Thursday Mud-day

He's back - bigger and bolder than ever - and he's still not learned from all his red cards last year. Yes, Rob is today's reporter:

"For today's ride the boys trusted me to take them over the Slug and around the Fetteresso forest tracks. Ian Sharp, Ken Page, Jeff, Jeb, Bob, Dick and myself set off on a very chilly morning to get our cars to the car park where the new road feeding the wind farm was blasted into the forest. As forewarned the initial track is a long, steady uphill section; which started well and then quickly deteriorated into a quagmire. The problem was caused by an extensive logging operation; even the toughest riders were reduced to pushing their bikes through the glutinous mud. This went on for about a kilometre and then the superb forest tracks resumed for the rest of the ride. However, this section was enough to get me awarded a red card, which I thought was a tad harsh. The build up of mud and small stones caused much stopping and cleaning and unfortunately for Dick, caused the complete seizure of his gear-box!! Poor lad had to trudge back through the mud and drive home for an early bath; I hope he got back and believe he took a photo of our travails.

The ride then continued along undulating high level tracks, with occasional long hills both uppy and doony. No other incidents of note. We eventually came past Swanley and out onto the back road from Stonehaven to the foot of the Slug road. Back to the cars in a bit under two hours, which for only 12 miles or so, shows the severity of the hills. About 1700' in climbs (and drops)!

I forgot to start Strava 'cos I was using another map app to stop us getting lost in the forest. (Every bloody junction looks the same!!)

A good workout, rewarded with coffee and comestibles at Tease. Sorry, no team photo.

Rob"

Dick supplied the photographic evidence:

Dick's Strava stats - https://www.strava.com/activities/413465832. These show an interesting straight line from Banchory to Fetteresso then just 1.7 kms and 300 feet of climbing - completely at odds with Rob's report. Explanations will be extracted next week on our golfing trip to Costa del Sol, from where this blog report comes - with John Perry not too far away from me just now up in the Andalucian hills.

A late addition came from Ian Sharp, who reported as follows:

"After getting us back to base Rob showed further talents by child minding a civilians' baby whilst she enjoyed her coffee !!

What a man !!"

Sorry about the sideways view!