Tag: Peebles

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

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….

The CVH Beatles
The Beatles. Maybe.

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
McKay was telling Donald where he thought Peebles was
but Frazer gave Yvonne other ideas how to get there.
Jojo thought Peebles was behind us
and Kenny was telling Raymond it had to be up there…
…and Janice had a banana…nothing to see here folks.

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
Forming up in the car park

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…..

But Wait……where’s Burnsy….?

Just photoshop him in I was instructed….

So I did….

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.

Sean was in the VIP
…and brilliant to see Vikki back with the caramel wafers
Frazer wanted to be in the VIP but they wouldnae have him.
Economy class for the rest of us.

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

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

John and Karen enjoying themselves

Peebles Shop Ride Out October 2022

09/10/2022
John and Karen enjoying themselves

After a very wet Friday, a small group of hardy members took to the road led by Davie Fulton accompanied by Cath, and ably assisted by Tommy for a shop ride out on Saturday.

Heading for the bonnie borders town of Peebles, the forecast was for a clear sunny day with the possibility of the odd shower if you were unlucky. In the event it turned out to be a day of constant rain with the odd burst of sunshine…blink and you might miss it.

The intrepid riders negotiated flooded roads, wet leaves, cold and rain but made it to Peebles safely for a bite to eat and drink.

The topic of conversation was appropriately enough…..Heated Grips!

Peebles Ride out October 2022
And we forgot the flags……..

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