Social Ride Report

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.