705 miles and two very dirty bikes later, we arrived back home at 5.30 pm today after a brilliant long weekend in Scotland.
Saturday was just perfect with excellent weather. We certainly made the most of it knowing what the forecast was like for Sunday. After riding 160 miles from near Aberdeen, Rawni arrived at the Dalkell Guest House early Saturday evening and then all three of us went to Paddy's Bar in Tyndrum for a meal and a few drinks. My wallet took a bit of a battering but I've recovered now.
We owe a huge thank you to Peter, Chris and Norrie for turning out on a very wet Sunday morning
.. It was so miserable we didn't think anyone would arrive. There were 4 Buells and 2 Moto Guzzi's in our group - amazing given the conditions.
After squeezing out wet gloves we set off for Oban on the A85 hoping it would be better on the west coast. Even though it was soaking wet it was a good ride. Luckily the local forecast was spot on and Oban was bright and sunny. From then on the rest of the day was just about dry with only a few light showers. From Oban we headed south on the A816. This twisty traffic free road follows the coastline and has great views of the Firth of Lorn and mountains. We stopped for lunch in the picturesque village of Kilmelford - warm sunshine and good company, the day was turning out far better than I'd expected. After lunch we continued down the A816 and then turned left onto the B840 - a 24 mile single track road with passing places which runs up the eastern side of Loch Awe, back up to A819/A85. The scenery was stunning but I have to admit that it was a bit 'challenging'
in places with sections of gravel and grass in the middle of the road.
We arrived back at Tyndrum at 4.00 pm. Despite the soggy start everyone seemed to have enjoyed the day. I don't know whether it's luck or what but almost all of our ideas seem to turn out right in the end.
It was too late for us to travel back home so last night we headed for Killin and found a great biker friendly guest house.
Roz woz ere
...the scene of the Triumphs demise
on the Buell Challenge in May...
A68 - traffic free early on Saturday morning....
About to enter Gods Country...
Killin and the Falls of Dochart...
Jane and Rawni - on a very wet Sunday morning...
Oban - left to right, Peter (Stumpy) Rawni, Norrie, Jane and Chris (Skip)
Rawni's Shawn was looking decidedly soggy...
Oban...
Sunday lunch stop on the A816...
The Green Welly Stop...
_________________
Chris & Jane Jessop
Founders of UKBEG April 1998
www.ukbuellgroup.co.uk