A night out with a difference, I have been riding motorcycles since 1965 and that was the last time I had a run out with more than one person. However, last night I joined ten other members of IPA No 1 Region (Scotland) for a ride out. Met Tom McInally at Newbridge and we headed up to Aberfoyle where we met two others from the west, (big surprise for my friend Fraser who did not know I was going to be there) and then up and over the Duke's Pass between Aberfoyle and Callander to meet the remainder of the group at The Lade Inn, Kilmacolm. We should have all met at Aberfoyle, however the others had misread a road closure sign.
Took ourselves into the pub for a bite and cuppa, (very nice tea) before deciding to head back over the Duke's Pass again, quite impressive seeing ten touring bikes winding through this complex of hairpin bends, along the side of Loch Vennacher and Loch Askay, back to Aberfoyle where we pulled into the Rob Roy Hotel for a Kodak moment before splitting and heading for home. There were three bus loads staying at the Hotel and many sitting out in the warm evening air - must have wondered what was happening. Not a Hells Angel's Chapter, worse, just the IPA group.
Heading for home, where Tom ground to a halt, faulty fuel gauge said he had half a tank, wrong - zero - so, I popped into a nearby pub, The Unicorn and ?? where I was able to get a length of hose from their cellar, Tom had the pleasure of "sooking petrol" from my tank and we were soon heading for Stirling where we both filled up - as said, he rode 27000 miles round the World without running out, and this happened - sods law.
Eventually arrived home at 1115 p.m., shaken, and also stirred.
Maybe it is an age thing, or a bike thing, but we eleven (one pillion) had a great run out, caused no fuss, generally stuck to the rules of the road, however, that cannot be said for a number of other blokes we saw on sports bikes - a few real nutters - it is no wonder the area is a hot spot for the Police who are just trying to prevent accidents. BUT - earlier in the day it was the pedal cyclists in the City who were worse than anyone on the road, - might as well tear up the Rule Book, Highway Code, or write it in Gibberish - name of the game being "Anything goes, please yourselves - and ignore everyone else on the roads and pavements".
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