Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Pranking ‘little tykes’ send cyclists on wrong route forcing re-think for this years’ Methlick Cycling Challenge

One of last years' Methlick Cycle Challenge marshals wearing the official high-vis jacket.
One of last years' Methlick Cycle Challenge marshals wearing the official high-vis jacket.

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, directing riders away from the correct path leading to Howes Road.

Competitors were pointed down a road towards the city centre instead.

“Thankfully,” said event organiser Boyd Ross. “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 in Ballater following routes along the Deeside and Formartine and Buchan Way, finishing in the village.

However, organisers have now decided to both start and finish the routes in Methlick.

Mr Ross hopes to also raise enough funds to give to other local causes, and is trying to attract riders of all ages and levels to take part.

Taking the prank in good humour, he said he would not be allowing for any “slip-ups” this year and 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.

“Our marshals will all be clearly identifiable and – won’t be teenagers.”

Entries are now open for the Methlick Cycle Challenge for either the 67 miles, 40 miles or 20 miles routes taking place on Sunday, July 15 starting between 10am and 1pm.

For more information please visit: www.methlickcyclechallenge.co.uk