Category: Run Report Submissions

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…

A great run today organised by Ian McIntosh. Six of us met up at Crieff - Frank Dolan, Alan Graham, Alex Muir, Ian McIntosh, an old friend Ian Muir and myself. We headed via Lochearnhead and Crianlarich to Glencoe then the short hop over the Corran ferry. Once off the ferry we stopped for a spot of lunch at the wee lunch van, and a catch up blether. For a change we then headed up the west side of Loch Linnhe and along the south side of Loch Eil - a great, perfectly surfaced single track road. It was then along to Banavie where we turned left up the road by Neptune's Staircase locks, another great single track road that brings you out at the Commando Monument just north of…

Motorbike Run Report – Highlands, Heat & Honest Sandwiches Firstly, a huge thank you to Ian McIntosh for organising what turned out to be a glorious day out on two wheels. Perfect weather, scenic roads, and great company made this midweek ride one to remember. The Ride Begins – Crieff Visitor Centre We met up at Crieff Visitor Centre, with a strong and varied lineup of riders and machines: Ian McIntosh – our ride leader, on his Royal Enfield Shotgun Marcus Sharp – showing off his brand-new Honda CB750 Alex Muir – ready for action on his Triumph Tiger Ian Ness – rolling up with his sparkling BMW F900XR Myself – riding my trusted Triumph Custom T120 After a bit of pre-ride banter and admiration of the bikes, we headed…

A warm, pre weekend heatwave evening saw 8 hungry bikers and a pillion arrive at Lidl Whitburn for a chippy run. The usual direct route to Biggar was taken via Braehead, only to find a fellow SMC'er already in the queue for their dinner at the Townhead Fish & Chips. It was great to catch up with everyone over a bite to eat, relaying bike related holiday's was mostly on the agenda for a few. As we set off homeward, members pealed off from the main group to leave just three at the end. Attendees, Peter Johnson (run leader), John Moss (TEC), Janet Moss, Grant Powrie, David Thwaites, Dave Waddell, Alex Muir, Brian Torley, Brian's wife Jackie and Phillip Gill-Simmons. Thanks to everyone who attended, and to John for TEC…