Thursday cycle

Jeff is match reporter today:

"Thursday 18th June

Desside Dithering

Seven partakers arrived at the guide hut, Dick, Jeb, Bob, Les, Ian Sh, Scott and your reporter for today, Jeff.  The early arrivers had set their hearts on the fine scones of Finzean Farm Shop, on the slight pretext that a vague easterly breeze would be better to have at the backs on the return journey.

There was some vague mulling of options for once the far end of Blackhall Forest had been achieved, but without resolution as we set off for the gates to the Deeside track.  A straightforward slog up to the usual view and philosophising point followed. We passed a pile of gravel, suggesting the track, which seems to get subtly more pot-holed each trip, might be up for repair - or maybe this was just the pile of stuff the estate has quarried to make the pot holes in the first place (one for the conspiracy theorists, there).

Dithering rather than philosophizing at the view point today as we debated routes.  There was, to Scott's palpable horror, consideration given to a hack through Ballogie and an off-road traverse behind Finzean House, but relief was granted by a final landing on the more direct choice of over Shooting Greens, along Feughside and up to Finzean's finest, with the tempter of a return through Bogendreip via Pitdelphin thrown in.

To be fair, there was a bit of an in-your-face breeze heading west along Feughside, but the shop was made in short order, and goodies ordered. Jeb became the latest to succumb and join Jeff in the Great Bacon Butty Insurgency (some of us can't do sweets before breakfast!), whilst the rest enjoyed the typically fine scones with lashings of cream.

The return was aided by the breeze, though as we were about to turn right towards Bogendreip, the hooting of an apparently cross lady driver (apparently one of our number was a micron or two over the white line) was less welcome as she insisted on having her right of way - all of it, dammit!

The Bogendreip route was nicely dried out, and the usual hazards (herd a few sheep out of the way, some very gentlemanly assisting with lifting bikes over fences etc.) were readily negotiated. Once back out on the road, Jeff ducked down Kirsty's Brae into Strachan, while the main party completed a fine outing round by Mill of Cammie.  A grey day, but the rain held off and a nice temperature for the activity. Another good outing!"

https://www.strava.com/activities/327884790