Busy start to week

It's been a busy start to the cycling week, it seems. Ian Sharp and Malcolm Lodge did the charity ride to Westhill on Sunday, with Ian reporting as follows:

"Sunday is an unusual day for the Freewheelers but two of us joined the Bill Burr Memorial charity ride in aid of prostate cancer.

This was well attended by all ages and abilities with circa £3500 being raised via Banchory Rotary Club.

A " rare " Freewheeler - Malcolm Lodge - and I, set off at 9,30am to Westhill.

Malcolm zoomed up Hirn Brae leaving all in his wake with his experienced road bike - however I did catch him up again and we had a good steady pace to Westhill in I hour 15mins ( approx. 14 miles ).

This was followed by the mandatory visit to the local coffee shop - though my scone was more like a rock cake !!!!

We chose to cycle back, with Malcolm heading off to his home near Flora's, and I dropped down to Deeside Way.

Things were getting rather wet by now and it was a soggy Sharpy ( see photo

) who got home after 34 miles door to door run.

However another " adventure " completed by the Freewheelers -   and another

to follow I hear with Glenlivet on the agenda for this coming Thursday ."

Whoops - he's sideways again!

I noted from Strava that Ken Page went on what he has labelled "Abandoned Ride" on Monday morning. Lasting only 12 minutes, was it the weather that made him stop, or the fact that he realised the others were going out in the afternoon? Anyway, he did join the One o' Clock Gang, as attested by Rufus, making his debut as guest reporter on his first ride with the Freewheelers for a while:

"The weather  forecast for Monday  22nd June was rain but clearing in the afternoon. After much debate it was decided to meet at 1 pm in the afternoon.

Six sturdy Freewheelers  Bob Elder , Ken Page , John Perry, Dick Taylor and Rob Pollard  turned up at the Guide hut.  Not surprisingly  the forecast had been a trifle optimistic!  A light drizzle or Scotch mist was upon us. All were dressed for the prevailing weather conditions.

It was decided to head for Torphins a familiar route with Platform 22 as the destination.

The route which took us  through Burnett Park and north west towards Brathens  and Glassel then reaching our destination Platform 22 by 2.45 pm.

The riders tucked into the obligatory refreshments of scones and coffee/tea supplied by Emma. Ken had just returned from Mallorca but refrained from  depressing the company with tales of high temperatures.

On the return trip the party went past Inchmarlo golf course. At one point the golfers amongst us reminisced at how quickly one of the fairways of golf course  had reverted to nature.   One of the group posited that this was all part of a grand scheme  whereby planning was obtained to change use from agricultural to golf course  then  towards the big prize. Apparently the ground has now been earmarked for housing. At least this was the sense made by your reporter.

The Scotch mist stayed with us all the way back.  There was some discussion on the merits of living in Scotland. Ken is contemplating moving to Thailand or Spain for the weather and golf.  Weather apart, it was an enjoyable ride and good company.

We were all back in Banchory by 4 pm."

Dick supplied the team photo at Platform 22:

John Perry supplied the usual route map and the stats are here - https://www.strava.com/activities/330658693:

John also snuck in a quick 10 kms this afternoon (Tuesday) - https://www.strava.com/activities/331351586. While he was doing that, on my first morning here in Oregon, I dug out my son-in-law's bike and went for a familiar 19 kms loop - https://www.strava.com/activities/331394548 - with just enough time to pose for the solo photo:

That's all for now folks!