Update from the Algarve

Greetings from us Freewheelers currently golfing in the Algarve - Les, Dick, Malcolm G and me. Since the last blog post, despite our absence some Freewheelers have been fairly busy - particularly Mike, who seems to be trying to set some kind of altitude record with his various solo and avec femme rides. Here's the log:

• Sunday - Mike - Drum - 40 kms - 335 m
• Tuesday
• Mike - Slug - 64 kms - 722 m
• John M - Goach - 21 kms - 466 m

The main Freewheelers bash on Monday was reported by Mike as follows:

"Whilst others sloped off to warmer climes and/or engaged in that four letter word that hits a little ball into a wee hole with sticks, or worse still bobbed about on a dinghy in the wild Bay of Biscay, a committed 5 turned up for a cycle. Freewhelers on the day were; Jeff, John M, Pete, Jack and me. Jack had his shiny new bike but Pete controversially had a road bike as his other bike had a puncture!

With this in mind, the usually reliable Mike, suggested a route that seemed to confuse some but they agreed to go with it - Platform 22 was the chosen coffee stop and there were a few looks of surprise as Mike led them out east along the railway path towards Tesco. There was madness in his method though and they reached Brathens after a nice loop around the east side of Banchory.

The Craiglash Quarry ascent was followed by a swift downhill section into Torphins and a welcome coffee and scone. The ladies from the cafe came out to take the photo but were spurned after a bit of banter as Mike was adamant that his John Perry inspired tripod was already set up

John M controversially suggested the Golf Course loop and despite murmurings it was agreed to do it and this proved to be a winner as we found a nice path along the old railway line that avoided us having to go down to the main road. The remainder of the route was on usual lines via Campfield and back up to Brathens where Pete and Jack forked off east and John, Jeff and Mike headed for Inchmarlo. The downhill was a Strava section and all three will have personal records after blasting it in close formation. All in all - a great afternoon's cycle!"