Sunday Run to Pitlochry

Another great summers day but, with several members being away, it was a small group who met up at the leisure centre. Six in total Myself, Gus, Keith, Ian, Charlie, and Andy a visitor. With a slight tail wind we made good time out by Newtyle and Coupar Angus then over the Isla towards Dunkeld. Here Gus, Keith, and Ian continued on towards Blair for a shorter run, while Charlie, Andy, and I continued on to Dunkeld. Being dry we took the cycle path through the hotel grounds, which is very scenic on a sunny day, to join the Dalguise Road.

Bluebells at Dunkeld

Riverside at Dunkeld

Wasn't long before we crossed over the wooden bridge at Logierait then up the steep climb by Dunfallandy. The switchback road to Pitlochry was warm work in the sun but the real heat was felt when we stopped at the bakers in Pitlochry for a quick snack. We were glad to get moving again creating out own breeze as we climbed up the Moulin. Thankfully there was also a gentle side wind that kept us cool most of the way up onto the moors where we could then start to enjoy the descent down to Kirkmichael. At the cafe there we stopped a while for a cuppie sitting out at their picnic tables. Shortly after, we parted company with Andy who made his way home to Blair by Bridge of Cally while Charlie and I took the usual route round by Blacklunans and Glenisla. There was a slight head wind at times down the glen but on such a hot day any breeze was welcome and it didn't seem to slow us down much.

Wednesday evening run will be to Finavon
There will be a run to the bothy on Saturday being the first one in June.
The Sunday Run will be to Clova.

Wednesday Evening Run to Memus

Summer has arrived, and it was a pleasant run out to Memus. 4 of us left from the club rooms and met up with the others at the Drovers. There were 8 out in total.

Sunday Run to St Andrews

Sunday was sunny and bright with only a gentle breeze from the east. With temperatures forecast to be in double figures, (not bad for the end of May :-/ ), we couldn't believe our luck as we climbed out of Forfar by the Lour Road then on by Whigstreet to Wellbank where kamakazi motorists tried their best to wipe each other out to get past us on the bends. Into Dundee and over the Tay Bridge we paused at the kiosk for bacon rolls and coffee.

Ian, Gus, Charlie, and Ron at the Tay Bridge

Here Gus and Ron left us to head back to Glamis to enjoy some of the festivities there while myself Charlie and Ian took the cycle route to St Andrews. Just before joining the cycle path we met the Berwicks on their tandem with trailer probably heading into town for the groceries. Once in St Andrews we made our way down to the harbour for a bite to eat at the cabin. There we were met with the sight of a large procession of  University Students, resplendent in their red gowns, walking along the harbour.

Lemmings

We thought perhaps they might jump in like lemmings so we ordered a cuppie and sat down to watch. They didn't  however but instead climbed up onto the harbour wall to make their way back

Sunny St Andrews

 After the break we headed along by Strathkinness and joined a parade of vintage tractors. The Fordsons and Super Dextas found it hard to pass us, these were the days, so we stopped a while and let them go. We continued down to Dairsie then round by Balmullo, St Michaels, and Wormit before heading back over the Tay. Once in Dundee we took the sharp then steady climb up Princes Street,  Albert Street, and Pitkerro Road before dropping down through Mid Craigie and up Longhaugh then out of town by Duntrune. We noticed that the ponds there were drained, perhaps for maintenance, as we continued climbing up by the Murroes then Petterden to take the Lumley Den road to Glamis. Arriving there at a round 5pm it wasn't worth going in so we joined the traffic along the main road to Forfar.

The Wednesday Evening Run this week is to the Drovers at Memus.
The run next Sunday 27th May is to Pitlochry.

Wednesday Evening Run to Roundyhill

Not a bad evening to start with as 4 of us set off at a brisk pace taking the usual route out by Balinshoe and Maryton. At Roundyhill we met up with a few others, 9 in total, enjoyed some refreshments and Jim provided a bowl of chips as he usually does. Started to rain while we were there, so we had a slightly damp run home. We found out that there was a big jubilee do planned on Sunday at Glamis, so we discussed making our way there at some point, perhaps on our way home from the Sunday run is to St Andrews

Sunday Run to Blacklunans

The Sunday run to Blacklunans started as a battle against a strong south west wind as the group of seven made our way out by Horny Cross then meandered through Caddam Woods managing to get some shelter from the blast. Emerging just before Kingoldrum, we then continued up by Glen Isla to the Hotel where although we were tempted to go in for a cuppie and some shelter we decided to press on up to Brewlands to take the road around by Drumore Loch. This 3 mile stretch was the worst as, being on the south side of Mount Blair, we had no shelter from the gale and were glad when we eventually got some respite at the Glenshee Eco camp.

The Eco Camp Bothy

Glenshee Eco Camp Blacklunans

Glenshee Eco Camp

Here we went into the bothy bake house cafe and nearly managed to clean them out of home made cakes and scones. First time we have been there and reckon we will be back. After the break we continued for a couple of hundred yards into the wind before thankfully turning north up by Cray and over to Forter Castle. Following the road around by Folda we found the breeze was a bit playful, turning against us as we pedalled on to Brewlands Bridge. The further down the glen we went the more the gale blew us on, and at Lintrathen, Charlie and Ian decided to head round by Ballintore while the rest of us took the direct route to enjoy a speedy descent down by Purgavie and on to Kingoldrum. There was a sting in the tail however as we turned south at Paddy School and had to pedal hard over by Drumgley to the Glamis Road where again we were blown home the last couple of miles into town.


The Wednesday Evening Run this week is to Roundyhill
The next Sunday Run is to St Andrews

Wednesday Evening Run to Glamis

Six members met up at Glamis on Wednesday night.
 Those leaving from the club rooms took a route out by Inverarity and  Kincaldrum
before making their way round the back of Hunter's Hill  and down to Glamis.

The Sunday Run (13th May) will be to Blacklunans
The next Wednesday evening run (16th of May)will be to Roundyhill

Sunday Audaxes

Angus Cycling Club organised 2 Audaxes on Sunday based at the Rugby Club at Inchmacoble in Forfar.
In total there were around 50 entrants and 42 turned up on the day.
The Deeside Loop 200k started at 8am and followed a route around by Stracathro  and Edzell  then up by Fettercairn and over the Cairn o' Mount. After this there were a few speedy descents and sharp climbs to deal with before they headed along the South Deeside Road  to control at Ballater. The weather was mixed up until then with a few wintry showers reported. Along past Balmoral on to Braemar they then had to contend with the long drag up to the Cairnwell. Here for many especially the front runners the weather turned sour with snow hail and sleet to contend with as they sped down the Devil's Elbow to the Spittal of Glenshee. Arriving frozen they were glad of some respite at the hotel. Heading down Glenisla to Kirrie and the finish, many were snowed on and arrived back in Forfar chilled to the bone. Some of the later riders must have been behind the weather front and fared much better. All were glad of the warm food and drinks back at the Rugby club rooms.

Those taking part in the 100k "Cream Scone" event had a bit more luck with the weather. The route took them out by Newtyle then over towards Abernyte via the "Gentlemen's Glen" before working their way back to Balbeggie and along to Scone where the "Touchdown Cafe" at the aerodrome was the half way control. The return journey was by Stormontfield, Coupar Angus and Meigle where they stopped for tea at the hotel.

Thanks to all who helped at these events.


The Wednesday Evening run is to Glamis