Banchory Veterans' Cycling Group: Eve of the Ides

4 more recent rides to report before we get on to the main event:

Sunday

Les - Algarve - 24 kms - 121 m
Iain W - Knockburn - 23 kms - 314 m

Monday

Jeff - Knappach - 21 kms - 279 m
Peter Renwick (remember him?) - Knappach - 27 kms - 278 m

Today (Monday) there was a slight timing issue - Colin had to be back by 3 pm latest and the planned start time of 1:30 pm was a little late for him as it would have meant a very short ride or, worse still, having to forgo the coffee break! I was in recuperation mode (as was Jeff above) and decided I would join Colin so we both set off half an hour before the rest of the group.

East along the Way we headed and up Myrebird, down past the recording studio, then a quick turn off the main road to take the farm track that takes you through to Drumshalloch Wood, where we chanced upon a group of yellow jackets heading in the opposite direction. Ideal opportunity for a team photo:

l-r: Iain Wright; Dick Taylor; John Perry; Colin Kilgour; Jack Simpson; Scott Hunter; Ian Sharp & Ian Stewart

From there, Colin and I headed back along to Buchanan's for our coffee, sitting outside in the glorious sunshine. Colin and I did a mere 24 kms and 125 m of climbing.

Ian Sharp reported on the main event:

"Six athletes on the starting grid today ( Dick / John P / Scott / Jack / Iain Wright / Ian SH ) – there could have been 8 but two rebels set off early ( more on this later ) !

A suggested new ride via Woodlands of Durris onward to Lairhillock and down to Milltimber Bridge and back via Deeside Way was left for another day – “ too far this afternoon was the cry “ .

So we set off another route and little did we realise then that we would end up on a “ marathon “ ride of circa 26 miles !

Heading northward to Dick’s famous Catterloch Farm track , the first cry of “ I’ll get my legs dirty “ came from Iain W ( some of us had worn shorts on what was the best day of the year so far ).

At this stage we encountered the 2 rebels ( Colin & Ian St ) coasting along the other way. Team photo opportunity with EIGHT riders.

The Six athletes headed off again only to encounter a large tractor and excavator hogging all of the track – we quickly retreated onto the verge.

Scott was heard to comment that “ the large excavator must be as heavy as Jack’s bike “ !!

Jack had already advised the group that this would be the last appearance of his “ tank” – a new bike being collected tomorrow . Watch him go !

At the end of the Catterloch track we stopped after the hill climb to catch our breath – only for Scott to complain that the air had a distinct smell of silage and off he sped !

No more incidents to report on way out to Drum Garden Centre for the coffee & scone stop.

During this break John P took the opportunity to show off his new LYCRA ( red card ) cycling top sponsored by Tease Coffee Shop ( see photo ).

Some wit did ask if he should indeed eat this scone –or perhaps order the salad !

In a very eventful afternoon Dick then surprised us with a suggested deviation off the Deeside Way home via Park Bridge and along the riverbank.

Only problem was that his inability to get us down the steep back and over a Colditz style fence resulted in a yellow card.

We did however overcome the access problem by going back via Drumoak football pitch / park and along the riverbank under Park Bridge.

This got us riding into the westward sunshine, along a superb stretch of riverbank with all in the party singing the praises of Dick – only for us to come unstuck after a mile or so when we encountered the full devastation caused to this stretch of river by the recent floods.

The track came to a sudden halt – the area had been totally washed away.

Hope you can see the extent in my attempt at panoramic photo. Or better still go visit it on a nice day.

No more ado but to head back East a bit – Dick with the red card safely in his pocket – ( come back Rob Pollard ) and to re-emerge onto the Deeside Way via Park House – near Drumoak Blacksmith.

At this point we had done over circa 20 miles – but Dick then thought he would take advantage of the excellent conditions for a Strava Personal Best time to Myrebird ! Off he sped – did he do a PB ?

The rest of journey was fairly normal – most heading home via Hill of Banchory and over to Burnett Park.

What a day !!

We ended up doing circa 26 miles – phew ! But what a superb ride – including Dick’s Mystery Tour ."

Here's the photos sent by Dick and Ian: