Freewheelers July update

Catching up once more, starting with John M's updated report from the group ride on Monday 27th June:

"A bit more on the Monday ride :

Present were Dick , Les ,Ken B , Ken P , Ian S and myself .

With a brisk westerly wind blowing we decided to head east and return in shelter on the Deeside way .

Initially on the Deeside way then up to Crathes Castle via the west entrance turning right on the north exit from the castle . Then the conventional direct route to Drum Castle including the farm track and eventually left into the track to the castle halfway up the hill .

The setting is pleasant at Drum castle , coffee and scones /cakes ok .

Then it was downhill to the Deeside way and across the football pitch to Dick's route on the 'almost cyclable ' river bank path under the Park bridge . In fact it was rough for only about 100m  (walking) then quite a good Land Rover track for a couple of ks and nice cycling close to the river.

We returned to the Deeside way near Park House coming up close to the Blacksmiths then home mainly out of the wind on the Deeside way .

Total 36.2 k and 225m"

Then on Thursday 30th June, from John M again:

"The Freewheelers demonstrated strength in depth by rotating squad members for this last ride in the first half of 2016 .

With no away day plan we met at 0900 at the GH - present were Iain W , Ian S , Jeff , Jack , Scott , Rufus and myself . 

All seemed happy to go to Finzean ( and I did not admit to my ulterior motive - buying burgers for an evening BBQ - although some were suspicious ) .

Weather was good - around 15/16 degrees , light wind , isolated showers - we caught one at the end.

So it was Mill of Cammie , Kirsty's Brae road for Jack and the track for the rest, AA Box and on to the Farm Shop . The peloton into the light/ moderate wind on the straight to Finzean was a  non rotating flock of geese - we missed Mike to take the wind at the front ! 

Coffee and scones were excellent as usual but a rising trend of non conformance was noted as 3  took bacon rolls - which were very good !

There was no enthusiasm for the 'over the top' route back due to a few time constraints so we all went back via Strachan / Mill of Cammie .

Another very enjoyable ride .

Total 37.1km and 306m"

and here's the various photos provided:

From the information gleaned from Strava and various e-mails, I understand there were further Freewheelers rides on Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th. The former seemed to be in the general direction of Torphins and was attended by Les, Aidan and Mike, whilst the latter was a trip in to Aberdeen with Les, Jeff, Scott and Ian Sh in attendance. No reports or photos from these rides and if anyone else joined them and would like the database to be credited with their attendance point, please let me know.

Mr. & Mrs. Reilly's addictions to cycling continue. They seem to be all over the place - their latest was down in Fife when they covered 90 kms in 2 trips.