Thursday...only dry day in the forecast, 3 of us set off from the North end of the island on a cold / dry morning.
Lots of wet roads and water running off the hills, so not exactly a dry run.
First a petrol stop for me.
Tony on the Bandit 600 wanted to do some "glamour shots" of his bike, so we headed for the top of the "Rest and be thankful".
The road is still under repair / modification after the landslides a few months ago and they are using a convoy system utilising the "Old military road" that snakes down from the top of the pass and into the glen below. So to avoid the queues before the junction at the top, we went along the single track road to Lochgoilhead and before we got there, diverted onto the other singe track back up onto the hill and up to the top of the "Rest".
I do not like either of those roads, single track, very tight, very twisty, covered in gravel, water and occasional sheen of diesel.
At the point where we turned about 160 degrees to the left, there was gravel and muck and I ended up with my front wheel off the edge of the tarmac and sunk in mud & water (did I mention that I do not like these roads
). I was stopped, left foot in mud, water , grass etc, right foot on the tarmac / gravel, holding the bike upright. The cavalry arrived (they were just behind me) and after sarcastically mentioning that I was "just drawn to the mud" they pulled the bike backwards and back onto the tarmac.
On we went, up the hill, meeting some cars and vans going the other way, usually on a sharp blind very steep uphill corner (did I mention.......
).
Anyway...we got to the top and the lay-by where the glamour shots were to be shot.
The view really is beautiful.
Onwards.... discussed joining the convoy and heading down the pass and riding to the Green Welly via Tarbet.
Hot coffee at Inverary won out and we headed away from the "Rest" and down the hill and along he A83.
The roads were pretty quiet and it was an enjoyable ride.
Coffee at Inverary, followed by more "photoshoots", using a drone, of the Bandit and the Pan coming over the humpback bridge as you come into Inverary.
Had to do it a 2nd time as the Bandit accelerated away from the bridge too quickly for the Drone to follow.......cue sarcastic comments from "Mr Spielberg" (Kawasaki rider Martin, who was flying the drone).
Onwards to Lochgilphead (just because its a nice road and theres a big petrol station / supermarket there).
It was starting to get colder, and Tony could not be late back, so we headed back home via a quick coffee at Inverary.
A nice spirited run to the Ferry at Colintraive.
It was really starting to get cold, and on the run home from the ferry I was starting to shiver, first time all day I felt cold.
Glad to get home and a hot bowl of home made chicken soup
A shorter run than usual, but we enjoyed it.
Hopefully get a few more in.
Ride safe folks
Don
