Route: Aberdeen to Stirling - local knowledge please

[321up]

Hi,

I'm looking for some local knowledge regarding a route I am drafting from Aberdeen to Stirling possibly to be ridden in November.  I'd prefer to keep to quiet minor roads...

Option 1:  via Cairn o' Mount on B974 - what's the traffic like on this road and is it likely to be problematic in poor weather?

Option 2:  via Stonehaven - r.e. new road construction, are the minor roads via Burnhead & Stranog (near Aberdeen) open?

r.e.  the Deeside Way cyclepath between Aberdeen and the B979:   What's the surface like and are there barriers that would make it difficult/slow on a tandem?  We will probably have panniers and don't want to lift it.

Crossing A9 at Greenloaning (to access lane bypassing Dunblane) - the route planning algorithm wouldn't route this, is it viable?

r.e. weather:  is this a bad idea in November? (we have to ride out and back on specific dates and if we are on the tandem we won't have the option to bail out and use the train)

Thanks, A.

[Polco]

For option 1 the Cairn has an acceptable amount of traffic on it, however HGV drivers reliant on GPS can sometimes find there way onto the road which isn't ideal.
Option 2 roads are open although last time I was in Stonehaven it was reduced down to a single Lane coming out of the town and controlled by lights. I believe the junction on the Deeside way has been forgotten about so work may commence once they clear up all the other cock-ups.
Can't help with the A9, taking on the Cairn in November is a bit hit or miss, may good luck be with you!

[Pingu]

Option 1: Cairn o'Mount is fine for traffic.

Option 2: That road to Stoney is open.

Deeside way should be fine for a tandem. I use it a lot - the surface is tarmac though it's a wee bit 'rooty' in places.

I don't why you want to bypass Dunblane. I would go through Braco, Kinbuck, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan to get to Stirling if you're going that way.

As Polco says, you pays your money you takes your chance weather-wise.

Are you going to be in Aberdeen for long?

[Mrs Pingu]

Cairn O'Mount could be type 2 fun if the weather is 'interesting'. You know it has snow gates?
Also, I doubt they will be doing anything about the Deeside Way junction this side of Easter....

[Pingu]

Another option is the Slug Road then Swanley to Auchenblae, then to Fettercairn.

[FifeingEejit]

Crossing A9 at Greenloaning (to access lane bypassing Dunblane) - the route planning algorithm wouldn't route this, is it viable?

Ken I'm a bit late to the party...

Both the Greenloaning and Blackford routes over the A9 to get onto the Sheriffmuir road are doable.

At Greenloaning  the slip for the right turn onto the Muir road starts at the access from the village
https://goo.gl/maps/gFyesCR5SsL2

and at Blackford it's a case of going straight across, the farm road is tarred all the way as it used to be the A9 though you may have to navigate chicanes of Dung
Junction: https://goo.gl/maps/MZzsJisG6uM2
Road in Blackford: https://goo.gl/maps/MWDdiSTEQHF2

Though no real reason not to go round by Braco and Dunblane unless you really want to go by Sheriffmuir.
If the aim was to avoid the Keir Roundabout in order to get to Bridge of Allan then the Glen Road is passable on a bike.
Dunblane end: https://goo.gl/maps/F13Cs9rx9nx
As far as the google car went from Bridge of Allan: https://goo.gl/maps/sG4tjNNg2RH2