South Deeside revisited

Communication was obviously an issue today as both John P and Robin have submitted match reports. Perhaps it's some kind of competition? OK - let's vote. First of all, here's John's effort:

"I am sure our readers will be enthralled to know that the Freewheelers efforts at getting in trim for the marathon of Christmas parrties and meals, is going well. At the very least a global first (Ian, could you please check the record books), 11 svelte athletes mustered at the guide hut on what was a fair parky morning. Now see if I can get this right… Dick, Rufus, Rob, Bob, John M, John P, Scott, Mike, Aiden, Jeff and Robin. There were comments along the lines, “We haven’t ventured around south of the river recently”, so it was that we set out for the Bridge of Feugh. Plenty of compromising clothing was being worn in the 4° temperature; feeling colder because of the brisk wind that Robin assured us was going to increase at a rate of 2MPH per hour - a prediction that wasn’t far off. Whilst we were whisked along the roads heading east, no one considered the SW wind building at the rate Robin promised, hey ho!

Red and yellow cards were not bandied around enough today, because at the very least someone deserved one for the haul out from Bridge of Feugh towards Waulkmill, or as Strava illuminatingly calls it, “A Climb”. There were one or two grunts of, “I am too hot”, but overall all the worn layers were needed. We finagled our way to the Slug then across it towards the Durris Manse (now in private hands, but until recently used by the minister of the kirk). This was a brilliant down hill stretch, one that had to be paid for. So it was back up to Balladrum, Calladrum, Meikle Tulloch and Woodlands. Down another fast decent to to the main road, across it and on to Park Bridge. Some mutterings about a route along by the river, but a number voted with pedals and made a fairly definite B-line towards the Drum Oak Garden Centre. “Table for eleven please!"

Jeff and Bob had to ‘get on’, so that left the rest of us lounging in the sofas for an extended break and natter. As we re-mounted our steeds, it was soon realised 2MPH/hour was going to take its toll. A few enthusiastic souls decide a small peleton was the way to go and worthy of at least a yellow card proceeded to rip-up the Deeside Way. There was re-grouping, but after Milton of Crathes (more coffee anyone?) we lost coherence with people peeling off at various junctures and differences in return routes. All of which was a shame, coz it been a good ‘un and we couldn’t collectively pat ourselves on the backs.

Sunny, cold with colder to come, breezy and ca.40km. Bring on the Christmas puddings!"

Now here's Robin's effort:

"With 11 cyclists arriving at the Guide Hut this clear cold morning we think we  may have created a new record. Those present on this historic occasion were Rob, Scott, John Meaden, Mike R, John P, Dick, Robin, Bob, Jeff, Aidan and Rufus.

We reckoned that the Drum Garden Centre was the only place that could handle this number of fruit scones and so that decided the direction of travel. We then set off over Feugh Bridge to Tilquillie and Knappach and from there to The Slug Road where we turned right and then first left onto a new road for some , which took us (downhill at last!)to a crossroads with the Old Durris Manse on the right.

Thence , up the hill to the main easterly back road to Kirkton of Durris. The views from up here over the Dee Valley and to snow covered Morven were spectacular and the cycling was easy all the way through Kirkton and down to the South Deeside Road and Park Bridge. After a short debate we cycled East on the Deeside Way up to Drum Garden Centre and those much anticipated scones.

We lingered in the Restaurant and by the time we came out the wind had intensified in speed and coldness/ fridgidivity ( this may not be a real word but I thought it described the situation well!) and it was all in our faces as we headed home at various rates along the Deeside Way after an exhilarating outing."

Well, who won the battle of the scribes?

For the record, yes - it was a new record Freewheelers attendance.

There was less competition for the team photo and the route overview with Dick and John P respectively doing the honours:

Standing, l-r: Mike Reilly, Rob Pollard, John Perry, Jeff Dickens, Bob Elder, Dick Taylor, John Meaden, Scott Hunter, Robin Brodie & Rufus de Silva. Seated at front: Aiden Meehan.

John P's Strava shows the full stats - https://www.strava.com/activities/447716127