Month: September 2025

Clyde Valley with Ian Fyfe from Red Rose

HOGPool 2025

26/09/2025

A number of the Chapter took the 200 odd mile run to Blackpool last weekend for another HOGPool weekend.

Heavy rain didn't stop play on the way south
Heavy rain didn’t stop play on the way south

The ride down was pretty steady with a few notable holdups that resulted in much filtering to make progress….roadworks and a breakdown appeared to be the cause. We also had a pretty torrential cloud burst just as we crossed the border at Gretna. But everyone arrived safe and reasonably dry by the time we got to the hotel.

Friday was just a few drinks, a bit of a wander to get the bearings and some bingo!. Russell managed to win the prize for first line and Cath won the full house, so a clean sweep by Clyde Valley….living life on the wild side…

Three motorcyclists in high-visibility vests standing outside a Harley-Davidson rental shop, with motorcycles visible in the background.
Your Road Crew
A cloudy view of Blackpool, featuring the iconic Blackpool Tower and a Ferris wheel on the promenade, with people walking along the grassy area.
Blackpool in the grey
A woman with shoulder-length hair smiles and walks confidently on stage during a bingo event, while another woman is seen pointing from behind a microphone stand.
Cath doing a runner with the £50
A person wearing a leather motorcycle jacket with a 'Clyde Valley' patch and a red bandana stands in the foreground, while other bikers are gathered in the background.
Clyde Valley
A close-up of a person's hand holding a pen, marking a bingo card on a table with various drinks around.
Bingo

Saturday started grey and drizzly and soon turned into torrential rain. The young un’s with tickets to the Pleasure Beach managed to get their white knuckle rides in early before it got too wet, but by early afternoon you were soaked if you so much as stepped outside. The crusties headed off to the Spitfire Museum which was well worth the visit. Listening to the rain hammering down on the roof though was a sign of what was to come.

A vintage Spitfire aircraft displayed in a museum hangar, showcasing its detailed features and green livery amidst various aviation artifacts.
Spitire!
Two men laughing while riding a vintage-style carousel horse indoors, captured in a playful moment.
Riding
A historic military aircraft displayed in a hangar, featuring a distinctive yellow and grey camouflage design with a black cross, surrounded by visitors.
Tally Ho!
A group of people socializing around a table in a bar, with drinks in front of them, some engaged in conversation and others on their phones.
A few drinkies
A man with silver hair and a slight smile is sitting in a wooden chair, wearing a black t-shirt with a design on it.
Shas threw a bottle at Jim…she is barred!
A plate of profiteroles drizzled with chocolate sauce, accompanied by a fresh strawberry.
Decent scran
A group of six people posing for a selfie in front of the entrance to a theme park, with the words 'PARK ENTRANCE' visible above them.
The Young crew and Jim
The illuminated exterior of Coral Island amusement arcade in Blackpool, featuring a large pirate skull, colorful lights, and distinctive signage.
A woman in a black raincoat holds several colorful sticks in a wet environment, with a display of items in the background.
Always buy rock at Blackpool, it’s the law
Colorful night scene at Blackpool featuring illuminated structures and attractions.
Illuminated dragon sculpture at Blackpool, glowing in vibrant red against a dark background.

After a soggy afternoon, another decent dinner was laid on by the hotel, the food was great both days.

Don needs heated grips....wonder who would sell him those?
Don needs to get some Heated Grips
Motorcyclists preparing for a ride in a parking lot, surrounded by several parked motorcycles under a clear blue sky.
Final farewells from a great weekend

And just like that overnight the rain stopped and Sunday you wouldn’t have beleived the change in the weather in a mere 12 hours…wall to wall sunshine. Ian Fyfe from Red Rose came over to meet us and lead us through the town and out to the motorway before a “fresh” ride up to Southwaite where we all headed our separate ways. A group from Geordie Chapter passed us on the way up as well, hi guys!

Group of motorbike enthusiasts from Clyde Valley and Red Rose Chapters posing with their flags on a sunny day.
Clyde Valley and Ian Fyfe from Red Rose
HOGPool 2025
All the photos from HOGPool

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

Barony Castle Shop Ride Out

08/09/2025
A group of bikers from the Clyde Valley Harley Owners Group standing together outside a building, holding a flag with their logo. The group includes men and women in motorcycle vests, some making playful gestures, and a small dog in a blue vest.

On Saturday we rode to Barony Castle to visit the Great Polish Map of Scotland. This large three-dimensional terrain model is the biggest of its kind in the world, measuring around 50 by 40 metres. It was created in the 1970s by a team of Polish engineers, supported by General Maczek, a former commander of the Polish 1st Armoured Division who settled in Scotland after the Second World War. The map was intended as a gesture of gratitude from the Polish community to Scotland. After falling into neglect for many years, it has since been restored and today stands as an important cultural and historical landmark, representing both Scotland’s geography and the enduring ties between Scotland and Poland.

A bearded man wearing a black vest adorned with motorcycle patches stands next to a motorcycle. He has a checkered red and black shirt underneath, and a motorcycle helmet is on the bike beside him. In the background are signs for authorized Harley-Davidson services and rentals.
Two women smiling and posing together in a casual setting, wearing motorcycle-themed clothing, with a warm and friendly atmosphere in the background.
A man with a long beard wearing a leather jacket stands next to a woman with blonde hair, both smiling outside a dealership with parked cars in the background.
Two motorcyclists chatting and smiling in a parking area with vehicles in the background.
A man in a black leather jacket is bending down to greet a small dog wearing a denim vest with patches. The scene is set in an urban area, with a trash can visible in the background.

Our chapter mascot, Doris, was spoiled with plenty of treats from Lairdy’s pocket and, judging by her enthusiasm, she seemed to enjoy the run every bit as much as the rest of us. It turned out to be a fantastic day’s riding, made even better by the great company along the way. A big thanks goes to Lairdy and Tommy for sweeping and tailing, to Janice for keeping a watchful eye on proceedings, and to Frazer not only for capturing the day with some brilliant photographs but also for leading us as Road Captain.

Two people in motorcycle jackets playfully posing on a road, with greenery and vehicles in the background.
Close-up of a dog's face resting on a backpack, in a green outdoor setting.
Motorcycle riders gathered in a parking area, wearing leather jackets and helmets, with various motorcycles parked around them, set against a backdrop of trees and hills.
A group of motorcyclists interacting in a parking area, with three people standing and one crouching to pet a small dog wearing a denim vest, surrounded by several parked motorcycles.

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