MORE THAN 100 vintage and classic motorcycles and three-wheelers will be converging at the Braidhaugh in Crieff next weekend.
These elderly machines, maintained to the highest standards by their owners, will complete a tour of up to 100 miles taking in challenging country roads and some of the very best of Scotland's scenery.
The bikes will be based at Crieff for the whole weekend, gathering at the rugby and cricket grounds at Braidhaugh at 9am on Saturday, August 7, before renowned author and motorcycle historian, Gordon Small, will set the first machines on their way at 10am.
Crieff businessman and rally site co-ordinator Rab Paterson said: “Many years ago, Gordon was instrumental in bringing the Vintage Motorcycle Club into Scotland. He was responsible for organising one of the first meetings of like-minded enthusiasts in Dundee and, from that early start, things have grown enormously with local sections of the club now covering the whole country.
“His love of motorcycling and his extensive knowledge of the famous personalities involved in motorcycle sport soon led to his involvement with the emerging publication, the ‘Classic Motorcycling Legends’ magazine.
“We look forward to enjoying Gordon's company at the rally where he will be asked to nominate a machine to receive a special award.’’
There will be an international flavour to the event with manufacturers from various countries represented, Indian (USA), BMW (Germany), and Ducati (Italy).
There will also be some of British biking’s most iconic machines on display such as the glorious 1925 Brough Superior, a 1951 Vincent Rapide, and a 1952 BSA Gold Star, while the oldest bike will be a 1913 Triumph. There will also be a number of three-wheelers including a couple of very well cared for Morgans from the 1930s.
The route for the motorcycles this year will take them past several excellent vantage points for those who wish to see them in action. They will be passing by at intervals, and it will take around two hours for them all to pass each point on the route. Anyone wishing to take photographs or watch the bikes in action on the road is welcome, but the organisers request that parking is considerate and no obstructions are created.
Best locations will be at the start site in Crieff between 9am and 11am and again between 3pm and 4.30pm for the return of the machines to base. On the route, the bikes can be seen in the areas around Braco and Doune in the morning, then around Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie areas in the afternoon.
The local section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC) meets on the second Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the Woodside Inn, Doune, Perthshire. Anyone with an interest in older bikes is welcome to come along and join in at these informal sessions.
