Bikers Ascend Bennachie
With the summer coming to an end and the long nights drawing in Hazlehead’s mountain bikers are making the most of the daylight that’s available. On Thursday five members of the school club led by Mr McConnell and accompanied by Sam Iveson, a member of Aberdeen University MTB Club, cycled (almost all the way!) to the top of Oxen Craig (528m) the highest top on Bennachie. This was a very challenging ride and was the highest the club has cycled (previous record was 448m at Pitfichie). The route included a 420m climb over a distance of 4.5km followed by a 7.5km descent with glorious views. There were a couple of sections that required more arm muscle than leg muscle as the bikes had to be lifted up a short rocky section and over a fallen tree that was blocking the path! (Click on a thumbnail below for a larger view).

MTB Club Glentress Weekend
Eight pupils from the MTB Club travelled to Glentress MTB Centre south of Edinburgh to sample the delights of what many regard as Britain’s top mountain bike destination. Pupils enjoyed a warm up at the Skills Course before taking on almost 50km of trails incorporating climbs that would make grown men cry and flowing single-track that was akin to being on a rollercoaster! We even found time to eat some very nice cakes at the Hub café! Yum yum!!

(click on the images below for a larger view).