Farewell to Floras & Going Extra Mile Awards

On Sunday 21 September, CTC Grampian held a Meet Up Ride, when the published Morning and Try Cycling rides and those who wished to arrive independently, met at a popular café local to Aberdeen, Floras Café and Refillery. It was an opportunity to chat and meet those members of the club we may see less frequently, and to say farewell to the current café owner Donna who is moving on, and to present Cindy Blackmore and Alan Cowking with their Going the Extra Mile Awards from Cycling UK and a small gift with a cycling theme on behalf of CTC Grampian, in recognition of the huge contribution they have both made to leading rides for the club. There were 36 club members present.

https://www.cyclinguk.org/going-extra-mile-awards

You may be aware, but if not, I am advised by Alan’s wife Daphne that “going the extra mile” originates from the sermon on the mount: during the Roman occupation of Israel any Roman soldier could legally compel any Jewish man to carry his (the soldier’s) heavy load of kit one mile = 1000 paces = about half a statute mile. Jesus told his Israelite listeners to go a second mile, meaning do not quit too quickly, go beyond obligation, take the opportunity to do difficult things etc.

Attached is a photograph of the group and of Cindy and Alan taken at the event (acknowledgements: Fraser Govan, John Tuckwood).