Ballogie - Finzean

Ken B is today's star reporter:

"After much debate on starting times, eight of us convened at 1.30 for todays joyride.   Bob, Ken, Ian St., Aidan, Jeff, John, Jack and an early spring migrant (Les).  A stiffish breeze from the west determined the chosen route – keep to the trees through Blackhall to Potarch, scoot along the back-road to Ballogie, up and over to Finzean farm-shop and a leisurely return.  The riverside track is still under repair and almost cyclable.  

Passing the old quarry pond, there was much amusement from the activities of the local toad population which was amassing on the tracks – some debate about whether the activities involved fornication or merely close family relationships….wikipedia solves the dilemma - ”The males mount the females' backs, grasping them with their fore limbs under the armpits in a grip that is known as amplexus. The males are very enthusiastic, will try to grasp fish or inanimate objects and often mount the backs of other males. Sometimes several toads form a heap, each male trying to grasp the female at the base. It is a stressful period and mortality is high among breeding toads.”  Sounds like a lot of fun, apart from that last bit….oh, and the bit in the middle as well.  We might add that some of the high mortality is due to imprecise cycling through the orgy.  Leaving behind the wonders of nature, the peloton powered through the woods to a bifurcation where two groups formed to find the quickest way to the Potarch road…both involved some hill-climbing.  The peloton reformed to swoop down the hill, hard left onto the Ballogie road and a pleasant, flattish couple of miles to the famous Ballogie telephone box.  Beyond this, the Freewheelers entered new territory with a deviation into the woods off the road up to the memorial.  Another modest hill was climbed before topping out to lovely views across Feughside.  The downhill section passed Finzean House, home of the Farquharsons, and then onto the farm-shop to catch up with Ian St who had taken the easy option up the tarmac road.   The usual excellent fare and chat with some debate about the best way home.  On balance, Shooting Greens was rejected in favour of a wind-assisted sprint to Strachan and a short detour by Mill of Cammie.  A most enjoyable and educational ride!"

Now the story in pictures:

Jack shows his new bike off to Les

Jack powers ahead of Aiden and Ken

One of the multiplicity of toads on our path - this one solo

At the top of the hill on the Ballogie - Finzean road - a route that got me to Finzean Farm Shop a full 12 minutes before the main peleton arrived. 

Our original line-up was a straight line - we were told that looked boring so Jeff and John tried to make it more interesting.

The distance covered was "just" 36 kms but the altitude gain was 449 metres, some of it fairly steep - particularly the hill over from Ballogie to Finzean.

The 33rd Freewheelers ride on this year's database took us over the 1,000 kms mark.

Elsewhere, there have been 5 other rides since the last report:

• Thursday - Peter - Hirn - 28 kms - 143 m
• Saturday:
• Mike (avec femme) - Drum - 30 kms - 291 m
• John P (avec fils) - Scolty - 17 kms - 403 m
• Iain W - Knockburn - 22 kms - 312 m
• Monday - Ian Sh - Moray Way - 42 kms

Ian sent the following photo from his Cullen to Elgin trip today: