For the early arrivals at K-wells P & R (NO COFFEE FACLILITY) the weather was bright and sunny, nearly bordering on tropical. The conversation was about the wearing, use and temperature control of heated clothing. HA HA wont need anything like that today, quite toastie and with plenty of layers i wont be needing anything as fancy as that, or heated grips and God forbid a pile warming SEAT!!
Others arrive but the atmosphere isn't as charged as last time i was out. Were the troops concerned about the route, getting lost before Westhill, leaves on the road or not making it home before dark. I'm not sure but the bravardo of previous runs was muted and caution was in the air.
Once again the call to arms was announced and Diane made a rousing speech of TMS and a garbled account of the route, changeable at any junction and decided on a whim and a prayer, but good enough for us to think "yeah we will just follow and see how it goes".
Off to Westhill and progreesing nicely, picking up at Falls of Feugh carpark, nothing to worry about. Alls wells but weather has changed. Noboby turned on the central heating on in Deeside. Not so toastie now. Damn, i bet Mike and Dan are all cosy. A quick stop to pick up battle ready reinforcements and continue with the pillage and slaughter of East Aberdeenshire and Moray villages and towns. Diane has ignition trouble but David Morris comes to the rescue, didn't you David..........
Black ribbons of tarmac unfold infront of us at an astonishing pace...............................bordered by superb autumn colours, gold, reds, oranges and PINK, as Diane sweeps round bends leading the faithful on another crusade.
Soon Ballater is upon us and a grately appricated toilet stop is had for those wanting to empty colostomy bags for 20p.........................again lacking a caffine hit. We leave little a lighter and we're off again and the glorious senery is breathtaking. We did of course have plenty of time to see it!!!!! The missions destination is Toumintoul, where the GMCs favourite pastime awaits them. Lunch, but before that the Lecht has to be breached and bearing in mind the weather was **** didnt we do well. Brucie gets another mention.
Afternoon tea is booked before we leave and i'm looking forward to that as i'm not cooking tonight, so bite to eat would be welcome. Communites of varying sizes are passed through feeling the thunderous power of 18 thoroughbred machines. An 56 plated Audi A4 is dispatched to the rearview mirror and with the drying out of the roads I'm left wondering why we are all better than F1 drivers. Well we were thrashing aound the countryside at the same speed in the wet and dry, unlike The Stig who takes an extra 4 second per lap in the wet on Top Gear!!!!!!!!!
And so Rhynie comes into view, the croosroads, straight on to Claat and some nose bag, but NO Alistair is going straight on and he's going home to watch JB win the F1 title, so i'm not following him. Turn right and follow Cecil, hold on where's Diane, Kath, Steve, Mike and Uncle Tom Cobley and all gone. Look in mirrors, where's James. I reckon they rode through a Bermuda Triangle type thing and just disappeared. Hey Ho plod on, Whitehouses looms, the turning to Oyne is coming up hang a left there, but no this platoon is marching onto the big smoke of Aberdeen. Dans in my mirror, he's riding the twowheel version of the Starship Enterprise, as wide as a Challanger Tank and with a screen Thistle Windows would of been proud to manufacture. Quick U-turn by yours truely and i'm off to Oyne. 11 miles thats 5.5 mins but the roads were damp so lets call it 8 mins. Screech into Archiolink, no-one around, retrack 200 yards and there they are, the 6 of them sitting round a big round table like King Arthur and his Knights. I feel like the court jester and repremand Alistair for feeding me the wrong infomation about NOT going for tea!!!
Coffee consumed and goodbyes said myself and the Prince of the Busa's proceed to the hamlet that is Bridge of DOOM, where steeds are groomed before bed and more coffee drunk. A lift home for me thanks to Steve and another good day with the GMC reaches it's conclusion

Notes to myself
1: Take tank bag with flask of coffee.
2: Look on net for electrically warmed garments.
3: Ride from P & R straight to Onye and consume copious amounts of beaverages and food and await the arrival of battle weary troops.

You will notice that no emotions have been used in this blog, like lol or smiley face, because I was told not too! Ref Mike

Now this is me being serious.
As this was my last ride of the season, may i pass on my reagrds and thanks to all committee members for organising runs, weekends away, Wednesday night routes, monthly newsletters, and all other work that they have put in. Also thanks to everyones company, friendship and help i have encountered and for the fun that i have had.
Lastly i would like to thank myself for being a member of such a good motorcycling club and congratulations to all you other members as well for being members.

Give yourselves a round of appalause.

What an interesting view of the world you have Col !
When I said I would make direct for home, perhaps I should have added that the turn off for Newmachar is AFTER Oyne !!
Onywye, we went at sic a lick that we got there in next to no time so there was plenty of time for me to enjoy hot chocolate (on a stick!!) and still make it home to see F1.
Glad of all the company today and would endorse all the comments about the good work of the committee this year.
A

Excellent write up Col yet again. Missed run today but you have enlightened me of the whole great run
without me having to get the bike out of the garage.

Must admit the club has grown this year with loads of good runs being attended by our new and older members


Cheers

Richard S

Thankyou once again Diane for the run, sadly the weather wasn`t on our side, but being on the run makes it worthwhile, also thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome at the club & for all the help & tips to improve my riding skills, its nice to know that everyone works together as a team & if anyone ever needs help