Sunday run to Dunkeld

It doesn't happen too often, but Sunday turned out to be a near perfect day for cycling. The day started slightly cool but the sun was breaking its way through the har as we set off into a gentle head wind. There were 8 of us to start with. Charlie, Norman, Jimmy, Ron, Gus, Dave H, Tom, and Ian. Mary had set off on her own to do a shorter run round by Newtyle. Once out of town we took the Bogside Road along to Meigle where we paused a while to let Ron mend a puncture.

Ron mends a puncture with Norman looking on. 

Once back going again we went up towards Alyth  then turned off along by Leitfie, where Jimmy turned off, and around by Aberbothrie to follow the farm road to the banks of the Ericht then over Kitty Sawnson's Bridge.  

Climbing over Kitty Swanson's Bridge

From there it was down the Bendochy road and over the crossroads to take the Dunkeld Road. Despite it being near lunchtime we managed to avoid the Lure of Meikleour and continued on by Spittalfield and Caputh  where Charlie and Ron turned off. Just before the descent into Dunkeld we took the back road that drops down sharply into the centre of the town. Being a glorious day we bought some grib from the shop and wandered down to the riverbank to relax in the sun and have lunch.

Relaxing at Dunkeld

Continuing on through Birnam we found out that the Quaich, formerly Katy's Kitchen, appeared to be closed for good and looked like it was being absorbed into the garage. We left Birnam by the cycle path that takes you up by the station and long the A9 to the Bankfoot road. After the the gentle climb to Stare Dam we turned along by the Sawmill and on past Murthly, Kinclaven Bridge, and on to Coupar Angus. Crossing the main road at the park we then headed along by Ardler where feeling parched we stopped at the Tavern to slake our thirst. Could have stayed in their gardens all day, but had to leave eventually so we meandered around through Belmont and Kirkinch before enjoying a good run home by Newtyle and Glamis.

In the Beer Garden at Ardler

With the temperature still warm well into the evening, it has to go down as the best day for a long while.

The run on Wednesday Evening is to the Drovers at Memus.
The Next Sunday run, still leaving at 10 am is to St Cyrus.

Wednesday Evening Run to Roundyhill

On a fine night, 7 of us, including a guest appearance from Donald,  we made our way out to Roundyhill via Heatherstacks, Balinshoe, and Maryton. After a refreshment and a basket of chips, provided by the host, we headed home by Ballindarg and Drumgley.

British Summer Time

The UK Clocks moved forward one hour on

Sunday 25 March 01:00 GMT (02:00 BST)

The Sunday Run will leave at 10am as usual.

As from Sunday 8th April the Sunday Runs will start at 9am

Sunday Run to Newburgh

Sunday was bright and sunny, still breezy but not so bad as it has been  recently. With many members away on other trips, only four of us started out from the leisure centre, Dave F, Ron, Charlie and myself DaveH.
The destination was Newburgh but we had to call into my house first to change bikes as the bearing on the pedal of my auld Maclean seized.

Dave recycles bikes at home 

Once done we headed out by Lochlands then over Carrot Hill to Bucklers Head where we made our way down into Dundee and along to the Tay Bridge.

Ron brings up his rear at Carrot Hill

Here Ron turned off leaving 3 of us to cross over into Fife. After a short break at the kiosk, we turned along through Newport and Wormit. We were pedalling into the wind, but not too bad until we climbed out of Wormit onto the more exposed road towards Balmarino. Following a couple of climbs up by The Gauldry it became easier as we followed the Tay, admiring the views from our high vantage point until we dropped down to Newburgh.  The cafe at the garage was not open today so we continued on. The blue and white cafe coming out of Newburgh had been repainted green. This hadn't done it any good as it had clearly gone out of business. Onward through Abernethy then on to the roundabout at the Baglie Inn, we then opted for the back road by Dron to Bridge of Earn. Here the sun had disappeared so, instead of stopping at the shop, we continued into Perth to have some food at Tescos.

Dave takes on refreshments at Tesco Perth

After the break the wind felt more in our favour as we climbed gently up through Perth into Scone. Here Dave F, who had been patient up until now, lit the blue touchpaper while Charlie and I retired. Didn't see him again so Charlie and I kept to the main road where a cross wind gradually swung round in our favour. By the time we turned off along the Bogside Road the going was fairly easy. We spotted a few gliders taking advantage of the wind at Roundyhill as he headed home to Forfar by Drumgley.


The Wednesday Evening Run is to Roundyhill
The next Sunday Run 25th March is to Dunkeld
Ron Harrow is running a 100k Audax from Kingoldrum on Tuesday 27th (see www.audax.uk.net for details)

(Photos and comments from Dave Fawcett)

Wednesday Evening Run

Another breezy night, four of us set off from Forfar taking the main road out by Paddy. The road had just re-opened that night but was still fairly quiet as the news hadn't  spread. Continuing into the breeze we went along the Ballindarg Road against the wind to Roundyhill where it was just as strong as we turned south towards Glamis junction. Further down the road we were pulled over by a passing police car regarding  concern about the brightness of one of our rear lights. Soon we arrived at Glamis meeting up with a few others and enjoying a refreshment before being blown home down the main road.

The Run on Sunday is to Newburgh.

Sunday Run to Scone

On a mild sunny day, surprisingly only four club members met at the leisure centre for the run to Scone.
The 4 of us Charlie, Gus, Norman, and Dave set off out the Kirrie Road taking advantage of the road closure at Paddanaram to avoid the Drumgley road which has turned into a rat run since the main road closure. After admiring the new road surface at Paddy, we turned off at the school and went round by Ballindarg and on to the Bogside Road. We were battling into a strong breeze and took turns up front along the Bogside to Meigle then along the main road to Coupar Angus. From there we went along the back way past Woodside cemetery and down to Kinclaven to take the main A93 towards Perth. Just before Guildtown we turned on to the minor roads around by Stormontfield then down by the racecourse before taking the short sharp climb up into Scone. A lot of hard work against the wind so we stopped for a cuppie at the cafe at Scone Aerodrome. After the welcome break we now had the wind advantage as turned off at Balbeggie and made our way round into Kinrossie.

Gus enjoying the summer sunshine 

Charlie on the back roads to Kinrossie

Dave

Keeping to the back roads we then headed home by Kettins, Newtyle, and Glamis then into Forfar.


The Wednesday night run will be to Glamis.
The next Sunday run on18th March will be to Newburgh

Wednesday Evening Run to Finavon

Three of us, ( Gus , Keith, and Myself)  set off from Forfar and headed out the Aberlemno Road to the foot of Finavon Hill where we climbed sharply over the hill and down to Finavon. The near full moon made the cycling easier on the back roads. At Finavon we met Alan Ferrier, fixing a puncture, and Charlie who had made is own way there. On a rather chilly clear night we made our way home by Tannadice, Justinhaugh, and Battledykes.