Category: Run Reports & Events

--- 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…

Seven of us left Dobbies in Stirling at 9:15, Peter, Ali, Grant, Andy, Marcus, Robin and friend Frank. Headed up A84 through Callander, weather was sunny in places but not too warm, still there was no rain and that was a welcome change! On up to Falls Of Dochart at Killin for a leg stretch. Pass Loch Tay and followed the south road along Loch Rannoch and round the end of the Loch to pick up the only road (dead end) to Rannoch Station. Welcome lunch at the tea room, Peter had remembered to book as space there is very limited. Off again along the north side of Loch Rannoch and followed Loch Tummel to visit Clunie Memorial Arch, one of this year's challenge sites. On down the A9 to…

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…

The evening was a little chillier than expected for May, it was about 8 degrees, with very little wind, but it felt much colder. Six of us hungry bikers arrived in good time at Aldi Whitburn, Alex Muir, Kenny Anderson, Brian & Jackie Torley, Ali Lazzi & myself. A gentle run down to Biggar via Braehead on dry roads, but showing signs of wear in places. Various battered & fried delights were made to order and consumed, all with positive comments. It was great to catch up for a blether with everyone, but we all agreed it was too cold to stand about chatting so we headed for home. Thanks to all for attending, see you on the next run.

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…

In the end there were just 5 of us, Antonios Tsikrikas, Kenny Anderson, Ali Lazizi, Peter Johnson who was TEC and myself leading, who wanted to support the CHAS event and to see what the weather could throw at us. Well we had all 4 seasons before we even left the CHAS start at the Falkirk Wheel car park. Unfortunately the gathering was much smaller than usual, presumably because of the aftermath of Storm David. Probably about 150 bikes and everything well organised by Carron Valley MCC and the police as usual. We did have Martin Pennycook there to support us again, together with daughter and grandson. After leaving the start and soon after crossing the Kincardine Bridge we ran into a minor snow storm. The road went white for…

Four of us met at the Crieff Visitor Centre, with a few clouds in the sky but otherwise very mild with the temperature around 12°C. We headed to Aberfeldy for a fuel stop, then took the A827 and a short stretch of the A9 to reach our first stop, the Clunie Memorial Arch. After taking some photos, we continued back on the A9, and then through Pitlochry we took the A924 and B950 to join the A93 towards Glenshee, arriving in Braemar for lunch and a second fuel stop. After a good rest we carried on along the A93 through Ballater to the AA Box 472. The weather really picked up at this stage, reaching around 18°C and turning into a very pleasant ride. From the AA Box 472 we…

It would be fair to describe the weather at the start of this run as ‘dreich’. Nevertheless, in the spirit of ‘I’ve started so I’ll finish ‘ we set off. Tim, who masterminded the trip, led as he knew the passes! So from Dumbarton it was a short spin up the A82, turning on to the A817 towards Loch Long. Although we didn’t encounter rain, the mist constantly accumulated and coalesced on our visors to form rivulets. The surrounding mountains were almost invisible as we climbed but their presence, somehow both serene but foreboding, could be felt as we rode along. Turning right, we headed up the A814 with Loch Long on our left. By this time, the mist was slightly lighter and more patchy. The effect was to provide…

It would be fair to describe the weather at the start of this run as ‘dreich’. Nevertheless, in the spirit of ‘I’ve started so I’ll finish ‘ we set off. Tim, who masterminded the trip, led as he knew the passes! So from Dumbarton it was a short spin up the A82, turning on to the A817 towards Loch Long. Although we didn’t encounter rain, the mist constantly accumulated and coalesced on our visors to form rivulets. The surrounding mountains were almost invisible as we climbed but their presence, somehow both serene but foreboding, could be felt as we rode along. Turning right, we headed up the A814 with Loch Long on our left. By this time, the mist was slightly lighter and more patchy. The effect was to provide…