Director Stevie Trainor Standing Down After 11 Years Leading CVH

Director of Clyde Valley HOG, Stevie Trainor, standing down after 11 years at the helm
Director of Clyde Valley HOG, Stevie Trainor, standing down after 11 years at the helm

Clyde Valley’s HOG’s Chapter Director, Stevie Trainor has, after 11 years leading the chapter, decided to stand down. Stevie announced to the membership following discussions with Don Rutherford at West Coast HD earlier this week.

Stevie will manage the chapter up until a replacement has been decided upon and will be fully involved with organisation of the 2025 Gathering at the start of June. As most know Stevie is dealing with some health challenges and understandably wishes to focus on these.

Stevie’s announcement to the chapter reads:

Happy Easter everyone. I wanted to let you know I will be stepping down as Director of Clyde Valley HOG. As some of you will know I am facing some health issues and need to focus on beating this challenge I face. I have been Director for 11 years and to say I have had a blast is an understatement! I have made so many friends over the years who will remain friends for life. You are a great group of people and it’s been a privilege looking after the chapter for the last 11 years. Don will start the process of selecting a new Director and I am sure you will give them the support to help take the chapter forward. I’m not going away and will see you all on the road at some point. I wish you and your families all the best for future. Take care and ride safe. All the best Stephen

Stevie has led the chapter out of a poor financial situation, which was inherited back in 2014. He navigated the challenges of COVID in 2020-2022. Today, the chapter goes from strength to strength, backed by the top dealership in the UK.

Everyone at Clyde Valley HOG; Members past and present, friends and committee members as well as everyone at West Coast HD, and I am sure in the wider HOG family, thanks Stevie for his leadership, and wishes Stevie and Lesley, and his family all our love and best wishes for the future. We know you have got this beat Stevie!

Stevie Trainor Director Clyde Valley HOG

Stevie will be staying with Clyde Valley HOG both at the helm until a replacement and handover is settled upon and as a member going forward, so we will look forward to seeing him out on the road.

….and I know Stevie will want me to take this opportunity ( he is still the Gaffer after all!), to ask you to make sure you have your tickets for The Gathering, if not follow the link below!

The Gathering 2025
Get your Gathering 2025 Tickets NOW!

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

Bat out of Hell 2025

Ride with us as we take to the City Streets of Glasgow to do a Ride by for opening night of Bat Out of Hell the musical at the Kings, playing until the 19th April.

I think it’s fair to say we woke the city up on a glorious Monday night. Video is a mix of Scott Sinclair‘s on bike footage and Kenny’s lead bike, and all Audio courtesy of Scott.

The Gathering 2025
Get your tickets for the rally before it’s too late!

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

Dumfries House Ride Out

A run in the vein of ; dry on the way out….need to dry out on the way back.

With a nasty wet and unsettled period forecast for Saturday afternoon an intrepid group led by Raymond and crewed by Fraz and Paddy, headed for Dumfries House which isn’t in Dumfries.

A great run was had by all, at least going there, and any weather related chills were dispelled by a plate of hot soup at the cafeteria of Dumfries House before the return journey through the increasingly unsettled weather and Ayrshire countryside.

Pics by Fraz.

A ride out wouldn’t be a ride out without something happening requiring the need for access to power tools for Fraz’s bike. Last year it was angle grinders at Gretna ( allegedly) this time round it was welders at West Coast to put back the section of Fraz’s exhaust that nearly decapitated Paddy.

A group of motorcyclists posing together at Dumfries House, dressed in riding gear, with a banner for Clyde Valley Scotland in the foreground.
They maybe forgot the flag again…..

Read more of what we have been up to in the items below

New Run What Ya Brung Policy at CVH

A New Direction

After much deliberation, the Clyde Valley HOG Committee have decided to implement a “Run What You Brung” Policy on Dealer and Chapter ride-outs. This decision is in response to demand from chapter members.

Denis and his Triumph
Denis was said to have been beside himself with delight at the news of Run What Ya Brung…

Basically, you can ride any bike you like on the day without any reason for not using a Harley. This should keep those members who prefer to keep their Harley’s clean, dry and unused satisfied, so that you can return them to the dealership after their 4 years PCP deal, basically unblemished with delivery miles on.

Shas on her 125
Shas on her 125

In fact with so many dealerships (of all makes) closing , we feel a need to support the wider biking community who might want to ride product of the HDMC but maybe can’t afford to, or who might still be striving for that full licence. Thus we will be opening up membership to learner riders and riders of other makes too. New Members will merely have to have expressed an interest in a Harley, or have at least been in the car park of the dealership.

Sportsbike rideout
Sportsbike rideout

We hope our more purist members understand this decision and we look forward to seeing lots of different makes and marques on our ride outs.

Adventure Bike Rider
ADV riders will especially enjoy our Stand Up, Feet Up, Dirty Dirty Mudflaps ride outs. Especially where the Road Captain leads on a HD Ultra Limited.

As we expect to see an influx of both Sportsbike riders and Adventure Bike riders as well, we will be introducing two new ride out variants on a monthly basis.

New Feature Ride Out’s

Feet up riding
Feet up riding
  1. Stand Up, Feet Up, Dirty Dirty Mudflaps: All bikes welcome but the riders will be expected to stand on the pegs for at least 80% of the ride out and 50% of the ride out while not being “off road” in the strictest sense, will take to gravel trails and forest tracks…..bring a shovel.
  2. Ride It Like You Stole It: Knee sliders at the ready, passing in the group permitted, ( in fact not overtaking will be frowned upon) and members passing while “on tail*” will attract points towards the “Chapter Hooligan” patch ( To be presented at Winterfest). Bonus points for passing the Road Captain, especially if he is riding a Buell. Again,all bike types may join these runs, though wearing the traditional Power Ranger Suit may be desireable, riders will still be expected to wear a Chapter Cut over the top of their Dainese or RST leathers.

We can’t wait to see what you turn up on for our ride to EHD next weekend!

*On Tail: Wheelie-ing for those members that have not been around bikes long