Show us what you did today, thread

[epicyclo]

I know what you mean about that left turn. It looks like the obvious path, but isn't.

The tracks look better defined than I remember. Looks like the Trust has been putting some work in.

The bridge wasn't there last time I did that one (or I didn't see it!). I'm pretty sure the only track I could see then led down to the right of that bow in the river. It was boggy and the river was running high so I had to do a mighty leap and nearly went in when the peaty bank caved on me.

The hills were hooching with deer to the left of the climb up those zig zags.

I reckon it would be too much hike a bike for me now, although I'd like to run it again. It would be a great ride for the fit folk.

Edit: Just realised, if the tracks have been worked on, there's probably not much hike a bike involved anymore.

 

[velofrog]

Re:

You’re spot-on Brian... is there any track in Scotland you’ve not been on?!

I stopped to talk to a couple of hikers that had just waked it and they mentioned they’d done it before but that the bridge was new. The track takes a wee detour over the bridge with a newly created path, there’s one at the other side just after the big fishing hut and a matching bridge too.

“A good ride for the fit folk”...?! I’m so very far from fit, you’re waaaay fitter than I, you’d manage it no bother, and I took my time! An hour pedalling to the bridge with that iffy descent, an hour pushing the bike up hill, and an hour downhill and on the flat past the eagle observatory back to the car park is comfortable timing.

The ground is very dry just now with all the sun and no rain we’ve been having so there was no boggy ground to traverse. It was for me the most perfect day, exploring a new place for the first time, beautiful scenery and the peacefulness.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Today I did the "Methlick Cycle Challenge" a charity challenge/sportive of 20, 40, or 67 miles in aid of Legion Scotland.

Myself and a friend did the 67miler that starts in Methlick to the north of Aberdeen and takes a in a few quiet B roads, tracks, paths, and part of the Formartine & Buchan way, before finishing back at Methlick with a burger and a beer tent
I ride my GT Grade gravel bike with 650b x 47c tyres, my friend was on his flat bar hybrid bike with 700 x 25c tyres (which I think he regretted fairly quickly as he found the skinny tyres just didn't give any shock absorption whatsoever).

There was a decent field of riders for the 67mile event, cross bikes seemed popular, as did hardtail MTB's. I did see one guy on a retro looking rigid Kona, and there were a few full-bounce mtbs around too.
The start was slightly overcast but that soon burnt away to leave us all sweltering in bright sunshine as we tackled the first hilly 20 miles or so. It was Hot, and I mean HOT!! :shock: we were thankful for the feed stations that were dotted along the course.
There's some fantastic scenery on the area, in the distance we could see the peaks of Bennachie, and later we rode past the impressive looking Haddo House.
By about mile 50 though we were on the long uphill drags of the old railway line of the Formartine & Buchan Way, which is when my friend went downhill when we were going uphill he wasn't so amused though as cramp started to set in, so we walked for a while and had a good long break at the next feed station, which seemed to sort him out .
The last 15 miles were a quick blast along B-roads followed by some double-track and finally the finish at the cricket ground in Methlick.
Every finisher got a mug, a photo with the veterans, and a free burger . Unfortunately I had to give the beer tent a miss as I was driving home

This was the 2nd time I've done the event and I'd definately recommend it to anyone within driving distance. A real friendly atmosphere, well organised and signposted, a nice route through some beautiful countryside and it's retro bike friendly!

I'll probably do it again next year

Only a few photos as I was too busy riding!

 

[RobMac]

Re:

Nice one Jimo

 

[Jamiedyer]

Looking like a good ride and day out Jimo
Yesterday Velo and I rode the East Lothian Rough Stuff Audax. I travelled down to Perth on Saturday afternoon and got an early start past Edinburgh. Velo and I were in the third group to start. It was nice and warm with very dusty trails. We had a pretty quick time of it as we powered away to finish early afternoon. I think we were so much quicker than last year as we didn't do any long detours or miss turns etc.
It was good to get away and also really good to catch up and ride with Velo. I had a really enjoyable day. A long drive home with the rain starting just as I got back to Edinburgh and then a bit on and off for the rest of the way back. So we really were lucky with the weather, especially compared to last year, which was some of the worst since we went to the Fort William ride that few years back.
Thanks for the company and the laughs Velo.

Jamie

DSCN4882 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

DSCN4884 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

 

[epicyclo]

No bogs this year by the look of it.

 

[Jamiedyer]

No, just dry dusty trails. Bike and rider covered in dust.
Yourself and Rob missed a good one this year

Jamie

 

[RobMac]

No, just dry dusty trails. Bike and rider covered in dust.
Yourself and Rob missed a good one this year

Jamie

Jamie if it ain't pissing rain with freezing fog it ain't worth doing :mrgreen:
BTW hoping new transport will be sorted soon.

 

[keithyr]

No, just dry dusty trails. Bike and rider covered in dust.
Yourself and Rob missed a good one this year

Jamie

Jamie if it ain't pissing rain with freezing fog it ain't worth doing :mrgreen:
BTW hoping new transport will be sorted soon.

does it have a prescription windscreen this time to stop ye driving intae things? :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[RobMac]

Re:

K'OFF! :x