Tarland Trails Thursday

Another good turnout of 8 - including debutant Mike Reilly - met at the Guide Hut at 8:30 am this morning, loaded up the bike racks and drove up to Aboyne. We cycled through Aboyne Castle Grounds, crossing the Aboyne-Tarland road and on to the Tarland Way.

It was my first time of cycling along the Way - it's surprisingly up and down. About half way along the off road section seems to come to an end and you have to revert to quiet back roads, which eventually bring you in to Tarland, skirting just to the south of the golf course.

We headed for the woods at the south west of the village and our first experience of the relatively newly opened Tarland Trails. There are walking trails there as well as 3 fairly short cycling trails - the Blue one ("moderate"), Red ("difficult") and Orange ("extreme"):

A fairly short uphill section from the car park to the start point, where we posed for the traditional team photo:

l-r: Ian Sharp, John Perry, Ian Stewart, Ken Page, Mike Reilly, Bob Elder, Scott Hunter and Rufus de Silva

Then we set off on the Blue Trail, which was good fun, but the thrill-seekers wanted more and some headed for the Red and some for the Orange trails. Those that did the latter said that it was actually better than the Red Trail - so long as you took it easy.

We each went round 3 times then made our donations in the appropriate box:

Now it was back along the Tarland Way again to Aboyne. Three of our number left the Way about halfway along and cycled back along the road, whilst the rest of us re-traced our steps. Tea/coffee and scones were scoffed at the Black Faced Sheep.

In total, the distance covered was 27 kms, with over 900 feet of climbing - https://www.strava.com/activities/383901842. John P's overview of the route:

Dick wasn't available today, but he completed a solo run on Monday, up to Torphins - https://www.strava.com/activities/381781157.

Meanwhile, more overseas activity from John Meaden:

"As an infrequent Freewheeler I thought I would send an overseas report - be warned a road bike is involved .

We are out in the Alps near Val D Isere and I wanted to do at least some cycling here . Yesterday was the last day of a week of very hot weather so I took advantage and hired a road bike in Bourg St Maurice (800m elevation) . The bike had 2 x 7 gears with toe strap  pedals - not ideal but OK . 

I set off in the direction of the Col du Petit St Bernard via the ski resort of La Rosiere and my first ever Alpine climb.

Surprisingly the climb was not too bad - I put the bike in the highest gear and left it there the whole time . Gradients are typically 4 to 6 % with brief steeper parts on hairpins .

On the flatter sections I discovered 2 things about the brakes , one that they were not very good and the other that they are reversed - your left hand operates the front brake and right hand the back - best to note that before a flying descent . 

The climb was long but steady - I would say all of it less gradient than the final hill near Drum garden centre .  It got hotter - around 30 degrees lower down - but was still very pleasant due to the mostly steady gradient. 

Most cyclists overtook me with a breezy greeting although I managed to stay ahead of the  man on the hand bike- just .

Having set of at 0920 I arrived in La Rosiere at 1150 hrs - stopping at approx 1900m altitude , total climb 1100m distance 23km all uphill.

At this point I called in my support team (Wife and son ) adjourned to a great cafe for crepes and coffee . My bike went in the back of the car with its dodgy brakes and I thought I would leave the descent for another day . 

I had also pretty much had enough by then but the final 8 k to the top of the Col beckoned and was ignored - will try that another day . It would have been another 450m  up and the guy in the bike shop said it becomes steeper and tougher .

Overall a great morning in some stunning scenery

Regards

John M "