Still for all the miles I do this bike is just fine.