Chapter News
See the image below for some old pins and patches we have. Maybe you have lost some along the way or just never got one back in the day from a particular event?
Contact Fitzy our Merchanidse Officer to get any of these oldies but goodies.
£1 per patch or badge.
And don’t forget Fitzy is also taking orders for Chapter Kilt Pins, price should be about £20 each, must be paid for in advance. Again, Fitzy is your man!
Following discussions with WCHD, HOG UK and the Directors of Red Rose and Clyde Valley Chapters, the decision to dual home both Red Rose and Clyde Valley at WCHD has been deemed out with the Chapter Charter and so cannot continue.
Thus a Chapter merger has been settled upon (to be ratified by the members of both chapters at an EGM).
Today we announce the disbandment of Red Rose and Clyde Valley Chapters, and the formation of the new Red Valley Chapter #010424.
The organisation of the respective legacy chapter rallies are already “in-flow”, with The Gathering now only just over 2 months away, so with HOG agreement, these will continue in 2024 under their respective Chapter identities but following the conclusion of the latter of these, Wake the Lakes, the EGM is to be held . As we will have a good number of the membership of both chapters in the Lakes area at the time the EGM will be held immediately after WtL.
We believe it is only right and proper that the membership be given the right to voice their opinions on this (though it is a done deal ) so the EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) will be held at 09:00 on Monday 8th July in the cafe at ASDA Kendal over a bargain cooked breakfast.
The merger will necessarily lead to a few changes which we need to communicate below.
All members of both legacy Red Rose and Clyde Valley Chapters will, by the end of July, need to replace their top rockers for the new one below. You can see we have combined the content of the legacy chapters into one to best represent the interests of both. We settled on Red Valley as the name of the new Chapter, as we felt the alternative “Clyde Rose” might be confused with a local Scottish Junior League football team.
Basically, the new rocker is the combination of each of the old one’s, halved right down the middle. (left from Red Rose, right from Clyde Valley). That’s seen to be very fair to all.
Rocker sets, front and back will cost £60 for each member.
No Saltires will be permitted on cuts.
The Directorship of the new chapter will be decided by vote at the EGM.
All Road Captains, except Janice and Kenny who just attended 2024 training, will need to reattend the up-to-date course at Carnforth in April. Non-attendance will unfortunately mean the removal of Road Captain rank and insignia from those not attending. It is essential all Road Crew are on the same page across both chapters from the off.
Much has been discussed about the future of LoH recently with it being lapsed in some Chapters in the USA in favour of what’s thought to be more inclusive systems of participation. HOG UK have deemed Red Valley being a new chapter, will be the vanguard chapter in the UK for this new all-inclusive gender-neutral approach so will be replaced in Red Valley with “Harley People”. All members can identify as anything they want and are therefore at liberty to join and we need a new Harley People Officer, position open to all.
Members will be delighted to learn we have secured an agreement to retain Clyde Valley Tartan as the official Red Valley chapter tartan. However, in an acknowledgement to our English friends that they don’t wear kilts, only Tartan Trews will be permitted at official events in future. ( to be fair they are easier to get your chaps over anyway).
For 2025 The Gathering and Wake the Lakes will be merged into one new “super rally” which we believe in time will challenge Thunder in the Glens for top spot on the UK and European rally calendar.
Wake The Craig is going to emulate the hotel resort-based system used by Thunder, and will be based at Trump Turnberry Resort on the weekend between the third and fourth week of July each year starting 2025. With views out to the Ailsa Craig, Special rates will be available at the ultra-luxury resort for attendees, with a single room available at a cost of £400 and a double at £520.*
No camping or caravans. The Trump Organisation has also submitted a contractual stipulation of no one with the surname Biden either, for some reason.
As we have secured the location of the chapter rally on our beautiful Clyde Coast here in Scotland, it’s only fair we acknowledge the English culture of our former Red Rose HOG brothers and sisters in the activities to be held at our inaugural rally.
The Theme for party night will be “Sellafield Nuclear Power Station Decommissioning”. The new activities team has been working hard and secured a bulk supply of Army Surplus NBC suits for the showpiece party, and everyone will be expected to wear a respirator for at least an hour while dancing. Use of Fullers earth to decontaminate glasses while drinking, while recommended, is entirely optional. We hope all members with First Aid or medical experience will be in attendance….bring a defibrillator.
Again in acknowledgement of our brothers and sisters English culture, entertainment at the rally will be Maypole dancing demonstrations and come and try it; Morris Dancing. Nighttime entertainment will be from top Cumbrian Folk Act, Windemere Will, who will be performing a 3 hour set of Lake District Folk Songs accompanied by his tin whistle and mandolin band, The Lakers. Song sheets with lyrics will be provided so we can all join in.
Our new showpiece ride out, which we are planning to title, the Seven Wheelie Bins, will be heading up the Clyde Coast from Turnberry to the picturesque seaside town of Ardrossan where our rally riders can marvel at the Isle of Arran from afar ( assuming it isn’t raining). The ride out will have to leave Trump Resort at no later than 08:00 on the Saturday morning in order not to disrupt the tee-off times too much, and riders will not be allowed loud exhausts while golf is being played on return.
Clyde Valley HOG is dead…..long live Red Valley Chapter……!
*prices are per night, per person and do not include compulsory gratuities and tips at 20% .
Breakfast and dinner are extra and will need to be reserved well in advance so the Michelin starred chef is able to order in sufficient fresh local produce in time. No takeaways in rooms.
**Positions subject to requalification and re-election at EGM
It’s a New Year and we hope all our friends and members had a great time seeing it in!
But the party doesn’t end….in fact, it’s only just beginning! So if you were a 2023 member, don’t forget to renew soon or you will miss out on all that’s happening at Clyde Valley HOG, as we populate the 2024 message channel. If you are thinking about joining us, we would love to have you on board. You can start your membership journey here.
It is a big year for us at Clyde Valley HOG, it’s our 25th Year on the road and the 20th running of The Gathering, our brilliant Rally at Hunters Quay ( which is filling up fast!). So join up soon and be part of all we have planned or are planning. And 2023 left so many new or unanswered questions…..
If you want to know the answers to the above and so many more mysteries of Clyde Valley, you need to join up soon!
Remember current valid HOG membership is a prerequisite for chapter membership, have your HOG number to hand!
It’s all happening here at Clyde Valley HOG, with The Gathering rally tickets now on sale and flying out the door faster than a Stage 4, Harley with a Trask Turbo.
We are now pleased to invite existing and new members to apply for 2024 Chapter membership. You can read all about categories of membership on our Membership page and can kick off your application either on our 2024 joining page or directly on Ticket Tailor.
Please make sure you have valid, current HOG UK membership before commencing this process and have your ( and any associate’s) membership numbers to hand.
As in recent years, Chapter membership is £30 for a full member and £5 for an Associate.
We have lots happening in 2024 which is a very big year for the Chapter, it being our 25th Anniversary so we can’t wait to have you on board.
Winterfest 2023 was held in Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow and yes!…there was a buffet!
Around a hundred members and guests were in attendance on what was an excellent end of season party.
The entertainment was Johnny Beatties Ruck-stars who again gave everyone a great nights music and who got involved with the shennanigans on the dance floor. Andrea (the singer) I think had a bit of a sore throat but didn’t let it hold her back and she belted out some rock favourites, from AC/DC to Bad Company via Amy Winehouse. Our own Davy Henderson joined the band for a wee choon as well.
The ladies were in fine form and danced much of the night away as the chapter caught up with members and friends.
A brilliant night…it’s almost a shame we have to wait another full season to do it again…but wait…here comes The Gathering….
And remember we have our wee Pre-Christmas drinkie-poos at the Bon Accord on the 9th December at 14:00.
On Saturday we took a ride east to see our friends at Dunedin HOG who, in conjunction with Edinburgh Harley Davidson were running a Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer support.
We took a route that after negotiating the M8 through Glasgow headed along less busy roads through North Lanarkshire and into West Lothian.
It has to be said though that just getting to WCHD on Saturday ended up a bit of a Red Light Nightmare for your hapless correspondent when he admitted he had to ride like a bit of an ar**hole to get to WCHD in time despite leaving pretty early. Burnsy let it be known to all that would listen (fortunately no one does :-)) that he reckoned I always ride like an **sehole.
Team support in the Road Crew is strong even from the latest Paddawan. 🙂
So after the usual taking of pictures..
sniffing of fingers….where had that been?
and donning of lids…we headed east in search of sunshine, dry roads and cake.
…we were off….
But not for long as Frazer had an impromptu breakdown at the entry to the Anderston tunnel and had to be assisted by Road Crew Tail gunner Fitzy on his Rubber Johnny. ( it was always bound to happen with that name, wasn’t it?… juvenile but might as well get it out there now… over and done with say I. It even had the missing 5 gears that went astray a few weeks back…Hurray for gears!!
There were a few missed and tricky drop-offs and traffic split us up a few times but in the end we all made it to EHD safely under the lead of Connor who was today’s Road Captain and we arrived in time for Hot Dogs, Cake and laughs. Even Frazer got his Fat Bob going and Fitzy showed how fast Johnny can be when he is playing catch up; and we all arrived together.
We also met friends from Geordie Chapter who had made the longer journey up the east coast from Newcastle to support Dunedin.
After all the shennanigans what was the final outflow of todays events. Well a grand total of £2000 was raised for MacMillan for which everyone involved can be proud of their contribution. WELL DONE Dunedin and EHD….WELL DONE ALL!
West Coast HD, our sponsoring dealership is running some very special events for customers and friends this year at Thunder in the Glens.
First off, the WCHD stand is moving to just off the roundabout on the Grampian Road, next to Blacks leisure. They will be selling accessories, clothing and displaying lots of WCHD Customs while Eric plays the tunes.
West Coast Harley-Davidson hit the road in August as we head up to Aviemore to celebrate at Thunder. Thunder in the Glens has attracted world wide attention over the years as the Sturgis of the Highlands. The West Coast Harley-Davidson Team will be in Aviemore for the weekend and we’ll be bringing more than just our usual Marquee. This year we’re in a whole new location – this year you’ll find us located off Grampian Road by Blacks outdoor shop. We’ll have our latest custom builds on display by our event trailer for you to see. Come on up and discuss your mild to wild custom dreams with our aftersales team. The West Coast Harley-Davidson Motorclothes Marquee will also be at our new location, filled with a vast array of West Coast Dealer Teeshirts, souvineers, collectibles, riding gear and much more. Our selection of amazing clothing and apparel will go, if you’re not fast you’re last so be sure to stop by. Due to popular demand we’re bringing back our chillout area with our deckchairs, tables and parasols. This year our resident DJ Eric will be playing top tunes throughout the weekend.
West Coast are also collaborating with local cafe, Mambos, which is just by the Train Station on Grampian Road, hosting a Welcome Party on Friday and a Big Breakfast on the Saturday morning. Look up our event calendar for the details of these two special events.
Well the Ladies of Harley team pulled it off with ( so far) raising more than double their original target with the total currently standing at £2175. All the team completed the challenge of the Renfrew Firewalk on Friday night and were delighted when Fitzy and Iain stepped up to collect the certificates of completion.
When interviewed after the event, Fitzy said ” I put down my success to the thickness of the soles in my Caterpillar Boots”…..Iain added, “aye, and I kept my socks on as well”…. Some achievement!
But seriously, the ladies I understand did at least 4 trips over the coals and now only walk with slight limps on the stumps that were left after the ordeal. Lucky they all have bikes to get on. We have all heard the phrase “knees in the breeze”, after the walk they were all “feet in the freezer”. A fantastic effort and if you still would like to contribute it’s not yet too late. Just click on this link.
Due to our expanding appeal as the UK’s No1 Dealership, we are in need of several experienced and loyal members who would be available to represent the company by collecting or delivering bikes to and from our widening customer base. We now buy and sell bikes all over the British Isles and our working hours are now a full 7-day week – could you be part of the #1 Team?
We have a unique opportunity for an individual who would be in the fortunate position to be available 7 days a week. This person will be part of a larger team of drivers who will communicate through our Logistics Whatsapp Group, ensuring an equal spread of the work.
As part of our team, you will be provided a company uniform (shirt) and be our representative during all customer interactions during collection or delivery. As well as being confident in delivering an outstanding customer experience every time, it is imperative you will be skilled in handling the largest of our bike family, the Tourers and in particular the Ultra Limited. Training will be provided as far as loading, unloading and strapping bikes down but unfortunately for obvious reasons, confidence and skill in handling the largest of our bikes cannot be provided.
If you are interested, then please contact John Weir Head of Aftersales
You can also reach John on 0141 883 1450 – selecting option 1 for Harley-Davidson, then 4 for all enquiries.
What a Fabulous weekend!!
This was a Clyde Valley “mates” run. A group of Road Crew and Clyde Valley regulars rode out to Newton Mearns to bring some V Twin joy to a “nonagenarian”…..(look it up, that’s someone in their 90’s), Gordon Bland, a lifelong biker and friend of Road Captain Jigger’s family. On the occasion of his 90th Birthday, Clyde Valley brought Gordon, his son in law and Grandson in to spend a few hours enjoying the Easter party atmosphere at West Coast. There was Birthday cake, live music, a charity BBQ in aid of CHAS being run by Clyde Valley HOG and lots and lots of Bikes.
Gordon rode Pillion on the back of California Highway Patrol’s latest recruit, Tommy Poncharello’s CVO Trike and was escorted by his family members on the back of Davie Fultons Sport Glide, and Connor Fitzsimmons Street Glide.
A noisy accompaniment was provided by the riders of CVH. Everyone made it out and made it back, though to be fair, one of the residents took a shine to Brians’s Street Glide and he nearly became a resident himself.
We made short video of the ride to collect Gordon, crank up the volume and enjoy Gordons entry to his 90th year….Wild and Free. You might find it easier to download the video to watch, any half-decent tablet or PC should be able to cope with it…..Can’t really share via YouTube for obvious reasons due to the audio.
If it won’t play for you in full 1080HD, download it and watch it directly on your device.
There are loads and loads of photos from the day, the prime selection are on Facebook with the usual (witty?) caption’s, a few have been reposted here along with some not seen on fB and ALL (many not so far seen) will be on Flickr at the Album linked below.
Clyde Valley joined with hundreds of other bikers from across the West of Scotland to take part in the Glasgow Childrens Hospital Charity Easter Egg Run through the city from Glasgow Green to Braehead.
We had about 15 riders out for this great cause and then the party continued at West Coast with more burgers and BBQ.
By days end the Chapter had raised a colossal £1400 for GCHC from the weekend. Well done everyone who came out and supported us and West Coast with this event, a brilliant result!
