Rest and Be Thankful - 10th April 2011 **UPDATED 22/03/11**

Poll Poll

  • Saturday 3rd April

    Votes: 1 16.7%

  • Saturday 9th April

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Sunday 10th April

    Votes: 5 83.3%
  • Total voters
    6
J

JimmyPop

Senior member
 Glasgow
*Updated 14/03/11*

Right, I know the last mini run to Fife has just been and gone, but I thought I would make a start on planning the Rest and Be Thankful run we chatted about today. Seeing as it's probably going to start in Glasgow, I thought I would take the reigns, but I'm more than happy to listen to other peoples' recommendations.

With regards to dates, I was thinking late March or early/mid April so that it's not too close to the Skye run. I don't have exact dates yet as I currently don't know what shifts I'm working in April, but if people give their preference for which month I'll try and get something a bit more solid in the next few days.

There are quite a few places we could aim for, but I thought Oban would probably be the best unless anyone has any objections. To start, we could either head out from the outskirts of Glasgow (Milngavie or thereabouts) or meet in Balloch as there is a big car park there we could all wait around in for everyone to join.

Rough route would be as follows:

Outwards Journey:

Balloch to Garelochead along the Glen Fruin Road (a great stretch of road with some fantastic views of Gare Loch and Faslane)
Continue on to Arrochar and then the Rest and Be Thankful (obligatory photoshoot location)
Along the A83 and down towards Inverary on the banks of Loch Fyne
From Inverary, could either north of Loch Awe to Bridge of Awe and Oban. Stop for a bite to eat and a photo opportunity (watch out for seagulls!)

Return Journey:

Oban through Bridge of Awe to Tyndrum (and the Green Welly Shop for a coffee!)
Through Inveruglas and Tarbet to the west bank of Loch Lomond (if anyone really wanted to stop for dinner, could always go to the Drover's Inn)
Down past Inverbeg and Luss to Balloch.

Estimated return mileage and time driving (going via Bridge of Awe) 160 miles, 3 hours 55 minutes

What do people think?
 
Good stuff, I'm in :)

Early-April should improve our chances of decent weather, but with this being Scotland anything could happen. I've got a crazy busy time from mid-April onwards so preferably before then.

Route sounds good. Depending on how much chat folks want I'm just as happy keeping it shorter and stopping at Inverary, but equally happy to head north via Bridge of Awe to Oban (the road along Loch Cruichan past the hydroelectric station is quite scenic at first but the last bit is dull IMO). The military road is a great shout as is the road north from there up to Arrochar, although it's a bit narrow for hooning along at high speed.
 
I could make it in the second half of of April - I'll be skiing in Colorado the first 2 weeks. :)

The route looks fine - mind you, I have 80 miles to drive just to get to Balloch. :roll:
 
MalcZ4 said:
mind you, I have 80 miles to drive just to get to Balloch. :roll:
Click to expand...

I draw your attention to your statement in your signature :P

I am up for this, early April suits me, Doesn't look like I am gonna be aloud to go to the national meet in the lakes this year :cry:

As I don't know the roads we will be travelling as well as you guys I can't really comment on which one to go for, Oban sounds Nice and haven't been there since I was knee high to a grasshopper and I think it would be a nice place to visit for the SWMBO's as well. Bit of shopping time for the Female contingent etc, and the rest of us could stand and admire my new rims for a while :P
 
Nosa said:
Oban sounds Nice and haven't been there since I was knee high to a grasshopper
Click to expand...
Been there recently then :poke:

If I'm about could well be up for this, but can't commit to anything just yet.
 
Just knee high to you mate but then I don't know many people (except a11y) who wouldn't be :P
 
I could be up for this. Couple of weekends away already planned in March and April but if dates suit I'll be there. 

Either route sounds good.
 
Destination and route sound good jp - count us in - always a soft spot for Oban - do able in a day with an early ish start depending where folk start from. Military road a good idea. Ally is right re scenic route past Cruachan Hydro etc. Weekend of 9th April would be good if that suits others.. How could we get a good "stop the traffic (and traffic lights)" photo of a bunch of zeds on both sides of the bridge just before Inverary . . . . .
 
Oban would be great but I'm conscious that it may be too early a start for people coming from further afield. Hmmm....
 
I know but as Nosa says there's a little more to see in Oban - I used to make the trip there and back in a day quite often for work - I wasn't suggesting a pre dawn start or anything... it would be no bother to keep it as an option depending on weather, traffic and how much we all stop to chat - surely we'll be tired of admiring Nosa's wheels by then . . . ..
 
Right - been thinking a little more about this run and wanted to canvas opinions regarding the best weekend for everyone. I'm thinking either weekend of 2nd/3rd April or 9th/10th April (probably the Sunday of either weekend). I don't want to make it any closer to the Skye run as I'm conscious some people that people might not be too keen to do two runs so close together (or won't be allowed to in some cases :poke: )

With regards to route, I think it would be good to try and make it to Oban and back. Like a few of you have said, it would probably be a better idea to go north from Inverary rather than down to Lochgiplhead which would just be a lot of extra driving for not much reward.

So, what do people think? If I get a few ideas with regards to dates I can start to put something a bit more concrete down.
 
Either weekend suits me, although best to bare in mind that 3rd April is Mother's Day which might affect some folk! I'm easy though.
 
a11y said:
Either weekend suits me, although best to bare in mind that 3rd April is Mother's Day which might affect some folk! I'm easy though.
Click to expand...

Good point a11y. So it's either going to be Saturday 2nd April or 9th/10th April
 
Have just had an email from Rob (ZermattV) who is presently working abroad and has said he is unable to access the forum, he was asking if a date had been selected yet, he has expressed a preference for the weekend of the 2nd as wont be able to make the following weekend, something about him getting married and for some obscure reason he thinks he will get into bother if he goes on the run if it is on that weekend. :?
As for me, well SWMBO is a bit annoyed that I have selected to go on this one as well so I might have to nip out for a pint of milk that morning :evil:
 
Perhaps we should find out where Rob's getting married and if it's anywhere close to the route of this meet do a massive Z4 driveby...

I'm happy with either weekend although could be selfish and say Sundays suit slightly better than Saturdays. Your call JimmyPop :)
 
a11y said:
do a massive Z4 driveby...

excellent idea- how popular would we be - what a fine impression to make on a new spouse - a shiny zedguard of honour outside the church..a classy touch eh !
Click to expand...
 
Would love to come but I will be in OZ for most of April 8) 8)

You will be passing my Hoose on the A82 though :poke:
 
Just noticed this thread. Think I'm free that weekend, so might tag along! We (finally) get our house in early April so assuming it doesn't clash with it I'll take a drive out.

Bookmarked thread for future reference...
 
Ok, Sorry Jimmypop, I am going to have to withdraw from this one, SWMBO is NOT happy :(
Giving that I was planning a recce run for the Islay run as well I can Kinda see her point, Not Happy about it but I have to concede this one,

Again sorry. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom