INTRODUCTION

Taking over from the highly successful 'Haig’s Tours' is 'Adventure Tours'.

The rides are currently 50-60miles on road, at a moderate pace and start at a different location every Saturday at 8.27 am sharp.

Ensure your bike is in good working order, you have tyres in good condition and remember to check out your brakes

Bring money for a potential cafe stop, emergency food in case there isn't one and a sense of humour.

The organiser is Doug Haig and you must ENTER by emailing Doug (not via the forum) the Thursday before, no later than 6.57pm, so that he can assess how many will be going. See deeside thistle 'Training' web page for Doug's email.

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The adventure tours occasionally organise long distance tours to other areas in Scotland - for example Applecross and Ullapool.

Saturday 4th April 2009

Climber's Special: This Sat Adventure Tour (A-t) kicks off from Ballater BANG on 8.27am from the car park in the center of Ballater. Ride is as follows Ballater ,Gairnsheild, Tomintoul,cafe stop Tomintoul ,full lenth of Gairnsheild,Crathie then in the south to Ballater. You must ENTER no later than Thur at 6.57pm by emailing Doug Haig. Not via the forum.

Saturday 4th April 2009 - Report

A few words on last Saturday's ride: "Arrived late and hoped that I'd missed the start. Unfortunately Stuart spotted me hiding behind the car and said they would let me catch them up. Thanks, I appreciated that. Nice rolling ride into the Gairnshiel, jacket off before the steep bit and then head down chasing the hill climbers who were off and just dust to be followed. A brief gathering at the T junction and then off for the Big One. The spectators at the view point offered words of encouragement, and you just had to respond digging deeper into your reserves with a quick dance on the pedals. But once out of sight it was deep breaths again and slow progress. Keith always seemed to stay just far enough away on the hill to make the chase down to Tomintoul a waste of time, he was on his second bit of ginger cake when I arrived. Doug led the fast boys out from Tomintoul to show them how it was done and then he left them to it. The return was lonely from the start to the finish of the Gairnshiel. From Crathie the tail wind made the run in to Ballater a lot easier" - Martin

SATURDAY 11th April 2009

Meet at Leggart Terrace in Aberdeen at 7.57am for the first group. Second group leaves at 8.27am and the third group at 8.45am. We head out south Deeside and do the Cairn o'Mount and come back via Rickarton, the Slug and Denside to Leggart. You must enter by emailing Doug Haig. There'll be a cafe stop for those who wish at the bottom of the Cairn.
Distance - 68 miles
Route -

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Cafe stop -

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SATURDAY 18th April 2009

Doug is taking the 'Adventure Tours ' to Ullapool this weekend therefore he wont be organising a bike ride in Aberdeenshire this Saturday.

Saturday 25th April 2009

This Sat we kick off from the out door pool in Stonehaven at 8.27am. Route will be Marykirk, Edzell for coffee, Stoney and for those who wish Rickerton. Route is 55 miles. You must enter by emailing Doug Haig by 6.57 on the Thursday before.

SATURDAY 11th April 2009 - REPORT

Arrived at the lay bay at Leggart Terrace, five minutes to go and no one else had turned up! Late last week and early this week, still the blue skies and chilly wind made it one of those days that it would be great to be out on the bike. Shortly after Dave arrived followed by a couple of fit looking racer boys. Lean and mean just like us but obviously starting too early. It gave you a warm feeling knowing they were worried that if they left later they wouldn’t catch us……… As the seconds ticked by a few more arrived – Stuart of Baxter Tours fame and a fit looking Tegwen complete with ruck sack - just in case it rained and she had to have a change of clothing……On the button from the Bridge of Dee roundabout, a flashing strobe light followed by a low level rumble approached as the Adventure Tours lead rider Dougie put the hammer down. Quick head count, 8 confirmed and we were off along the South Deeside Road. The train headed off with a good rhythm, the pace line rotating nicely. Passing the Netherley road junction another rider joined, two ladies now making a total of 9 riders. The ride out to Banchory seemed to fly by, crossing the small bridge over the Feugh before heading for the Cairn a’ Mount the group had a small split, well it lasted for about 20 seconds before the chasing group caught up. Once passed the bridge the leashes were off as the race was on to top out first. Head down it was every one for themselves with the gradient on the way up being a maximum of 17-20% in places. The buzz from the blast down to the Bridge of Dye soon passed as the head wind on the final climbs wiped the smile off our faces. It was a case of head down, turn the peddles, quick look at the view, head down and so on. Dropping back so a quick dance on the peddles and a surge to get back on the young ladies wheel. The descent to the coffee stop was ace, lots of speed and bottle required. Even the cars had to hold back as we raced for the scones and coffee. A group of fit female riders arrived just before we headed off with the girls in our group breaking the ice and doing there bit trying to recruit them for Deeside and Adventure Tours. Stuart was first off, the scones having done there bit he was like a bunny on Duracell’s as he kept clear of us up the first steep climb. A good turn out. Next week the big one in Ullapool. Lets hope its not a case of let it rain , let it rain…………..let it rain Total mileage about 68…….

Saturday 2nd May 2009

Folk are doing the Deeside Thistle Reliability Trial this Sunday therefore there isnt a planned adventure tour this weekend.

Event HQ is Garlogie Hall. This is not a race. Choice of two routes - 100 miles or 100 km. There is a compulsory lunch stop at Tullynessle Hall.

SATURDAY 9th May 2009
This Saturday 09 May we'll leave Ballater car park at 8.27am approx. We head south to Glenshee. Then back to Braemar for coffee and on to Crathie and the Gairnsheil to Ballater. You must enter by Thursday 07 May no later than 6.43pm by emailing Doug Haig.

Saturday 16th May 2009
Leggart Terrace see's the return of Adventure Tours. Departing at approximately 8.27am we go up the hill at the end of Leggart and out to the Garrol. Then heading out to the AA box towards the Cairn o'Mount we'll turn right to Feughside Inn and left to Finzean where left into Forrest of Birse. At the old church at the end oif the tarmac we'll return to Finzean and head to the cafe before crossing the Garrol again to Leggart. You MUST enter this one - a large group is expected. Contact Doug Haig by emailing him to enter.

Saturday 23 May 2009
Leggart Terrace see's the return of Adventure Tours this Saturday 23 May. Departing at approximately 8.27am we go up the hill at the end of Leggart and out to the Garrol. Then heading out to the AA box towards the Cairn o'Mount we'll turn right to Feughside Inn and left to Finzean where left into Forrest of Birse. At the old church at the end oif the tarmac we'll return to Finzean and head to the cafe before crossing the Garrol again to Leggart. You MUST enter this one - a large group is expected. Please email Doug Haig.

Saturday 6th June 2009

There was no anouncement from me last week as I was on holiday. This week Doug informs me he is on holiday. I'm up for a ride if anyone else is.

Saturday 13th June 2009

Marriane Thissen's farewell ride - this Saturday, 13 June, starting at approximately 8.27am from the Stonehaven Outdoor Pool carpark. The route covers some old favourites from Stonehaven to the Edzellk area. Route is around 55 miles. Please email Doug on Thursday no later than 6.43pm to get your name down.

Marianne
Sorry Ian and I can't join you on Saturday. We are away on our hols. What a shame. Have a great ride anyway and good luck in Paris.
Shelley

Saturday 20th June 2009

There is no adventure tour organised by Doug this week as he is off on holiday.
If anyone fancies cycling to Huntly with me the get in touch. I am cycling there as there is a cycling festival on this weekend. The festival is called "slowdown." I travel at approx 13 mph. The distance will be around 47 miles. I plan to come back on the train.

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I have mapped the cycle route on bikely. Search for "Aberdeen-to-Huntly"

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Otherwise please feel free to organsie a tour via the forum.

Tegwen