October week 1

John Meaden supplied the main match report and photos from Monday's FW ride:

"A new record crew  of 15 riders gathered at the guide hut - chosen destination was Platform 22 by 2 main routes .

The first group of 5 - Hugh , Dick , Les , Ken P and Drew set off on the conventional direct route via Home Farm , the farm track and Craigmyle Road .

The remaining 10 of us started about 5 minutes later - Mike , Iain  W , Gary G (Freewheelers debut ?) , Bob , Jack , Ian Sh , Johns P , L , Mo and myself .  We all headed towards Craiglash Quarry but at the Glassel junction Gary and Ian Sh took more direct  route up the farm track .

The rest of us went over Craiglash and just before Torphins there was a further bifurcation when John P and Bob carried on to the cafe and the rest of us took a left turn for a 'minor' diversion up the small road then track up a hill to join the Pitmurchie road . For those who thought they were about to get a coffee this was a minimum yellow card offence by Mike - a fairly steep rough climb then fast descent into Torphins .

Time for one more split as Jack , John Mo and Iain went along the railway line track into the village meeting , and claiming intimidation by , the first group presumably putting in a post coffee golf course loop . John L , Mike and myself finished off with the golf course loop .

The phasing was not good for group unity but was good for cycling in smaller groups and for service in the cafe . The photobombing proprietor suggested we phone ahead if we are in such a large group .

We returned via Campfield and Glassel - 39.3 k and 477 m vertical on Strava .

A great ride - mostly warm and sunny but with a keen south easterly breeze at times .

Hope I did not miss anyone ."

Iain Wright, Jack Simpson, John Larkin, John Morton & Mike Reilly

John Morton supplied this image of the Strava flyby stats:

Mike then reported on his ride, with additional photos and route map:

"As a result of the record breaking numbers, this group of Freewheelers followed the route shown below and had a great time."

Mike Reilly, Iain Wright, John Morton, Jack Simpson, John Larkin & John Meaden

Mike Reilly, Bob Elder, Jack Simpson, John Meaden, Ian Sharp, Iain Wright, (photobomb), John Morton & John Larkin