Category: Run Report Submissions

Email drops with the rarest of things - a run to the seldom visited south west corner of Scotland! Not only that but it’s a first time lead for our Troon based Ben Pointer. Too good to miss and with forecast for the day looking fair, I cancel swimming and set my alarm for the middle of the night (7am) as it will need an early start to make the rendezvous in Kilmarnock for a 10.15 kick-off. Being the beginning of August I dress appropriately in full textiles and puffa inner jacket and brave the 14C of the early morning. As I pushed my bike out of the garage I was surprised by just how light it was before 9am. Not quite as surprised as my dog walking neighbour though…

Good weather was promised by run leader Ian Ness and good weather was delivered. It was already shaping up nicely as 6 bikes and 7 adventurers gathered at the Crieff Visitor Centre. Special mention to Ben who travelled up from Troon. Ian Mackintosh volunteered to be TEC with Sue riding pillion as co-pilot/photographer, which left David, Ben, Kenny and myself to make up the numbers. Starting off up the Sma Glen there was very little traffic and we managed a comfortable and enjoyable pace. Turning up Glen Quaich, we only met one car (travelling in the opposite direction) and again made good progress. Ian stopped us at the cattle grid just before the 2 tight hairpins so he could go ahead and set up to film us. Perfect opportunity to…

After many false starts to the summer already this year, our small group of SMC bikers met at Dobbies Garden Centre, Stirling, in anticipation of a warm, dry outing, with maybe a bit of sunshine thrown in! There were only four of us, but it was good to see bikes from four different manufacturers. Ride leader Ian McIntosh on his BMW, TEC for the day John Cairney on Suzuki, sandwiching Ed Mackey on Yamaha and myself on Triumph. Our destination was Rannoch Station Tea Room. Google Map’s quickest route suggestion involved taking the dreary A9 most of the way. Not an enticing thought for a biker! Fortunately, Ian had a much more interesting route in mind. We set off, up through Callander and northward towards Killin. The dreaded rain had…

For once the planets aligned, number one daughter home to look after our Mollie (dog) dry weather and Ian Ness organiser never ever fails to come up with anything other than a brilliant ride out, I arrived 10:00 Ian,Frank,Roband Tom already at Gregg's Easkbank Ian gave 2 potential new members a good twenty minutes after the set off time but they didn't show up...The route down through the Borders took in some very interesting wee roads with stunning views as we headed for the Union Bridge which has been beautifully restored and well worth taking time to look at it properly and very close by the The Honey Farm Cafe a very interesting and quirky place the cafe is an old double decker bus 5 lovely friendly staff members serving…

What a great day we had! The weather was perfect and Kona’s route through rural Perthshire was an absolute treat. Six of us met at the Crieff Visitor Center (Kona, Patrick, John (Hill), Norman, Janet and John (Moss)). We departed the Center around 10:15 and headed North past Amulree and on to Aberfeldy, crossing the Tay and heading West past the Fortingall Yew Tree (Considered to be one of the oldest trees in Britain!), then on to our first stop at The Glen Lyon Post Office. There were hundreds of cyclists in the area, so the tearoom was very busy, but we managed to get a table outside and had our coffees and a scone for Mr. Hill. Norman also bought a couple of Gluten Free cakes to take away…

On a bright morning for the start at Bowtrees Services, there were only 3 of us; myself who had an easy job being TEC, Alex Cowie who was always in the middle of the group, and Ewan Ritchie who was leading a Club run for the first time. What an excellent route Ewan had worked out for us, with a mixture of all types of road. I think his sat nav worked wonders, as there were so many different parts to a full day on the road and we never got lost. After the quiet roads around Kirriemuir to visit the Scott Wilson memorial, we headed to the cool coast and Johnshaven, where we had an excellent lunch in the Hidden Treasure Cafe and a good chat. (I can recommend…

Well the weather was perfect for a run around Perthshire no North Sea Haar here! The magnificent 7, 2 Ians, 2 Davids, 2 Alans (one extra L for Allan) and Rob left Dobbies and straight into the mad rush of traffic towards Doune and Callander. Looked like a nice classic car show on at Doune for the TR Register club. A good selection of different bike styles with 3 Hondas, 3 BMWs and one Suzuki. We made our way towards the first stop with a lovely run over Glen Lyon via Killin, but stopped at the Dam for a photo and leg stretch. The tea stop was very welcome. A busy place but we all got what we wanted. There was the usual banter, some of it with Alan bringing…

9 hungry bikers turned out on a sunny evening for the shortest run of the season, but who’s counting when there is Fish & Chips on the agenda. It was a little tricky leaving Dobbies (should have turned left and gone round the roundabout) but we all made the epic run to Callander safely, and all together. Most of us then proceeded to join a very long queue at one of the chip shops, joining in with The Porsche Car Club members, who had the same idea. The food was worth the wait! And then for dessert, we proceeded to travel to Aberfoyle via Dukes Pass (watch out for those gravel patches!) The scenery was stunning, and you could see for miles over the top. A quick chat in Aberfoyle…

Only 3 keen golfers attended the event this year, held at Pumpherston Golf Club. It was a sunny afternoon, with hats worn by all and even a little suncream! Due to the numbers, no official competition was had, more a friendly round of golf with some mates. Taking each of our handicaps (some unofficial) into account, I think I had home advantage overall to take the friendly win, followed closely by Marc. Attendees: John Hill, Marc Elvin & Peter Johnson Thank you John & Marc, a very enjoyable day out.

As forecast the day shone bright and sunny, with dry roads. Just what you want for a SMC run, except I was running late grrrr! Last to arrive at Dobbies in Stirling, I had to apologise to Ian and the assembly that I needed fuel. I’d only managed half of the expected “Empty bladders, full tanks” © Bob Crawley. Ian McIntosh was leading us to Crinan via Inveraray, and back via Tyndrum. We were members Alan Graham, Kona Andrews Macphee, Gerti Mantler-Mitchell, Ian Ness, Rob Smith and me. Guest of Alan was former member Ian Muir, making eight in all. Ian Ness demonstrated his little camera drone (I expect he will include some footage in his video of the run) and put his hand up to do TEC, and I…