tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55087335244450371062024-02-07T00:09:36.760-08:00Banchory Veterans' Cycling GroupFrom 2019, this blog covers the activities of the "B" team. The main Freewheelers' blog can be found at http://www.freewheelers.blog/Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-24949635375730407662021-07-24T10:25:00.003-07:002021-07-24T10:29:06.341-07:00Lost LochFun day out yesterday on our cycle to Deeside Activity Park and the tasting experience at Lost Loch Distillery. It was a hot and sunny afternoon, as witnessed by the post-tasting team photo:
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It had been hard to find a date that suited everyone who had expressed an interest in attending (19 in all) but, in the end, 9 of us (including Drew who was just along for the ride) met up at the start at Burnett Park, the last of whom was Hugh who had discovered when he went in to his garage that the battery on his e-bike wasn't charged. Taking his "analogue" bike, worse was to follow when his front tyre was virtually flat when he joined the rest of us. John Meaden sorted that issue and we set off, heading first of all across the old 3rd and 4th holes at the former Inchmarlo golf club, where we discovered the usual trails were pretty overgrown - hard to find at times. There were a few moans about nettles too and I was threatened with an early red card. It was too much for Hugh and he turned around and headed home. The remaining 8 carried on, meeting Jeff at Craiglash and then across to DAP with Ali leading us via a new (to me) forest trail. Here's some of the photos from the tour and tasting:
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The route back was up and over the hill and down into Kincar then along to Potarch, where we had planned to stop for a beer, only to find it closed. Up past Slewdrum and down to the quarry where we met up again with Drew who had some chain issues which were sorted pretty quickly. Back in Banchory, 4 of us - Dick, Drew, Nigel and me - made a beeline for the balcony at the golf club for a much-needed beer:
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Here's the Strava route:
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There was even talk of doing it again next year!
Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-88237292756956668152021-05-31T01:38:00.002-07:002021-05-31T01:40:15.434-07:00Another fun Booze CruiseJust 3 of us made it to the start line on Friday - Stewart, Keith and myself, but Dick, who had been held up at work, met us on the Deeside Way, just short of Kincardine O'Neil as we headed out to Deeside Activity Park on a glorious day. Our first photo stop was at Falls of Dess - the first time most of us had viewed them from the other (west) side:
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Coffee and cakes at Deeside Activity Centre:
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We bumped into Jan Leatham there - she is now working at the impressive new distillery there, which does tastings and tours - you can make up your own gin, vodka etc:
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We would have liked to have gone over the hill from there towards Torphins but none of us knew the path to take so it was back to the main road, which gave us the opportunity for a quick stop at the Peel Ring of Lumphanan, a historic site which not even Dick had ever visited before:
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We eventually made it back to the Legion where we had arranged to meet Colin, Nigel and Bill for a couple of ales:
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Another excellent afternoon. Here's the stats:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9LxYNwL4GtTI4Ntuj9T4g87X-eb_9vXOMvmz56e9WhrfPeuafXzx9WjySZbWHFKCXsEs8-jDsqRGBcNn-sXmd6KsnXSQR78nvtlRNHWkBx-aCmgqXq7KCl0yhCOozeg2XlVyBYg7lSew/s1657/DAC+route.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1657" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9LxYNwL4GtTI4Ntuj9T4g87X-eb_9vXOMvmz56e9WhrfPeuafXzx9WjySZbWHFKCXsEs8-jDsqRGBcNn-sXmd6KsnXSQR78nvtlRNHWkBx-aCmgqXq7KCl0yhCOozeg2XlVyBYg7lSew/s600/DAC+route.JPG"/></a></div>Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-34093483173153140312021-05-08T07:04:00.002-07:002021-05-08T07:07:49.908-07:00B team Booze CruiseWhat a fun afternoon we had yesterday. Just 4 of us made it to the start point - Les, Dick, Stewart and me. The forecast wasn't particularly encouraging and Les was full of doubts about our planned route, suggesting that we should shorten it and just do a simple Park run, but we stuck to plan A and it paid off in the end as none of the threatened rain appeared. We arrived at the Durris forest, via Knappach, and Les insisted that we enter via the second (highest) entrance. It's not a climb I would have done in an "analogue" bike, but we met a young man on a non-aspirated bike at the entrance who was on his 6th loop of the trails that day! It's a nice run and merits future further exploration of some of the many other trails there.
We arrived at Mains of Drum slightly early for our booked table, but there was no issue - it was fairly quiet anyway. Keith and Bill had both been unable to join us on the ride but were keen to meet us for beers afterwards so we decided that the best place might be Banchory Lodge and the easiest/quickest way of getting there was back via the Deeside Way, but first we headed towards Drum Castle. I had a bit of a senior moment as I tried to manipulate my e-bike through the kissing gate at the back of Mains of Drum but got there in the end. Les then led us round some of the trails west of the castle to a viewpoint where the attempt at a team photo produced this slightly disappointing result:
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Back in Banchory, we bade farewell to Stewart, then Les, Dick and I headed down to Banchory Lodge where our initial attempts to sit at one of the many empty tables at the elevated new Sitooterie were thwarted by a jobsworth who told us they were all booked. Our other option was to head across to the lawn and the Brewdog marquee, but they didn't officially open until 5 pm. Nonetheless, Les took the bull by the horns and went over to speak to the barman there and managed to wheedle us in for a couple of pints under canvas. Before we downed the pints, however, we were invited to taste a new gin being promoted. Les enjoyed his so much he bought a bottle to take home. Bill passed his apologies but Keith had arrived to join us for drinks, courtesy of Annette's taxi service. It was all hugely enjoyable but it did start to get really cold - maybe just as well or we would have downed more beer before a wobbly ride home. Here's a couple of photos taken at the marquee:
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Here's the route and the stats:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOI2lWy5jrX5Gf8kHKfRBauPwO9iA1NbG1Q5z0NNAmfNPLz_9wqHVg8fa7VO5rQr9Lkg2LcsuSfyzkUanpGleoOPmqpSgVPaLzwaFpe9reWXk0w597YOiL3gtk8RU3FmFV5yKdBab3zZ8/s1281/Durris+trails+route.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOI2lWy5jrX5Gf8kHKfRBauPwO9iA1NbG1Q5z0NNAmfNPLz_9wqHVg8fa7VO5rQr9Lkg2LcsuSfyzkUanpGleoOPmqpSgVPaLzwaFpe9reWXk0w597YOiL3gtk8RU3FmFV5yKdBab3zZ8/s600/Durris+trails+route.JPG"/></a></div>Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-66173170663970176442021-04-18T02:09:00.002-07:002021-04-18T02:12:12.851-07:00B team ride againIt started off with Keith and I planning an e-bike ride on Friday afternoon, but Stewart responded quickly and said he would like to join us. The combination of the continuing good weather and the announcement of eased restrictions on gatherings then led Les and Dick to join us too, followed finally by Gordon's debut on his newly adapated bike with front wheel drive, to give us an optimum/maximum group size of six.
We headed west from Burnett Park up the old railway line and out to Craiglash, with 4 of us opting to take the rough downhill track whilst Stewart and Gordon opted for the smoother conditions of the road. Meeting up again at Potarch, we briefly considered having coffee there before heading over to Finzean via the tracks. When we got to the Farm Shop, there was a decent sized queue for coffees but we stuck it out, chatting to the Dallases and Williamsons (M) while we waited. Coffees arrived and it was time for the team photo:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJzU-szlBCm2zYQIPHa5SpOTynL-KffHQ4vYSVxB3bsaUvynekWkKrQ_tI9D8-D2Ng1IWnY4J6b3OOnXjpRzYCr_QEJY3x95Be0sDzfZEO87oUgSHBTyHzX37q6lWQrh2oKkDfzem-0Xc/s1440/B+team+at+FFS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJzU-szlBCm2zYQIPHa5SpOTynL-KffHQ4vYSVxB3bsaUvynekWkKrQ_tI9D8-D2Ng1IWnY4J6b3OOnXjpRzYCr_QEJY3x95Be0sDzfZEO87oUgSHBTyHzX37q6lWQrh2oKkDfzem-0Xc/s600/B+team+at+FFS.jpg"/></a></div>
Back down via Mill of Cammie (with another brief off-roader there) we headed towards Les' place. Gordon's one speed battery, apparently not fully charged before the start, finally gave up but at least it was mostly downhill now. Les was gently coerced in to inviting us in to his garden to share his "large stock" of Peronis, which turned out to be just enough for the 6 of us! Angela took the team photo here as we sat in the sun overlooking the Feugh below:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFfwe9fIRa40Rpq_c0zBOdPcvvMLi1Qnxyr3RVrMxmix-T6Mwhexd8sCpokCw0AhCNfOnbnhF8HJz34j2k0PkcBLj7_sNCqQE_edt_eR7ZjHnmr7aByhXVr_eqAWDIvVEwftvatdvBm5d/s2048/B+team+at+Les%2527.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFfwe9fIRa40Rpq_c0zBOdPcvvMLi1Qnxyr3RVrMxmix-T6Mwhexd8sCpokCw0AhCNfOnbnhF8HJz34j2k0PkcBLj7_sNCqQE_edt_eR7ZjHnmr7aByhXVr_eqAWDIvVEwftvatdvBm5d/s600/B+team+at+Les%2527.jpg"/></a></div>
A lovely, sociable afternoon - good fun - and many thanks to Les - and Angela - for allowing us to gatecrash them. Here's our route and the stats:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64l_WCT3BuYDAOvwXNlba3p_bKNda06HsZUyOrbhNWyZJXq_8-Y-iTR5ygBV0lCMS0tNeuttuBe26bfXxI4XLU9J3O2jAcpHY7tvnWGW5sHKrScaowPcpfQym83Uj09yyzzXRL7q6MPxA/s1229/Finzean+16+Apr+21+route.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64l_WCT3BuYDAOvwXNlba3p_bKNda06HsZUyOrbhNWyZJXq_8-Y-iTR5ygBV0lCMS0tNeuttuBe26bfXxI4XLU9J3O2jAcpHY7tvnWGW5sHKrScaowPcpfQym83Uj09yyzzXRL7q6MPxA/s600/Finzean+16+Apr+21+route.JPG"/></a></div>
The story didn't quite end there, however. The following day (Saturday), Stewart did the exact same ride again. Why? Well, he lost all his keys on Friday and had to retrace his steps to try to recover them - unsuccessfully. However - and this is where the good part of social media shone - Stewart posted a remark on Facebook, next to the team photo I had published, telling everyone he had lost his keys. Coincidentally, I had earlier spotted a post on the Banchory Rocks group page showing a photo of a set of keys that had been found at Potarch:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBfq2gshxSj2O2BWg4FSqiADo2hmaKeb-EUiPh07GvpWfOyyL_lvn-Ca-H6yW4LiU9aQ0brDaCNjqD5h0eSCjZ97GVw0TWes5VDXjcFv8Hfw1EYX_PU45bafHgSFc1TsUxDsADOCvxic5/s951/Keys.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBfq2gshxSj2O2BWg4FSqiADo2hmaKeb-EUiPh07GvpWfOyyL_lvn-Ca-H6yW4LiU9aQ0brDaCNjqD5h0eSCjZ97GVw0TWes5VDXjcFv8Hfw1EYX_PU45bafHgSFc1TsUxDsADOCvxic5/s600/Keys.JPG"/></a></div>
I put Stewart in touch with the finder (who had by now deposited them at Aboyne Police Station) and he is retrieving them this morning (Sunday). Result!Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-69884671943505597902019-11-21T02:44:00.000-08:002019-11-21T02:44:15.465-08:00B team outingsSince my last blog post, there have been a further 4 B team rides this month:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Nov 6th - Finzean FS - e-bikers Archie, Andrew McIlraith and myself with analogue Harry</li>
<li>Nov 11th - Drum - analogues Colin and me</li>
<li>Nov 18th - Torphins - e-bikers Keith, Nigel and me, plus non-aspirated Colin</li>
<li>Nov 20th - Scolty - e-bikers Keith and I</li>
</ul>
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Yesterday's ride was organised at the last-minute, having had to abort a planned trip to Banchory Sports Village due to equipment failure there. With just Keith and I going out, both on our e-bikes, we thought the time was right to take on Scolty.</div>
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We got so far up before the path quality started to deteriorate a bit - it was muddy, slippy and rocky, and even in turbo mode it seemed a little dangerous to us, so we elected to walk the rest of the way to the top, where we took a selfie as evidence that we did get there:</div>
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After our descent, we rode out to Crathes and looped back to the Legion for a pint with Malcolm G.</div>
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No such weather-related problems for John, out in Portugal:</div>
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Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-74919921074359940642019-10-30T12:40:00.000-07:002019-10-30T12:43:23.577-07:00More B team outingsFive of us went out on Monday - Archie, Harry, Colin, Stewart and I met up at the Guide Lodge at 1 pm, which happened to be the same time and place that the A team were gathering. We headed east while the A team went south.<br />
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Our route through the West Gate at Crathes took us up the hill, taking a sharp right down from there and left along the trails down to the main entrance. My original plan was to then head back up to the castle on the other side of the lake/pond but we were stymied by the tree felling operations going on, so instead headed back to the Deeside Way and along to Myrebird. From there, it was the conventional Park route, with a plan to eventually head out to Inchmarlo for coffee.<br />
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Archie warned that Inchmarlo might be closed on a Monday so suggested stopping at Milton. Unanimous agreement.<br />
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We did eventually get out to Inchmarlo but my Strava failed to record the full ride, so I don't know exactly how far we cycled but I reckon it must have been in the order of 30 kms.<br />
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Today (Wednesday), just 3 of us were available for the planned longer ride out to Aboyne - Harry, Keith and I. It's a fairly tough route - it was picked partly because of Harry's comments that Monday's ride was too short/easy. Young Harry was, of course, the only analogue rider.<br />
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Through Inchmarlo and out past Craiglash Quarry, down to Kincardine O'Neil and then back up to the Deeside Way past the Falls of Dess and out to Aboyne, where we stopped for coffee and cakes at the Black-Faced Sheep. So far, so good - Harry was coping comfortably.<br />
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Across the river and over the back road towards Birse. Time for a team photo next to this stranger:<br />
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The toughest part of the route was up to Slewdrum Forest from Potarch - Keith and I really appreciated our pedal-assist bikes here. Harry was blowing a bit by now but still coping OK. At the usual viewpoint on the Scolty trail, Keith took this photo of me as we awaited Harry climbing up to meet us:<br />
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The rest of the ride was fairly comfortable and we finally made it to the Legion for well-earned beers. Archie was waiting for us and Dan arrived too.<br />
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Full stats for our 50 kms ride:<br />
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Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-12670104794387047302019-10-24T10:27:00.001-07:002019-10-24T10:27:51.426-07:00B team this weekJust 3 of the B team ventured out on Monday - Keith and I on e-bikes and Colin old school - so we just did the simple Torphins trip. As we were leaving Platform 22, some of the A-teamers arrived, minus a few who had taken the adventurous route up over Hill of Fare, arriving some time later.<br />
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On Tuesday there were 5 of us out for a ride - Keith, Bill and me on e-bikes, with youngsters (mere 60 year olds) Harry and Stewart on analogues. Keith suggested a trip out towards Mullach Woods, passing the 3 huge new houses that have recently been put on the market for average prices of 7 figures.<br />
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It's a bit of a slog and I, for one, was glad that I had my e-bike with me, but Harry and Stewart coped admirably. We stopped at the stone circle for a team photo, but I had some problems setting the camera up on one of the stones and timed out first time around:<br />
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OK - let's try again:<br />
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That's better.<br />
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From that high point, it was a great downhiller to the Slug Road and eventually another good long freewheel down from Durris to the South Deeside Road and across Park bridge, from where we headed along the DW to Drum. We hadn't gone far before we realised Stewart was missing. A quick phone call revealed that he'd had a mechanical problem when changing gear and his chain had somehow come off and jammed itself.<br />
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On hearing this, we all cycled back to help Stewart out. Various tools were tried, without success for a while, before eventually Harry managed to use the old-fashioned technique of brute force and ignorance and sprung the chain free. We then soldiered on to Drum for welcome coffees and cakes. It had taken over 2 hours to get to this point.<br />
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Heading home via the back roads we all decided it would be wise to utilise our lights - a sure sign of the days shortening. Of course, we weren't really heading "home" - at least not directly. Some people think that our B team moniker implies some sort of inferiority, but we know what the B really stands for as we headed to the Legion - all bar Stewart, that is.<br />
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The stats reveal the difficulty of the ride - 48 kms and 509 metres of climbing:<br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-28339861847861284782019-07-31T04:49:00.000-07:002019-07-31T04:49:48.235-07:00Aboyne 2-in-1After Sunday's soaking on the way back from Drum, we got our payback yesterday on a glorious afternoon for our ride to Aboyne. Stewart and Nigel had to cancel but we still managed to get 7 along for the ride(s).<br />
<br />
It was a 2-parter with a couple of the e-bikers (me and Keith) cycling from Banchory to meet up with the others at Potarch, but John fancied giving it a go as well on his non-enhanced bike, so the three of us set off and headed over Craiglash Quarry. Once over the top, we had the option of heading back down on tarmac or taking the forest tracks over the hill and down to Potarch - and we chose the latter route, which brought us out at the exact meeting point with the others - Dave and Colin, plus e-bikers Archie and debutant Tony.<br />
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We all headed west along the Way which has a sudden - and hidden - short, sharp climb up to the road just outside Kincardine O'Neil. Keith and I managed to use the power of our bikes to get up but the others had to push:<br />
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The climb out of Kincardine O'Neil is fairly tough - particularly the last part up to the high point just short of Dess. The e-bikers were first up, of course, soon to be joined by Dave:<br />
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John joined soon after:<br />
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Then Colin:<br />
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Good effort, chaps.<br />
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There was then the long, twisting, downhill section till we came to the bridge at the bottom to demount and take the short walk to view the beautiful Falls of Dess. Archie and Dave minded the bikes:<br />
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Selfies had to be taken:<br />
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From there, the Way to Aboyne can be slow and a little troublesome. First of all, there's a multiplicity of gates to open and shut and then there's a narrow section in the trees which has some nasty roots to be overcome - and it was boggy too, but we all made it safely to Spider on a Bicycle where there was a nice outside table just waiting for us.<br />
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Suitably refreshed, we set off across the Dee bridge and over the back roads past Birse church. On the way over, we spotted this strange (and new?) ornament at the side of the road:<br />
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None of us have any idea what it's meant to be and who put it there and why.<br />
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Joining the South Deeside Road again just west of Ballogie, we climbed the hill then took the long downward road back to Potarch, which was the end of the ride for Colin, Tony and Archie, whilst Keith, John and I accompanied Dave along the road to his house.<br />
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From Dave's it's a bit of a slog up the hill to Slewdrum - easy enough for Keith and I, but John had forgotten how tough it is on pure pedal power. Thankfully for him, that was the last of the major climbs over and the way back to Banchory from there was mostly downhill.<br />
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The e-bike is great for getting you up hills but it doesn't alleviate the other pains of cycling - posterior, neck, shoulders etc - particularly on what was a longer than normal ride for us. Here's my stats for the ride - obviously Archie, Dave, Tony and Colin travelled about half this distance, but John had to cycle a bit further from the other end of Banchory:<br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-71452043980657731462019-07-24T04:21:00.000-07:002019-07-24T04:21:39.995-07:00Scorchio Potarch rideThe hottest day of the year so we had to find outdoor locations for coffee - and beers later - so I mooted a cycle along the south side of the Dee, up to Slewdrum Forest and down to Potarch. This came with a bit of a health warning - it would be fairly tough for the non-aspirated bikers and Colin consequently decided this ride wasn't for him, so it appeared that our numbers would be down by one from the original 10 who wanted to ride - which would have been the largest B team turnout ever.<br />
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There was, however, one further late cancellation when planned debutant Tony Price had to withdraw due to the late arrival of a tradesman at his home, so it was just 8 of us who headed over the Dee bridge - four of each: Les, Keith, Nigel and I on e-bikes and Malcolm L, Stewart, Harry and Dave on analogues.<br />
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The initial part of the trip along the river bank was comfortable for everyone but when we came to the short additional loop at the end, Dave decided not to do it and headed directly up the hill, thus missing out on the first team photo of the day:<br />
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Most of us have done the climb up to the viewpoint before but this was my first time doing it on an e-bike - and I have to say what a delight it was. Dave was there to greet us and we e-bikers watched as the other 3 made their way up:<br />
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We enjoyed taking the view in:<br />
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It got a bit tricky after that. Les and Dave had advised heading up to Slewdrum Forest via "the middle route". Les dashed off down the hill initially and I lost sight of him but ploughed onwards, thinking I was following him. Behind me, but out of my earshot, Dave had taken a left turn up a narrow, overgrown track but the others followed straight on - as I had.<br />
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The track I was on came to a sudden stop, so I called back to the others to stop, but they carried on climbing until they met me at the dead end. So now, it was back down the slope and up the route Dave had taken, which meant walking the first part of it through the undergrowth.<br />
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Eventually we did all meet up again at the top of the hill, back on the Deeside Way, with the prospect now of a fast downhiller to Potarch. When we all arrived at the Potarch Cafe garden, we noticed Dave's legs had come out in some kind of rash after fighting his way through the bushes:<br />
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It was very hot so we opted to sit in the shade for our teas and coffees, although Keith and Dave preferred Bitter & Twisted:<br />
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Full team photo this time:<br />
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The route back was via Craiglash Quarry, followed by Les' insistence of doing a technical section along the old railway line at Brathens. The sensible ones stuck to the tarmac. From ITE - or whatever it's called nowadays, we headed back through the forest, past the back of Archie's, through Burnett Park and on to the Tor-na-Coille where 6 of us baked on the lawn in the afternoon sun, while Dave and Malcolm headed back to their cars.<br />
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The attempts at a (reduced) team photo here were less than successful - Harry is completely hidden in this one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLumtPzjNCEB5yKrnUacOxPjYwN_se-KCw1B5nxA0TMJj25MehT9UVqNT4cSF0VdlVidIj2p0b-a_xCzRawpxrUc8VY5p7dRxY7sNBOEToF6gcKJMq6MDPVa_KnaYOEzc0PBV7-DERcnHj/s1600/Team+at+T-n-C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLumtPzjNCEB5yKrnUacOxPjYwN_se-KCw1B5nxA0TMJj25MehT9UVqNT4cSF0VdlVidIj2p0b-a_xCzRawpxrUc8VY5p7dRxY7sNBOEToF6gcKJMq6MDPVa_KnaYOEzc0PBV7-DERcnHj/s1600/Team+at+T-n-C.JPG" /></a></div>
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Here's the stats:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8sYQ4I-qX2gDVCQjHYl7Z6faCKWmfxVF3tYJy4eeCFyTnbXAswRrmvymWjn61kDqYNnxotoX-LGtePCPezMTqm3qA6UXoxVOx0P17vmWumSKW0_jRRnX5fVIzq1uXcABZ-PP4J6l7i_W/s1600/Potarch+route.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8sYQ4I-qX2gDVCQjHYl7Z6faCKWmfxVF3tYJy4eeCFyTnbXAswRrmvymWjn61kDqYNnxotoX-LGtePCPezMTqm3qA6UXoxVOx0P17vmWumSKW0_jRRnX5fVIzq1uXcABZ-PP4J6l7i_W/s1600/Potarch+route.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-30003047961897846282019-07-17T02:45:00.003-07:002019-07-17T02:45:47.998-07:00Park strollAfter Friday's tough ride up to Queen's View, there were a couple of requests for an easy ride yesterday (Tuesday) so it was decided to do the simple loop out to Park - probably the least hilly ride we do.<br />
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It was a warm sunny afternoon and there was a healthy turnout of 8, including Harry's debut and a guest appearance from star A-teamer Les. We headed east and up the castle trail out to Park and back along the Way. We got a bit wet on the return journey - most of us hadn't even bothered to bring yellow jackets/waterproofs. We took shelter under the trees for 5 minutes or so before setting off again, heading back through the castle grounds once again and on to Buchanan's for coffees.<br />
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By the time we arrived the sun was out again and it was gloriously warm so we had to sit outside, didn't we? This had the added bonus of quickly drying off our apparel - and it was the opportunity for the team photo, so I set up the camera timer and walked back to my seat asking everyone to face the camera. Nigel said "what?" and immediately stood up and turned round in surprise:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MPozIC7taNHlq1SvMpLYaH-AcI6Qhhoujs-K8tDDEyOBeCizHfV7dhwYp6PPVkxPqww6RqO5ekUzvVdTRxDEPVPK6T9tHNYD0Gi1KokyVJo-B4uI68fS35JKVSDsyAG88eSKWlzMUyu1/s1600/B+team+at+Buchanan%2527s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MPozIC7taNHlq1SvMpLYaH-AcI6Qhhoujs-K8tDDEyOBeCizHfV7dhwYp6PPVkxPqww6RqO5ekUzvVdTRxDEPVPK6T9tHNYD0Gi1KokyVJo-B4uI68fS35JKVSDsyAG88eSKWlzMUyu1/s1600/B+team+at+Buchanan%2527s.JPG" /></a></div>
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The second sitting was a bit better:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm8UDMxPshmFSQ6G2iy7ZkW05XlTIE6xenkwGyCJOFQxs76JOyQigk0fN8KfBy3x_1nH9SuWS4ckOz4dIgZQurJwhhcAjncvf8xijzCtK4KMdTcn78uwabuB8W2hn2WCjk5QLY-SdZvvY/s1600/B+team+at+Buchanan%2527s+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm8UDMxPshmFSQ6G2iy7ZkW05XlTIE6xenkwGyCJOFQxs76JOyQigk0fN8KfBy3x_1nH9SuWS4ckOz4dIgZQurJwhhcAjncvf8xijzCtK4KMdTcn78uwabuB8W2hn2WCjk5QLY-SdZvvY/s1600/B+team+at+Buchanan%2527s+2.JPG" /></a></div>
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We all got a bit of a shock when we came to pay - the average cost for a coffee and cake was a record high of £6.75/head!<br />
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A few of us fancied a quick beer, but Les had to get home and he and John headed along the Banchory Paths while the rest of us made our way from Buchanan's round past the brewery and the Cowshed and up the trails to the top of Lawson Avenue, shedding Archie and Colin along the way, leaving just Harry, Keith, Nigel and I to sit outside and enjoy a pint of Landlord before heading home.<br />
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A nice gentle introduction to the delights of B team cycles for Harry. Here's the stats:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KmbSII6lboUb-eIW8-OQxLJgJpDGoL7EmJYgpJoGwij4SVka5duWqUAGVlHQjtFNfpf0sUvwKauNHgZEVU4O_hCYoyxTVMaCUcRs-f2chPMB7ivpvQ3Vl3y6JRa6A-GWceenAz2V5maq/s1600/B+team+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KmbSII6lboUb-eIW8-OQxLJgJpDGoL7EmJYgpJoGwij4SVka5duWqUAGVlHQjtFNfpf0sUvwKauNHgZEVU4O_hCYoyxTVMaCUcRs-f2chPMB7ivpvQ3Vl3y6JRa6A-GWceenAz2V5maq/s1600/B+team+Park.JPG" /></a></div>
Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-46424169071829190962019-07-13T03:28:00.000-07:002019-07-13T03:28:45.348-07:00Tarland toddleSix of us drove over to Aboyne yesterday to do the Tarland Way loop. I picked up Colin and we loaded our (non-aspirated) bikes in to the back of my car, having first of all removed the front wheels. We arrived in good time and parked outside the agreed meeting point of the Black Faced Sheep. Colin and I unloaded and re-assembled our bikes - then waited:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_U4drGAQS4K3yLOQwtNy8ZzGXjI78OtviJEwEu-5taUkZZjzndwwBHAVrYKlQOOt1aH_ULSUew3xBV09ODp7TdyOy1qHd9rs0c9On41hn6lo2OgCAC3WArORhRP6j9NctfUZ-jtCG7P6/s1600/CK+and+bikes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_U4drGAQS4K3yLOQwtNy8ZzGXjI78OtviJEwEu-5taUkZZjzndwwBHAVrYKlQOOt1aH_ULSUew3xBV09ODp7TdyOy1qHd9rs0c9On41hn6lo2OgCAC3WArORhRP6j9NctfUZ-jtCG7P6/s1600/CK+and+bikes.JPG" /></a></div>
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Where were the others? Eventually we spotted John's Macan driving in to Aboyne. He'd had some difficulty loading his bike in to the car as he couldn't figure out how to remove the front wheel as his bike has old fashioned brake pads, as opposed to discs. He had to enlist Joan's support to squeeze the bike in with the front wheel still on.<br />
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Next to appear were Stewart and Andy, who had both parked at the Square and cycled over to our meeting point. Nigel's car rolled in right behind them and before too long we were all on our way across the road and through the castle grounds.<br />
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My first mistake of the day came when we exited the castle grounds - we should have turned a smidgeon left and got on to the Tarland Way proper but I turned right and headed up the hill on the road. The saving grace was that the road is much less steep than the initial climb up the Way.<br />
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All went well for a while - we got to the end of the first part of the Way safely enough and when we reached the bridge where the Way crosses the road, we had a discussion about which route to take to Tarland from here? The official one along the boring, but flat, grassy path or the more solid tarmac route through Coull? Unanimously the road was chosen and we cycled on for a bit until we came to where there was a potential left turn along a narrow minor road. E-bike Nigel shouted back from the front of the pack - "which way, Ian?" "Straight on" I immediately replied - a decision I was soon to regret.<br />
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The road meandered onwards and upwards and before long I realised the error of my ways - we were heading up to Queen's View. That wasn't the plan. It was a slog. John and Colin managed better than the rest of us (apart from Nigel, of course) but Stewart, myself and Andy had to resort to walking up parts of the hill. I kept thinking of my e-bike tucked safely in my garage at home.<br />
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The upside, of course, was that we had a wonderful long downhill run in to Tarland from there and soon we were tucking in to goodies in Angie's Cafe:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhCd4akrt2jm5RS-KFzFVL8Hm5fetfTZfhCQ0_9FfVu8puFUCDD8JfFBcHaj3RtCbHqudbw2wZ0Ta3Ld2llQs-iqxgOGt0-iQr-W0NamKvG9pSLHbSt5KicKAFPRQeH38KS6ahCRAxRn0/s1600/Team+at+Angie%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhCd4akrt2jm5RS-KFzFVL8Hm5fetfTZfhCQ0_9FfVu8puFUCDD8JfFBcHaj3RtCbHqudbw2wZ0Ta3Ld2llQs-iqxgOGt0-iQr-W0NamKvG9pSLHbSt5KicKAFPRQeH38KS6ahCRAxRn0/s1600/Team+at+Angie%2527s.jpg" /></a></div>
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The cycle back to Aboyne was both interesting and thankfully uneventful - the trails on the north side of Loch Kinord being the most fun part. We stopped for a short rest at the car park adjacent to the gliding club where there were a couple of signs:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfEFRqwPW_6nUFcsRzvozrIdS6BfoC5KR7jk3HNw3tiysCTysMV3YaNet84MrRovQEquvpjHeYYG3py30YP7_drCsPPSN80xESoObBtGXE0tSTVsa5nAh3nE6Has1Di_JGUrDzkUc9b8-/s1600/Gliding+Club+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfEFRqwPW_6nUFcsRzvozrIdS6BfoC5KR7jk3HNw3tiysCTysMV3YaNet84MrRovQEquvpjHeYYG3py30YP7_drCsPPSN80xESoObBtGXE0tSTVsa5nAh3nE6Has1Di_JGUrDzkUc9b8-/s1600/Gliding+Club+sign.JPG" /></a></div>
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On the outskirts of Aboyne, at the point where the Deeside Way crosses over to the north side of the road, a number of workers were busy shearing sheep:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rf0CgQPjcW1BtvN1kxkdWAXUBRHckM5Z6IZRljfbyfPgXQPvv2fpZvcp8IIO7tqlOp9zOrWJkpHQ-l0IMAAAz3oivaCUnCXC5eZHIP4nhOEU-_n16OcrgyfZU00TjkQNLL-GEEUQnJjt/s1600/Sheep+shearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rf0CgQPjcW1BtvN1kxkdWAXUBRHckM5Z6IZRljfbyfPgXQPvv2fpZvcp8IIO7tqlOp9zOrWJkpHQ-l0IMAAAz3oivaCUnCXC5eZHIP4nhOEU-_n16OcrgyfZU00TjkQNLL-GEEUQnJjt/s1600/Sheep+shearing.jpg" /></a></div>
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A good ride - despite the cock-ups. Here's the stats - with the blue line showing the tarmac route we should have taken in to Tarland:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2y8Vne4eYH_3fDHhsrLmND_BbM7xzu2KWnRFuXav21wpwPT8VDS54vv90AWDyLPGO-aXuK0XZuS2X-sdsm7NTX877aJ3zsnYi0YTIIhw6oH0ZTa2wXHKoSNqn2APK_RsmiDytdDEzCWZ/s1600/Tarland+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2y8Vne4eYH_3fDHhsrLmND_BbM7xzu2KWnRFuXav21wpwPT8VDS54vv90AWDyLPGO-aXuK0XZuS2X-sdsm7NTX877aJ3zsnYi0YTIIhw6oH0ZTa2wXHKoSNqn2APK_RsmiDytdDEzCWZ/s1600/Tarland+map.png" /></a></div>
Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-50127152300160677072019-06-28T01:32:00.000-07:002019-06-28T01:32:34.594-07:00Sunshine ride for RJCOn a glorious Thursday afternoon, just 3 of us - Archie, Colin and I, the Replacement Joint Crew - set off up past Morrison's and along the Banchory Paths out towards the brewery and on to the farm trail that eventually leads towards Drumshalloch Woods.<br />
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The short, sharp climb up towards the farm was always going to be too much for Colin as his bike was stuck in a middle gear, but I, too, had to dismount half way up when my chain came off as I tried to change gear. E-bike Archie, however, had no such problems.<br />
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The original plan was to head out to Drum but it was such a beautiful day that we felt it would be better to seek a coffee stop where we could sit outside - like Buchanan's, we thought. If we cycled all the way to Drum and didn't have a coffee stop until we were back in Banchory that would have been a bit too much, so we decided instead to just do the Park loop.<br />
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When we got to Park, the Park Shop was open and it had tables outside at both front and rear and we thought why not? We were served by a Finnish girl who talked us through all the delights on offer, the outstanding one of which was a large pie-like cake which she told us she had gone to great trouble to bake early this morning, faithfully following a recipe by celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yotam_Ottolenghi">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yotam_Ottolenghi</a>). Apparently it is a Fig, Yoghurt and Almond cake and it was delicious. It came in 2 sizes - Colin and Archie opted for the smaller version whilst I, foolishly went for the large one, which turned out to be a little too much to devour in one sitting:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxhWoJJCr_-m1fNXJA_mobx3HlR21sUvrA7wX1cb_-rjwHdMxgkQsS_6NPJmAHbGjhvm8YCj_Er8gcvN5yqsZPJhJ93SVKL-hsCzVaw6w2dYqgPck6p4L1txeHmwQqip3BbIOPR1GHzh_/s1600/Cake+at+Park+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxhWoJJCr_-m1fNXJA_mobx3HlR21sUvrA7wX1cb_-rjwHdMxgkQsS_6NPJmAHbGjhvm8YCj_Er8gcvN5yqsZPJhJ93SVKL-hsCzVaw6w2dYqgPck6p4L1txeHmwQqip3BbIOPR1GHzh_/s1600/Cake+at+Park+shop.jpg" /></a></div>
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The remains went home courtesy of Archie's cycling jacket pocket. Here's the recipe - <a href="https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/sweet/cake/fig-yogurt-and-almond-cake-with-or-without-extra-figs-shop">https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/sweet/cake/fig-yogurt-and-almond-cake-with-or-without-extra-figs-shop</a><br />
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(Yes, my next blog is going to be a baking blog).<br />
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For future reference, the Park Shop is open Thursdays to Sundays only.<br />
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Here's the team photo:<br />
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On the return trip, we got to the new railway line halt and I started to notice a rumbling in my rear tyre. I trundled on for a bit but it was soon evident that I had a puncture. With no spare inner tube, I decided just to walk home from there. About one and a half miles of pushing the bike is not a lot of fun, but Archie, who had cycled on ahead, met me at Bellfield with Eileen's car, complete with bike carrrier and we met up with Bill at the golf club for beers on the balcony to complete an interesting afternoon's Booze Cruise.<br />
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Here's our route and stats:<br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-61971750624123622362019-05-25T02:12:00.000-07:002019-05-25T02:12:47.259-07:00Classic P22 rideFriday afternoon and the sun was shining - 5 of us met up at the re-start of the old railway line at Burnett Park - Nigel, Keith and Archie were all battery powered whilst Ken P and I drove under our own steam.<br />
<br />
Up the forest tracks and down past Archie's back garden and over to Home Farm, then the usual route to Platform 22 where we sat outside with Emma serving and David and Dean slaving away creating the new greenway that will qualify for their off-road parking requirements:<br />
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We took in the golf course loop on the way back and decided, as it was both a booze cruise and a nice day, to have a quick beer on the lawn at the Tor-na-Coille. Very nice - until our elder statesman, true to form, suggested it was a bit too cold for him, so we ended back inside, reminiscing about the many happy times we'd spent there in the squash years.<br />
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Here's the route and the stats:<br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-66917602188050171252019-05-02T07:27:00.000-07:002019-05-02T07:27:02.044-07:00Back for a B team bimble, banter, bakewells and boozeFor me it was a very pleasant return to a B team cycle on Monday afternoon. Having been away for 10 weeks, I chose a fairly gentle Park ride. We were 7 in all, including 3 e-bikers, 2 of whom had passed the permitted minimum age for assisted biking.<br />
<br />
The weather was fair with clear blue skies, albeit with an occasional chill in the wind. The outward run passed through the West Gate at Crathes and turned back home after the fast downhill to the Park shop, now sadly closed, seemingly permanently.<br />
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The usual return along the DW took us neatly to a surprisingly quiet Milton of Crathes, but first of all, a team shot:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK5rgUv854o3mmwqdsitaUHnOmGT08IT5xAbpcgCUH49s7ZzVceWCDmv1d-YqGaX0e4WOwk3tnhYyA9kaeSlKlAUhQAuvVoDYVUpuOiRhqZAzo2oqSIIE9sMJgRkFODYXT7jrucVCMbey/s1600/B+team+at+Milton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK5rgUv854o3mmwqdsitaUHnOmGT08IT5xAbpcgCUH49s7ZzVceWCDmv1d-YqGaX0e4WOwk3tnhYyA9kaeSlKlAUhQAuvVoDYVUpuOiRhqZAzo2oqSIIE9sMJgRkFODYXT7jrucVCMbey/s1600/B+team+at+Milton.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Bill, Archie, Keith, Colin, Malcolm L and Stewart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Malcolm told us all about his annual trip to Cape Town for the massive cycling event with 35,000 riders (none of them electric), but the peace and quiet of the Milton was soon rudely disturbed by the arrival of the A team - 11 of them. Time for us to go then.<br />
<br />
Malcolm had to dash home to complete his chores so he headed back along the Way, whilst the rest of us meandered back up through the castle and round past Tesco, the brewery and the Cowshed. At the top of Lawson Avenue, Colin headed home and Stewart went back to the Guide Lodge where his car was parked, whilst Archie, Keith, Bill and I went down to the Legion where we were joined by Dan and Jas for a couple of beers - initially on the terrace, but eventually Archie persuaded us to go back inside.<br />
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Here's the stats:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3q91m7AMUM79G5yc0YmTPPPXG1mUX6Mq_12w4BQiRs-0jnby4_OgmeDxounmfHz4fEBZ0T4UhP6OQeW2xRfzSwTIKbcQRYkXIsXVRhMaLQsMAqGFU6SB6kl02tGvKBvwvAvLrpU0gPDFS/s1600/B+team+route.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3q91m7AMUM79G5yc0YmTPPPXG1mUX6Mq_12w4BQiRs-0jnby4_OgmeDxounmfHz4fEBZ0T4UhP6OQeW2xRfzSwTIKbcQRYkXIsXVRhMaLQsMAqGFU6SB6kl02tGvKBvwvAvLrpU0gPDFS/s1600/B+team+route.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-9955975801522489022019-02-10T05:41:00.000-08:002019-02-10T05:41:23.800-08:00Glorious Sunday morning rideFive of us showed up on a glorious Sunday morning - (e-bike) Archie , Malcolm L, me, a slightly delicate Nigel after his encounter with the ice on Wednesday, plus the long-awaited debut of Andy Marshall. I'd had 2 requests to make sure it was an easy ride, so we chose the tried and tested Park loop - through the castle first of all then back along the Way.<br />
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Storm Erik had passed and it was a still, calm morning - the sun shone and the extensive ice that had been around last week had virtually disappeared - all bar a few small patches which were pretty easy to navigate round.<br />
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We all made it safely back to the Milton for tea/coffee and scones - and it was outside the restaurant that we took the team photo:<br />
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Here's the stats:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1fwcpT-Cwyx2fOM2bkLpRq4OmWo2nAsAcSVTdeaFg86vZDfvDIwm8W4mwlcE2zJkrOuwnYE6uzO4MCK2Fpqc7brjaidvqOioMLQUuLBnIOy9A8R4wmAagxbgUfS8Rzn4q9I4l7VCtykW/s1600/Park+route.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1fwcpT-Cwyx2fOM2bkLpRq4OmWo2nAsAcSVTdeaFg86vZDfvDIwm8W4mwlcE2zJkrOuwnYE6uzO4MCK2Fpqc7brjaidvqOioMLQUuLBnIOy9A8R4wmAagxbgUfS8Rzn4q9I4l7VCtykW/s1600/Park+route.PNG" /></a></div>
<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-36130715843594814042019-01-14T09:05:00.000-08:002019-01-14T09:05:53.080-08:00Platform 22<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">This blog has been resurrected from the start of 2019 purely for occasional posts on the activities of the "B" team. The main Freewheelers blog can still be viewed at </span><a href="http://www.freewheelers.blog/" style="background-color: white; color: #7d181e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.freewheelers.blog/</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The usual Monday afternoon B teamers met up at Burnett Park for the planned ride up to Torphins - well, most of us did. At 1:05 pm, four of us - Nigel, Colin, Stewart and me - all looked at our watches and wondered where Keith was? A couple of quick phone calls sorted the situation out - after Keith had been given the usual "ryfem" reminder - he'd gone to the Guide Lodge, claiming he hadn't seen the emails.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">No matter, Keith on his e-bike, still beat the rest of us to the exit road from Archie's estate. It was yet another fine, still day, albeit pretty cool and the ride to Platform 22 was otherwise uneventful, although we did observe some fresh tyre tracks on our route and when we got to P22, our worst fears were confirmed - 8 A teamers had beaten us to it! They had left half an hour before us, of course, so they were coming towards the end of their stay, but there was a free corner table available for us anyway.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">After a bit of banter, we decided to take a team(s) photo outside - with Emma, of course:</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHx6fV9nHHoEfNP4DoXK-yjL7BaHuyhH0u3wJi2aTtIIIudYX_oxZ-c2JsFXeU4BagW1CFZspTotVyaMlKYCmsgBWk1y3T8e4KtnlTYbc9Ti2TIBKlQiAkBm4NZzFIrd5rxqzmtuyqV7I/s1600/A+%2526+B+teams+at+P22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHx6fV9nHHoEfNP4DoXK-yjL7BaHuyhH0u3wJi2aTtIIIudYX_oxZ-c2JsFXeU4BagW1CFZspTotVyaMlKYCmsgBWk1y3T8e4KtnlTYbc9Ti2TIBKlQiAkBm4NZzFIrd5rxqzmtuyqV7I/s1600/A+%2526+B+teams+at+P22.jpg" /></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The only slight downside for us B teamers was that the A teamers had scoffed all the sweet scones, so we had to "make do" with a variety of Emma's other bakery delights.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We gave the A teamers sufficient time to complete the golf club loop - we didn't want to come across them again and create a major road hazard - and we then headed back via Campfield and Brathens. Here's our route:</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXstMAXiopr45_wcAKOi1pKZGwHhZOuG8HvH2418m3tOZPbcRv4zGC0hZk4r9o-lVbe25Hwuui43Rzc6E3PcZ3X_1j-1avWMqzfrxc6ic-xXnZIQ8WbU-Y9vs-0RBWy3UsVLEkS22ftPhb/s1600/P22+route.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXstMAXiopr45_wcAKOi1pKZGwHhZOuG8HvH2418m3tOZPbcRv4zGC0hZk4r9o-lVbe25Hwuui43Rzc6E3PcZ3X_1j-1avWMqzfrxc6ic-xXnZIQ8WbU-Y9vs-0RBWy3UsVLEkS22ftPhb/s1600/P22+route.PNG" /></span></b></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It was the second consecutive day on the bikes for some of us - Keith, Nigel and I had gone to Park yesterday, and we were joined by A teamer Jack. Here's the stats for that one:</span></b><br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-31612599084378139032019-01-10T08:31:00.000-08:002019-01-10T08:31:54.557-08:00Nine Stanes?This blog has been resurrected from the start of 2019 purely for occasional posts on the activities of the "B" team. The main Freewheelers blog can still be viewed at <a href="http://www.freewheelers.blog/" style="background-color: white; color: #7d181e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.freewheelers.blog/</a><br />
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The second Wednesday afternoon Booze Cruise of 2019 was completed on yet another windless afternoon, but it was an ambitious route undertaken as only Keith was riding an e-bike. Stewart had gone down with a cold and Malcolm L notified a change of plans for him - he would cycle from home and meet us at the Nine Stanes recumbent stone circle - so it was just 5 of us that left from the Guide Lodge at 1 pm on 9th January - Nigel, Colin, Archie, Keith and I.<br />
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Heading south past the Waters of Feugh settlement, we climbed up to the Y junction that we would normally take the right fork at when heading to Finzean. This time, we took the left fork and headed up the pretty steep hill that leads past the 3 new houses that have got probably the finest views of the open countryside looking towards Clach-na-Bheinn. It had been a couple of years since I'd been up this way and the houses had been a work in progress then, but it all seems to be finished now.<br />
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Google Maps had to be consulted as we discussed whether to turn left or right at the junction at the top of the hill (right it is - then left at the next one). Still we continued to climb - Nigel and Archie were bringing up the rear but I was feeling a bit wobbly and had to sit down for a minute. I must have looked poorly as Keith offered to swap bikes to get me to the top of the hill - an offer I gratefully accepted. What a wonderful feeling when in turbo mode!<br />
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We found a/the stone circle but it was marked as Malloch Woods. Was this Nine Stanes, the place we were supposed to meet Malcolm? There was no sign of him and attempts to call him all failed, so, after a bit, we headed down the hill to the Slug road and back down towards Milton of Crathes, taking the slight detour down to the river, under the Dee bridge and along the side of St. Ternan's football pitch, but, first of all, stopping off at our favourite spot at the fisherman's hut overlooking the river, where we took a couple of snaps:<br />
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Parking up our bikes at the Milton, who should we meet but Malcolm, who confessed that he'd been a bit later than planned and had just missed us at the stone circle. Anyway, we all had a nice chat and a warming cuppa and scones and then went our separate ways - Nigel, Colin and Malcolm to their respective homes and Keith and I plus Archie (eventually) headed to the Legion for a couple of beers.<br />
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Here's the stats:<br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-13755178121569089102017-09-12T09:58:00.001-07:002019-01-10T05:45:04.187-08:00Transferred to new site!<span style="font-size: x-large;">The main Freewheelers blog can now be found at <a href="http://www.freewheelers.blog/">http://www.freewheelers.blog/</a></span>Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-67425744991544418952017-09-06T01:33:00.000-07:002017-09-06T01:33:42.771-07:00John Meaden returnsWith a whole gaggle of FW's away golfing at BoG LXIV - Les, Dick, Jack, Hugh, Ians D & St, Malcolm G, Rob and Ken P - there was but a small quorum for Monday afternoon's ride, reported on by John Meaden on his return to the saddle after his recent op:<br />
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"With
a golf event on and moderate rain falling only 3 Freewheelers answers the call
- John P , Drew and myself .<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As my riding partners were fresh from a Lecht run I requested an easy venture .
We went out towards Mill of Cammie then left up to the windmill . The
rain eased a bit and we turned left then down towards the Slug .<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We took a fast and empty main road downhill to the bridge - road closed at
Crathes but we got past OK on the bikes .<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was talk of extending the route after coffee at the Milton but we
extended the coffee break instead .<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Return via Deeside Way .<br />
<br /><o:p></o:p></div>
22.4 and 226m . I was very happy to make a return to the Freewheelers- my
first FW ride since 24th July <span style="font-size: 10pt;">.</span>"<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPez7Jzvt04aUzPp1aImTr4zshy8FmrJ6Q-LDrwPzLHU2CPO7_9-L568deO1H1mMdo4HOefAJdN4ZPhZqLM1dhW7uw-ayqwWPOIZEjemvh-umdOm-qWpWcAlN8RxU3Q3xCPqr1vRX860aB/s1600/Monday+Milton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPez7Jzvt04aUzPp1aImTr4zshy8FmrJ6Q-LDrwPzLHU2CPO7_9-L568deO1H1mMdo4HOefAJdN4ZPhZqLM1dhW7uw-ayqwWPOIZEjemvh-umdOm-qWpWcAlN8RxU3Q3xCPqr1vRX860aB/s1600/Monday+Milton.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-91098719630754700812017-09-01T02:08:00.000-07:002017-09-01T02:08:12.879-07:00Dick’s Dastardly PlanFrom John Perry:<br />
<br />
"Sometimes
things take year’s in gestation, and today was a case in point. Dick has been
holding on to a possible bike ride for a number of years now; one that
leaves Corgarf and heads into the hills, making for Glen Avon, then on to
Tomintoul, coffee and back via an up and over Lecht. Today we did it!
Dick, Les, Iain, Ian D., Drew, Hugh, Dave W., Jeff, Bob and John P. Clearly,
the biggie was the Lecht climb from the Tomintoul side and this hung in
the air for most of the ride. But to get us going we had to head off into the
heather (Which has been bloomin’ good this year) alongside the headwaters
of the Don. Our aim was towards Inchrory Lodge about 8km ‘in’. The track (nay,
road) was in great repair and it was clearly set to take hunting parties
to the lodge. As we made our way along a group of shiny, expensive 4x4’s passed
us, and as Les was standing to attention, saluting the well-heeled, we
noticed one of the party was none other than Princess Anne.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Bob had stories of an unwelcoming attitude on this estate, but to be fair we
were acknowledged and tolerated and no doubt tracked by the royal security
detail. When we finally made it to the lodge it was a very large and smart
affair with very strong looking gates into the courtyard. We paused, but
didn’t loiter and headed of in a northerly direction along Glen Avon. Now, I
have to be honest I had heard Dick and others talk of Glen ‘Arn’ and it
finally dawned on me this was another north-eastern example of ignoring some of
the letters in a perfectly good word. I am now calibrated for Glen Arn and
can join in all sorts of expeditionary conversations that had been closed to me
before.<br />
<br />
There was quite a distance along a well made track and road before we could
claim coffee at Tomintoul. All was going swimmingly when something like,
“Oh bother” was heard from Hugh and as we heard more strange expletives it
became apparent his back tyre was losing pressure fast. The pit crew
sprung into action to help whilst Iain and Les decided it was better to adhere
to Top Gear rules and leave the stricken behind. The tyre was levered-off,
an inner tube was forthcoming, all went back together and finally an effective
pump was deployed. Hugh got back on his steed and the Freewheelers had
successfully achieved a roadside repair - well done chaps!<br />
<br />
It was uneventful from there to Tomintoul except for some fairly brutal short
uphills in what was deemed a gentle downhill into the village. We aimed
for the Old Firestation Tearoom where we found plenty of room and bacon
butties. We also found a blast from the past, in that the coffee was the
filter-in-a-cup Rombouts. I haven’t seen that in years. We enjoyed our stop,
took our photo and nosed back on to the road for the run-in to the Lecht.<br />
<br />
The main road was remarkably quiet and for the most part cycling was easy. We
paused at the car park by the Lecht Mine and then (quite quietly) folks
headed-off to THE HILL. There was some pushing, Les used a lot of battery but
by and large we all worked our way up to The Lecht without incident,
though with lots of effort. Dick clearly had his tail up (or was it excess
battery), because once at the top he headed-up further up to the top
of the slopes to come down the bike course. The rest of us focussed on
regaining a heart rate that wasn’t likely to blow a gasket.<br />
<br />
Once up, there was the down (though not until after a bit more up). I think we
all enjoyed the down and I know I hit a speed record on my bike as I
whooped-up the tarmac. (Is that a term? Ed.) Thankfully we all got down safe
and sound and as we slotted the bikes back on the cars, there were many
comments on what a great ride it had been - thanks, Dick!<br />
<br /><o:p></o:p></div>
I made it approximately 40km with about 700m of climbing - though if you look
at Strava there is an odd disparity in the kms and the ms, given we all
did the same course…"<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE8etZ3PaT1qe6MCJ0PB1nHuSeBO3gSPQREecJPXyC7CgPQK1P2-Di_y1mUsBQKZpAuuztB10IXheg3adfVc8GmD0j-5ZBMU_kJtgTjE9-JkZHl2m9zCW92_0Qplm5tBWP7mWYW3PeLSK/s1600/Corgarff+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE8etZ3PaT1qe6MCJ0PB1nHuSeBO3gSPQREecJPXyC7CgPQK1P2-Di_y1mUsBQKZpAuuztB10IXheg3adfVc8GmD0j-5ZBMU_kJtgTjE9-JkZHl2m9zCW92_0Qplm5tBWP7mWYW3PeLSK/s1600/Corgarff+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-4735488976866735082017-08-30T03:23:00.000-07:002017-08-30T03:23:42.754-07:00Torphins MondayMonday afternoon's ride lacked a match reporter and photographer again, but I gleaned from Strava that Dick, Les, Iain, Jeff, Jack, Hugh and Johns P & Mo were all there, so they have all been duly credited on the database. Any other non-Strava-using cyclists on this trip?<br />
<br />
Here's the route and stats:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvJpOjMb_Hn__i-tXFU0Jqy2k8jDcnt1DaDOJETdz3mAat3onjyw2ScPAYJIdqzT8kI4uOcLZ8Lr8g1Zrh7y0V4f1SUDt1RGMFAL47EV6HzmgQV1aS-tjDYbE-ruuKRPyXHyRxUoN4eFQ/s1600/P22.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="833" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvJpOjMb_Hn__i-tXFU0Jqy2k8jDcnt1DaDOJETdz3mAat3onjyw2ScPAYJIdqzT8kI4uOcLZ8Lr8g1Zrh7y0V4f1SUDt1RGMFAL47EV6HzmgQV1aS-tjDYbE-ruuKRPyXHyRxUoN4eFQ/s1600/P22.PNG" /></a></div>
<br />
Pleased to see that John P has picked up the baton and has already started to build the new blog site. No volunteers yet to take over the database.Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-23636869559053584152017-08-25T03:27:00.001-07:002017-08-25T03:27:56.325-07:00Mearns Cultural RideNo match report for the Thursday trip from Stonehaven to Arbuthnott and the Grassick Gibbon Centre, but Ian Sharp supplied a few photos:<br />
<br />
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<br />
45 kms and 542 m of climbing.<br />
<br />
This was ride number 83 on this year's database. A total of almost 20,000 kms has been cycled by 37 FW's, with total climbing fast approaching the 200,000 metre mark.<br />
<br />
The leader board, in terms of number of rides, shows:<br />
<ol><ol>
<li>Dick Taylor (45)</li>
<li>Jeff Dickens (41)</li>
<li>Ian Sharp (40)</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<div>
In terms of distance travelled:</div>
<div>
<ol><ol>
<li>Dick Taylor (1,506)</li>
<li>Jeff Dickens (1,398)</li>
<li>Ian Sharp (1,340)</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<div>
and it's the same order for climbing:</div>
</div>
<div>
<ol><ol>
<li>Dick Taylor (15,382)</li>
<li>Jeff Dickens (14,061)</li>
<li>Ian Sharp (13,246)</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-29501013601512741172017-08-22T05:54:00.000-07:002017-08-22T05:54:39.068-07:00FW Mon/TueJohn Larkin reported from Monday afternoon's ride:<br />
<br />
"Eleven Freewheelers turned up at the GH at 1.00pm, Ian
Sharp, Iain Wright, John L, John P, Drew, Hugh, Jeff, Dave W, Malcolm Lodge and
the two e-bikers Les and Dick. Since we had quite a large group, we decided to
visit Drum Castle for coffee.<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
We set off along the Deeside Way and headed out to Drum
Castle via Hill of Banchory. On arrival at Drum Castle, Ian S went into the
restaurant to check the scone selection. Ian returned back outside to tell us
some bad news - the dishwasher had broken down and the girls were talking about
closing up shop. We then found out we could get coffee in a paper cup and then
get a piece of cake, since there were no scones ( WHAT !! ) It all turned out well with nice coffee and
nice cake. We then headed back to Banchory along the Deeside Way. Lovely day
for cycling."<br />
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<br />
Only Keith showed up this morning to join me on the Tuesday Trundle. Our timing was bad - the rain started immediately before our 10 am start, so we decided it was best to stay close to Banchory and take as much shelter as we could, so we headed east along the paths and up through Crathes Castle grounds and then circled round through the farm near Drumshalloch Woods. Buchanan's was our chosen coffee stop, by which time it was dry again:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-65039258949771536092017-08-18T02:22:00.000-07:002017-08-18T02:22:31.867-07:00Follow You Follow MeJeff was again star reporter from Thursday morning's ride:<br />
<br />
"<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Follow
You Follow Me</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On
a very fine August morning, Jeff, your reporter for today, arrived at the usual
rendezvous to find three co-riders (Alan, Steve and Drew) asserting they were
looking for a leader. Mr S. had declined to point the fickle finger of fate,
presumably in response to last week's threats resulting from an e-assault on
the Fungle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite
the assertion, they had in fact determined Potties via Craiglash and the
cut-off was a good option, as it would give Alan a chance to reacquaint himself
with his ditch, which he had become rather fond of on his last visit. So off we
set on the appointed route, via Home farm and the Glassel road. On the approach
to Craiglash, Drew set off in pursuit of an athletic young lady who had
overtaken us a little earlier, but fortunately our left turn arrived before he
could achieve anything embarrassing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
track across to Potties had a few puddles, but otherwise we found our way
across to the descent track without too much bracken bashing or ditch
investigation. On arrival at Potties about 50 minutes after starting, we
decided it was a bit early for coffee, so I sold the lads an entertaining jaunt
over to Finzean Farm Shop instead by taking the "off-road monument by-pass
route", which none of the others had done previously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
therefore headed for Ballogie, where we regrouped for team photos (Steve
manfully transporting the Lanterne Rouge, breather shots in front of the
gallery, and the "Ooh wots this? Oh look, we found a coffee shop!"
pairing).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
off up the hill, pulling off to the right into the forest. It's a bit of
a slog up the hill, but after the Fungle last week, this seemed rather trivial.
We then pootled round the forest tracks a bit, as the sunlight through the
trees was all rather lovely, before dropping down to Finzean House, the main
drive out, and the blast down the hill to the FFS. Fine bacon/sausage
butties and coffee all round, and then a straightforward thrash back to
Strachan, where I peeled off, and the other 3 elected, I think, for a Mill of
Cammie finish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Absolutely
gorgeous day out - shame some thought fit to waste it on golf!</span>"<br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5508733524445037106.post-73375637360340342962017-08-14T15:58:00.000-07:002017-08-14T15:58:20.332-07:00Fab Four take on DreichJohn Morton reports from Monday afternoon's ride:<br />
<br />
"<span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18pt;">Poor forecast meant poor turnout today.</span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jeff, Hugh, Ian Sharp & John Morton headed off to explore
the railway line beyond Brathens before heading back to Lochton and Crathes
Castle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18pt;">Then it was onwards into the grey skies round Myrebird before
returning vis the Deeside way to scones and coffee at The Milton. A nice wee
afternoon spin and fine scones.</span>"<br />
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<br />Ian R Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08825757002647230737noreply@blogger.com0