Thursday run

John P is today's star reporter:

"Met Office, "Turning wet and windy today."

Big turnout for such a poor day, though as you will see there was attrition. Rob, Jeff, Dick, Ian Sh, Ian St, Scott, John, Robin and Bob. Jeff had been suitably buffeted on his way from Strachan (you always have to remember he does six extra miles to the rest of us; what commitment) and he reported the prevailing wind had a lot of easterly in it. The clouds were also looming with a stormy look. All in all there was general agreement to make today not too epic and probably a hack through Crathes and onto Myrebird in some way.

There is definitely a jinx on the route through the castle; we have had burst tyres, cheese-wire moments running into the barrier across the path and now as Robin applied a mammoth amount of torque to his pedals, pulling-out out of Crathes, ping went the chain. We have been here before, out come the tools and a cluster of willing helpers is formed round the problem. Today we amply demonstrated that we can’t collectively repair a broken link. We tried. We almost got there. But we failed. So yet again we bade Robin farewell as he freewheeled and pushed his bike back to Banchory.

Ever onward, Top Gear rules being applied (are we allowed to even think Top Gear anymore?) the rest of us left Robin behind. Myrebird, pedal down the hill against the wind and then whisked along the Deeside Way with the wind behind us. Rob bailed-out for some reason or appointment and Ian Stewart recognised his wife walking towards us so (obviously) had to stop. Nevertheless Tease was achieved by most of the party, coffees consumed and vittles eaten. Most were happy for a short ride on a stormy day, but we sensed Dick had not been fully exercised and was looking for more!"

Here's the stats - https://www.strava.com/activities/266913551 - and the route was:

The team photo was taken at Crathes just before the unfortunate chain incident:

A classic case of too many cooks?

The whole thing seemed to amuse Rob:

In slightly better weather conditions, Rufus has been cycling in Laos: