http://web.mac.com/skyeweb/iWeb/panasonic/TT2007.html
On a sunny Friday morning I fired up my motorbike and headed up the A80 for my first RV of the weekend. Greeted at Shell petrol station in Cumbernauld by a good selection of Elises. Left in convoy up to Knockhill. As we headed over Kincardine bridge the weather looked a bit dodgy. Heading up to Knockhill from Powmill we were greated with ever thickening mist. By the time we reached Knockhill the visiabilty was only about 50 yards. The start was delayed by about an hour but lots of praying seemed to clear the mist enough to allow the session to begin.
I was hoping to get out with Scotty in his 340R but it hadn’t even appeared yet. Pit lane was busy and a good atmosphere as folk enjoyed their cars and sharing stories. Caught Tut’s daughter Claire taking N3 TUT out for a few laps under the watchful eye of Dad of course.
I had mounted my Archo bullet camera on top of my crash helemt which did look a bit odd however it worked out well for my pax laps in both Paul’s 340R and Kevin’s Caterham. I did manage one lap in Scotty’s 340R but that was cut short with some car problems.
http://stage6.divx.com/user/skyenet/vid ... 7-Caterham
http://stage6.divx.com/user/skyenet/vid ... T2007-340R
My plan was to try and get some photos of the group as they went through Glencoe but after a good run North with many of the Elises I decided that as it was getting wet and time was getting on that I would try and get some shots of the cars as they came past one of the viewpoints West of Bridge of Orchy. Pity my camera equipment decided to play up and only got a few photos of the cars as they passed (May have video somewhere, not had time to check it out).
After the last cars had passed I headed back home to pack the bike ready for our tourist trip to Tut Towers on the Saturday.
Skye had suggested that instead of going to TT2007 in our rather slow Corsa that we take the bike. I was taken aback as up until then the furtherest she had gone on a bike was into Glasgow. Well I thought I would give it a bash and see how she managed. We set off about 8:30am and arrived at our RV at Paul Gibson’s house. We were first there and Paul welcomed us and served refreshments.
We were joined by IainB in his S1, Campbell in his S1, ScottF in his S2 Exige and Jonathon and Elaine in a MR2 (I think thats what it was). Paul kindly took a couple of photos of us about to head off.
Jontahon’s MR2 had a bit of a flat tyre and despite Jonathon’s efforts he could not get it up so off they went to the local tyrefitters who had them up and running in no time at all. As we left Crieff we were joined by Mark in his Scooby. We had a great run up over some fantastic road and through very scenic countryside (so Skye told me) at a great rate of tuts. I was in the middle of the group and apparently a good focal point for the group. By lunchtime Skye was well into the swing of long distance, high speed pillion and had even managed to get some sleep on the back of the bike.
Our lunch stop was at Spittal of Glenshee. Very Enjoyable food and company and a relaxing break chatting and eating our lunch outside in the sunshine.
Frome there we headed North to the Lecht to join Tut’s route to Old Dear. Heading up to the Lecht brought a new challenge. There was an abundance of gravel on the roads and the majority seemed to be in motobik’s lines through corners. I was finding it tough going keeping the throttle and brake operation smooth and keeping a sfae line through the dodgy corners. Jonathon commented that he was able to judge his gearing for approching corners by how much I was leaning going through the corners. I managed to always keep the leading cars in view, albiet just in view at times. and Scott’s Orange Exige was easy to spot. Was quite tired by the time we stopped at a Distilery to meet up with other groups including a not too well looking Scotty and Stu. Quick picture shoot for Skye before setting off.
Despite leaving with a load of other cars I ended up back with Iain, Campbell and Scooty and the four of us stayed together till we reached Tut Towers. After managing to successfully negotiate the gravel drive I parked up the bike and was welcomed by a glass of champagne.
Was great to be reunited with old friends and meet new ones and Skye was made welcome as well. Plenty of banter and a great feed made it an enjoayble evening. Skye was getting tired and despite me picking probably one of the most comfortable places to sleep it turned out the noisiest. Even getting up and putting in my ear plugs didn’t help and it was well after 3am before I got any sleep. I should have had a wee drink of Drambui as that would have knocked me out quite nicely. Only noticed it the next morning at breakfast.
Thor was not looking so good and Skye said what will probably be her last goodbye to him before we set off fro Baremar.
Good run down and despite being around the last to leave we ended up among the early arrivals at the Invercauld Arms hotel. After an enjoyable meal and good banter we hit the roads again. We left Braemar by oursleves but a few miles South we caught up with half a dozen Loti with with Moggy leading. Had a good run down with them to Blairgowrie where we ended up using the size advantage of the bike to jump the long roadworks queue and start the last leg of our journey home.
We arrived back home late afternoon after doing 500 miles in the 2 days (nearly 750 miles over 3 days) and I was so proud of Skye for being a great pillion. She really was excellent on the back and didn’t say “How far now?â€
