Aboyne - Tarland

Rob reports:

"The sexy-six gathered on a beautiful April Morning. Mr 'Big-Biker' Sharp had decreed that bike racks should be deployed; so Ian and Scott, Jeff and Ken, Dick and I teamed up. The suggestion was up the Tarland Way. We parked outside the Black-Faced Sheep, forward planning, and swooped off behind the big houses in Aboyne; initially up the Deeside Way then up the Tarland Way. There is a lovely downhill s-bend section to the Otter bridge, that can be taken at speed. Naturally we let Dick go first then tried to keep him in sight!! It was a splendid day for a ride and the views from Mt Keen to Lochnagar to Morven were opening up across the Strath. The really Coull castle came and went and then we cruised into Tarland and did a round of the village, whilest discussing a 'short' loop up towards the Pressendye ridge and onto Huntly; the consensus was against this so Dick led us off towards the lochs at Burn o'Vat. The pull out of Tarland was quite 'protracted'. Having reached the photo-op spot and stood battered by the wind, we took on another of Dick's 'technical sections'!! I finally learned how to get my tail around sharp bends, with judicial use of the rear brake, great fun.

Next excitement was an encounter with some professional-looking guys filming a bunch of adders, that were basking in the sun. Some of the biggest ones I'd seen. On down to Dinnet and back along the Deeside Way to refreshments at the Sheep. A great circle ride. Thanks guys."

Dick's Strava stats for the 2 hour, 33 kms ride can be viewed here - https://www.strava.com/activities/282039735

Dick also supplied the following photos: