As we embarked on an exhilarating autumn journey to Glencoe, This memorable adventure featured windy but dry weather, breathtaking scenery, and the camaraderie of our riding members. As we neared the end of the riding season, we couldn’t have asked for a better day out on the road.
Ian McIntosh (BMW) (Organizer),Ian Ness (Truimph), Kenny Anderson (Truimph), David Syme (BMW) and Ben (Prospective Member, riding a KTM)
Starting Point: Crieff Visitor Centre,Route Taken: A85 to Lochearnhead, A82 through Tyndrum, Rannoch Moor viewpoint, Ballachulish, Loch Leven loop, Seagull Island, Crafts and Things, Final Stop: Crieff Visitor Centre
The day was marked by the unmistakable signs of autumn, with dry conditions and a stiff breeze that added an extra dimension of excitement to our ride.
We kicked off our adventure at Crieff Visitor Centre, with a group of seasoned riders, Ian Ness riding tail end charlie and a new prospect, Ben, eager to join our club, Our journey up the A85 saw us making excellent progress and enjoying the stunning views of Loch Earn and Lochearnhead.
Riding on a weekday worked in our favour, allowing us to navigate through traffic more smoothly as we headed to Tyndrum on the A82, roads were dry and the conditions were almost perfect apart from the Wind , we will try not to mention it too many times in this report .
As we approached Tyndrum, we faced challenging strong winds, but our determination and the weight of our bikes helped us maintain control , stopping at Rannoch Moor viewpoint, we were treated to breathtaking scenery, though we had to share the moment with a busload of tourists all seeking the perfect scenic photo.
The ride continued to Ballachulish, offering awe-inspiring views throughout the journey where we completed the full circuit of Loch Leven and a memorable photo stop at Seagull Island, We took a well-deserved break at Crafts and Things, where we enjoyed coffee and sandwiches, and took the opportunity to learn more about Ben and his interest in joining our club.
It was hard to miss Ian and Kenny’s oversized bacon rolls, and they seemed in no rush to head up for a slice of cake or the trusted scone. Kenny had a fun, albeit slightly frustrating, time trying to connect his headset to his phone during our stops, often consulting the instructions to figure out the issue.
On the road again, we made good progress, embracing the beauty of Glen Coe, and overcoming the heavy winds, which challenged us one last time before we concluded our run back at Crieff Visitor Centre.
Our Glencoe autumn adventure was a fantastic day of riding, scenic beauty, and the camaraderie that defines the Scottish Motor Cycle club . We welcomed Ben into our fold and embraced the unique challenges and joys of autumn riding.
Huge thanks to Ian McIntosh for organizing this remarkable trip and to all the participants who made it an unforgettable day of riding, bonding, and shared experiences.
Run date 18.10.23
David Syme