'Safety first' as charity rides are cancelled at Aviemore's Thunder in the Glens
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It's another great day for the Harley Owners Group with the 25th anniversary rally in full swing at Aviemore despite the weather, say organisers.
But with the rain falling virtually without a break through the strath, the decision was made early to call off the rides which were set to raise more funds for a variety of charities.
A notice posted today at the Macdonald Highland Resort base and on social media explained:
"Charity rides cancelled for safety reasons."
George 'Mad Dog' McGuire said the weather was the reason for the wise decision not to take paying guests out on the Harley-Davidson bikes and trikes today.
The runs offered by the Dunedin Volunteer Riders have long been a hugely popular feature of TITG but it was immediately evident that the decision had been the right one, when the rally's second big ride-out, the Sunday jaunt up the hill to the Cairngorm Mountain base, set off at noon in heavy rain that never let up for the entire trip up and straight back down the ski road.
But another huge programme of indoor events and gigs around the area has been enjoyed all day and into this evening, as thousands of revellers remain in the area.
Aviemore's favourite piper told the Strathy he was still coming back down to earth after leading out yesterday's mega ride-out to Grantown, where he was pictured with "the big chief Sir George MacGuire aka Mad Dog!
"I was present at the very first meeting 25 years ago with the late wonderful Mr Peter Steinle from the Cairngorm Hotel and George ,and 20 bikes came that year and wow - just look at it now - they sell 3000 tickets and possibly another 3000 come - it’s turned out to be a wonderful event."
