News since Thursday - including a new record

It's all go again with Freewheelers all round the world:

• Friday
• Mike - Drum - 33 kms - 206 m
• Scott and I (what happened to Ken P & Iain W?) - Myrebird - 21 kms - 95 m
• Saturday - Malcolm L - Cape Town - 36 kms - 740 m
• Sunday
• Malcolm L - Cape Town - 110 kms - 2,452 m
• Les - Algarve - 33 kms - 150 m
• Monday - 10 Freewheelers - Torphins - 33 kms - 311 m

Yes - that's not a misprint above - Malcolm Lodge is down in Cape Town taking part in the 39th Cape Town Cycle Tour, which is advertised as the world's largest timed cycle race. The distance covered is impressive enough but what about the height gained? Check out the hills/mountains he climbed on his Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/509902380

Monday's match report came from Scott:

"Forecast was good so a big turnout was expected, and so it was, 10 of us gathered at the Guide hut, Ian Smart, Iain, Dick, John, Jeb, Rob, Colin, Jack, Aiden, and Scott.  Much debate took place before a decision was made to head for Torphins and Platform 22.  Colin suggested an alternative route via Morrison’s, up to Brathens then on to the usual route.  So off we went heading east on the Deeside Way with Rob taking pole position, we shot straight past Morrisons and on to Tesco’s (maybe Rob prefers Tesco?).  Murmurings from the followers “ where are we going? this is not Colin’s rout.“  

Not deterred Rob continued to lead on with his magical mystery tour.  Up past Tesco round Loch Leys to the junction to Raemoir Road.  This way to an alternative farm track to Brathens was heard so on we went through mud (or was cow s**t), ice, lots of pot holes until the track ran out.  Time for a hike!  Up the muddy hill we clambered first pushing the bikes then lifting them over fallen trees. 

Once at the top, back in the saddles and down the track to the Brathens road.  The rest of the journey to Platform 22 via Beltie hill was incident free with no further detours.  Coffee and scones (or cakes) consumed we set out on the return journey to Banchory heading north out of Torphins and along the scenic route above Craigmyle to Milton of Campfield.  On the way we met a couple with a dog who took an instant liking to Jeb’s leg, in the nicest way of course, causing a short dismount.  No harm done we continued to Banchory via Brathens where the East Enders continued East and the West Enders and Jeb continued down Glassal Road.

According to Garmin and not wanting to be too exact, we covered  20.11 miles, av speed 10.16mph, max speed 26.62mph and climbed 3,080.7 ft. (all +/- 0.01)"

Mr. Sharp/Smart supplied the team photo:

l-r: Iain Wright; Dick Taylor; Rob Pollard; John Perry; Jeb Tyrie; Colin Kilgour; Aiden Meehan; Jack Simpson; Ian Sharp & Scott Hunter

John P the route map: