Monday runs

Jeff supplied the following report for the morning boys' run:

"A Game of Two Halves

With the cold brisk wind of incompatible calendar entries blowing through the field, the peloton split and a breakaway comprising John and Jeff formed at the Guide hut at 10am on monday morning. A wonderfully bright, clear and sunny day presented itself, carrying a risk of lasting frost and ice in shady bits, so we elected to stick to quiet roads with as sunny an aspect as we could find.

We headed off across the Dee and Feugh and up through Tilquhillie. While enjoying the sun at the top of the climb, we considered options and chose to head down onto the Slug at the bridge, south then east from there onto the Woodlands of Durris road, and cutting back to the Slug at the first left thereafter.  After a short stretch on the main road, we turned back towards Tilquhillie via Knappach, and thence to a disappointing check on the status re opening of the Bridge of Feugh restaurant - avoid on Mondays and Tuesdays for the time being.  Retreat to a busy Tease followed.

About 75 mins round in great conditions, 18.2 km GH to Tease, with 340m ascent, didn't bother with a photo or any falling off."

Full stats and route for this run at https://www.strava.com/activities/252532926. John also supplied the route map:

The afternoon guys provided the following photo of their West Brathens Bridge run:

Dick Taylor, Scott Hunter, debutant Jeb Tyrie, Rob Pollard, Les Gray & Ian Sharp

Stats and route for this run available at https://www.strava.com/activities/252593846 - 29.6 kms in just over 2 hours with 330 metres of climbing.

Scott supplied the following match report for the afternoon run:

"After much email confusion over start times, we ended up with a split, some going morning, some afternoon.  Dick, Ian, Rob, Lez, Scott and new man Jeb met at the Guide Hut at 1pm ready for our first ride for ages.  Head west to Torphins and maybe some coffee and scones at Platform 22 was the chosen route and although there was not a cloud to be seen in the beautiful blue sky, nor a patch of ice on the road we decided to play it safe and stay in the sunny areas — just in case.  Off we went up Glassel Rd to the top then right toward Hill of Brathens and back out on the Glassel Rd.  We turned off along the farm road heading up over the hill and then down into Torphins but alas not far along the farm road there came that all to familiar cry of “ICE”!  Too late, Rob and Lez in attempting to give a demonstration of their synchronised ice dance ending up flat on their backsides.  Thankfully no serious damage done.  The rest of us having decided to walk across the icy patch, we ventured on to Torphins and Platform 22 for a well deserved coffee and scone/cake, everyone except Dick that is as he was “watching his figure”.  Back along the high road to Milton of Campfield and back to Banchory via the Hill of Brathens road and Corsee Woods.  Great to be back in the saddle."