Bothy Pictures - 26th July 2015

With the Bothy flooded out in the Great Alyth Flood of 2015 works have been taking place to dry it out, repair the floor, paint it and raise it up onto higher blocks:

St Cyrus 15/08/15

Apologies first, I have been out of action for a couple of months and suffering computer problems as well but back from time to time now.

The sun was shining for once down at the leisure centre for the third in our Angus Cycle Festival of runs, each week we are running a short run at 10:00am and a long run at 9:00am from the Lochside Leisure Centre

Five of us left for St Cyrus heading up to Hornycross where Brian turned back to lead the shot run, from Hornycross we turned right and wound our way to Little Brechin, then through the Golf Course past Bill Stephen Motors.  From the Golf Course we headed for Marykirk via Gallery.  In Marykirk we turned right up to the school and up the long drag of Kirktonhill regrouping at the junction of the B9120 where Tom headed to Stonehaven and a long loop back to home in Alyth.  Charlie David & I headed down through St Cyrus the round the cycle route to the Leisure Centre in Montrose where we had lunch.
After lunch we headed for Inverkeilor crossed the main road and headed to Leysmill, Idvies House Lour and along the high road into Forfar giving us a good circular route of 71 miles - The route is here if you would like to try it.

Prosen & Clova - 17/05/15

For the third week in a row, the rain was on at 9:00am but it was only a shower and it certainly looked a bit brighter up the glens as six of us headed towards Kirrie via the Bogside Rd.  Ron was going on holiday later that day so stopped in Kirrie leaving 5 of us to head for the hills.

This route has four climbs in the first 16 miles gradually getting steeper

which make the rest seem easy, worth having a granny gear or compact with large back ring, sounds painful but the views are well worth it

We had a couple of showers and it was a bit chilly at times but overall a pleasant morning, we stopped at the Glen Clova Hotel for lunch, perfect timing for soup and a pint, and with the wind at our backs we headed down the glen with Norman and I taking an extra loop to stop at the Drovers for some extra rehydration. 

A good day with over 50 miles and plenty of climbing

Angus Coastal Path - 10/5/15

For the second week in a row it was a miserable Sunday in Forfar and nobody was keen on a whole day in the rain and the Fife loop.

Six of us headed over towards Carrot Hill with the intention of going to the Tay Bridge, Ron was the first to turn followed shortly after by Gus who was off to a birthday party leaving four of us to grind up the hill.

It was looking brighter to the north so we headed for Monifieth and Route 1 to Arbroath, Keith was heading straight home leaving three of us to go to the Meddowbank Inn for lunch, we timed it just right as the tables filled up fast.

Heading out it was starting to drizzle and it looked pretty dull to the south and inland so we headed for Inverkielor where the sun came out briefly twice for less than a minute.  Form Inverkeilor we headed home through Gardyne,  Letham and over Dunnichen Hill and the gentle downhill through Burnside to the golf course and home.

Next week we head inland to Prosen and Clova with the hope of good weather!

The Tav - 3/05/15

Cometh the hour cometh only one eejit, or so I thought!  9:05am and not a soul to be seen at the leisure centre on a perfect day for a bike ride, strongish wind and heavy rain!

With the Tav booked as a Rendezvous ride it was a big decision, home with a news paper and a mug of tea, toast and marmalade or 3 & 1/2 hours round Angus - well I was wet anyway so off to Carrot Hill, Kellas and, Dronley, and up to Auchterhouse a left to Lundie a wrong turn and back to Tealing with a decision to make - 40 more minutes or home!  It looked like it was brightening up so of to Laughing Horse Hill and an extera wee loop Ardler begining to get a bit worried when passing three others going in the opposite direction including big Stuart from Blair, that had me thinking the Tav was shut and it would be 18 miles home on my own in the wind!

I arrived to find David's bike there, he had a puncture and had followed me round ten minutes behind but gone straight from Tealing to Ardler and the pub had been open since 12  Ron had gone out by car abd we were also joined by Donald from Meigle!!

  Big Jim had a soup and sandwich deal for a fiver and a fine pint of Thrapledouser to wash them down while things dried out in front of the fire.  After an hour or so it was time to return, with the rain even harder than ever but some company even though it was into the wind the miles passed fairly quickly - 62 miles done and completely soaked.

Next week, Sunday 10th May,  is the Newburgh loop round Perth or a shorter run to Tayport and the Harbour Cafe.

Kirkmichael - 26/04/15 Four Seasons in One Day!

A bright but sunny day saw four of us meet down at the leisure centre, little did we know what was in store for us later on!

We headed out the Bogside Rd with the Three Cairns in mind, the breeze was in our face and not to bad so progress was good, but David fancied a left to Bridge of Cally which gave us a tough wee climb and a lovely view with snow flkes en-route, that should have given us a clue of what was to come.  We rolled into the village shop after having sunshine all the way.  Pies, scones, cake tea and coffee sorted us all out Venison Pie was superb we even saw the main ingredient on the way!

The return journey was not so pleasant though, we were barley on our way when the rain came on, I was first to stop and get covered and caught up with the others a few minutes down the rd.  Gus had forgotten to pack his so the pace was quick to keep warm till he found some shelter!

We went over the Black Lunnans then down through Glen Isla where the road was white in places!

The sun came out just after the hotel so we had a wee stop and changed back into summer clothes and were fortunate to have the wind behind us for the return to Forfar.

Next week is a Rendezvous ride to the Tav in Arler which should be open, the plan is to meet there at 12:30 - if it is shut head to the Commercial in Newtyle instead.

Balbeggie Sunday 19th April

The morning had started sunny but the clouds rolled in as we gathered at the Leisure Centre welcoming  a visitor from Laurencekirk - Ian Anderson who was joining us for the first time.

The run was to take in Keith's scenic route but as he was away hill walking Gus and Charlie were taking the run as David was away doing a 300K Audax.

We headed out to Newtyle turning off the main rd just past Glamis and with the wind behind us made good time.   My knee still swollen I was only out for the morning, Ron was heading to the bike jumble at the Starthmore Vintage Vehicle Club and Norman had to be back early as well so the three of us turned right for Ardler leaving the group to head up the steep hill and on for the day.

The run back was into the wind and it was pretty chilly in places.  We were going at a good pace but Norman was running late so the pair of us took off for home leaving Ron to head to the Bike sale.

Sunday 26th April is Kirkmichael