March 2023 – Clyde Valley HOG 9894

A Training Run to the Seaside for Chips

27/03/2023

…(or not)…..Chips that is….

Largs Ride Out and Training Day

So following on from Saturday’s Road Crew training day, Sunday was a chance for the Road Crew to put into practice with a bigger group, all that had been learned the day before. It was also a great opportunity for new members and those less confident or familiar with riding in a group to come and see how it all works….two man drop off, spacing and the “stagger” while group riding. There was a rumour Director Stevie might be treating everyone to chips at Largs*. If nothing else that ensured a good turn out on our first ride out of the year on what was forecast to be a possibly wintery day.

The Road Crew did a couple of demo’s on the roads around WCHD of the second man drop off, then the group was briefed and assembled to take on the first leg of the ride from WCHD to Port Glasgow. It was with Jigger out front acting as the mobile Sat Nav , Kenny was thrust into the lead role for the first time since officially joining the Road Marshals on Saturday, with Shas on the back- I think we could have got two of her in the Orange Captains Bib when sat behind Kenny on the Road King Special, and the group was led off down the Motorway to exit at the tricky Junction 29 Airport sideroad exit….a bit of a nemesis of a junction for Kenny who managed to miss the turn off entirely on his very first ride out with the chapter nearly two years ago, when also going to Largs!

While he didn’t miss it this time, let’s just say it’s still a tricky one up front and there was a lot of hand swapping going on to point the drop-off at the right spot….luckily the second in line was Davie Fulton who knew the drill here anyway and was very tolerant.

But that wee technicality aside we were off down the backroads towards Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm on what was a very agreeable morning for motorbike riding. There was some snow on the higher tops around Glasgow but at road level it was turning into a pretty fine day.

The group arrived safely at Port Glasgow and Connor ( a proper Road Captain) took over as Road Captain for the leg down to Largs. A lot of roadworks around Greenock led to a lot of unforeseen detours and the group became quite fragmented due to some very slow to change temporary traffic lights through the town, but we had a wee pause to let the group come back together and once clear of the works the run down the coast was very pleasant, and the sun even managed to shine once we were parked up at Largs.

Hands up who spotted chapter member Pete Chisholm filming us in the layby as we approached Largs. Hope to see you back out with us soon mate.

Short sequence of Video of CVH arriving at Largs, on bike video by Kenny, roadside; Pete Chisholm.

Stevie claimed the Road Crew directions meant he failed to locate a chip shop entirely, so there was a lot of disappointment, not least with young Connor who had taken the not insubstantial order for 9 Fish suppers, 3 steak pie suppers, a haggis supper, one deep fried pizza supper, and 10 bags of chips, and knew precisely how much salt, sauce or vinegar each was to have…..

Not to worry rumour has it if we can find a Wetherspoons he will treat us to that next time…..”if”….

*it was maybe just made up.

See all the photos from this weekend on our Flickr album. (we always post extra pics on Flickr)

Road Crew Training ; pre-season 2023

25/03/2023

“Use me as your Sat Nav”…….lost!

The new riding season is upon us and the Clyde Valley HOG Road Crew were out on somewhat greasy roads around North Lanarkshire and the Clyde Valley ( appropriately enough) to run through various scenarios, discuss thoughts and ideas and let those less experienced at Road Marshalling, ask questions.

Bikes in Wishaw — The Road Crew making their way through Wishaw, had to fight through a group of Jigger Groupies waiting to ambush him at the lights…..

Head Road Captain Jigger had some routes planned and acted as Sat Nav while the Road Marshalls took it in turns to lead the rides or act as Sweeper or Tail, and Scott and Chris were observers to make points on what went well and what just needs a little thought. All the points raised were constructive and open to discussion and questions.

Jigger and Lairdy and some pop. — Jigger turned out prepared for the day…..Lairdy diplomatically informing him that was naughty…. we can’t repeat what Tommy said on a family website….

The Road Captains threw a few “spanners” and curve balls in to keep things interesting and challenging and it all led to a fun day with plenty to think about.

And the biggest curve ball was Head Road Captain ” use me as a sat nav” Jigger getting lost….he disputes that but the Road crew are calling “majority decision” on that one.

Tomorrow ( Sunday the 26th March) sees the first ride out of the season open to all members but the road crew would encourage less experienced members or first-timers at group riding to come along, ask questions, and get the opportunity to learn with no pressure…we all had to do this for a first time as well so we all know what it’s like riding with a lot of bikes for the first time. See you there.

The 2023 Clyde Valley Road Crew minus a few call offs .

AGM 2023 Report

12/03/2023

The Clyde Valley HOG AGM was held today at the Riverside Museum on Clyde Side and was a very well attended event*.

The AGM gets underway at the Riverside Museum

Key takeaways from the event.

West Coast Harley Davidson won the dealership of the year award once again as well as 3 others.
Our best wishes were expressed for a member and his family, after being diagnosed with a serious illness and the Chapters thoughts are with them all at this concerning time.
Membership is running at its highest for the time of year.
The financial accounts are restored to decent health now that we have exited the worst (hopefully) of the COVID situation and activities have fully resumed, and the chapter returned a healthy operating profit that will allow activities to be planned and carried out fully.
We still have a vacancy for a Treasurer if any volunteers are forthcoming let the Director know.
The Gathering planning continues, we have three great bands lined up for the weekend, ticket sales are decent but we need members to make sure they have theirs very soon in order to guarantee rally packs. If you are holding off buying your tickets, please get them by the end of March to ensure you get a rally pack!
The Activities officers want to start planning of The Gathering by getting a rally committee together to arrange activities and start putting faces to jobs. There are over 90 roles that need to be assigned over the event and the chapter would appreciate as many members coming forward to take on a task or two each. If everyone did one or two it would ease the pressure on the Committee and get everything done with ease. Please let Tina or David know if you are able to help with the organising group or at the event ASAP.
Members were also asked to forward any ideas for events they think might be fun for the season to the Activities officers (keeping in view costs which appear to be stratospheric for many group events just now).
Ladies of Harley go from strength to strength and there are now nearly 50 LoH members and thirteen riding (full) members (well done Katrina for passing her full licence this week!) now with another in the pipeline that just passed her Mod1 this week.
The 6th of May annual Camping trip is heading to the Isle of Skye, anyone attending let the Assistant Director know ASAP.
A LoH ride out for International Lady Riders day is to be held ALSO on the 6th of May.
The Merchandise officer passed around this years The Gathering Patch that will be made for those requesting it. He also mentioned various legacy items that could still be sold, we will look to get them itemised here on the website and if you want them get in touch with him.
The Head Road Captain informed the chapter we have 5 Road marshalls ( subject to a training session at the end of the month) and 9 Road Captains and over 40 riding events planned for the year. There are still spaces for the Gretna run /overnight stay and Campbelltown was almost full.
Website is being maintained and all known events are detailed on the site and it was asked members refer to the site in the first instance to see what’s going on. In addition, key events will be posted on the Facebook Page banner each month during the season so you can see at a glance the main events. Any issues or difficulties with the site contact the Webmaster.
We still have a significant number of members who have not signed in to the Clyde Valley Announcements Channel where you will be able to be informed or reminded of anything imminent in the Chapter. If you are having issues please contact the Director.

Following the official Agenda appreciation of the Committee’s efforts were expressed from the floor.

We then welcomed a representative from Breast Cancer Now who received a cheque for £1000 from the Chapter raised by the Ladies of Harley in the last year.