join the Early Riders for a get together - Saturday 24th April at the Lochcarron Hotel, then a ride "over the hill" to Applecross on Sunday morning - the 25th.
All proceeds go to the Childrens' Hospice Association Scotland and it's two wonderful hospices - the Robin House at Balloch and the Rachel House at Kinross.
This is the Fourth Year of the Applecross "Lunch" for The Children's Hospice Association Scotland.
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.
Hot sunshine, clear blue skies, devoid of wind and the famous Bealach Na Ba from Kishorn was clear and the views - forever.
Each year, the event has grown from 10 bikes in '07 to 160+ in '09 and hopefully 2010 will double the numbers but if 300+ bikes appear, we may overtax the local hostelries.
At present, as with previous years, I have tried to stress the safety of the event and the riders involved and this year is no different. It is NOT a mass "rideout" with great formations of bikes riding in staggered convoys. 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 but the Bealach road from Kishorn is not for the faint-hearted.
Once on the road, we need distance between the bikes, caution, control and calm riders. '09 saw inclement weather, with high winds and driving rain making the summit a very inhospitable place!
At any given time, the Bealach is narrow, with no run-outs and the only passing spaces are 50-100yards apart. Keep an eye on your mirrors and if carrying a pillion, remember the hairpins can be a wee bit crumbly! Note Left< 
Where To Stay.........
Lots of options on this - unlike this tiny camper - only a foot longer than the Harley.......
in Lochcarron
- The Lochcarron Hotel
- as of 9/2/10 there are three twins left and one single ........ tel 01520 722 226
- Strathcarron Hotel
- tel 01520 722 227
- Rockvilla Hotel
- tel 01520 722 379
- Castle Cottage B & B
- tel 01520 722 564
- The Manse B & B
- tel 01520 722 208 Fiona & Trevor Jarvis
tel 01445 720 252 This might be a great option if a large group wants to stick together.
Achnasheen / Kinlochewe Hotel - 01445 760 253
And from South to North a cross section of other hostelries:-
The Cluanie Inn Hotel - 01320 340 228
The Plockton Hotel - 01599 544 222
Tigh an Eilean, Shieldaig - 01520 755 251
Applecross Hotel - 01520 744 262
Campsites - Applecross or The Wee Campsite in Lochcarron.
********* Having come this far..... look at your destination and the ultimate in venues for a Charity lunch.....and the start to the Summer......
www.applecross.uk.com
This is how it can be and we'll hope for the same this year.
THE CHARITY.....
As some of you may know, the Childrens' Hospice Association Scotland has two amazing hospices. One in Balloch - The Robin House and in Kinross - The Rachel House and in both places they provide respite care for the children and our donations - our charity, cannot go to a more deserving cause.
At either house, children of all ages with "life limiting illnesses" are cared for in a loving and unrelenting way - reminiscent of their own homes.
Also, as I have just discovered, a new and wonderful part of their "services" - CHAS At Home.
Where nurses and aides will travel to the furthest reaches of Scotland - to those children who cannot get to The Rachel or Robin Houses and provide the care they need.
This is how it can be and we'll hope for the same this year.THE CHARITY.....
As some of you may know, the Childrens' Hospice Association Scotland has two amazing hospices. One in Balloch - The Robin House and in Kinross - The Rachel House and in both places they provide respite care for the children and our donations - our charity, cannot go to a more deserving cause.
At either house, children of all ages with "life limiting illnesses" are cared for in a loving and unrelenting way - reminiscent of their own homes.
Also, as I have just discovered, a new and wonderful part of their "services" - CHAS At Home.
Where nurses and aides will travel to the furthest reaches of Scotland - to those children who cannot get to The Rachel or Robin Houses and provide the care they need.
As with previous years, we will collect donations at Applecross.......in front of the hotel from 12noon onwards.
Cash, cheques, Euros or if you feel remarkably generous, you may contribute directly at the JustGiving site - for CHAS.
Last year, we raised a little over 1250.00 GBpounds...... but hopefully this year we can exceed that and do so by a sizeable margin.
By the way, the photo above shows the view from The "Torridon" Hotel - just in case any of you feel the need for privacy and a few extra stars.....
Rendezvous points.......!!!
As noted before, a group of us will depart from Crieff around 1.30pm. Anyone wishing to join this bunch, just turn up at The Stenhouse Gallery & Cafe, East High Street, Crieff but if you want caffeine before departure, please allow enough time to drink it!!!
Thereafter, we'll be at The Green Welly in Tyndrum about 40 mins later. I think that the Green Welly is known by most bikers in Scotland - so we'll make that the big rendezvous point - between 1400 and 1430 (2-2.30)
Then, the Shell Petrol Station - or, the last one on the left as you leave Fort William. If you go to the wrong one - you will see us or we'll see you. Circa 4.00pm
(( NB......White BMW GS - with 160K miles in four years.......come with us this year))
North of Fort William...... TWO options........
First......To continue North on the A82 to Invergarry then take the NW route on the A87, via Cluanie, Dornie (Eilean Donan Castle) and the A890 to Lochcarron.
OR
Taking the A830 via Arisaig to Mallaig - ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, then north to the Skye Bridge at Kyleakin and via Plockton - to Lochcarron.
Certain members of the regular group may opt for No. 2 but between now and April, each rider will be able to look at the distances and maybe it will be a 50/50 split. Although it may depend on the weather......
Regarding Sunday morning and the ride up to Applecross, it's good to leave around 30-45 mins, so departing Lochcarron around 10.30.....ok?
Please post comments/critiques or other rider ideas.
Many Thanks
Colin
colin@stenhousecafe.com
This bike is not one that will ever be seen in Scotland but for those that might be interested - it's owner and builder - Mike Goldberg, fabricated each and every piece of wood in his marine workshop. As a master of his art, Mike refurbishes private yachts in Florida and decided that a Harley could be clothed in various woods, some of which are quite rare and yes, he does ride it!
