How time flies. With the first big group ride of the year done (thanks TK) , it's time to start thinking about the next.
Venue for the Spring Ride is Ballater on Sunday 19th April.
Not sure if we've had a group ride in that area before, certainly not in my time on the site. We came close when we stormed Glen Doll from the south side last Easter, but family commitments and general apathy kept the group small.
The plan for the main Sunday ride is to ride the descent that was snowed in last year. The ride will start in Ballater and head up the Glen Muick road before taking to the lochside tracks. We will climb (push) up the track we descended last year and the hopefully ride down the "Streak of Lightning." After that we have a number of return options including a lovely run down into the Balmoral estate, depending on weather/ground conditions/legs. All retro friendly (ish) , but the streak of lightning is a tad exposed and a real test of commitment.
As it's Scotland and April this may all change but I've had a chat with the friendly staff at Cycle Highlands in Ballater and have came up with a number of contingency plans, in the event of snow.
I know for the wester coasters it's a bit of a trek (plan 2 hours from Perth) and with that in mind I'm planning a leg loosener on the Saturday afternoon with a Saturday night pub meal and stay over.
So that's 7 weeks to finish off and test the mythical parts bin specials or to make up your excuses.
Venue for the Spring Ride is Ballater on Sunday 19th April.
Not sure if we've had a group ride in that area before, certainly not in my time on the site. We came close when we stormed Glen Doll from the south side last Easter, but family commitments and general apathy kept the group small.
The plan for the main Sunday ride is to ride the descent that was snowed in last year. The ride will start in Ballater and head up the Glen Muick road before taking to the lochside tracks. We will climb (push) up the track we descended last year and the hopefully ride down the "Streak of Lightning." After that we have a number of return options including a lovely run down into the Balmoral estate, depending on weather/ground conditions/legs. All retro friendly (ish) , but the streak of lightning is a tad exposed and a real test of commitment.
As it's Scotland and April this may all change but I've had a chat with the friendly staff at Cycle Highlands in Ballater and have came up with a number of contingency plans, in the event of snow.
I know for the wester coasters it's a bit of a trek (plan 2 hours from Perth) and with that in mind I'm planning a leg loosener on the Saturday afternoon with a Saturday night pub meal and stay over.
So that's 7 weeks to finish off and test the mythical parts bin specials or to make up your excuses.
