Although overcast it was a fairly warm (22C rising to 24C) and humid start to the day and my ride over to Kinross Services for the start of Ian’s run. I filled up before joining the others already gathered in the car park to ensure I’d have enough gas to get around the route. Being a motorway services I purposely chose not to look at the price per litre – I usually go to great lengths to avoid paying their rip-off prices. A quick catch-up with some of the others gathered then Ian began a quick briefing on our run, drop-off system and timings. Robin decided to start his R1100RS for some reason so we could only see Ian’s lips moving for the last third of the briefing. Never mind, we got the gist 🙂
I apologise now for not noting riders names and their bikes but fair to say we had a Kawasaki, a Honda CB125, four BMWs, a Suzuki and about 15 Triumph Tigers, red or blue, take your pic, It’s fair to say this is slowly becoming the SMC bike of choice.
We were expecting a twelfth rider (a Frank?) but in the end eleven of us (a bikers dozen?) departed Kinross Services heading in the direction of Milnathort. Somehow we managed to keep all of the group intact through a couple of roundabouts, Milnatort itself and onto the ‘C’ roads and open countryside. A theme that would be continued all day as I think we only employed the drop-off just once prior to lunch.
The roads were limited to 40mph, walker and cyclist friendly, but that was enough as the roads wouldn’t have allowed for much more. Through the rolling countryside we went, reminiscent of rural France I thought, hay bales scattered across the fields, harvesting in full flow, no doubt taking advantage of the dry break. The coos were standing too so I took that as a good sign that, although a bit overcast, we might not see any rain today. I recognised some of the roads we were on from a vintage motorcycle run I’d followed, pre Covid, out of Culltybraggan PoW camp in Comrie. All that was missing was the smell of fumes and Castrol R……
Very little if anything in the way of other vehicles when, surprise, surprise, we were faced with a small tanker coming the other way. Now this was a proper single track with only a few passing places so how would this end up? Well, typical of the general good nature up here, the tanker driver very slowly and carefully backed up about 150yds to his previous passing place allowing 11 very grateful riders to sneak past, Good man!
Onward through the glorious scenery to Dunning where we headed east, past Strathallan school (I recently rode with some friends in Wales, one an English-German(!) who’d boarded there) and on to Bridge of Earn. Here we joined the M90 to head north over the Tay and to head along the dual carriageway in the direction of Dundee. One question did enter my mind as we joined the motorway – ‘should we be on here?’ The reason being that one of our group was on a Honda 125cc. Answers on a postcard please.
Turning left we headed north, again on mainly C class roads, up and into the Angus Glens. More glorious scenery, hills and forests on route to our lunch stop at Peel Farm. I said to Ian that I’d driven along to Dundee and wondered what was up to my left so thanked him for the opportunity to find out today. Perfect place to go and get lost in some minor roads.
The lunch stop was very good and service fairly prompt considering the size of our group and that they were reasonably busy already. My filled roll (lorne sausage and black pudding) was about the best I’ve sampled yet!
Arteries lined, we were off on our return leg which quickly saw us join the A93 and head south to Blairgowrie where our fellow 125 rider departed the group. Our route from here would take us on now, familiar to me, roads to Dunkeld. Slightly unfortunately, most of the roads appeared to have fairly recently been resurfaced with loose chippings. Most had been bedded in / scattered but there was still the odd line of gravel just where you didn’t need it to be. Still, we made good progress and were soon at Dunkeld with just the briefest of stops to regroup.
Our only headache of the whole run was in trying to cross the A9 at the staggered junction with road back to Amulree and The Sma’ Glen. Very busy in both directions, not helped by a caravan towing car waiting to turn right into our junction therefore blocking our route across the A9. Felt like hours but probably only five minutes and, in about four groups, we all crossed and regrouped a couple of hundred yards further along our route. An MV Augusta rider had worked his way into the middle of our group at the junction and nearly came a croper as he cocked up his, not so quick, launch across the A9 junction 🙁
From here it was on to our planned stop and regroup at the riverside layby in the Sma’ Glen. The regroup was definiltely necessary as those toward the front of the group had decided to stretch their legs a bit. Well, so I was told as I was at the back of the group and didn’t see them for dust. Anyway, as you know, what happens on tour stays on tour, say no more.
This was to be our final stop before the finish at The Powmill Milk Bar so quite a lot of chat, checking of each others bikes, photographs, etc, ensued before departing (short video on our Facebook page if you haven’t already seen it). Another pacey ride down to Gilmerton and on to Crieff…….
Here things took a slightly surreal turn as the locals, being part of an ancient droving community, got together and herded the group over the bridge crossing the Earn and out of town. ‘Don’t darken our doors again’ came the cry. Suitably chastised, the riders continued on their way through Muthill to Gleneagles where, for the first time that day, the weather turned and there was a horrendous storm with hailstones the size of golf balls. It turned out those were golf balls from the roadside driving range. Having battled the incliment weather the group soldiered on stopping briefly at Knockhill Racing Circuit to put in six quick laps. A trophy was awarded for the most chamfered footpegs. At the final stop Ian had pulled out all the stops and organised an appearance by a cowboy outfit clad Milky Bar Kid! What an end to a fantastic day out in the country – thankyou Ian Ness!
(If you are wondering what I was smoking in that last paragraph it’s because I left the group in Crieff. Ian said just to make something up for the last leg, So I did!)
Run date 10.08.23
Ian McIntosh