Ride Out Reports – Page 3 – Clyde Valley HOG 9894

Doune Castle and the Blair Drummond Smiddy

04/07/2024

On Saturday, riders from Clyde Valley HOG went on a shop ride out to Doune Castle (of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Outlander fame), with a stop off at Blair Drummond Smiddy for a leg stretch and a bite to eat. Led by Raymond Brodie the route headed up by Balloch and then along the A811 ( the original route was to be somewhat different but road works led to a change out by Balloch and Raymond also had to deal with some other road issues along the route and adapt quickly.

Heading towards Stirling the plan was to then take the link road between the A811 and A84 known locally as Kirk Lane emerging at Blair Drummond and a stop off at the Smiddy. Who knew that in the preceding day they (presumably Stirling Council) had only gone and laid fresh top dressing on the road ( which really was not in bad condition at all previously) resulting in a gravelly, unpleasant stretch of road just before arrival at the Smiddy.

Denis's ill fated Sportster Iron — Denis’s ill fated Sportster Iron

After a wee break at the Smiddy it was off again along a wee back roads loop coming out on the A84 at Deanston and then into the village of Doune and the Castle. In all there were about 16 or 17 bikes…we even had Denis along back on his wee Sportster Iron though he had a few key (lost!) and warning light issues and managed to pick up a puncture….think we will name that bike Christine….

Once at Doune Castle most of the riders went for a walk around the castle grounds with the usual outbursts of “Your mother was a Hamster and your father smelled of Elderberries”.
No one had brought coconut shells unfortunately.

A nice wee run out and it stayed dry and was a pretty pleasant day if a little windy.

Short video of the ride out from Raymond Brodie

Chapter Ride Out Musselburgh and Luca’s

27/06/2024

Last Sunday we had a successful chapter ride out which was rearranged at short notice due to a mix-up with dates. The original destination of Portavadie was therefore rearranged at short notice and instead of west we headed East by a more winding route. It being a Sunday there was no real point to gathering at WCHD and with an Eastward trajectory in mind, we assembled at the McDonalds at the Showcase Leisure area near Coatbridge before heading off at 10:30. It’s fair to say we had a bit of a Mickey D’s take over as we managed to fill one entire side of the car park with Harleys. In all we had 37 bikes ( one non-Harley due to an ongoing bike off-the-road situation).

The route settled upon avoided Motorways and took us first out on the old A8 then South East down the A73, through Lanark and then cutting across via Symington to join the A702 towards Edinburgh up what has to be one of the best motorcycle routes in the land. Finally, we picked up the dreaded A720 Edinburgh City Bypass where we tackled the Sherrifhall roundabout ( which wasn’t as bad as it can be ( or had been during the recce on Friday), then leaving the A720 on to the A68 to enter Musselburgh via the back roads in through Whitecraig and Inveresk. A nice wee 67 mile canter through nice scenery in mostly sunny and warm conditions for once!

After coffee and a bite to start the day we started engines and were off

As we progressed South and East down relatively quiet roads it grew brighter and warmer and it was pleasingly sunny and warm once we reached The Honest Toun and parked up our bikes opposite Luca’s in bright sunshine.

Of course there is always one… but it was his birthday. (93 today and looking great on it).

A great turnout in the sunshine for a Luca’s

We have another two Eastward facing events coming up soon, with the Festival Of Motoring Exhibition event and then our ride to Dunbar to support the RNLI Gala day so watch out for them.

7 Lochs Ride Out Recce 2024

05/06/2024

Join the Road Crew as they recce the route for the 7 Lochs ride out.

The Road Crew headed out from West Coast Harley Davidson on Saturday, taking the ferry over to Hunters Quay then a meeting at the Rally site before hitting the 7 Lochs. A wee taster to whet your appetite. See you at The Gathering!

Bishopbriggs Community Festival Parade 2024

22/05/2024

With the sun splitting the sky we had a good showing at the Bishopbriggs Community Festival Parade on May 18th with lots of Harleys and noise to keep the locals happy.

Photos kindly supplied by Pete Chisholm.

Bishopbriggs Community Festival — Images on Flickr

Roll Up….Roll up for the Mystery Tour 2023

17/10/2023

I always thought Beatles were pure rotten by the way….and those haircuts….

What a day, what a turnout. The weather while pretty nippy first thing with the first frosts of Autumn and road salt on the ground didn’t deter over 30 bikes from congregating at WCHD for a briefing but where was the Road Captain for this magical mystery tour taking us?

RC briefing — Chris pointing to Peebles….can everyone see it?…it’s fine…just follow the signs…you can’t possibly go wrong.

As we had a bigger group of bikes for the Mystery Tour…that was no longer a mystery… (probably just as well in hindsight!) the core road crew for the day of Chris (RC) Kenny (sweeping) and Jigger bringing up the rear, was supplemented by almost all the rest of the CVH road crew who would help keep the group together and manage at least some of the earlier drop offs. One notable exception was Connor who was feeling a bit sore after 80 minutes of team crochet* the day before at the Womens Institute** and so he called in lame.

*He is crocheting a cake for the Strawberry tea in two weeks’ time I am told

**Jigger told me that as well so it must be true.

Connor was missing as he broke a nail knitting a cake for Strawberry Tea

With everyone having donned blindfolds and been spun round in the car park to ensure we were thoroughly lost…off we headed onto the Scottish roads network in pursuit of soup and sandwiches.

Rady to lead off — Chris’s Switchback ready to lead off

And what a brilliant day for riding a motorcycle it was, dry roads ( the occasional wee splash of salt but nothing major…barely a dusting), bright sunshine and traffic much less now the tourist season is behind us. With such a large group and quite a “fiddly” route in places there were a fair number of drop-offs, some requiring two bikes to mark the route, but it was perhaps inevitable there would be the odd hiccup.

However, the Sweeper and Tail ender lived up to their job roles and collected in the lost and strays and everyone made it to Peebles in time for lunch.

…but not before the chapter photo…..

Just photoshop him in I was instructed….

oh wait…here he comes now….

Then we all retired to the most civilised surroundings of the Tontine Hotel for Soup sandwiches and a cup of tea or coffee….but it was strictly BYOB…Bring your own Biscuits.

After our victuals and the usual milling about blethering, we all headed off for the last time (officially) this season.

Depending on the weather there might still be a few “mates” rides, and of course, don’t forget there is the Strawberry Tea event a week on Saturday when Connor can show us all his handiwork and will have had time to get his acrylics sorted we hope…thoughts and prayers lad…thoughts and prayers…

Mystery Ride 2023 Peebles — All our images from the day on Flickr

EHD Ride Out for MacMillan Coffee Morning

03/10/2023

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. 🙂

“You ai-ways ride like an a*r*hole”….Louise at least thought it was funny… me? I’m taking legal advice…

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!!

Fast (Rubber) Johnny) — Fast Johnny- six speed!

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!

MacMillan Coffee Morning — Flickr Photo Album from Saturday at EHD

Campsies and the Falkirk Wheel

11/09/2023

Saturday’s ride out was a nice wee run into the Campsies turning along the Carron Valley and arriving in glorious sunshine at the Falkirk Wheel where we were able to park up the bikes in the plaza in front of the wheel itself, which made for a nice stop off.

Connor was leading, supported by his new road crew bitch, Burnsy. Burnsy in turn was being supervised by Head Road Captain Jigger for about half the run and Lairdy returned to be last man after a long lay off as founding member of the Cult of Lairdy and the Disciples of the Dislocated Arm.

There’s a new bitch in town

It was a wee bit foggy over the top of the Campsies heading towards Fintry but as soon as we dropped down the north side of the fells, the sun made an appearance and pretty hot it was too.

All the bikes were parked up in a line of the Plaza at the Wheel and they attracted a fair bit of attention from both visitors and staff alike. Myself and Burnsy kept some American tourists entertained when they told us they visited the Wheel every year they visit and this was their fourth time. I had to admit though I live barely 15 minutes away I had only visited once in the last 20 years and Burnsy told them this was his first time!

After Connor left to go play with his oval balls ( rugby ), the rest of us just generally milled about, drinking coffee, eating ice cream and watching the wheel go round and round. All very pleasant and civilized. Good too, to see some of the less regulars out with us as well this weekend.

Falkirk Wheel and Campsies 2023 — All our pictures on Flickr……

Roseneath Ride Out ’23

06/09/2023

Last Saturday, some might argue the second day of Autumn (meteorologically speaking) felt like the first day of Summer ( yes I have forgotten about early June already- it was years ago!)

Somewhat unusually we had a bit of an “all boys” ride out this time, up towards Luss then across the Haul road, popping out at Faslane then – across the top of the peninsula to Coulport before riding around the Roseneath point and back to Faslane, then heading down to Helensburgh for Chips, Ice Cream or both. ( I think Ice Cream was the majority choice).

A great wee ride in nice weather.

But lads…Red is so in for Autumn 2023 only two of you were on trend; the shame.

After Ice Cream with sprinkles (really!) was consumed….or slittered down your front depending how you eat your cone….

An onsite emergency committee meeting was hurriedly convened to discuss the massive fashion faux pas that was this ride out.

Discussion had, Chris laid down the law that no one should cock up so horribly again or they would be out…out you hear?

The downtrodden fashionistas returned to their bikes, some wanted to fight for on-trend shirts, and some were merely inconsolable.

We rode home and the sunshine cheered us all up again…well apart from those that wouldn’t dare be seen with these style half wits…. they weren’t happy.

On a more serious note, worth mentioning the chapter received a nice message from a horse rider lady who we encountered on the return leg. Her horse got a bit nervous (fairly understandable if you have ever had Jigger come up behind you).

….I am talking about his exhaust noise….

Everyone took extreme care to pass quietly and cautiously and the lady reached out to mention her appreciation. Well done Clyde Valley….it goes some way to redeem yourselves for the otherwise appalling fashion transgression.

DJI_20230902132119_0057_D — All the photos from the Roseneath ride out on Flickr

“Millport” ride out and Harley Experience Day Tyndrum 2023

22/08/2023

This Saturday’s official ride out was to be to Millport to drop in on the “unofficial” C&W Festival weekend but the unseasonably stormy and wet weather put paid to that idea, I understand the ferry was off at least in the morning. So the hardy bunch of members that braved the still fairly soggy conditions of Saturday morning, were treated to a ride out led by Raymond and crewed by Tommy and Fitzy, which landed at Strathclyde Park before some headed off to a Willie G MCC open day.

Good effort everyone for the turnout in the conditions and quick thinking there for a Plan B.

CVH at Strathclyde park — Pic by Brian Fitzsimmons at Strathclyde Park

Harley Experience Day Tyndrum

Some of the CVH Road Captains had been asked to assist with the HD Experience Day that was being run at Tyndrum by HD-UK to offer test rides of a selection of bikes in the HD 2023 Range. Head Road Captain Jigger, was assisted by Chris, Scott and young Connor.

Jigger

wore

waterproofs.

Yes…. you read that right… the mighty Jigger was seen wearing water repellent over-clothes.

One member of the Dunedin HOG road crew, Anthony also turned out to support the ride-outs and along with the CVH Crew put in a mighty 9:00 -17:00 shift in what were at times pretty appalling conditions.

So in the conditions, one might imagine that few riders would turn out. Well, I think it’s fair to say there was definitely an attrition rate amongst attendees, but that meant there were all the more toys for those that did turn out to play on! If the road crew thought any of the wet shifts were going to be skipped…Kenny turned out to play on the toys like a kid in the sweetie shop.

Among the selection of treats on offer were

Fat Boy
Fat Bob
Street Bob
Lowrider S 117
Breakout 117
Sport Glide
Road King Special
Sportster S
Pan America Special

In addition, Livewire was there to show off a fleet of Livewire Ones that riders could take out on an unaccompanied basis as well as them showing an early production model of the Del Mar which is arguably a more Commuter focussed bike.

A posse of Livewire-ists about to go make no noise at all but travel very very fast….

While there weren’t many of the Dunedin HOG Road Crew on duty with HD-UK there was a group that came up for the ride out, kudos to them in the conditions and they too were only too happy to have some rides on the bikes as well as having a wee blast out on the Livewires which was a bit of a hoot when the roads dried out further up the glen towards Dalmally.

The Wet Look: Stevie Young of Dunedin while the skies opened.

At times the conditions varied from miserable to downright diabolical but spirits remained high and the CVH crew put in a five star shift that was very much appreciated by all the riders as well as the HD-UK crew up there for the day.

I think they just wished Kenny would f*** off home and stop taking bikes out 🙂

HD-UK Experience Day Tyndrum 2023 — See all the images on Flickr

The Anointed… Loch Doon Ride Out July 2023

31/07/2023

The Met Office had been full of foreboding for Saturday’s outlook with some very heavy downpours predicted. Presumably, it was this that deterred many from turning out for what is a brilliant road winding down through the Ayrshire countryside. Captain Fulton certainly has a nose for sniffing out great bike roads in my experience and this one is no exception.

He also has a nose for the black stuff….no not Guinness… Tia Maria. The ritual presentation of the Bar and Shield for services to Coffee flavour liqueurs was conducted before the intrepid 7 ( 6 bikes and a pillion) departed WCHD…

…waved off by all those who couldn’t get their bikes wet or simply just forgot them…

A big turn out to shelter int he safety of the dealership — A big turn out to shelter in the safety of the dealership…some of the chapter evidently turned out more than once.

…it just goes to show… non-attendance doesn’t let you escape without some directed banter!

Enough of the japery…. there was a serious ride to conduct. With so few bikes and a group of seasoned ride-out vets, this was conducted as a mates ride and we steamed off into the wilds heading at times headlong towards huge black clouds. There were rain showers to the left and rain showers to the right and threatening skies ahead….but the anointed ones singularly failed to encounter as much as a spit of rain all the way down to Loch Doon.

Yes, we rounded a few bends and found the road ahead wet, yet half a mile further on…it was bone dry again. The rain gods smiled on Davie and his flock all the way there. It drizzled a wee bit admittedly while we chewed the fat in the car park at Loch Doon preparing to head for our respective homes ( is there anything worse than putting a wet head of hair into a crash helmet?), but even then, your humble scribe never encountered rain all the way back until literally passing Newton Mearns. He stopped in at WCHD to hopefully let it pass, and yes it came on in biblical fashion for about ten minutes, but then he rode all the way to Stirling in bright sunshine from WCHD to home, again on mostly dry roads with the odd river or loch where you might not normally expect…..the old A8 we are talking about you….