Four wheel action and dates for your diary.
Poker Run - 13 June 2010
The late great Steve Hislop.
This weekend sees four wheel action in the Scottish Borders - it's the annual Jim Clark Rally taking place at various locations throughout the Borders. Even more reason to be careful if you're using the Borders roads for some leisure motorcycling. The stages will be closed to the public of course, but the cars have to make their way between stages and there's also the ever present danger of some member of the motoring public in their own car who thinks he/she is a better driver than those who enter the competition. Watch out for them taking a corner too fast and ending up on the wrong side of the road and driving into the face of on- coming traffic.....be ever alert to that and plan your ride accordingly. Take more speed off on the approach to a bend and think "What if?", give yourself space and time to react. YOUR ultimate plan for the day is to get home in one piece without incident.
I'd like to remind you of other events taking place in the area fairly soon. The annual Poker Run is taking place on Sunday 13 June, registration is at The Glen Hotel in Selkirk between mid-day and 1pm. If you've never ridden on one of these very social events, then this could be the year to try. It's great fun and you meet the nicest folk, as well as riding some of the best roads in the Borders - you might even win a raffle prize. For further info contact Eric on 07883011901. One of our partners is having an open day on Saturday 12 June. Edinburgh Harley in West Mains Road, Edinburgh are planning a grand launch at their new extended premises between mid-day and 4pm. There might be some goodies on offer so go along for a look. Another event for your diary is the annual Steve (Hizzy) Hislop memorial run, which takes place on Sunday 29 August 2010. The orgainisers plan to leave Knockhill Race Circuit in Fife at 1030 that morning, travelling over the Forth Road Bridge then heading down the A1 towards Grantshouse and through the Borders from there to Duns - should be some site if previous years are anything to go by.
If you're out and about this weekend a wee friendly word of warning. I've never pretended on this website that we'll never give tickets to those riders who are riding irresponsibly, I've always been open about that. Our aim is to interact and encourage with you all in an effort to improve your riding skils and develop your ability to ride your bikes smoother, more controlled and to plan your overtakes and cornering based on better observations and how to read what's going on around you. However, last weekend colleagues gave out tickets to riders who were well in excess of the legal limit, I mean into three figures. If you use excessive speed, or carry out irresponsible or dangerous manoeuvres you run the risk of being on the receiving end of a fine and points on your licence. Don't let a momentary slip spoil, what up to that point, is likely to have been a good day out. Motorcycling on the open road is still one of the best thrills there is.
One final point, if you're using the A6015 there's a stretch of carriageway between East Morrison and Huntly Wood Farm that has cold tar patching which is uneven. This will unsettle the bike on corners so take extra care. Remember - if you see other road defects in the Borders go to our LINKS page and use the direct link to The Scottish Borders Council to report the fault.
