The last club run of the year started slowly with a puncture, thankfully it wasn't raining - just cold, sunny with a light breeze. We were heading to Balbeggie, the coffee shop in the garage has been closed for over a year now and was a popular stop for cyclists but we had not been to the MacDonald Arms at the top of the hill as a group before.
We made good progress through Newtyle and were heading for Laughing Horse Hill where Ron and Gus turned for Meigle and Ardler leaving the rest of us to slog up the hill. It's a lumpy route and we had a fair amount of ice and slush to contend with. We had passed through Kinrossie and were just a Thorngreen when disaster struck for Colin. The free wheel completely went so he was stuck, thankfully it was only a couple of miles to the pub and our lunch time stop and most of it was downhill so he was able to coast with David and I giving him a push up the hills.
Thankfully a relative was able to come and pick him up so he got home OK. We headed back along the main road but it was pretty busy so we turned off back into Kinrossie and the back roads to Ardler. Donal's chain was slipping and coming off, thankfully the roads were fairly flat so there wasn't to much need to change gears.
The wind had got up and it was getting cold, with frozen feet a stop for some in the Tav was required to thaw out before heading back to Forfar.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Boxing Day Run - Carnoustie - 26/12/13
After the went and windy Christmas Day Boxing Day was the complete opposite - bright, sunny and only a light breeze from the South West.
A good size group met at the leisure centre to work of the Christmas excesses and after a brief chat we decided on Carnoustie which would give us the wind behind us for most of the way back.
The side roads were slippy so we took the main road heading up the hills through Kingsmuir, Crachie stopping to regroup at Little Lochlair and a final decision on the route. We didn't expect anything other than the Coop to be open so were delighted to find that the cafe on the corner was open so we got coffee scones and rolls to warm up before the long grind up past Mains of Panmuir to Craigton past Affleck Castle, Lucky Slap and Husbandtown and onto the back road between Forfar and Dundee. It was fairly quiet but we turned left for Whiggstreet and Lour follwed by Caldhame and home.
A good size group met at the leisure centre to work of the Christmas excesses and after a brief chat we decided on Carnoustie which would give us the wind behind us for most of the way back.
The side roads were slippy so we took the main road heading up the hills through Kingsmuir, Crachie stopping to regroup at Little Lochlair and a final decision on the route. We didn't expect anything other than the Coop to be open so were delighted to find that the cafe on the corner was open so we got coffee scones and rolls to warm up before the long grind up past Mains of Panmuir to Craigton past Affleck Castle, Lucky Slap and Husbandtown and onto the back road between Forfar and Dundee. It was fairly quiet but we turned left for Whiggstreet and Lour follwed by Caldhame and home.
Mince Pie Run - 22/12/13
Ron and Pat were hosting this years Christmas run in Kirriemuir so we had a couple of hours to do the 6 miles up the road. The weather was mixed as we set off for Inverarity, the wind was pretty strong so we turned early and headed for Douglastown past Kinnettles House and got our first soaking
We regrouped and headed up towards Glamis and got caught in another heavy rain shower, the wind was getting stronger and with no sign of the rain easing we headed to the Glamis Hotel for a coffee and the chance to dry out.
As always we were made more than welcome they quickly cleared a couple of tables allowing the 12 of us sit and have a bleather. The rain stopped and the sun came out an it was a very pleasant run as we were blown up the hill to Kirrie where soup and treats were waiting for us.
We regrouped and headed up towards Glamis and got caught in another heavy rain shower, the wind was getting stronger and with no sign of the rain easing we headed to the Glamis Hotel for a coffee and the chance to dry out.
As always we were made more than welcome they quickly cleared a couple of tables allowing the 12 of us sit and have a bleather. The rain stopped and the sun came out an it was a very pleasant run as we were blown up the hill to Kirrie where soup and treats were waiting for us.
Jimmy and Donal ready for the rain!
Many thanks to Ron and Pat for hosting the afternoon,
Meikleour - 15/12/13
Another fine Sunday morning saw a good size group heading for Christmas soup at Meikleour home of the longest and tallest hedge in the world.
We headed out via the Drumgley and the Bogside Road turning right up to Ruthven past the old castle and left onto the A926 towards the 5 Rd roundabout. Gus, Jimmy, Rona and Tom turned off here leaving 5 of us to head for Blair.
We were heading down a wee incline and as I changed to the big ring my chain broke so we had a brief stop to mend it, before heading n to Blair. Keith turned for home at the lights leaving 4 to press on. It always seems like much further from Blairgowrie to Meikleour than the 4 miles it is but Donald took the pace followed by myself then Charlie and we flew along the road to the crossroads. Donald turned for home leaving just three of us to have soup and a pint, the big fire was on in the bar and it was an effort to go back out into the cold!
We headed to Coupar Angus then Ardler for a top up before heading back into Forfar with the wind behind us. A good day out!
We headed out via the Drumgley and the Bogside Road turning right up to Ruthven past the old castle and left onto the A926 towards the 5 Rd roundabout. Gus, Jimmy, Rona and Tom turned off here leaving 5 of us to head for Blair.
We were heading down a wee incline and as I changed to the big ring my chain broke so we had a brief stop to mend it, before heading n to Blair. Keith turned for home at the lights leaving 4 to press on. It always seems like much further from Blairgowrie to Meikleour than the 4 miles it is but Donald took the pace followed by myself then Charlie and we flew along the road to the crossroads. Donald turned for home leaving just three of us to have soup and a pint, the big fire was on in the bar and it was an effort to go back out into the cold!
We headed to Coupar Angus then Ardler for a top up before heading back into Forfar with the wind behind us. A good day out!
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Fettercairn - 08/12/13
We have been lucky with the weather recently and today was no exception after yesterdays -2 deg C it was positively balmy! Jimmy led us at a strong pace as far as Brechin via Suttieside and Aberlemno where we dropped down to Craigend Wood avoiding the big hill at a strong pace, not bad for 82.
Jimmy was heading for Edzell and the hard hills of Glen Lethnot, Gus turned with him leaving 6 of us heading up the Brae from Brechin to the hills above Northwater Bridge. We had, what wind there was, behind us and as we dropped down to the old bridge crossing the River North Esk a light drizzle cooled us down. We stopped on the old bridge to put the waterproofs on before crossing the A90 and heading for Edzell.
We were stopping at the cafe which has changed hands allot over the years, it has recently been refurbished and is owned by the estate. The food has always been god and we were soon warmed up and fed.
Heading home we were into the breeze but it was gentle and Keith was setting a good pace till David got a puncture, we found a sheltered spot to change the tube we headed off but only got a few hundred yards and it was time to bring out The Clubby Tire!
Tire changed we set off again heading for Careston and a short route home via Finavon arriving home before dark, with 50 miles completed and only a little light drizzle to cope with.
Next week we head for Meikleour, 10:00am from the leisure Centre.
Jimmy was heading for Edzell and the hard hills of Glen Lethnot, Gus turned with him leaving 6 of us heading up the Brae from Brechin to the hills above Northwater Bridge. We had, what wind there was, behind us and as we dropped down to the old bridge crossing the River North Esk a light drizzle cooled us down. We stopped on the old bridge to put the waterproofs on before crossing the A90 and heading for Edzell.
We were stopping at the cafe which has changed hands allot over the years, it has recently been refurbished and is owned by the estate. The food has always been god and we were soon warmed up and fed.
Heading home we were into the breeze but it was gentle and Keith was setting a good pace till David got a puncture, we found a sheltered spot to change the tube we headed off but only got a few hundred yards and it was time to bring out The Clubby Tire!
Tire changed we set off again heading for Careston and a short route home via Finavon arriving home before dark, with 50 miles completed and only a little light drizzle to cope with.
Next week we head for Meikleour, 10:00am from the leisure Centre.
Monday, 2 December 2013
Montrose - 1/12/13
Thankfully it was not as cold as last week as eight of us set off on a nice gentle run to Montrose heading along the Arbroath Rd to Friockheim hoping to meet Colin en-route. We were just past the crem when we did meet up just as Ron turned and headed for home.
Another great day for cycling, not to cold and hardly a breath of wind, it wasn't long before we got to the coast, the sea was very calm and there were a couple of large boats just outside the harbour entrance. Keith turned for home at the roundabout whilst we stopped at the sandwich shop as we were heading for Duncan's house.
Raymond and Iain were waiting for us there and the kettle was hot so we were filled up with coffee, tea, sausage rolls and penguin biscuits. We had been there for about an hour before Gus wanted to know which pub we were heading for so we said our good byes. Charlie had to drop of an envelope at Kip's so we had a wee tour of Montrose before heading towards Brechin with Colin and Brian turning of at the Bridge of Dun.
We climbed up through Brechin past Mackie Motors and the High School turning left up the hill past Craigend Wood and onwards to Finavon then home to Forfar after a brief stop to warm up.
Next week it's Fettercairn
Another great day for cycling, not to cold and hardly a breath of wind, it wasn't long before we got to the coast, the sea was very calm and there were a couple of large boats just outside the harbour entrance. Keith turned for home at the roundabout whilst we stopped at the sandwich shop as we were heading for Duncan's house.
Raymond and Iain were waiting for us there and the kettle was hot so we were filled up with coffee, tea, sausage rolls and penguin biscuits. We had been there for about an hour before Gus wanted to know which pub we were heading for so we said our good byes. Charlie had to drop of an envelope at Kip's so we had a wee tour of Montrose before heading towards Brechin with Colin and Brian turning of at the Bridge of Dun.
We climbed up through Brechin past Mackie Motors and the High School turning left up the hill past Craigend Wood and onwards to Finavon then home to Forfar after a brief stop to warm up.
Next week it's Fettercairn
Glen Clova - 24/11/13
Nine set of at a gentle pace for a winter run to the Glen Clova Hotel for lunch, summer time runs usually involve a trip round Prosen first but with the frost and short daylight hours we usually go straight up.
We stopped at Dykehead for a breather and to have a look at the works taking place at the hotel. Pat caught us up after coming direct from Kirrie, it was quite warm in the sun but we were soon heading in the direction of Clova.
The ride up was lovely but the devastation from the previous Wednesdays 80 mile an hour wind was plain to see with hundreds of trees blown over, thankfully today there was only a gentle breeze so we made good time arriving bang on opening time. We always get a fine plate of soup at Clova and today was no exception.
When we ventured out the temperature had dropped and we ignored the Road Closed sign heading down the North side of the glen. It wasnt long before we found out why the road was shut, half the forrest was blown down so it was a wee bit of cross country biking through the fields.
We regrouped at Dykehead for the run down the hill with the usual suspects heading for some rehydration in the Drovers getting home just as the light failed.
Next week it's Montrose and lets hope for another nice day!
We stopped at Dykehead for a breather and to have a look at the works taking place at the hotel. Pat caught us up after coming direct from Kirrie, it was quite warm in the sun but we were soon heading in the direction of Clova.
The ride up was lovely but the devastation from the previous Wednesdays 80 mile an hour wind was plain to see with hundreds of trees blown over, thankfully today there was only a gentle breeze so we made good time arriving bang on opening time. We always get a fine plate of soup at Clova and today was no exception.
When we ventured out the temperature had dropped and we ignored the Road Closed sign heading down the North side of the glen. It wasnt long before we found out why the road was shut, half the forrest was blown down so it was a wee bit of cross country biking through the fields.
We regrouped at Dykehead for the run down the hill with the usual suspects heading for some rehydration in the Drovers getting home just as the light failed.
Next week it's Montrose and lets hope for another nice day!
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