Crieff Cloverleaf Weekend Trip 3rd -5th May
First long weekend trip organised and led by Tony (myself), I had the pleasure of the company of Timothy Cloud with his adorable son Thor, Jim Scott, Mark Anyon, Paul Anyon, Ian McLardie and our guest David Moynihan.
First leg up to Crieff where were based for the two days travelling up the west route of the CCLS, was rather wet to say the least. Just before Glasgow on the A702 an instinctive stop was made to don our waterproofs and by heck was that a good call. As for the next hour of riding, precipitation was putting it mildly, the sat nav was rerouting us onto some awful roads. Whilst Tim and Thor headed up on the motorway, the rest of us skirted around Glasgow, Stirling, Dumblane and then a fantastic stretch of road on the A822 into Crieff. To finish the day off a good soak in the hot tub at the chalet, with plenty of stories and laughter.
Second leg, the main ride of CCLN started with a glorious roads through the valleys on the A822 heading through Newton then onto the A827 with stunning scenery of Scotland. Our first stop for a hearty breakfast at Ballinluig Motorgrill before we jumped on the A9 for a quick blast, then onto the A924 through Straloch with views that are truly beautiful even with the skies full of clouds. A shortcut along the B950 to join the A93 to head up into the Cairn Gorm Mountains where a timely brew stop at the Tea@The Shee was welcomed by all. Rather misty at the top, so a slow decent down the A93 which the mist cleared up by the time we reached the A929, another fantastic road where we stretched our legs a bit and gave the bikes some air time. A quick fuel stop in Granton-on-Spey before we headed to our lunch stop in Aviemore at The Winking Owl. This had to be our highlight of the day and top prize for our member Mark Anyon for giving us a story to laugh about for years to come. For Mark who usually has so many quips and smart arse remarks, we have never seen him so coy and shy when seven young lasses coming into the car park shouting for Mark and accosted him. His grimace and total confusion along with a genuine fear of a man with a hundred questions. Alas! not one said “Hi Dad” but twas a hen party on a mission to look for any Mark to put on instagram which somehow ended up with Jim taking Marks place. With all the laughter filling our bellies no food was consumed there with just drinks to quench the thirst and fears.
A brief visit to Kinrara Distillery before we took a scenic route along The Tummel Loch into Pitlochry for where another delicious copious amount of food was consumed before heading back to our abodes. The hot tub was again filled with our tired bodies from the 260 miles of smiles ride.
Third leg homeward bound route was modified from the east route CCLS. A few less riders as their own decision to travel down by the motorway. The four of us Mark, Jim, Dave and myself made our way to the Eastgate for Maccies breakfast before visiting the Kelpies for a photo. We traversed along the superb A702 with breathtaking views, dry roads with a few bends just enough to keep it interesting and stopped in Peebles for fuel. Then onto the A7 which was a fast stretch of road with plenty of opportunities to give the bikes some airtime. A lovely lunch stop at Whitshiel Cafe just in time before the kitchen closed at 2pm. Final stop at the Exellby truck stop before Mark, Jim and Dave made their own way down through Shap to get home whilst I hurried along the M6 to find my home.
What a great weekend up in Crieff! Although the sun only made some brief appearances, the roads, the views and the company more than made up for it. I would like to thank each everyone of you for being such good company and truly making this one to remember.
A special thanks goes to our guests ‘Dave’ for being such a good sport, taking all them jibs about his ahem ‘Honda’ and young Thor for being a real trooper as a pillion with his dad Tim.
Once again the MCO Riders making beautiful memories.
Until the next time
Road Officer Tony Out.
