The Bothy - 14/04/13

9:00am - the rain was teaming down at the leisure centre and the thought of 3 hours to Glencarse had nobody in a hurry to leave!

After a bit of talk it was confirmed that Charlie had a key for the bothy a decision was made for a direct route via Kirriemuir for supplies.

We set of up the main road but by the time we had gone through Padanaram we had been overtaken by half a dozen horse boxes so a brief stint on the Bogside road we turned up through the Strathmore Springs store and up the wee brae to Maryton then into Kirrie where we saw Pat oot for a walk as we headed for Belles Brae and the Co-op.

Supplies bought we headed for Cadam Wood for a bit of shelter and Kinnordy, Muirhead, right onto the Glen Isla road through Kirkton of Kingoldrum and left round the North side of Lintrathen Loch past Peel Farm and into the Bothy.

The water was so high from the snow melt that the bridge was almost submerged

Ron got the fire on and Gus got the kettle and we all had tea!  The rain continued for an hour or so than all of a sudden the sun came out.  We tidied up then headed off but the water had continued to rise and the gate area where David is standing above was flooded out and we had to climb the fence.

After a bit of discussion we decided to head to Balintore Castle, it took a few stops to change clothes on and off we headed towards the castle.

It was a wee bit cooler by the time we got to the top so another stop to put on more kit before the descent.

From Balintore we we had the wind behind us as we headed for Pearsie then onto the Clova Rd for home.  The last mile was hard into the wind as Charlie and Gus vied for the front approaching the toon, Charlie taking it on the line.

It was only 37 miles but we climbed nearly 2400 ft.

The following weeks pub run is Finavon and next week join us for a longwinded run to Montrose

Lance!!

St. Cyrus 07/03/13

Six headed out on a damp day from the leisure centre heading directly into the wind for Brechin, by the time we had slogged up the long brae to Aberlemno the rain had turned to snow.   Thankfully it was not cold enough for it to lie but never the less we turned left down to the river through Craigesk Wood getting a little bit of shelter for a mile or so before rejoining the main road at Netherton.

We climbed up into Brechin where Ron turned for home leaving the rest of us to climb up through Trinity  then turning up the hill past Temple wood on the back road to Hillside and Montrose. We took a left down through Logie Pert but rather than go all the way down to Gallery we headed right taking the flat road along to the Laurencekirk Montrose Rd where we turned left down the hill and over the Marykirk Bridge and into Markirk.

We turned right up Kirktonhill Rd past the school and up the long climb of Kirktonhill and down through the wood turning right onto a lumpy B road and heading left at the kennels down into St Cyrus for lunch at the Cafe.  A big bowl of carrot soup warmed us up - apart from Charlie who had a bacon roll.

Lunch over the snow finally stopped and we took the cycle path to wards Montrose  past Steptoes Junk Yard then briefly stopping at the old railway viaduct for a breather.

From the viaduct we headed along the cycle path before crossing the road add headed for Sunnyside and the Bridge of Dunn home of the Caledoninan Railway where a bit of train spotting went on!

We headed to Farnell round the edge of the Kinaird Castle estate

We turned right on the Montrose Road heading for Forfar then headed left up the long climb to Bolshan then through to Guthrie where we went round the back of Guthrie Castle. 

We joined the Arbroath Road turned for Letham, at Ron's request, with Keith heading straight for home, we climbed up the hill and down past Trumperton Tearooms and into Letham up the steep brae at the Den Charlie went straight through  heading for home leaving three of us to a more than welcomed warm up in front of the fire in the Commercial Inn.

The climb up to Dunichen was a wee bit hard after a few beers but after that it was all down hill into Forfar via the Lour Rd.  It was a good day despite the snow and we got back into Forfar just under 55 miles.  The route is here if you fancy giving it a try

Last of the Summer Wine - A day oot with the Lycra Lads 19/02/13

What better to do on a sunny day off than have a day out to St Cyrus with the mid week crew.

We left the Outdoor Store on the High Street amidst some confusion with people heading in different directions but the main group headed out towards Brechin and had a few stops en-route, one for yours truly with a puncture.

Through the back road to Brechin and out to Leightonhill Wood,

Logie Pert and the Gallery.  From there we went to Marykirk and took the long clim up Kirktonhill where we stopped to enjoy the views.

From  the top of the hill we headed down to St. Cyrus with a few miles detour going back to look for a couple of miscreants who decided to turn left with out waiting but we got there in the end.  Good bowl of soup, coffee and cake lots of discussion to the rights and wrongs of heading off without waiting.

We headed back to Montrose into a light breeze turing right to Hillside then the Montrose Brechin road up as far as Bridge of Dun where we met Colin heading back to Montrose on his chrome Moulton putting in some base miles for the LEL.

From the bridge of Dun it was straight home to Forfar, lots of laughs, faffing about and chat - 58 miles of fun.  Click Here for the route

Dunkeld 31/03/13

A big turn out for Easter Sunday saw 9 head for Dunkeld.  With a slight wind behind us we went out along the Bogside Rd to Miegle where we turned right towards Aylth then left along the bottom of the golf course and up the steep brae to the main Blair Kirrie Rd where we took our first break - well needed at 20 miles.

We continued into Blairgowrie with Ron turning for the Bothy and home and took the main road to Dunkeld where we were lucky enough to find a cafe with enough room for 8 all at once.  After refueling with a good bowl of soup some good scones and coffee and discussions of which way to get back.  

David knew of a route through Murthly Castle grounds, home of Thomas Steuart Fotheringham the 14th, so that's where we went.  It meant a mile on the busy A9 and fortunately it passed quickly without incident.  The gate in the middle of the castle grounds had been locked - maybe to many cyclists taking advantage of the scenery through the estate, meaning we had to lift the bikes over but it gave us a breather before we headed to Murthly and the Kinclaven Rd crossing over the Tay heading for Coupar Angus, Ardler and The Tav.  

Three headed straight for home and five went into the pub for a well earned warm up sampling a couple of pints and a comfy seat in front of the fire.  The temperature and the wind had dropped by the time we headed for home - a baw hair under 70 miles and a pleasant day out - Route Here

Montrose - 24/03/13

We were due to be heading to Laurencekirk but the weather had been awfull all week and many of the side roads were covered in ice and snow.  With a strong easterly wind blowing we headed into it and towards Montrose instead with Keith turning right and for home and shortly after Brian turned left, maybe he he saw the sign for the Danish Tea Room in Farnell and an early stop.  Four of us ploughed on into Tesco in Montrose.

We headed for home via Brechin with the wind behind us Charlie picked up the pace and we flew along.  Through Brechin and up the two long climbs to Aberlemno.  Gus & I fancied a pint so tried the Finavon Hill road but we got less than 200yds when we had to turn back due to deep snow, it would have been treacherous to try and get down the other side so it was back to Forfar and a dry Sunday.

A short day out but all considered pretty quick - Route Here

The Horn - 17/03/13

Five headed from the leisure centre in a light rain  up the Dundee Rd with thoughts of not going as far as planned, as we climbed out of Forfar it looked like it was brightening up a little and it did for a wee while.

We rolled through Inverarity heading towards Carrot Hill but took a right at the fork and headed to Tarbrax Wood where we regrouped before a short blast on the dual carriage way where sheltered from the wind it was bitterly cold.  It was a relief to get of the main road and rest on the downhill through Todhills and turned right and crossed the A90 proceeding through Tealing and passing by the now defunct RAF Tealing base.  We made good progress with the wind behind which helped us up the short climb to Templeton Wood and into Birkhill.

As we headed down Liff Rd the rain came on and by the time we got into Liff it was thundering down - that was enough for Gus and Charlie to head for home, albe it via Ardler for some soup and beer.  The three of us continued through Fowlis, Longforgan and passing Castle Huntly through the the back roads into The Horn Milk Bar.

We were pretty much soaked through but Soup, rolls and coffee soon warmed us up as we contemplated the return and the inevitable climb up the Rait Rd to Balbeggie.  From there we took the usual route back via the  Tav in Ardler where we warmed up and had an enjoyable three pints.  It had brightened up a bit by the time we came out and the wind had dropped  a wee bit.

63 miles - not bad for a cold wet day, thankfully we were wet on the inside as well which certainly helped - Route Here