Helensburgh Ride Out ’22

A good turn out at Helensburgh

Sometimes good things come in small packages and this weekend’s ride out was no exception.

Fitzy and Karen
Fitzy and Karen enjoying a libation

A shorter ride out this time to Helensburgh, little more than 30 minutes from our starting point at West Coast Harley Davidson, and what a weekend to pick for a trip to the seaside. (OK it’s the Clyde estuary but it’s still salty).

One of the sunniest weekends of the year, after a mostly dry but at times unsettled Spring with high winds and not a lot of heat. While no one would have called it a scorcher, it was at least sunny enough to be able to dispense with a jacket and enjoy an ice cream on the promenade at Helensburgh.

While at Helensburgh we “bumped” into Fitzy and Karen who were staying in the area at another bike rally for an inferior brand. 🙂

The ride back ( a “mates” ride) was arguably more fun than the run out as we took the backroad out of Helensburgh, then up the MoD road to Loch Lomondside and it was a bit of a blast before hitting the traffic heading towards Alexandria for the ride back to WCHD.

The road crew at Lochgoilhead I think
Sunny on the recce to Dunoon and Lochgoilhead

The Road Crew had different ideas and headed up to Dunoon to scout out the ride-out route for next week’s Chapter rally- The Gathering, if we get weather even half as good as this weekend it will be a belter!

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Photos from this ride on Flickr
Video By Raymond Brodie

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

Bishopbriggs Gala Day ’22

The Chapter rode out to Bishopbriggs to take part in their annual gala day. Video captured (most of) what happened.

Video by Raymond Brodie

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

Campbeltown Weekend ’22

Chapter briefing at WCHD before departure

The Campbelltown weekend has become a bit of a staple for CV HOG and we get a good turn out.

The Chapter assembled at WCHD and after the obligatory banter rode to Lochgilphead on Loch Fyne for lunch.

Then from there, it was down the Mull of Kintyre to Campbeltown along the coast with the sea smashing against rocks at the side of the road.

The Chapter assembled at Campbeltown harbour for a group photo, then onto the Argyle Arms Hotel which is booked out exclusively for Clyde Valley HOG. With the bikes secured round back, it was time for a few drinks then dinner and time for a wee speech from Stevie the Director. After dinner the team sauntered along to the Feathers Pub where the Chapter are made to feel very welcome. After drinks and laughs it’s off to bed and a lazy-as-you-like morning with a midday departure.

One the way back there were stops at Lochgilphead and Inverary though numbers begin to swindle as some take different routes back or extend their weekend with another overnight stay at intermediate destinations.

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Clyde Valley HOG at Campbeltown on Flickr

Ayr Chapter Rideout and meet up with US friends

Chapter bikes at the hotel

The Chapter had a rideout to Ayr on the West Coast with a wee get together on the promenade

Not the nicest day, a bit grey and on the moist side but it dried up.

Then we had a request to meet up with some HOG members from the US at a local hotel who expressed the wish that they could meet us so we headed there for a wee meet-up before going our separate ways.

Ullapool Camping Ride Out ’22

CVO117 Engine

About half a dozen of the hardier members of the chapter rode to Ullapool on Saturday for an overnight camping trip. A larger contingent of the Chapter though accompanied them on the first leg of the ride, up to the Green Welly at Tyndrum before the two groups parted company, one returning via Dalmaly and Inverary, the other continuing on to Ullapool via Fort William.

About half a dozen of the hardier members of the chapter rode to Ullapool on Saturday for an overnight camping trip. A larger contingent of the Chapter though accompanied them on the first leg of the ride, up to the Green Welly at Tyndrum before the two groups parted company, one returning via Dalmaly and Inverary, the other continuing on to Ullapool via Fort William.

The weather was showery on the ride to Tyndrum and the sun never made any sort of breakthrough but the weather was apparently much better once further north and a good time was had by all.

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Some photos from the ride to Tyndrum on Flickr

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

Easter Egg Run ’22

Ready for the Off

The 2022 Childrens Hospital Easter Egg Run this year coincided with an Easter weekend event at WCHD- a double header!

The weekend of the 16th and 17th April was a bit of a double header for the chapter. Our sponsoring dealership, West Coast Harley Davidson were running a Grand Easter Weekend event in aid of Glasgow Childrens Charity and the Chapter ran a BBQ stall and all donations went to the charity funds. But coincident with this, the Sunday was the annual easter egg run and a number of members joined the huge ride through the city passing through the grounds of Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to let the kids see the spectacle, then on for an event at Braehead shopping centre.

The sun shone ( though not the warmest of days and windy), crowds were out…did anyone notice the entire church that turned out I think around Partick somewhere?

Anyway after a stop at Braehead to take in some of the atmosphere we all gradually shipped out along the road to pick up with the easter weekend festivities at WCHD. Good Times!

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Easter Egg Run and Grand Easter Weekend at WCHD

Ride out to Dumfries House April ’22

An early season ride to Dumfries Hous…(which isn’t near Dumfries by the way), captured on video by Raymond Brodie.

video by Raymond Brodie.

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

Balmaha ’22

Bikes at Balmaha

It is still early days but the Spring really isn’t making itself felt at all, so a short and sweet ride to Balmaha and a warm up with a coffee.

After a long feeling winter, even if not an especially cold one, it seems winter refuses to let Spring get a hold and it was fairly gloomy and cool for a run out to Balmaha, almost starting the season as we ended it last year at the back end of ’21. Not a lot to report on this one though it did provide an opportunity to get some pictures of the Chapter as we turned round and headed back to WCHD which is always nice.

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The Balmaha outing on Flickr

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

Early Season Road Crew Training ’22

A small group of experienced Clyde Valley Riders went out early season with Head Road Captain Jigger for a spot of Road Crew training in readiness for the forthcoming rides far and wide.

Video by Raymond Brodie

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

Early Season Training Rideout to Largs

Clyde Valley HOG had an early season ride to Largs to give riders new and old an opportunity to blow off the cobwebs and get back to riding as a chapter.

Video by Raymond Brodie

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