So what’s everyone doing in January 2014. Feeling fat, bit like sloth? Can’t be bothered , need an incentive to get yer butt moving?
Well fear not! I have the perfect solution! It’s our 5th Anniversary of the Oak Tree Inn ride! (http://www.oak-tree-inn.co.uk/)
Yup we have been granted permission to descend again (quite literally off the top of Conic..) to the doorstep of Oak Tree, Balmaha, welcomed in by a warm fire, cold beer a feast of food and good banter. When that all gets too much you can rest your weary head on the pillows of Oak Tree and awake refreshed for breakfast and a cycle home.
What could possibly be better? Now the details – if you’ve read this far your definitely interested. 🙂
The plan –Meeting in Bullands ~930am fuelled with coffee n bacon rolls on Saturday 25th leaving ~1030am and using pedal power alone to drive you along the westie to Balmaha. En route there is a sociable lunch stop in Drymen where the hardcore hit the pub and the not so hardcore hit the coffee shop for scones n tea. Arrive (preferably in one piece, particularly those who have been in the pub…) at Oak Tree Inn just before dark. Quick shower, change – fresh as daisies, for dinner around 630-7pm. More beers, banter followed by crashing out. Wake up (hungover?), breakfast ~9am – cycle back along westie to Bullands arriving back ~2-3pm on the Sunday.
Prices – Oak Tree have frozen their prices for us for the 5th year. Thus twin and double rooms will be £37.50 and the bunkroom (housing 4 in each house) will be £12.50ea this includes breakfast also. Dinner and beer is extra – the menu is quite substantial and is yummy with something for everyone.
Logistics – last year we got a taxi to pick up and bag drop for us. It cost around £4 ea for delivery to and from the oak tree meaning you didn’t need to carry any baggage on the bike trip. This worked well as there was approximately 20 of us so the price could potentially fluctuate dependent on the number of people going. Alternatively we can see if we can work something out with cars and people nearer the time.
I know it’s a bit away but I thought I’d start the ball rolling and see if we can get numbers asap before we start losing out on places to the general public 🙂
If your interested list your name below with what accommodation you’d like, twin, double or bunkhouse (there is also single rooms too)
Hopefully see you all there!
Wouldn’t miss it! Fingers crossed I actually make the ride this time. I’ll take a place in the bunkhouse.
Count me in too.
Bunkhouse Stuart or twin room?
Oops. In my excitement I forgot. Bunkhouse please.
Hi Dawn, thanks for organising this again! Count me in, happy to share a twin room at the inn.
Bunkhouse for me please. Cheers
Double for John and I please Dawn. We’ll same as last year, and ride out to meet you from Balmaha….
Sam
Jackie and Simon are for double room (listing it here so I don’t forget! :-))
Hi Dawn, Double please for me an Lorna. Thanks 🙂
Hi Dawn, please put me down for a double (for me and my better half, Helen).
Thanks.
John
Hi Dawn,
I’ll share a double room with Graham again. (it just doesn’t sound right, does it?)
Thanks for organising this again.
Barry
Hi Dawn, please can you put Magda down for a space in the Bunkhouse or in a twin room on a willing to share basis. Thanks!
Hi, thanks for organising.
If there’s a double or a twin me and Ieva will have it. Failing that dorm is fine.
Tom
Missed this post earlier, Dawn.
Please book me a space in the bunkhouse, non-snoring side 🙂
Thanks
Phil
PS: Presumably we’ll be going for baggage transport to and from like last time?
How did I miss this? I’m in, bunkhouse for me please.
Graeme
So, just realised the date- Burns Night!! Shall we all do a turn?? I’m going to guess there will be haggis on the menu!!
Regrettably I won’t now make it, as on the Saturday I’ll be travelling back from a week in the alps. May well ride out and meet you on the Sunday though…
Phil
No worries Phil be sorry not to see you there, I think you’d made every single one! 🙂
Hi Dawn, if there are spaces still available in the bunk house can I book a place please? Cheers, Alden
Hi all, I have now just one space left in the bunk rooms as we have another space taken by Gillian. If your interested get in touch quick! There is 19 of us in total and should be a good weekend!
Hi Dawn – just to confirm, I’ve had an email from John Bennie’s friend, Sahra (who was riding with us yersterday), she’d like to take that final bunkhouse space.
Dawn,
Much to my distress, I am going to have to call off on account of a work commitment. Boo.
I hope that the notice gives somebody else the chance to take the place.
Stuart
Just as well I checked the meeting time, see you at 9.30am.
I’ll apologise in advance – I’ll probably be late.
Just checking if there is bedding and a towel included in the bunkroom or if we need to take them?
Hi Simon – I’ll find out and post up. I expect there will be bedding at least.
Hi Simon, there will be towels and bedding provided in all accommodation. Am sorry but I’ll be pulling out this weekend, totally gutted as it looks to be a belter of a weekend. Am totally floored with a virus and feel awful. I have a new job on Monday and I need to be I tip top condition and fear a ride to and for balmaha and beers would not aid the recovery process! Thus I have cancelled Matt and I’s double room if anyone would like it please shout up. Have a fabulous time guys – totally gutted 🙁
Thanks for the info Dawn. Sorry you’ll not be there, will raise a glass or few to the absentees. Keep taking the tablets and all the very best for your new job.