Author: David Syme

--- Creiff to Fort William... with a Giant Wasp, Rogue Sat Nav and Mobile Storage Solutions! You just know it's going to be a cracking day when you wake up to glorious blue skies. The bike was soon fired up and I headed down to Aberfeldy to meet up with some of the club members for a day's ride, with Fort William as our destination. Before we'd even turned a wheel, Mother Nature had already provided the day's first talking point. Gerti pulled up beside us with what appeared to be a hitchhiker sitting proudly on her fuel tank. We all gathered round for a closer inspection and couldn't believe the size of the insect. It looked like something that had escaped from the set of Jurassic Park! Out came…

Some mornings you wake up, look out the window and think, "Nah... not today." You roll over, pull the duvet back up and convince yourself the bike will still be there tomorrow. Well, today wasn't one of those mornings. The sun was shining, the bike had a full tank of fuel (which, these days, is almost worth taking a photo of), and it was time to meet the usual bunch of reprobates at Dobbies Garden Centre in Stirling for another club run. Seven members turned up, along with a surprise new member whose name I have completely forgotten already. My memory isn't what it used to be—but then again, neither are my knees, hips or back. Anyway, a big welcome from all of us. By the next run I'll either…

TOO MANY ROADS TO NAME , SEE ROUTE PLANNER ORIGIONALLY POSTED FOR THIS RUN. Another brilliantly planned run-out by Ian McIntosh — although this one was probably what you’d call “slightly off-piste” thanks to some of the single-track roads we found ourselves navigating through the Highlands! Starting from Dobbies Garden Centre in Stirling, the six amigos mounted up on their trusted motorbikes and headed north towards the back roads of the Highlands. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, although the roads occasionally tried their best to fight back. At one point I spotted a pothole so large it looked less like road damage and more like the entrance to a mine shaft. Thankfully, all riders managed to avoid disappearing into it! To top it all off, we were blessed with absolutely…

Motorbike Run Report – Highlands, Heat & Honest Sandwiches Firstly, a huge thank you to Ian McIntosh for organising what turned out to be a glorious day out on two wheels. Perfect weather, scenic roads, and great company made this midweek ride one to remember. The Ride Begins – Crieff Visitor Centre We met up at Crieff Visitor Centre, with a strong and varied lineup of riders and machines: Ian McIntosh – our ride leader, on his Royal Enfield Shotgun Marcus Sharp – showing off his brand-new Honda CB750 Alex Muir – ready for action on his Triumph Tiger Ian Ness – rolling up with his sparkling BMW F900XR Myself – riding my trusted Triumph Custom T120 After a bit of pre-ride banter and admiration of the bikes, we headed…

14 bikes, with 12 members joined by two special guest appearances from David and Paul Weather: Cool, dry, and perfectly autumnal, hovering around 11°C—ideal for a last big ride before winter rolls in! Our season finale took us south toward Aberdour, catching the coastal road and soaking up stunning views across to Edinburgh and the Forth. The scenic route led us through Fife’s charming coastal villages, showcasing Scotland’s autumn beauty at its finest. The road conditions were pretty good considering the time of year, making for a smooth and enjoyable ride along the coast. After winding along the coast, we stopped in Elie for a proper break at The Pavilion Café. There was coffee, cake, and no shortage of laughs! Some riders opted for a full lunch, while others stuck…

As the morning sun peeked over the horizon, our group of enthusiastic riders gathered at Dobbies Garden Centre in Stirling, Among them were David Syme, Kenny Anderson, David Jerome, John Hill, Alex Muir, Ian Jones, Ian Ness, and Ed Mackey. Leading the pack was Ian McIntosh, his excitement palpable as he was on his new Honda Africa Twin motorbike. We embarked on our adventure, setting our sights on the picturesque town of Oban. The route, adorned with the beauty of Scotland's countryside, took us along the winding A84, past Lochearnhead, and onwards towards Tyndrum, where the iconic Green Welly awaited. However, the journey was not without its challenges. Temporary road works dotted our path, and recent gritting efforts left evidence on the tarmac, urging caution. Loose gravel added an element…