Little Glenshee Run

Up at the crack of a Saturday dawn to make my way to Ian Ness’ run start at Kinross services. Fortunately made the right decision in wearing another layer as the temperature had only just made it into the low teens on leaving Crieff. First stop was a fill up at Muthill to see me and the bike through today’s ride and the first highlight of the day. After paying and coming back out to my bike, a car had pulled in behind and, not being the biggest of forecourts and me being ever so courteous (!) I wheeled my bike to the side of the forecourt, about 30ft away. The guy was ever so grateful and, as well as the obvious thanks, he proceeded while getting out of his car to tell me a story. Bearing in mind I’m 30ft away, with earplugs in and wearing a crash helmet all I got was something like….
“Aye, ma dad……..gatehouse up the road…….bike…….caught up wi him…….bottle of whisky. Billy Connolly!”
If anyone thinks they know this story and can fill in the gaps, please do. I just smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

So, back on the road, I headed towards Gleneagles where the mist had turned to thick fog and, by the other side of the A9, I felt I was riding in the clouds. Dropping into Glendevon the sun burnt through and by The Yetts o’Muckart (what a place name!) I was in full sunshine though soon to turn overcast by the services start point. I know what you’re thinking at this point – ‘Get on with it!’

Good turnout today with 10 riders and runners raring to go. Most surprising was that the Triumph Tigers of Ian Ness and David McWilliams were outnumbered by the BMW RTs of Charlie Robertson, Alan Graham and self. A club first! It has to be said though that, even with Mark Watson’s BMW GSA the BM’s were still outnumbered handsomely by the additional Triumphs of Rebecca Robertson on her 660, Peter Spiers on his 400 and Grant Anderson on his Bobber. Dark horse in today’s race, I mean ride, was Tom Sutherland on his Royal Enfield 650.

I could cut to be chase here and shorten this report by just saying that Ian had researched a fantastic route, predominately on back roads, many single track, in terrific scenery and with little traffic. Most of the route I was unfamiliar with apart from the early stretch to Dunning with Howie the butchers place looking quite something in the now full on sunshine. My particular favourite was the road to and through Little Glenshee itself. I’ve often passed the junction where this road starts and, for some reason, assumed it was a dead end. How wrong I was – gorgeous scenery up there and a nice wee ford to ‘wash our tyres’. Being as this area is on my doorstep I plan to and get lost up there in the near future.

Our only ‘hassle’ of the day was on crossing the A9 at Birnham to reach our lunch stop at Dunkeld. A very busy stretch making it a little awkward for us all to get out and across the staggered junction. Safely across we were soon entering Dunkeld where there were a lot of kilts and long dresses on display – most likely a wedding taking place. Lovely day for it.
Now when Ian described the lunch stop as ‘a van in the car park behind the toilet block’ it didn’t exactly sound Michelin star! Fears weren’t alleviated by the booming beats coming from the wooded area behind said toilets either. I thought I was back in Olu Deniz, Turkey! It has to be said though that, not only was our ‘chef’ a character but his food was very good and well priced. A busy guy!

Usual good banter covering a multitude of topics including Grant’s new garage roof, servicing techniques and newly mounted forward controls on his Bobber (very nice!), and were it not for the stuck coach (caused by inconsiderate motorcycle parking – can you believe it!), we’d have been quickly on our way. At this point two of our number, Alan and Grant, were to leave us and make tracks for home.

Our travels then took me at least into fairly unknown territory near to Cupar Angus and the Wild West north of Dundee. Another selection of terrific roads chosen by our leader. Soon we would be on a short stretch of the A90 and M90 to our afternoon coffee stop in The bridge of Earn. It seems we’d arrived as the clearing up was taking place after an afternoon function but they happily took the orders of eight thirsty bikers. I did feel a little sorry for the chap who was turned away just a few minutes later….

Being not too far from home my self and Peter decided that we would leave the run here while the others would continue on to the official finish back at Kinross Services. Having been TEC for the day – excellent having eight riders circulating between myself and leader Ian at least three times during the ride (the drop off system working without incident today – I was surprised to find I’d also been ‘volunteered’ to write up the report too. ‘But’ I cried, ‘I won’t be with you to the end.’
‘Just make it up’ said Ian, ‘you’ve done that before!’

So………writing this while watching MotoGP btw….
Heading for home I was back in familiar territory and on familiar roads. Quickly up to Broxden, safely filtered to the roundabout and on to a short stretch of the warm up lap, the average speed camera’d A9. Cutting cross country, picking off tail enders in stealth mode, it was back onto the fast section of the circuit, the A85. Slow section through Methven out of the way and on to the fast, open Burnbrae straights. Spotting the race leader ahead, currently negotiating what looked like a 1950s Ford Popular, it was head down to pass the other cars trailing in his wake. Taking his opportunity as the road opened up through the Fowlis Wester crossroads, the lead car, an open top Mercedes fiendishly driven by none other than Lewis Hamilton, engaged DRS and made off like a bat out of hell in the direction of Crieff. What he hadn’t considered was that the old duffer on the fully panniered and top boxed RT was reeling him in. Second from last straight before the Gilmerton finish and the white Mercedes with a clearly stunned Lewis safely despatched it was a chequered flag finish – actually a congratulatory wave from Crieff born Long way rounder, downer and upper on his Harley coming the other way. Fine end to a fine day.
All totally made up of course……..or maybe not…….. 🙂