If there’s anyone on the Highland region with an interest in historic bikes this is FB group is worth a look.

It’s more about riding them than looking at them, and we have had a few varied rides already.

The next ride will be in a few weeks and will be about the “black bikes”, ie the old heavy roadsters.

They don’t get much appreciation despite having been an enormous influence on transport, those big black dreadnoughts that weigh a ton.

They deserve recognition for the transformation of our society, and they are still doing a fine job in the 3rd world.

So start prepping your black bike. Get those cotter pins tightened, because in a few weeks we’ll make the earth move.

Mark Stevens is prepared to lend one to anyone who needs it, and with sufficient warning I can do the same.

Proposed route Evanton – Alness – Invergordon, ride along the waterfront, and more importantly tea and cake from the cafe to fuel us for the return.

Modern bikes like the Pashley Guvnor perfectly acceptable, and for that matter any bike, even a shiny carbon one is ok if you want to tag along, talk old bikes, and don’t mind our cake fuelled pace.