Author: Kenny Anderson

The Westerly Loop Chairman’s Run 18th April 2026 This weekend, the main event in the diary of a significant number of SMC Members was the traditional early season Chairman’s Run. Led again this year by Peter Johnson, The Westerly Loop was the title given to this 145-mile circuit around a lovely chunk of Scotland. Although it was well into April and there had been a sprinkling of spring-like days already this year, the weather forecast threatened the appearance of some April showers. Still, it felt quite pleasant as the group of riders met up at Dobbies in Stirling. An impressive 14 names had been added to the Club Run Diary. Twelve of us (Peter, Antonios, Grant, David, Tim, Brian, Ali, Ewan, Ben, Gavin, Frank, Kenny) assembled at Dobbies for the…

Kirkcudbright Picnic Monthly Club Run - Sunday 27 July 2025 Although it was what should be regarded as the height of summer, the day started out in a typically Scottish ‘height of summer’ way …. 13°C and raining! Nevertheless, I’d only added my name to the Club Calendar late the previous evening, so my ‘committed’ threshold had been reached. Besides, after an unusually early alarm call, my getting-ready-for-departure routine was well under way before I’d taken a look out of the window. As I’m sure most bikers would acknowledge, once you’ve got your gear on, have swung your leg over your bike and started it up, the miserable weather occupies a much smaller part of your psyche than before. I was looking forward to a ‘big miles’ day out, not…

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…

The Chairman’s Run, the traditional opening Club Run of the season, had been due to take place on 7th April but was cancelled due to forecasts of high winds. On Sunday 21st April, seven Club Members met up at Dobbies Garden Centre in Stirling for the rescheduled, renamed event – the Chairmans reRun. Participants: Peter Johnson and Marc Elvin on BMW RTs; Frank Dolan - Honda NT1100, Brian Torley - Honda Pan European, Ali Lazizi - BMW 750GS, Grant Powrie and Kenny Anderson on Triumph Tiger 900 GTs The previous day, the weather had been lovely. Sunny, warm and dry, as if summer had at long last arrived. However, as the group gathered at Dobbies for the day’s ride out, it’s fair to say that the weather was miserable –…