The nights are drawing in and the temperature is dropping but before the season began its change into autumn, I fitted in a last summer cycle trip in Fife. The hot, sunny days through golden fields ready for the harvest, captured the essence of this time of year.
The ride headed northeast out of Markinch using the route of the Fife Pilgrim Way along field margins, farm tracks and ancient paths. The first section was especially enjoyable by bike, pedaling along between fields and hedgerows on single track baked hard by the summer sun.
We soon left the fields behind to climb gently into the woods and forests of Clatto Hill. This section had a remote and empty feel to it that was hard to explain given its proximity to reasonable sized towns. Perhaps it was because we stuck to gravel tracks and forest rides so never crossed any roads.
A lovely descent through Clatto Den took us to Clatto Reservoir. It was an idyllic spot in the sun with waterfowl on the loch and dazzling blue damselflies flitting around the bright pink of the rosebay willowherb that lined the margins.
Our next path cut a meandering line across the fields before bringing us out in Ceres at the Bishop's Bridge. It was built in the 17th century and the gradient of its arch plus the cobbled surface defeated our modern day bicycles and we had to push over.
Our ride continued northeast out of Ceres on countryside paths and then up a steep farm track onto Kinninmonth Hill. The stiff climb was worth the effort for the view back over our route and to the Lomond Hills beyond. The climb had also taken us to our wee campsite for the night at Drumcarrow Farm. It was basic, just a field beside the farmhouse with one toilet and a shower in a portakabin, but it was a lovely spot. The view was open and extended over rolling fields and woods. House martins twittered overhead and the craggy hill of Drumcarrow Craig behind the farm provided a pleasant walk to fill the evening.
The campsite was also our turnaround point and next day we made our way back to Markinch on quiet, meandering back roads.
Fact File
Public Transport: Edinburgh to Perth and Edinburgh to Dundee trains stop at Markinch.
Route: Fife Pilgrim Way from Markinch is all rideable with a loaded bike except for a couple of very steep but very short sections. It goes right by the campsite. Returned to Markinch via the National Cycle Network route through Craigrothie, Coaltown of Burnturk and Star.
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