Thursday away day and mid-term report

Drew reports:

"After a slightly confused start only three Freewheelers (Ian S, Dick and Drew) set off from GH at 8.45 as the "away day" group.

The ride started at the Whitehills cycle trail car park in Pitfichie Forest near Tillyfourie and climbed gradually for about 1km up to a recumbent stone circle. From there it contoured round the hill and then up a 2 km climb to the start of the downhill trails (which we ignored). From there it was down through an interesting wooded section where I failed to complete a forward roll but managed a head plant. Ian and Dick patiently waited for me at the bottom and we had a fantastic fast run on a good forest road down to a back road past Pitfichie Castle and into Monymusk by 11 o'clock. Perfect timing for coffee and fruit scones in the Thrifty community shop in the Post Office in the square .. excellent, and a very friendly place. Not sure if we got good value for money though as it was a full £1 for the coffee and same for scones (who needs a loyalty card!).

After getting clear route instructions the 3 Monymusk-a-tears headed up the back roads  towards the car park  for a mile or so before needing some further guidance! Back at cars about mid day just as rain drops started.

A fine day out with great views and mix of riding conditions... lots of scope for further exploration.  "

Ian also sent a couple of photos:

Dick also added one of Whitehill Stone Circle:

From Strava, the map and stats:

It's exactly 6 months since we had our Xmas do and we set out on the first ride of this year's database. Today was ride number 62 and, in terms of number of FW group rides, the leader board reads:

Sharp	Ian	31
Taylor	Dick	31
Dickens	Jeff	27
Hunter	Scott	27
Simpson	Jack	26
Larkin	John	25
Wright	Iain	24
Morton	John	22
Perry	John	21
Elder	Bob	20
Leslie	Drew	20
Stewart	Ian	20

A distance of 2,032 kms has been covered, averaging 33 kms per ride, with total climbing to date of 18,976 metres (306 m average). Just one person has exceeded 10,000 m of climbing - Dick (just) - and he and Ian Sh are the only two with over 1,000 kms of distance.

Much more importantly, we have managed 19 separate scone stops. Some places we haven't been to this year include the Black Faced Sheep, the Cowshed, Drum Castle and, would you believe, Tease, which was our regular haunt in the early days of the Freewheelers.