Around 40 cyclists braved the rain yesterday to tackle a tough 75-mile trek through Aberdeenshire in aid of a veteran’s charity.
Participants raised thousands of pounds for the British Legion during the cycling challenge, which started in the heart of Royal Deeside, in Ballater, and finished in Methlick.
The event – organised by the Methlick branch of the organisation – took in the Deeside Way and the Buchan and Formartine way, as well as the Haddo Estate.
The cyclists tackled the huge route, which included woodlands, hills and muddy dirt tracks, using both hybrid and mountain bikes.
Co-organiser of the event, Jay Allan, said the trail had been a challenge but hoped it would return again next year.
Though the final tally has not been counted, he said the participants had raised well in excess of their £1,000 target.
Mr Allan added: “There was 40 of us but it was an interesting day. There was some pretty major hills, like when you come off the Deeside line before Kincardine O’ Neil particularly and after Potarch.
“Everyone got back, a couple of guys gave up, and there was a couple that took wrong turns. But everyone that has completed it said it was very challenging but good and they would do it again.
“If it was not challenging you can’t call it a cycling challenge. A lot of it is off-road.
“It was really nice. There was so much rain people were soaked within a mile on the Deeside line so that just added to the challenge really – but there was a lot of beautiful views.”
Mr Allan runs the Ythanview Hotel in Methlick, which served as the finishing point for competitors.
He said the route had taken the cyclists between five and seven hours to complete.