Kinker-Potarch-Banchory

Ian's report and photos from Thursday's ride:

"Last Thursday Robin arranged a Route from “ Kinker  “ to Tease @ Banchory for 5 brace cyclists – with Dick Taylor joining for first time.

After a brief squall on starting out, it turned out to be a wonderful day with a helping breeze on our backs.

After passing Dave Williamson’s house ( see photo of CK with Potarch Bridge vaguely in distance ) , we turned left down a forestry track  - and someway along we stopped to pose for a Group Photo ( see photo of Group with River Dee to East in background ) .

This was a lovely place to gaze at the view – UNTIL a loud crack was heard ( almost like a gunshot ) .

We turned around to see a large tree snap and crash to the ground – apparently the “ breeze “ was stronger than we thought.

We moved on with due haste – never seen Dick move so fast . He thought he was back to his car rallying days through the forest !! !!!

The route took us down to our familiar “ Quarry “ and on to the River Dee bank near the Taylors Houses where many fishermen were to be seen – unlike the fish !!

On the way along the Blackhall Road Dick took some of us down to the site of the old Blackhall Castle – long since demolished and now with a large house on it.

We also saw where Dick was brought up as a child – obviously fond memories here for Dick !

We of course ended our 11 mile run with refreshments at Tease ."

Having missed out yet again on the weekly ride, I did manage a short trip out on the bike on Friday afternoon with Keith Gray, who had been promising to join the group but hadn't yet got round to it. He said he would meet me at my house as he had to pick up his bike from his daughter's house at Burnett Park. I got a bit of a shock when he cycled in to Arbor Court:

It transpired that this was Keith's daughter's bike that he was returning to her!

Keith and I did the simple ride out to Crathes, up through the castle grounds and back via the brewery (closed unfortunately) and took our refreshment sitting in the glorious sunshine on the terrace outside the Legion, washed down by a few pints of Orkney Raven. About 13kms in all, with about 200 metres of climb. Here's the stats and route: