Hollow Mountain Run

Hollow Mountain Run – Wednesday 13.11.24
13 November @ 09:45 – 15:00

Ian McIntosh run leader and organizer had us meet at 09:45 for a 10am start at Dobbies Garden Centre, Stirling. Ian was joined by Ian Jones, Frank Dolan and myself Charlie Robertson.

Despite the hopes for dry and sunny weather which had been forecast into the later part of the week, it was a dank start however the sun did look like it was trying to make an appearance. The roads were dry and mist patches were breaking up. It was mild for this time of year and all 4 were just glad to have an opportunity to get out. Ian M lead a spirited ride up past Loch Lubnaig to Lochearnhead, on to Crianlarich. As discussed before we set off Ian M lead is in the reverse order so we went down the side of Loch Lomond towards Arrocher. The first sections of the side of Loch Lomond was brisk due to it being quiet but just after Ardlui we encountered heavier traffic with a large HGV at the front. On this twisty section overtakes were harder to come by, however by the time we hit the junction at Tarbet we had all gathered together again. We stopped for a 5 minute leg stretch at the petrol station and some took the opportunity to top up. After a suitable stretch it was time to stretch the bikes as we headed up to the Rest and Be Thankful. The roadworks hardly delayed us. Just as we dropped down the far side of the Rest and Be Thankful we hit almost a wall of that fine misty Scottish rain. I and Ian J struggling to clear our visors, my gloves getting wetter every swipe. My Richa Autumn gloves don’t have a rubber squeegee on them and I’m not sure if that contributed to the almost constant visor wiping. Ian M and Frank had to wait a few minutes at Invergarry for myseaf and Ian J to catch up. Unusually Inveraray was dereft of motorcycles other than ourselves. We carried on up out of Inveraray towards Kilchurn Castle. As I passed the Castle you could just about see it through the mist and rain. We stopped at The Cruachan Visitor Centre for a well deserved coffee / lunch break. Ian M and myself both fancied a special of soup and a scone, however we decided on something different when we realised the only scones left were cheese and pickle. The group had a good chat and catch up over lunch. For anyone up that way I highly recommend a stop at the visitor centre and a tour of the “Hollow Mountain” if time allows, it is a marvel of engineering. Feed and refreshed we mounted our steeds and set off for the return leg. By the time we were going through Dalmally the rain seemed to be easing. By the time we were approaching Tyndrum the rain had almost ceased. After a quick regroup at the edge of Tyndrum we continued back towards Crianlarich and Lochearnhead, the weather and roads drying out as we went.
The group stopped at Lochearnhead as we had agreed earlier and with clearing skies we said our goodbyes and headed towards our individual destinations. It was a great day with very mild temperatures for the 13th November, no trace of dreaded road salt, yes all 4 bikes need a wash but only to remove general road grime.

Hopefully not the last run of the year, but with temperatures set to return to more seasonal norms next week it may well have been