Guest houses advised to B&B accessible to touring bikers

Published on Wednesday 2 September 2009 22:02

AS THEY roar through the glens, leather-clad bikers can be the envy of fellow road users stuck behind slow-moving caravans and tractors.

But while they often arrive first at their chosen bed and breakfasts, bikers often find there is no room at the inn for them and their prized machines because of their wild image.

And now the Motorcycle Action Group is calling for more "biker friendly" B&Bs for the growing numbers touring the Highlands and Islands.

Spokesman Steve Wykes said: "There is still a bit of an image problem with some landladies seeing bikers as Hell's Angels, but this is way out of date.

"We're getting a lot more bikers coming to Scotland not just for the scenery and comparatively traffic-free roads, but because of the exchange rate.

"What we're looking for is nice accommodation like everyone else, but with somewhere secure to park our bikes and, given the variations in weather, somewhere to dry out our togs.

"If biker-friendly places were readily known about it would help us plan our tours. It is quite common when touring in Europe to see things advertised as 'bike-friendly'. In some parts of Europe they even have bits of bikes hanging out of walls to let you see you are welcome.

"The touring biker market is really on the up. If you look at the demographics of touring holidays you find that it is the upper half of income groups who are able to spend a lot of money on bikes and touring gear."

Latest Mintel figures show the biking market was worth more than 717 million to the UK economy last year.

Biker Julia Hobson has run the Bikers Bed & Breakfast in Upper Breakish, Skye, for seven years, and her partner Peter Villa runs Third Cog Motorcycles, a repair and services business, nearby.

She said: "To run a biker-friendly bed and breakfast you need to be flexible. Bikers can arrive at any hour and climb off their bikes absolutely muddy and dripping with water.

"You need to make a bit of effort and get the washing machine on and get their clothes washed and in the tumble drier. We've got the workshop and can help with running repairs, even just basic oil for chains.

"You might get a group on fast rides who are a tad wild – if they come in at 3am in the morning carrying 'for sale' signs they've pulled up from gardens, then there's no point in getting excited about it."

VisitScotland started a Bikers Welcome Scheme in 2005 and currently have 134 establishments signed up.

To be listed, bed and breakfast and hotel owners have to meet a range of criteria, including displaying a "positive attitude" towards bikers, having safe designated parking areas, places to dry wet gear, degrease handwash available on request and visor-cleaning facilities.

'I understand why 20 bikers arriving might be frightening'

KIRK Hale, a member of the Edinburgh-based Dundedin chapter of Harley Davidson owners, often goes touring in Scotland.

Last weekend he joined more than 3,000 bikers attending the Thunder in the Glen annual rally for Harley Davidsons at Aviemore.

"In most cases bikers will go on tour in a pack.

"We like to feel welcome and get a nice reception rather than feel we're intimidating people," he said.

"I can understand why some people would be a bit frightened hearing all the noise and seeing 20 bikers arrive en masse. It always turns heads.

"But a lot of our bikers like to stay in good accommodation. "During the week they wear a shirt and tie to work and a good number have the money to pay for decent accommodation. They are not used to being turned away."

Mr Hale said bikers looked for hotels that had secure parking – ideally in a covered area – and drying facilities for their gear.

"Also, you're likely to have a lot of touring luggage with you on your bike and might not want to unpack everything that night, so you need to be able to be able to leave it somewhere safely."

Mr Hale, 36, added: "More and more people are looking for a lifestyle thing, buying bikes and dreaming of having a Harley.

"A lot are coming back to biking and have high standards of what they want now."

FROM BAMBIS TO EASY RIDERS

BIKERS come from all backgrounds but there are some distinct "tribes".

&#149 Easy Riders: While the iconic 1969 movie starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper explored the search for freedom, drugs and the demise of the hippie movement, today's "Easy Riders" are more into Terry Wogan and early nights. They are often "empty nesters" enjoying their freedom now that their children have grown up and left home.

&#149 Euromillions: European tourers with plenty of money.

&#149 Bambis/McBambis: "Born again middle-aged bikers" returning to the heyday of their youth but this time on powerful 1200cc machines intended as racing bikes. Prone to serious accidents. McBambis are Scottish.