A & B team Thursday rides

The A team of Messrs Taylor, Elder, Hunter and Sharp set off at 9:30 am, followed half an hour later by the B team - Gray, McWhinnie & Stewart. It would have been equal numbers had Archie Cook shown up for the latter group, as he indicated he would do on Monday - we waited a few minutes for him, but no sign, so off we went.

No route map or Strava stats apparently available for the A team, but Dick's team photo indicated that Campfield may have been the destination:

Bob subsequently made his debut as Match Reporter to explain more fully:

"Only a select few at the Guide Hut at 9.30 (Ian, Scott, Dick, and Bob).  After a quick discussion on route, consensus was reached on heading west as Monday’s ride had been east.  The iron gates of Blackhall were open wide so we had a pleasant ride along by the river  to the gravel quarry.  The hill ahead prompted a discussion on whether the torque was different for a  large front cog versus a small front cog,  but both with same final gear ratio?  As the hill was tackled all talk of torque ceased.

The Shooting Greens to Potarch road was joined half way down.  The road is closed for resurfacing so some amusement was to had watching 2 cars squeeze past a tarmac laden lorry only to reappear reversing back up the hill a couple of minutes later.  The Deeside Way path was largely free from  obstructions and apart from a couple of slalom moves round a digger and a portaloo a good schuss was had all the way down the hill to the rather sad looking, boarded up, Potarch Hotel.  A Cormorant flying low over the river was spotted as we crossed the bridge.

A short jaunt westward along the Deeside Way led us to the minor road going up the hill to join the B road to Torphins.  The hill was longer and steeper than expected, and the ongoing discussion on the best way to watch tomorrow’s solar event was eclipsed by puffing and panting.

Refreshments were had at Café 22, and the high road return via the Glassel petrol station was taken with great views across the Dee Valley  plus a photo stop using Dick’s well tried wheelybin camera rest technique."

Scott supplied the full range of stats from his high-tech bike gizmo:

Distance          21.6 miles

Average speed            9.7mph

Max speed      25.8mph

Calories          1233

Ascent 1749 ft

Descent           1716 ft

No such detailed data from the B team, but the Strava stats show the distance covered on a loop out to Drum and then through the castle grounds, out towards Cullerlie then Hirn and back, was 33 kms - an almost identical distance again to the A team, albeit at what I imagine was a more leisurely pace, and with much less climbing. Check out https://www.strava.com/activities/270663342

We had a scone stop at Drum - still good value at just £3.60 for a scone and a pot of tea - and then took the team photo before we left: