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Old Men on Bikes

You know you are old when you can't get your leg over.

1 November 2023

A birthday celebration for the Old Men, and the bikes put away for the winter.

Old Men Party

1 September 2023

We have had a good summer on our new Hornets, even though the weather was not great in July, and good to have Crawford join us occasionally on the Fireblade.

Have enjoyed our runs in Argyll, Stirlingshire, and Perthshire, visiting our usual tearooms and cafes. Found some new venues including the lovely Errichel restaurant/café on the Crieff to Aberfeldy road, and the café at the west end of the Crinan Canal.

Have now completed some 3000 miles on the new bikes, and enjoyed the performance. Now fitted rear huggers and found them effective. Throttle control at slow speed is “snatchy” and riding style has to allow for this, but overall great bikes to ride.

A few more ride outs planned for the Autumn, then park up for the winter

Sma GlenErrichelCrinan CanalGlengoulandieBrands Hatch

19 March 2023

First outing on the new Hornets for Sandy and Alan, with a trip to Strathyre for a coffee.
The new bikes have similar weight and height to the previous CB500, and easy to ride.
Taking our time with new tyres and engine, and we are learning the new electronics and use of quickshifter.
First 90 miles completed and a great day out!

First trip!

 

March 2023

Another year about to start for the Old Men On Bikes, and Sandy and Alan have made it special with the purchase of two new Honda CB750 Hornets.

Many thanks to Brian at Victor Devine Motorcycles in Glasgow for getting the old men sorted out.

Just a pity the weather is still a bit wintery, but good outings are just around the corner.

New Hornet!

October 2022

It has been a great year on the bikes for our travels in Scotland, but time to put them away for the winter.

Been joined on occasions by Crawford on his Fireblade, and good to hear him join in on the Sena chat.

Looking forward to more days out in 2023.

June 2022 continued

We had a great day out on the quieter roads of Perthshire on 20 June.

Met Gerry, a fellow biker on an old BMW, and ended up in the services at Ballinluiig on the A9. Good chat and lovely coffee & bacon roll.

June 2022

Waiting for the ferry. 

April 2022

Sunshine in April, although a bit cold.
A good run round Argyll and today when we were joined by Crawford on his Fireblade. Up to Cruachan were we stopped for coffee, then on to Oban and down to Lochgilphead. Back home via Rest and Be Thankful – when will the road repairs ever end?
A great day out and 200 miles on the clock

March 2022

The third week in March and we have started the new year with a Springtime run to the café at Strathyre. Quite a few bikes out on the road.

Still on our Honda 500s, which are more than enough for our outings on rural roads. Looking forward to venturing further in the months to come.

Perhaps we might meet you on our outings!!

November 2020

2020 has been a difficult year for travelling out and about on Scottish roads during restrictions.  But Sandy and Alan continue on bikes - Old Men getting older!!  The bikes are different with a CB500X and a CB500F.

Before Covid restrictions we managed a Spring outing - Alan still on the CB1000.  Click here to see the video

We have also invested in Sena communication which are great.  Looking forward to more biking in 2021 in better circumstances.

June 2014

Once again we headed off to Spain for another holiday with Trailworld (www.trailworld.co.uk), and a week in the sun. 

We returned to Villanueva del Trabuco for another trail riding holiday with Fran and Andy. More details are in the Adventures Section of the website.

June 2013

We headed off for our holiday in Spain with Trailworld (www.trailworld.co.uk) , and had a great week in the sun.

Three days riding the trails, and a rest day by the pool. More details of our time with Fran and Andy are in the Adventures Section of the site.

January 2013

We are looking forward to another year biking in Scotland on our Hondas.

Have booked a holiday with Trailworld in Spain for our week on bikes in the sun.

2012

After a good start, the weather this year was again poor for biking, although we did mange to get out to our favourite roads and tearooms.

Failed to organise a biking adventure in the sun, but there is always next year.

2011

Another year enjoying our bikes, although we did not manage to have a biking holiday in the sun this year.

The weather at home has been poor and limited our travels on Scottish roads.

April 2010

We decided to give the off-road riding a miss this year and booked a 5 day on-road holiday with Perle and Terry at Bikespana.

More details in the Adventure section with links to a video of the holiday.

May 2009

It was back to Enduro Republic in Portugal for more off-road biking with David  and Dawn.  Yet again we had a great time.  

More details in the Adventure section with links to a video of the holiday.

April 2009

Farewell to the red VFRs!!

Sandy and Alan have traded in their six year old machines for new models.

The replacements are a CBF1000 and a CB1000R both with a more upright riding position, and a smooth power delivery from the 4 in-line engine.

On the first couple of outings both bikes have proved to be a joy to ride, and with the more comfortable riding position we were encouraged to explore the minor roads on the South side of Loch Awe and Loch Tay.

Now looking forward to the OMOB holiday to Portugal in May, to test our offroad skills with Dave at Enduro Republic.

February 2009

There has been no biking since October last year, but the “Old Men” are coming out of hibernation, and hoping for another good year on bikes.

To kick off the year to a good start, we have booked a return visit to Dawn and David at Enduro Republic in Portugal for another few days riding off-road in the marvellous countryside. We are going in May, and hope to see a different landscape with the spring flowers that are abundant in the region at that time of year.

Our preparation for the holiday includes improving our fitness with regular visits to the swimming pool at the local leisure centre. Although sometimes there is too much chatting to the ladies, and not enough swimming.

October 2008

The “Old Men” set off on another “off road” holiday in October - this time in Portugal (but unfortunately without Danny).

We had a marvellous time at Enduro Republic (www.endurorepublic.com) and must say a big thanks to David and Dawn Allway for looking after us so well.

See more details in the Adventures section of the web site.

September 2008

It has not been a great summer for biking  – too many wet days, and busy with other things.  However we have managed a few good trips round our favourite routes.

Alan had a 1 to 1 day “off road” with OTT in the Peak District (see the section in Adventures).

The “Old Men” are looking forward to another “off road” holiday in October - this time in Portugal.

June 2008

The VFRs are now 5 years old.

April and May 2008

Sandy and Alan looked in on the Honda day at Vic’s shop. It was a good opportunity to test the latest models. We have both expressed an interest in the CBF 1000, and had a test run. Both liked the slightly more upright riding position, but thought the performance was not as good as our VFRs, which are now 5 years old. We’ll stick with the VFRs for now!

We’ve had our first four runs for this year, and thoroughly enjoyed each one.On the first run we headed up to Callander, from there across to the A9, through Braco, and over the B827 to Comrie (a bumpy road! - also a good tearoom at the wildlife park on this section) But we carried on to the tearoom just outside Comrie on the way to Loch Earn (a favourite stop). After that it was through St Fillans and on to Lochearnhead, then back to Callander and home to Glasgow.  A good run, and not too long.

Read more …

December 2007

Great News – “The Great Escape” is being shown on “tele” the Sunday before Christmas!!

I went Christmas shopping…  Couldn’t find Santa’s Grotto – (but I know what I would like!)

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