Due to a very hectic week at work this week I didn't manage to get the Mercian ready for Brians Gravel Ride with the Highland Classic Bicycle group today. That meant that the trusty Jack Taylor Super Clubman was taken instead. The perfect bike for the job.
Due to the wet and wild weather this week we both knew that this was going to be a pretty sodden affair, but Brian had enough back up deviations to cover us if any sections were flooded or too boggy.
I left home around 7 am and made it to Brians just after 9 where we had a quick cuppa, I got changed in the van and so with bikes sorted we headed down to the Dingwall meeting place for just before 10. We ended up with about 11 or 12 starters, some new faces for me and some old friends not seen for a while. With everybody being respectful of personal space and observing social distancing we got a quick group photo and headed on our way in a couple of small groups and a few stragglers. (me)
Brian picked a great route that was about 95% off road and a lot of it was really muddy and slippery and while I had 33mm tyres, they were fairly smooth and 'exciting' on the clay sections that had a few inches of water sitting on them. Amongst this we had a good few hard steep climbs as well, so a bit of everything.
Despite the showers and the mudfest as well as a slow speed off from myself it was a great day out with a warming coffee and bacon roll about 2/3rds round at Strathpeffer. From there it was back to Dingwall on the usual tracks, only they were, like the rest a lot more flooded than the last time we were here.
A great day with great company. Thanks Brian.
Jamie
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