Been trying to do a fat bike ride at Montrose for a couple of years, but with ferocious fast moving tides it needs ideal tide timing to pull off. Today was looking good, so I scouted the route last night on google maps and set off this morning to try my luck. I wanted to ride from the South Esk estuary, the beach to the North Esk and back through the dunes.
Things were looking good as I set off, with the tide well out and the sand having had time to firm up.
Untitled by
Steven Clubb, on Flickr
I made good progress up the beach, passing amongst the dog walkers and noticing the amount of sea defence work that had been put in since the last time I was there. I remember (way back) when we were kids, playing in the dunes which at that point were far from the sea at high tide. Now the sections near the beach park is covered in rock moved in to protect them from washing away.
As is usually the case, a couple of hundred meters from the last car park, the dogs and walkers disappeared into the distance and it felt like I was heading into the unknown.
Untitled by
Steven Clubb, on Flickr
Played around a bit making some tyre art.
Untitled by
Steven Clubb, on Flickr
Tyre art by
Steven Clubb, on Flickr
Once past the end of the golf course, the defences stopped and the dunes became more natural. A bit of a shingle bank had formed here, giving some natural protection. The next section passed quickly and I soon reached the North Esk estuary. At the end point I was on a sand bank only visible a couple of hours a day and I initially wondered how easy the crossing would be to take me over and continue up the next beach towards St Cyrus. Despite the river being narrow at low tide, it was fast flowing enough to bring me to my senses.
From here I made slow progress through soft sloppy sand to the far side of the dunes. Only being uncovered an hour or so at a time, it never gets a chance to firm up.
Once away from the river I was fine and enjoyed some nice dune and woodland singletrack back to the car. Despite only being out a hour and a half the tide at the start point had already made my outward route unrideable at some points.
Untitled by
Steven Clubb, on Flickr
So, no the longest or most exciting ride I've ever done, but exploring new places always makes me glad I made the effort.