Author: Groundskeeper John

Hi all,
Despite the wet start to the day a few hardy souls turned out for the second pub run of the year.
Graham, Tim, Dave and “no mudguards” (or water proof shorts) Nigel; were in the mood and ready to go.
This of course was in customary GMBC style. 25 minutes past 10.  Tim discovered a puncture at the steel girders on the westy and also discovered a tyre that was reluctant to come off.  He had to use all his mechanical prowess and three tyre levers to solve the problem.  When we got to the Carbeth we all felt in need of a bacon roll which went down well with the beer and coffee.  Sam joined us at this point but declined on the bacon roll. 
Next up, the Blanfield Inn; quite uneventfull trip over, apart from my backflip, bike an all, at the wee steep climb at the old railway line. We sampled some of the Blanefield Inn’s exotic bottled beer. Lovely
We then cruised on to the the Swan Inn in Lennoxtown.  We had lunch here and tried some of West Brewery’s tasty ale. Stuart, Jaqui and Lorna joined us for lunch.  The Swan Inn opened the gates at the beer garden to secure the bikes inside for us.  We, despite the mud, were made very welcome. 
Next up a quick stop at the Kincaid House Hotel, which still had the big fire burning.  Again, as with all the pubs so far, we were made to feel very welcome.  The manager/owner remembered us from the last visit and he made us a great offer on food for our next visit.  Heading to The Stables, through Kirkie, Jaqui headed home at this point and Stuart, Nigel and Sam headed home when we got to the Stables.  The weather had improved greatly and we sat outside and enjoyed our refreshment.  Just as we were about to leave Barry turned up.  No bike though, he was driving. Dave and Lorna headed off and we arranged to meet Barry at the Wheatsheaf Inn.  At some stage while we where at the Stables, things were a bit fuzzy by this time, Simon appeared expecting Jaqui to be with us.  When we told him Jaqui went home he did a quick turn about and set off home.
We had a nice wee stop at the Weatsheaf where I remember solving some of the worlds problems.  Things should be ok now!!!
The three remaining souls took the back roads to Milngavie.  Barry drove home. 
Graham declined a visit to Cyan but Tim and I decided as it was on the calendar we should go.  Again we sat outside and had our wind down drink and reflected on the day.
We both felt that, despite the muggy wet start, it was another sucess.  So thanks to all who participated in making the day so enjoyable.
I got home about 8.45.  Tim was riding home so I guess he would have got back about 9.15.
All the best.
Groundskeeper John

Hi all.
8 intrepid souls set off on the inaugural Social (Pub) Ride.  After the usual GMBC flaffing we got going about 10.20.  We have all had a day on the bike when nothing goes right.  To-day was Stuart’s turn.  We only got as far as the bomb hole before we realised this.  He did not make it up the far side, thanks to the mud on the bottom, grabbed at a tree but could not hang on and scraped his arm from elbow to wrist.  Ouch!  On the riverside one of us got a puncture.  You guessed it. Stuart.  Things got slightly better after that. 
We dropped down to the Carbeth via the bracken descent. The trails were good.  We were not the first in the Carbeth as a hairy motor biker got there before us. To his credit he was only drinking coffee and eating a bacon roll. One of our company suggested it was too early for alcohol, this was not the general opinion and mostly beer was consumed.
Next up was the Blane Valley Inn.  Pretty uneventful section except the determination of a few of the group to ride up the steep slope on the old railway line.  I would say they all did it at the second attempt but technically I am being kind to two of them.  We sat at the Beer Garden at the back of the Inn. Phil had a bowl of soup which surprised us all, following his bacon roll at the Carbeth. I felt he was on a mission to sample each pub’s fayre. More alcohol consumed we set off again.
The section from Blanefield to Milton of Campsie, along the cycle path, was flat boring and into a strong headwind. A means to an end.
The Kincaid House hotel was were we had lunch, had a game or two of pool and stayed longer longer than we should.  We also met up with Simon, Hannah, Bud, Alison and Gerry. The Kincaid had a roaring fire which seemingly burns all year round no matter what the weather outside, great for the winter but not so good for a lovely summer’s day. The beer helped us stay cool. Stuart was running out of time by now and had to head back.
On to the Stables, along the canal, we then had the wind at our back.  Alison and Gerry broke off from the group in Kirkie to go home and tend to their steak pie.  Once Simon fished Bud out of the canal we settled for a refreshment. . . . . . mostly more beer. By this time it was 5.30, where had the day gone? Many of our party were having to make phone calls as they were expected back long before now.
Davy and Lorna headed back to Kilsyth via the canal, Simon, Hannah and Bud accompanied them to Kirkintilloch. (On the red tandem) 
Another short burst along the canal for us then we dropped into Torrance just as the Campsie Show was packing up.  Adrian headed back in to Glasgow at this point, this was his first ride with the club!!
Ryszard, who had been in touch, met us at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Torrance. We had a drink in Torrance then took the back roads to Milngavie. At Esporta Ryszard, Barry, Phil headed down the single track, while Tim and I returned on the road. We were to have a farewell drink at Cyan but there was a private party on and we couldn’t get in, maybe just as well. We went our separate ways at this point, Phil, Ryszard, Tim and myself cycled home, Ryszard accompanied Tim. I arrived home just after 8pm.
I would like to thank all those on the ride for making it such a fantastic day.  We had a great day, a good cycle and even had the weather on our side.
Groundskeeper. John.