- Celtic Thunder on Tour 2009
I have always loved the highlands of Scotland, maybe because I spent my honeymoon touring the Cairngorms many years ago! But there is no denying that the stark beauty of the mountainous landscape is breathtaking. So the opportunity to combine a visit to Aviemore with a Harley rally is just too good to be missed for me.
I had pre-registered for the rally in the spring but even so, by then all accommodation in the town itself had been booked out. I found a room eventually at the Hilton a few km down the road, but at a horrendous price – lesson one for next year: BOOK EARLY
The run up to the week end gave us terrible weather so it was no surprise at 6am when I awoke to torrential rain. What was a surprise was that it stopped just before I donned helmet & gloves & hit the road to Belfast. I had a great run up getting to the docks in plenty of time. Waiting on the quayside I met a couple from Belfast, Alan & Dee riding a Fatboy, and as we immediately hit it off, we decided to run up together. The Ferry crossing was great, not too bumpy so we used the opportunity to get some food into us and relax. We couldn’t decide whether to take the scenic route up past Loch Lomond to Fort William or hit the motorway via Sterling. In the end we decided to let the weather make the decision for us, we would see how we fared up to Glasgow.
Ready for the off
Incredibly we left the ferry to blazing sunshine, and had an excellent run up the coast road to “Glasgae” so the decision was an easy one. Barely over the Erskine Bridge, whilst braking for a roundabout, I suddenly lost all gears. A bolt had sheared on the footpeg holder, the whole assembly spinning uselessly on the remaining bolt. As we tried to fix it a Triumph rider stopped, and being local, offered to take us to a mechanic who could repair it. We limped the bike to the workshop, that had actually closed for the evening but the owner had returned on hearing our plight. Less than an hour later, having tapped the old bolt out and replaced it, he had us back on the road again. This wonderful brotherhood of bikers never fails to amaze and humble me. Where else can you find someone who having gone home on a Friday looking forward to a quiet night had turned around and help a stranger? And he certainly wont get rich on the money he charged me!
The boys are back in town
The upshot was that we could make the most of the incredible scenery along the A82 alongside the Loch & up through the Glencoe National Park past Ben Nevis. If you have never been through the Highlands I can’t recommend it highly enough, you have to see it. However by the time we picked up the A86 at Fort William for the last leg to Aviemore the sun had set and the inevitable rain had started down. The roads were treacherous: pitch black, no markings and devilishly bad surfaces made for a cautious ride. We arrived gone 10pm & having been on the road since 6am we carefully considered we needed to warm up, dry out, check in, get food, & Alan needed to set up his tent. So we headed straight for the bar – like you do!
Apparently riding Harleys isn't exhilarating enough for some people!
Saturday dawned dry but cool and I got my act together to register & get sorted for the ride out. I was told that over 1700 people had pre-registered plus another 1000 turned up on Friday and signed up. Estimates put the non-registered attendees at another 1000. That is incredible for late summer event that is so far north in the middle of a recession. The ride out followed the same route as last year over about 40 miles & took just over the hour & 1000+ bikes lined up for the off. It was no surprise that I couldn’t locate the rest of the Celtic Thunder guys, despite them having massive tricolours on several bikes.
1000+ bikes make their way around the lake
I am told that it took over 26 minutes for the parade to clear the complex, even so many more bikes joined along the route around the villages to Loch in Dorb, then back to Grantown on Spey, where the locals treated us to a royal welcome.
Caledonia - fantastic entertainment as ever
The drum & bagpipe group Caledonia were much in evidence, and once again captured the imagination of all & sundry with their hypnotic music. Saturday evening entertainment had a full-on Scottish Theme offering a range of top quality musicians in the main hall. However, all the hotels had live music of some sort, from country & western to blues, so no-one needed to feel left out. I made my way along the high street and took in the great atmosphere of the pubs. One of the pleasures of any rally for me is to meet up & make new friends from all over the country and TiTG didn’t disappoint. I had a great laugh with locals & met a lovely group from 1066 chapter based in Hastings. We made our way back to the main arena in time to catch the firework display and a few last beers before bed.
I made some new friends from HOG 1066 Chapter
Probably the best chapter patch Ive seen
Sunday once again dawned dry and clear if a little cool. Another ride out, although somewhat smaller that Saturdays, set off around noon for a charity BBQ. A custom bike show and American car cruise kept those lazy beggars amongst us (& those with hangovers) amused on site. The release of the 2010 Harley range drew a crowd, and as previously the demo rides were very popular. Walking through the town various pubs had on live bands and a bungy jump catapult was doing a roaring trade. Sunday evening I decided to forego the “Route 66″ show which was standing room only and hugely popular. I spent the evening with the locals in a really nice pub, enjoying the atmosphere and the great food.
What makes you think we'd been drinking?
As I said one of the main attractions of rally’s for me is to meet new people. Some of the Scots lads were saying they intended to get over to Killarney again next year, some even said that after Aviemore they felt Bikefest was their most popular rally,
Monday I packed up the bike and geared up for the long ride back, No scenic routes this time, the weather forecast was for seriously bad weather.
The standard of the custom bik,e show was very high
I set off down the A9 under heavy dark skies, but amazingly again the rain held off. All the way through Sterling & Glasgow I kept dry, though motorway signs warned of heavy flooding in places, I saw none of it. About an hour out of Stranraer my luck run out and the rain came down.
Another lovely custom bike
It was enough to soak me but the 3 hour ferry crossing gave me time to dry. On docking in Belfast the captain advised that after a day of heavy rain the worst of the weather had cleared leaving flooded roads but not much else. I couldn’t believe it. The last 100 odd miles to Carlow were done under a beautiful setting sun, summing up a marvellous week end.
I arrived home tired but happy. Four days away in some of the most beautiful landscape the British Isles has to offer, with a fatnastic bunch of people, and barely a drop of rain to worry us!
See you all next year!
OK how do these things work again?
I saw this sticker in a restaurant on a snow board, & think its hilarious!
