MZ Riders Club

South of Scotland Section

Page updated : 28/04/2007

Site designed by Mike

Applecross 2002

 Ten Years After

(by Mike Paterson (event organiser))

Right, what can I say about  the Applecross weekend? Well, if you missed it you missed a rare treat. This was the section’s 10^th Anniversary Rally, and it was blessed by the weather gods, with tropical sunshine (everything’s relative) and temperatures in the 80s for the whole weekend. Everything just seemed to come together. About forty club members made the trip, and we were sharing the campsite with about a dozen souls from a sidecar club. Plenty of machines to look at and plenty of folk to talk to.

However, as with everything, there was a downside to all that glorious weather. We’re not used to all that sunshine, you know, and Sunday evening in the pub looked like a convention of the ‘Grand Order of Tomato-Heads’ (rather than the usual gathering of over-excited piss-heads?).

The most popular pastime over the weekend was a 60 mile trip around the coast road and then back over the Bealach-na-Ba, and very pleasant with the weather being so fine. But mostly, folk just lazed around soaking up the sun, drinking and helping themselves to the excellent food served up in the pub.

Rally awards were arbitrarily dispensed to the following : Bill McDonald (ETZ 250), Brian Thurlow (Skorpion Traveller), Alan from Preston (ETZ 251) and Claudia Miller (sidecar passenger). A special mention in despatches must also go to Gary McIlkenny for turning up on an ETZ 125, a 500 mile round-trip is a bloody long way on a bike that small, and Alastair Gow who somehow managed to break his leg on the way there, yet still managed to make it to the pub. What some folk will do for a pint. Both achievements were well in keeping with the best traditions of the MZRC.

The raffle went well, with a load of quite good prizes for a change. Zed-Cred moment of the weekend was trying to find a suitable receptacle for all the raffle tickets before the draw, whereupon Gary wheeled over his bike and proceeded to empty the top-box. In went the raffle tickets and the draw duly commenced. The pub was extremely crowded on the Saturday night. Not a great problem, really, with most folk choosing to sit outside in the mild evening, watching the sun slowly descend over the isles of Raasay and Skye. Very peaceful, and extremely picturesque. When the weather is good in this part of the world it really is beautiful.

All told a very successful weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made the effort to turn up, bearing in mind that there were other events on the same weekend, as well as the folk at the campsite and the hostelry for putting up with us again. Here's looking forwards to another ten years!

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What a Good Idea

(by Keith Steyert)

You know how it is, the middle of winter - cold, wet and dark, and all you can think of is summer and how this year it is going to be hot and dry (what an optimist). The cold, wet weather does give me an excuse to sit down, pour a pint of home brew and read the excellent club magazine. Applecross sounds such a magical place, remote, tranquil, magnificent scenery and the challenge of tackling the Bealach na Ba (the ‘Pass of the Cattle’ in Gaelic) on an MZ. But where to stay? Carole and I are not campers; our preference is very definitely for the comforts of a small hotel with all mod cons. As ever the tourist board was of little help, but the Applecross Inn has a very good web site and after one look at the photographs of the area we could not resist the urge to book a room for two nights. The deed was done; there was no backing out now.

 Which Bike?

I am fortunate* to own two MZs, a 1991 ETZ 251 owned from new and a 1980 Super 5 bought last year as a birthday present (* replace with stupid, mad or barking as appropriate). The 251 is my everyday bike with the TS saved for weekends. The TS is very original in that it still has a SLS front brake and 6 volt electrics. The brakes may not be up to the demands of the pass, which has a formidable reputation. Also bouts of the engine stalling when the lights are on would be no joke on a 400-mile round trip. I decided to invest in an MZ-B electronic voltage regulator and new brake cable in the hope that these will ease the problems. On our run out to the Scottish Branch meeting at Powmill in April the TS was running well. Although the day was cold and wet we found ourselves sharing the venue with a classic bike club and the sight and sound of so many bikes simply served to fuel our enthusiasm. The Applecross rally was still two weeks away, plenty of time for the weather to improve, it is spring for-goodness-sake. On the return journey the TS had another stalling bout, the omens did not look so good.

The Sunday before Applecross was the Scottish IFA rally at Livingston and we had arranged to go. However, the day started dreadfully - rain and gales, plus a serious amount of surface water. But, being made of stern stuff, we went by bike anyway; it was only a 100-mile round trip after all. Next weekend we would be travelling four times that distance. We arrived at our destination cold and wet but our spirits were raised by the warm welcome from the others who had arrived first. The journey home was not much better, it was dryer but very cold and our riding gear was still damp. By the time we reached home we were frozen and the fingers of my right hand took several hours to thaw out. And yes, the TS was still stalling when the headlight was switched on. As I looked out of our lounge window there was no doubting why it is so cold, there was snow on the Campsie Fells down to a very low level. The Bealach-na-Ba is higher than the Campsie Fells, and with only five days to go I was having serious reservations about taking either bike, maybe it would be wiser to take the car.

 Preparation

Travelling to Applecross by car had to be the very last resort, we still hoped to use a bike but decide it must be the 251 as it has better brakes and has never let us down over the past eleven years. Neither bike has a carrier or rigid panniers. We had intended to buy some new throw-over panniers, but none of the local dealers had their new stock in, so the old panniers were resurrected. As if the weather wasn’t enough to put us off the whole idea, there was a hole in a seam in the panniers. These things are sent to try us. An evening spent with a needle and thread, plus some waterproof tape, and the panniers were as good as new, even if they didn’t look that way. The weather throughout the week remained miserable, with strong winds a real problem on exposed roads, but the forecast was for a good weekend and we decided to risk taking the MZ. On the Thursday evening the 251 was filled with petrol and oil, given a service and generally made ready for the journey. I had to work on Friday morning so opted to use the TS for commuting and guess what, it was running faultlessly (well almost) and has continued to do so.  Friday morning was busy but I managed to finish early, dash home, grab a quick bite to eat and we were ready to set off.

 The Journey

After our biking experiences over the past fortnight we are taking no chances and both put on plenty of layers plus full waterproofs. Unsure how long the journey would take we set off at a cracking pace and quickly found ourselves dodging in and out of the stream of traffic heading north past Loch Lomond.  There were a lot of bikers on powerful modern machines doing the same thing and I tried not to hold them up.  Most appeared to appreciate my not getting in their way, but I was to regret letting one rider past. Not only did he fail to take several chances to overtake, thus holding me up, but suddenly decided to overtake a car and lorry at a blind bend on one of the narrowest sections of road. Oncoming traffic only just managed to stop amidst a squeal of tyres and clouds of burnt rubber smoke. Just how a multiple accident was avoided I do not know. A short while later the lorry driver stopped and waved me past. I just hope he didn’t think I was with that clown! You will be pleased to know I didn’t recognise the bike at Applecross, so I don’t think he was one of us. Not the best of starts to our journey.

As the journey progressed, the going improved. The day was mild and mainly dry and the traffic started to thin out. We could now settle into a brisk pace (by my standard) and aim for our first planned stop at Invergarry. It was at this stage that we started to recognise other club members as they came past with a friendly wave. We re-passed some of them at road works, only to be overtaken again on the open road.  The scenery was improving all the while, so we now began to feel more like we were on a rally weekend. Even the mandatory road works gave us a chance to overtake the streams of slower moving traffic. It was all getting very much better.

On reaching Invergarry we spotted a café and pulled over into a car park. As we walked round to the entrance two Scottish Branch members pulled-up and came over to join us. Inside the café a further two club members, who had passed us earlier, were enjoying some much needed refreshment. By this point we felt that the rally was truly underway.

Refreshed, and on our way again, we marvelled at the scenery as we head towards Kyle of Lochalsh, and this was only a foretaste of what was to come. The Bealach na Ba certainly lives up to its formidable reputation as the gradient grows ever steeper and the hairpin bends tighten. Bottom gear was only just low enough for pottering round the worst bends, but we made the top and were rewarded with the most spectacular views of the trip. By contrast, the decent was much less formidable and soon we arrived at the Inn.

 Applecross

What can you say about Applecross, spectacular scenery, good company, wall-to-wall sunshine, if you have never been before don’t miss out next year. Only one thing, don’t bring any rain with you. After Friday’s long run we spent Saturday exploring the area on foot and enjoyed every minute of it. I will leave it to others to give a report on the official activities, how many turned up, who won what, etc. We were just having too much fun to remember that sort of detail.

 And Home Again

We had only managed to book a room for two nights so, unfortunately, Sunday saw us packed and heading for home after a quick call into the camp site to say our farewells. We opted to follow the longer coastal route rather than re-trace our steps over the pass. It was well worth the detour as the views are again too spectacular for me to describe. We had planned a lunch stop at Invergarry again but had not allowed for the extra time needed for the coastal detour. By the time we stopped hunger and numb bum were definitely setting in. Yet again the café was host to an impromptu meeting of the MZRC as several riders had had the same thought as us. Rather than return via Rannoch Moor we opted for a change of scenery and followed the coastal route to Connel Bridge and on to Inveraray. This time at a more sedate pace.

We covered 444 miles in the weekend, two-up plus luggage at an average fuel consumption of 61mpg.  On the outward journey we tried to maintain 60 to 65 mph where possible, but settled for about 5 mph less on the return journey. One blown light bulb was the only fault developed, not bad for an eleven-year-old commuter bike.

Was it worth the effort?  You bet it was.

Will I do anything different next time?  Yes, I will take more time over the journey and have more stops and I will try to remember to take the sun tan cream.

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A View From the Pillion

(by Carole Steyert)

Applecross in May – sounds a good idea. May and June are usually the best months in Scotland, warmer, drier and less windy with plenty of sun. “What is this about midges” - I have allergic reactions when bitten by the little blighters – thought the west coast wasn’t too bad.  Take all my medication with me and hope for the best.

The two weekends before the rally were terrible, wind, rain and snow down to 1000 feet, was this such a good idea?  Slight improvement during the week – weather forecast good. Friday dawned bright and sunny, if a little on the cold side. We are using the ETZ, despite Keith’s talk of taking the car, I knew we would.

Now to pack the panniers - according to Keith they’re very small, “a pair of shoes half fills them” – this could be a problem. Drape them over a stool, wrap everything to keep it dry, shoes in the bottom, toiletries, complete change of clothes and spare underwear each (rolled to avoid creasing), there is still space, what have I forgotten? Double-check everything – yes, my midge medication is in – nothing missing and no I’m not tempted to pack more. Lift to check the weight is even, it’s fine we are ready.

Lunch, full waterproofs on – the lining is still in my leggings – I should be warm and dry, lock the house and away. Roads are busy – glad we are not in the car. Loch Lomond is as flat as a millpond, don’t think I’ve ever seen it so still before, the hills and mountains reflected as if in a mirror. Through Crainlarich and up to Rannoch Moor, a formidable and usually inhospitable place which in the sunshine and clear air looked almost inviting. Glencoe, dramatic and beautiful in the sun (more imposing with snow on the mountains and icy temperatures as on my last visit).  Across Ballachulish Bridge and on to Fort William – busy because of the Scottish Six Day Trials – this is the first time I’ve been here when it wasn’t raining. After Spean Bridge we encounter our first rain, just a shower, I think the worst of the rain was further east. Not far now to Invergarry, our first and as it happens, only stop.

We meet up with four other Zedders and chat over lunch before setting off again. The weather is warmer now and still sunny, shall I take the lining out of my leggings? Decide not to tempt fate and continued as I was.  Onwards through Glen Shiel, the scenery was better than I remembered, something to do with all the sunshine! I even saw an eagle while passing Five Sisters. Turning off onto the A890 for Stromferry and Lochcarron – I have never travelled this road before – the views seemed endless, dramatic hills and mountains reflected in the still water.  Tantalising glimpses of sea and islands through the narrow entrance to Lochcarron. Still, I wasn’t prepared for the views as we climbed Bealach-na-Ba. Initially I thought the pass not as bad as everyone had said, until rounding yet another bend I realised we needed to literally ride up a mountain. Views from the top and as we dropped down to Applecross were equally as dramatic, outstanding, fantastic – why have I never been before?

A fantastic weekend, good accommodation (we weren’t the only club members staying in the Inn), great company, fantastic views everywhere we went and no problems with midges. Would we have felt the same if the weather had not been so fantastic? I don’t know – the company would still have been great. Some club members were staying to the Monday, we wished we were too, but contented ourselves with taking the long way back via “the new road” round the coast, again fantastic views.

Back to Lochcarron and retrace our route to Fort William, where we saw the Scottish Six Day Trials riders being escorted out, glad they were going the opposite way. Home by late afternoon, a great weekend with superb weather. As if to prove the point, two weeks later on our section run to Arrocher, it poured.