Mad Fool's Day Out:
Well, I made it to the Glen Cafe.
It was bright and a bit chilly when I left home so I opted for heated gloves, three layers of thermals and my heaviest winter jacket . . .
I cut across to Uphall, Bathgate and on to Forth - where I met hoar frost and freezing fog.
I crossed the Hyndford bridge and then had to stop on the A73 near Covington as I couldn't see a thing. My visor was frozen solid and I was having to scrape the ice off my glasses as I rode
The sun poked through briefly as I stopped in a Lay-bye:
I continued on towards Abington Services. The sun came out again so I stopped to clear my glasses and visor (again):
Picturesque, isn't it
From Abington I took the B7076 to Greenhill Stairs (B719) - There was a lot of frost and Ice on the road.
Then I went North on the A701 to Tweedsdale and over the 'C' road past Talla and Megget Reservoirs.
The road past Talla wasn't too bad - apart from the occasional frozen run-off (behave yourselves
).
However, the climb after passing Megget was iced up and slippery - I was getting wheelspin on the climb
I had to stop for a frozen run-off of my own
I made it safely to the Glen Cafe where I met Cunning Fox and AndyCam. Before we could go inside we were approached by a lady who had backed her car into a ditch and was stuck . . Tossers in shining armour to the rescue.
We were unable to push the car out (that's sheet ice on the road !), so enlisted another couple with a car and a tow rope - job done
Back at the Cafe I was approached by a Gentleman in a BMW jacket driving a new-style VW Beetle. He had been waiting at Tibbie Shiels since 12:30 but hadn't seen any BMW Club members
. I explained that it looks as though the Glen Cafe is the new venue and that I was the sole representative
By now it was about 14:30 !
Inside the Cafe I met Tracey (Cunning Fox's better half), 'The Stimulator' and another Gentleman whose name I didn't catch (very nice 1100 GS though
).
My camera lens steamed up in the Cafe and this is the best of a bad bunch of pics.
As the sun was going down fast (along with the temperature) we didn't stay long. Nice views outside with GS' in the foreground (no other type of bike seen all day
).
Time to leave and the bikes were warmed up.
Cunning Fox was heading East to Peebles . . . .
Closely followed by Tracey.
The remaining three went West to Moffat (I followed them a few minutes later). The GS Club were staying at The Buccleuch Arms Hotel, so they didn't have far to go.
Moffat was mobbed - there seemed to be a Fair on, with rides and so on. Something to do with it being St. Andrew's Day I suspect
I retraced my path to Kirkliston, heading for Carnwath and the 'Lang Wang'. It was dark by the time I got home and I can't remember when I was last as cold as that
.
I was shaking all over so dumped the unwashed bike in the garage and went straight into a hot bath, then sat in front of the log fire and watched Top Gear
.
I'll wash the bike tomorrow.
Hopefully it won't be so cold next Saturday - but next time I'll have my heated vest on
.
Good to meet up with you guys (and girl), hope you all got home safely.
Bob.
is what we need someone wae balls but mair so a business accumen 
tae tak ower the big chair an run it fir us 
.
.
time I wis hangin' up my spurs a' think. 
