The Moidart Peninsula Classic Road Run
Sadly, for the usual reason, the Moidart Run was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, but it came back swinging this year. John McCrink tells us about it, and Eric Kitchen and Mike Wylie wield their Box Brownies.
With the 2020 and 2021 Moidart Runs cancelled due to Covid-19, organisers Andrew Johnstone and John McCrink were pleased to welcome everyone back to Kinlochleven in the Scottish Highlands for the 2022 event. Year on year, the event increases in popularity and it was great to find that, in spite of the previous cancellations, enthusiasm for the 120mile run certainly hadn’t diminished, with many riders keen to follow what was, for several decades, the Thursday route of the Scottish Six Days Trial. The run is now firmly established as the opener to some fantastic days of classic motorcycling in and around Kinlochleven, with the main event being the world-famous Pre’65 Scottish Two-Day Trial.
The Moidart Run is open to motorcycles (and outfits) made before 1979, and an increasing number of entrants on old trials and enduro bikes seem to enjoy participating. The weather gods certainly smiled down on this year’s Moidart Run as a full complement of true enthusiasts – from Europe and the USA as well as all over the UK – assembled under clear skies and in warm spring sunshine.
We were all excited about this year’s guest of honour, none other than all-round motorcyclist, legendary trials champion, and five-time winner of the SSDT, Sammy Miller. However, it wasn’t to be. With his bike in the van and ready for the off, Sammy became unwell and had no option but to reluctantly take to his bed. We were of course disappointed that Sammy couldn’t be with us on this occasion, but not nearly as much as he was.
Luckily, we had another well-known and most accomplished motorcyclist entered in the run, and he kindly stepped in to do the honours. This was none other than former British Enduro Champion, Paris-Dakar top finisher, Eddy Lejeune works Honda mechanic and top trials rider himself, Derrick Edmondson. Derrick was very well-received and presented some superb prizes to the winners of our raffle, which is generously supported by companies and individuals alike.
With the draw complete, it was time for the off, and the surrounding mountains were soon echoing to a cacophony of sound created by a wide variety of classic bikes, ranging from flattankers to Japanese Fours. Each rider departed to the ‘skirl o’ the pipes’ provided by Moidart Run stalwart Ken Gummerson, all the way from Baltimore, USA.
Riders were soon enjoying the run along the north shore of Loch Leven to Ballachulish and on to the short Corran Ferry crossing. Once on the peninsula, it was onward towards the coffee stop at Glenfinnan in the shadow of the world-famous railway viaduct. Continuing on the Road to the Isles, the run passes many historic observed sections. The most famous is the Devil’s Staircase, which some riders stopped at to visit. It’s a 15-minute uphill walk to the no-longer-used section where folk marvel at how intimidating the steep, tight turn must have been for competitors of that bygone era.
Following in the tyre tracks of trials legends such as Sammy, Mick Andrews, and the Lampkin brothers, the lunch stop at Strontian by the banks of Loch Sunart was soon reached where, as always, we received a warm Highland welcome from the staff at Sunart Café.
The lunch stop allows the perfect opportunity to enjoy some fine and much-needed sustenance, as well as the chance to mingle and admire (and as envy) the incredible range of true classic bikes taking part. Strontian also has a filling station for those who need to top up for the final stages of the run.
After lunch we turned off towards Morven and onto the coast-hugging single-track road towards Kingairloch. On this spectacular part of the route, the more vigilant were able to spot some of the local wild goats that come down from the hills to feed on seaweed at the shoreline.
We reached Ardgour and were back on the ferry for the return crossing and the final stage of the run.
A short journey over Ballachulish Bridge to Glencoe and soon we were making the steep descent into Kinlochleven and journey’s end.
What a fantastic day – great weather, superb scenery, warm camaraderie, and old motorbikes.
There would be great visual experiences to be treasured, yarns to be exchanged and exaggerated... and perhaps even a small glass of the local golden liquid to be enjoyed.
Roll on next year!