This week's news

Another bad weather start to the week meant no cycling in Deeside on Monday, but it was back to the usual routine by midweek. Here's Bob's match report from this morning's run:

"Ride 03/12/15 – On a cold and frosty morning…..

A big turn out on a cold morning.  9 of us turned out at the guide hut at 0930 – Ian Sh, Rufus, John P, Rob, Robin, Scott, Bob, Dick, and new member Aiden.  There was some debate about risk of ice so we opted for a route starting on gravel tracks.

We headed out through the arch into Blackhall and followed the track by the river, then up to Shooting Greens.  No incidents apart from a couple of stops for Robin to adjust his seat as he was slowly sinking.  The seat post clamp didn’t seem to be gripping properly.  A temporary fix was done but this is a repeat problem so a new one is probably needed (Scott knows a good shop in Ballater that sells them!).

We then zoomed down the hill to the Feughside Inn with several complaints about cold heads and cold ears.  John considered a redesign to his bike hat to add closable vents just like on ski helmets.  Then on to the Finzean Farm Shop and Café for refreshments.  We made life easy for the waitress by all ordering Americanos and scones – we must have left the awkward ones at home today!  Aiden didn’t fall for the suggestion that new members always bought the round on their first visit.

No one opted for the hilly return so we came back to Banchory via Strachan, Mill of Camie, and the Feugh Bridge."

Dick supplied the team photo:

l-r: Rufus de Silva; John Perry; Robin Brodie; Aiden Meehan; Ian Sharp; Bob Elder; Rob Pollard; Scott Hunter; Dick Taylor

Dick's Strava shows a distance of 30 kms with over 1,000 feet of climbing - https://www.strava.com/activities/443591589. John supplied the route overview:

Les did a similar, although a lot flatter, distance in the Algarve this morning and also had a 36 kms ride on Tuesday.

Yesterday, 4 of us - John McWhinnie, Ian Sharp, Keith Gray and myself completed the Park Bridge loop, north then south - a total distance of 32 kms with climbing of over 900 feet and coffee to finish at Tease - https://www.strava.com/activities/443112408. No team photo.