Wet Wet Wet Bikers...

Yesterday 7 of our lads braved the elements and joined us on a great adventure mountain biking in Glentress.



After a week of torrential rain, we had gone to great lengths to check that the roads hadn't been washed away, that the trails were in a rideable condition, and that we had all the appropriate gear with us. The lads were well warned to have tonnes of extra clothes with them, and they also had their swimming stuff... not for swimming in the puddles as one Cub thought, but for our back-up plan if the weather was too bad and we had to abandon ship!



It was a beautiful clear day in Glasgow when we set off... and it was still dry when we reached Glentress. But that was the calm before the storm!


We spent some time learning some basic skills of mountain biking in the skills park before splitting up into groups to tackle some more challenging terrain. It wasn't long before a few of the guys had mastered taking 'air' on some of the jumps in the freeride park. And while there were a few spectacular crashes, we got away with only a few scrapes and bruises, thank goodness!

As the day went on, the weather deteriorated. But after a round of hot drinks and some lunch, they were all up for more action despite the torrents of rain! So we continued...

Some of the lads played on the freeride park and the loops, while the others tackled electric blue... a nice wee downhill section with some sweet jumps and drop offs. They loved it, and couldn't wait to get back up to the top to do it all over again, and again, and again! Thanks to Nicola, we were shuttled back to the top in the van.

A couple of the younger Cubs decided to call it quits about 2ish, and they were happy to take refuge in the van once they were dried off! But the rest of the guys could barely be persuaded to stop for the day... even as dusk settled to become a pitch black night!

Great credit is due to all the guys for continuing to show such high spirits on what became a miserably wet day. I think there are a few true mountain bikers in the making here... and I think they've seen why mountain bikers all wear shorts, whatever the weather!

There were a few Cyclist Badges earned, and these will be given out next time we have a Pack Meeting... and you've all added another 'hike away' to your tally. Some of you were given a Fitness Challenge form to complete this badge too.




A huge thank you is due to all our adult helpers... Nicola, Ali, Stuart, Rose... I really couldn't have done it without you. Thank you.


And finally, thank you to the Allander Youth Activities Charitable Trust for funding the vast majority of this trip for each of our young lads. It is really great that these 7 kids have had the opportunity to see that there is more to do on a wet Saturday than play on their computers! Keeping fit and having fun... thank you.



Remember that next week is the Sponsored Night Hike... please remind your Cubs to keep collecting sponsorship... if they need another form they can download one here. If they've not yet signed up and would like to attend then parents should send me a text so I know to expect them. Please post a permission form to me if you've not yet completed one.


There are prizes for the Cubs who raise the most sponsorship money... so keep collecting. Return the sponsor forms and money on Friday 11th December.