The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Pranksters force cycling challenge to alter route
Methlick start and finish lines
The organisers of a charity cycling event have been forced to change the route after “little tykes” pranked riders, sending them on detours during last year’s race.
The youngsters donned high-vis jackets and masqueraded as event marshals on the Sheddocksley stretch of the route in Aberdeen, directing riders away from the correct path leading to Howes Road.
Competitors were instead pointed down a road towards the city centre.
Event organiser Boyd Ross said: “Thankfully the riders realised they had gone wrong somewhere and managed to find their way back to the proper route, meeting it again at Dyce Railway Station where the Formartine and Buchan Way begins.
“The little tykes at Sheddocksley were sending our riders off course. They had gone to the lengths of dressing up in high vis jackets posing as our marshals.
“They were sending them round the wrong way – with some adding on miles extra.
“Our own marshals noticed they hadn’t counted in all the riders going through Dyce station.”
Now in its fourth year, the Methlick Cycle Challenge raises money for the British Legion and normally begins at Ballater and follows routes along the Deeside and Formartine and Buchan Way, finishing at the village.
However, organisers have now decided to both start and finish the routes at Methlick.
Mr Ross added: “This year we have decided to remain in the Methlick area and we will be going over the routes thoroughly with all those taking part.”
Entries are now open for the 67-mile, 40-mile or 20mile routes with the event taking place on Sunday, starting between 10am and 1pm.
For more information please visit: www.methlickcyclechallenge.co.uk