The Tackle Acharacle Run

3 – 6 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 3 – 2 – 1

So before I’d even left home I had a WhatsApp from Grant saying he was stuck on a closed in both directions M9. With it likely that this would affect at least a couple of others coming up to Crieff, apart from the warm and sunny morning, things were not looking great for the start of the run. Sure enough, with only our leader and run organiser Kona, myself and run videographer, Ian Ness at the Visitor Centre start point we decided we would make a start after waiting a little while past start time. I left a further WhatsApp for Grant and Facebook message on the club page suggesting a meet up at Ballachulish should they pick up messages before getting away from the motorway.

Beautiful morning and nice start alongside the unusual mirror finish of the surface of Loch Earn. Might only be three of us but could still be a good run……..and then, incoming, Grant Anderson calling. ‘Where are you? We’re at the car park at Lochearnhead.’ Two minutes later and we are now 6 as Charlie and Rebecca Robertson are also with Grant. No sign of our final attendee Alex – ah, that’s a pity. Presumably still caught up in the closure.
So, off we head through Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Glen Orchy and on to Glencoe. No matter how many times I pass through Glencoe it always looks different. Today the misty clouds are hanging around two thirds of the way up the mountains yet the bottoms and the glen are lit up by the sunlight making its way through. Stunning as always. The traffic is maybe a little bit busier than usual and hampered a little by the 30mph signs being left uncovered for the overnight roadworks that are taking place, (I laughed as a coach driver ahead had finally had enough tailing a van and overtook him and disappeared into the distance), but we soon made our way through and headed to Glencoe Village for, in my case, a much needed fill up. ‘CASH ONLY’ on all the pumps as, it turns out, their card machine was bricked. Amazingly I had enough cash to fill up (they weren’t having the 20€ note in my wallet) while the others who needed to fill up carried on to another garage four miles further along the route. Meanwhile, as originally planned for the run, myself, Ian and Kona stopped in at Ballachulish visitor centre for a comfort break. Very fortuitous as, just as we were about to remount, who should roll in but Alex!!! So, rejoining the others at the next fuel stop, we had our full compliment of 7 riders – four Triumphs (3 x Tigers and a 660), two BMW RTs and Kona’s recently majorly self-serviced Yamaha Tracer.

Next stop was for our Corran ferry crossing across to the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Had a brief chat with some ladies on cycles who were making their way over to do a bit of wild swimming. Mad fools. Only seemed like minutes and we boarding and crossing the short straight. Not sure where he came from but also noticed a Ducati Multistrada rider had got in amongst us on the ferry. Where did he come from?

From the ferry port we made our way to our lunch stop at Strontian. The road alongside the water was gorgeous, again the sea was still and mirror finished. A faint smell of seaweed reminding me of childhood days out to the south of Glasgow west coast beaches. As we turned inland toward Strontian, it was great see the six bikes ahead snake through a mini Glencoe lookalike section. The fresh hair was ruined on approaching Strontian by a passing lorry that left a horrible stench trailing in its wake for about half a mile or more. I suspect it had something dead in the back.

As we parked at our lunchtime cafe I pulled up next to a chap, originally from Somerset now living in Tain, packing up his Africa Twin. We chatted about his bikes merits, me in the vain hope of distracting him whilst one of the others stole his front brake lever, but it wasn’t to be. (Those who know, know).

Riders fully refuelled we made our way along the predominantly single track roads through Salen, Acharacle and on to Lochailort. The sun now fully out to highlight the beautiful scenery we were riding through, this might well turn out to be my new favourite road! It felt like a terrific summers day with only the first signs of reds and browns in the foliage reminding us that autumn was taking hold. I also spotted a lot of red berries on the trees which is apparently a sign of a harsh winter to come!!

At Lochailort we turned right onto the A830 in the direction of Glenfinnan and Fort William where we would fill up again, if necessary, at the Shell garage. Here we would once again become 6 as Alex was to depart and make his back via Fort William and Glencoe. The rest of us made our way briefly northward to Spean Bridge where, for the second time in under a week for a couple of us, we turned on to the fabulous A86 though this time in the opposite direction. I think my favourite direction too.
Following behind the CharlieBeckySons it was great to watch another RT in full flow through the open, sweeping bends (terrific bikes, biased I know) but continually being put to shame by Rebecca on her Triumph who showed us both a clean pair of heels at every opportunity!

Our final stop for day arrived soon enough, The Apiary cafe at Dalwhinnie. As we pulled in Grant gave us a toot as he continued on to home via Trinafour and Crieff. We were now 5.
Cracking cafe with plenty of parking and seating both indoors and out (no parking indoors). Another great stop off point to add to the list.

Leaving Dalwhinnie we were effectively on the home straight for today’s run. I think the A9 gets a bad press – there can’t be many major trunk roads (and almost no others in Scotland north of Perth) surrounded by such glorious scenery especially on such a beautiful late afternoon / early evening. Just relax, drink it all in, casually pick off the slower traffic and make a bit of progress on the dual carriageway sections.

Internal batteries recharged, we turned off the A9 at Dunkeld and made our way to Crieff. Following Charlie I noticed he started performing some funny left handed salutes to who, I don’t know. But, a few seconds later, I found myself doing exactly the same as we rode west into the now lowering sun. From Sma’ Glen to Crieff the surrounding countryside looked amazing as the sun began to drop. What a place to live!

On entering Crieff, Rebecca and Charlie turned in to the petrol station, returning us to the original 3 from the start of the day. Two hundred yards further and, with a wave, Kona parted and we were 2. Another hundred yards and Ian and I shouted our goodbyes as he turned left, me right and was 1……….and at one with myself 😄

Thanks to all for yet another great day out and particularly to Kona for planning and and leading a well paced run. Until the next one!!!