Sunday Run to the Bothy

On a bitterly cold but bright morning, 8 members set off from the leisure centre for a run up to the bothy.
Choosing a slightly different route from the norm, we headed out by Horny Cross and Inverquharity before tackling the sharp climb up by Kinwhirrie and along the ridge that ends up at Pearsie Crossroads.

Tom at Pearsie Crossroads

Re- grouping at Pearsie

Pausing there to re-group we then carried on past the Iron Kirk and down by Balloch then up to the junction where we turned along the Ballintore road.  After the descent over the Quharity Burn it was hard work as we turned full into the breeze with the only shelter being afforded by the steep climb up by Auldallan. No sign of any restoration at Ballintore looks a wee bit more dilapidated each time we pass it. From there it was down to Lintrathen where the road a round the western edge was rather icy.

Charlie and Tom at Ballintore

Leaving Ballintore

Once at the bothy we found that Mary, Etta, Gus, Grant, and Wallace (who we hadn't seen for a while) were already there. Pat also turned up later so it was a full house.

On the way home we split up with myself , Charlie and Norman extending the run a bit by climbing up over by Bamff then down into Alyth Den before heading home by Airle, Westmuir, and Kirriemuir.

The Wednesday night run is to Roundyhill
The next Sunday run 26th Feb. is to Inchture.

Wednesday night run to Glamis

On a chilly might 6 of us set off from Forfar to Glamis. With the main road at Paddy being closed, the Drumgley road was being used as a rat run to get around it so we avoided this and instead chose a route up the Dundee road  then around by Inverarity. Turning towards Gateside into a strong headwind, the going was hard and didn't get any easier as we climbed up the side of Kincaldrum Hill and along to Foffarty then around the back of Hunter's hill before dropping down to Glamis. Ron and Tom had beaten us to it so that made 8 on the night.

Sunday Run to Blairgowrie

Sunday started off cold and misty but there were early signs that it would lift as the group of eight Charlie, Keith, Gus, Tom, Jim, Norman, Ron, and myself (Dave) headed out the Bogside road. There was a faint head wind from the South West but nothing to worry about as we continued on turning up to Airlie School by Baikie Sawmill. From there it was straight along the main road and into Alyth where the fine day had encouraged a few horse riders out and we passed a horse and cart coming out of the town. Climbing up out of Alyth, we were now in the sunshine but looking down into the den there was still ice at the bottom. There was a steep climb out by Bamff before turning along towards Bridge of Cally. Re-grouping in the sun we then continued down the dip at Mains of Creuchies then up onto the moorland below the Drumderg wind farm.

Re-grouping up past Bamff

relaxing in the sun

The views over towards the snow clad hills in the West were clear and the cycling pleasant as we eased down by Heatherhaugh to the T junction. Turning left we took the roller coaster route up past Drimmie Woods where looking down we saw a herd of deer sunning themselves in the field, they gave us the once over but were enjoying the sun too much to let us disturb them. A fast series of descents down by Courthill and Bonnington brought us down into Rattray where we followed the main road out of town before turning down by Aberbothrie and over the main road to Ardler.

Up on the moor near Drumderg

Turning down by Aberbothrie

After arriving at Ardler we enjoyed lunch at the Tavern before getting a blow home by Belmont, Kirkinch and Newtyle.


The run on Wednesday night is to Glamis.
The next Sunday run is to the Bothy (19th Feb)

Wednesday Evening Run

Pub Run to Finavon
Gus , Keith, and Norman left together from Forfar and met up with Alan,Charlie, and Ian

Sunday Run

Re Grouping at the Bogside Road

The intended run was over Carrot Hill and down to the river front in Dundee, but due to snow, heavy frost, and treacherous road conditions we had a change of plan. Keeping to the main roads, the five of us who turned up, Ron, Tom, Gus, Charlie, Dave, made our away along to Meigle instead. The main road was clear apart from ice at the side and it was quite pleasant going in the sunshine. We passed a group of Dundee Wheelers coming the other way so they must have had the same idea. At Meigle we took the back road to Ardler to see if the Tavern was open for a coffee.

That road was rather icy, so we took our time, but never the less arrived there an hour too early. Taking a right turn, we made our way to the main road and back along to Meigle for a cuppie at the Joiner's Cafe. We met Big Eric from Dundee there and chatted a while before heading home in the sunshine along the Bogside Road.



The next Wednesday Night Run is to Finavon

The Run on Sunday 12th Feb is to Blairgowrie

  

Saturday Run to Bothy

On the 1st Saturday of each month there is a run to the Bothy. With wet snow and slippy roads I held off a bit but eventually headed there along the Bogside at first then up by Ruthven where it was very slippery in places.
Kept on along by Shanzie where cycling was ok in the fresh snow but treacherous in the car tracks. Finally got to the bottom of the Hill of Alyth where the road was a bit better but with some rutted ice to contend with. Nobody at the bothy; no big surprise. Was getting the fire on and the bacon on the go when Ian turned up.
Got the place nice and cozy, couple of bacon rolls and tea then headed home back down the icy hill to the 5 ways roundabout at Alyth where the roads were clear all the way to Meigle and along main road to Forfar.

Looking out from the Bothy

Cold and icy looking Isla

Wednesday Evening Pub Run

It was a fine evening, quite cold but hardly a breath of wind as three of us(Charlie, Dave, and Gus) and  headed out to Memus by BattleDykes, Justinhaugh, and Baldoukie. Ron, Tom, and Keith were already there. The log fire warmed us up and we had a fine evening before heading home by Shielhill Bridge and Hornycross.