Thursday 12 July 2012

Wednesday night run to Letham

Despite the heavy rain around teatime, 5 cyclists( Keith, Norman, Ian, Dave, and Colin) set off from Forfar taking a route out by Lour, Craichie Mill, and Idvies before dropping down to a very turbulent Vinny Den and into Letham. Once there we met Charlie and stopped for a refreshment at the Inn before heading home by Dunnichen and Lownie.

The run on Sunday is supposed to be car assisted, but not sure who will all be there with Ron and Dave away. A few intend, depending on the weather, cycling to the other side of the Tay Bridge for 10am then taking it from there.

The Wednesday night run will be to Newtyle or Glamis .

Sunday Run 8th July

The Sunday run was on the schedule as going to Stonehaven, but  the small group whop turned up were only out for the morning so they instead headed to Brechin Castle Centre and back.

Wednesday Evening Run to Finavon

About 6 of us met up at Finavon. Those coming from Forfar took the usual route over Finavon Hill but had to watch on the descent us it was a bit rough with debris on the road from the recent rains. The route home was by Justinhaugh and Battledykes.

Sunday Run to Aberfeldy 1st July

Sunday started off dry as 4 cyclists Ron, Dave, Ian, and Norman set off for a run to Aberfeldy.
For a change we took a route up to main road to Kirrie before turning along the main road to Alyth and Blairgowrie. In a bit of welcome sunshine, the views up Strathmore were worth seeing from the high ground beteween Kirrie and Airlie. Once through Blair we again stayed on the main road to Dunkeld  and found the traffic to be quite light as we headed round past the 5 lochs then down by the Royal Dunkeld Golf Course. At the foot of the hill we opted for the road and cycle path to Ballinluig where we continued on by Logierait. After a few miles turned off along the back roads through Strathtay and Weem. Along this road, the skies opened and we had to shelter under the trees for 10 minutes while the worst blew over. From there it was only a few miles into Aberfeldy where we stopped for lunch at the Watermill restaurant and bookshop. After the break it was still raining a bit as we tackled the long climb up the Birks.

Ian and Norman after taking the jackets off, looking down at Aberfeldy
 Far too hot in the waterproofs so we stopped briefly to remove them before continuing to the summit.

Norman at the top of the Birks Climb

Dave at the top of the Birks

The long descent of Glen Cochill to Strathbran was welcome and when we turned towards Dunkeld the wind was more in our favour as we continued downhill for 10 miles or so. On the other side of Dunkeld the heavens opened again and being too late to don the waterproofs we got a good soaking as the breeze helped us along by Meikleour and on to Coupar Angus. Taking the back roads it rained again and we took some shelter and enjoyed some refreshment at the Ardler Tavern before heading home by Kirkinch and Balkeerie.

Wednesday Evening Run to Drovers

On a damp night 6 of us made our way to the Drovers.

Sunday Run 24th June

The weather was pretty poor on Sunday so the 3 who turned up at the leisure centre, Gus,Norman, and Ron  headed up to the bothy instead of the planned run to Glencarse. Ian who set off late headed off to Glencarse, having lunch at the hotel there.