Crieff to Applecross Bike Run

Jun 3 2011 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

Crieff to Applecross Bike Run

MOTORBIKE enthusiasts are being invited on a scenic tour through the Highlands to help raise funds for CHAS.

And, organisers Stephen Moore and Jim McGregor from Crieff are hoping that this year’s charity ride to Applecross on Saturday, June 18, will be the best yet.

Bikers will be getting off to a good start thanks to Stuart McLaren of Crieff Visitor Centre. The Muthill Road venue has been chosen as the new start point and riders wil be treated to a complimentary cup of coffee and bacon roll before they depart.

Year on year, the event has grown, from 10 bikes in 2007 to over 160 in 2009 and although numbers were down slightly last year the duo are determined to make up for it this year. Most participants make a weekend of it, and live music from the Coast Road Truckers has been laid on at the Applecross Inn on the Saturday evening followed by a barbeque from noon on the Sunday.

Stephen explained: “This is the fifth year of the Applecross ‘lunch’ for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. The original founder of this event , Colin Stenhouse, has moved away from these shores to a new life across the Atlantic and in doing so passed on the organising baton to ourselves.

“In 2007, when the idea was conceived, it was quite simply, a few friends meeting in Applecross for lunch and the day was truly superb.

“It is entirely up to the individual which route they choose to take to the Applecross/Lochcarron area. It is not the intention for this to turn into a big procession of bikes or a mass rideout.

“As with previous years, it is important to stress the safety of the event and the riders involved, and this year is no different.

“One of the reasons that we have stuck with Applecross as a venue, as the rendezvous point, is the location and the distance involved from anywhere. It does not matter which approach you take to Applecross as each one provides you with some of the best views and biking roads to be had.”

Anyone wishing to join in the fundraising run, which raised over £1200 last year and £3000 to date, should simply turn up at Crieff Visitor Centre at 9am on June 18, and after being fuelled up with the bacon butties the rideout will begin from 10am onwards. Bikers can also pick up the convoy at The Green Welly in Tyndrum or simply make their own way to Applecross for the meet up.

Donations for CHAS will be taken at Applecross but there is also a Just Giving site (www.justgiving.com/bikeapplecross).

Full details of the event can be found at http://bikeapplecross.blogspot.com