Category: Run Reports & Events

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…

This will be the shortest run report ever as yesterday's ride can be summed up simply as great roads, scenery, weather and company. The end. Ok, maybe I should elaborate a bit more on our day out predominantly in Perthshire. It started for me by meeting Kona at Muthill petrol station where she'd just filled up her very unloved Tracer. It had barely turned a wheel since she and Patrick had been galavanting in Spain enjoying their new property (form an orderly queue for Spanish riding trips!). Any lack of riding cobwebs were very soon blown away as we made our way together at a nice pace over to the starting point at Kinross Services. Here we met the rest of the gang which seemed to have grown somewhat from…

Two of us where able to attend the last minute run that I posted (sorry about that). Grant Powrie and I met at Kinross services and picked up three challenge sites today. W – Lochlee Parish Church, X – Drumtochty Castle Gates, and Stags & Y – St Cyrus Nature Reserve. With mostly light traffic throughout the day, the sun shone, and temperatures in the high teens. The majority of the road surfaces were surprisingly good for the minor backroads we were on. Over all a very successful day, with great company, thanks Grant.

I've been promising myself all year that I'd get up really early and go do a full days ride somewhere up north. Well yesterday was as close as it's got so far. Not quite the crack of dawn (7am on a Sunday still feels like the middle of the night to me) nor was it up north (I suppose Dumfries and Galloway could be if you were starting from England) or a full all dayer (back indoors to the surprise of my wife at 5.15pm. Didn't get in to trouble for being late for once). A quick stop for fuel at Muthill and was on my way to the start point 75miles away at Abington Service Station. Traffic was light being early on a Sunday morning and I could have…

As I'm lucky enough to get my biking fill on the quieter weekdays I don't tend to ride so much at the weekends. However, when Ian put his run up , I was tempted by the route, was familiar with the proposed cafe lunch stop, and - clearly he knew something we didn't when he considered the run - Saturday was the only day of the weekend that the forecast was looking good! As the weekend grew closer so did the length of attendees. Not always a good sign in my book as, with big groups of riders, things can become, let's just say, difficult to manage. However, come the day, The Crieff Visitor Centre car park / local motorcycle Mecca started to fill with many familiar and a few…

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…