Well - it has taken seven years of ‘Bouncy Bike Challenges’ before we actually lost anyone from an event. BBC 7 managed to lose two ‘bouncers’ – one on each day! More event  ‘firsts’ happened as well; there was glorious sunshine and a heat wave throughout the weekend and no rain; Bob the Bus had to pull out at the last minute and was very much missed; and Ingrid didn’t get lost once (but Heather, Alan and Clive did and tried to keep it quiet…).
The Braes of Glenlivet provided a spectacular landscape to bike in which was only enhanced by the wonderful warm dry and sunny weather. The contrast in scenery was as diverse and colourful as Norrie’s lunchbox with serene mountains, fast flowing and fish filled  rivers, ancient  forests, old military bridges, majestic distilleries, quiet country lanes with views for miles and abundant wildlife all served up on a regular basis for the eye to behold, the nostril to sense,  the soul to enjoy and the memory to savour. (The bottom and feet had their bits to manage too). So how did it go…?

Thursday 28th: The ceremonial annual ‘gathering’ of Bouncers took place at
Tomintoul - the highest village in the Highlands. The team had the Youth Hostel to
themselves for the weekend and were warmly welcomed by ‘Donald’. The team were shown to their named suites (Tena, Vasaline, Domestos and Werthers) hung up their padded apparatus, and congregated in the Glenavon Hotel. The usual big hugs were especially warm for those Bouncers who were missing last year – Penny, Ingrid, Clive, Elaine and Mikey - and the BBC initiation ceremony (with inner tube and pump) was performed to roundly welcome new Bouncer
Miss Pat James. An emergency general meeting was held to mourn the fact that Bob the Boss couldn’t make it and to sort out how the support van would work.
In true BBC fashion, this took approx 3 mins and a new plan was sorted and amazingly, although Bob couldn’t be with us in person, he had still provided the team refreshment goodies through his proxy tea boy Finlay – thanks Bob!
The evening was spent reliving old BBC events with tales of exciting gear change formats (1 and 7, 2 and 8), washing doughnuts in Killin, wet days in Ardnamurchan and Smudges size 24 bike shorts ... ... ... Some late nervous questions were muted along the lines of “that can’t be the Bimble Hill at Bridge of Brown can it?” 

Friday 29th: With the sun streaming through the hostel windows, and the echo of Bill’s snoring still fresh in the lugs, everyone was up early and got busy padding up, doing yoga (Finlay and Alan), eating energy-giving breakfasts and generally focusing on the day ahead and in particular on how to open the bike shed door. Finlay and Paul scooted off early to drop the support van and at 0830 to the sound of “here we go again” the team set off.

An easy warm up through Tomintoul and then over the Bridge of Avon brought the team to the series of undulations that would see them work hard in a flowing multi-coloured chain gang to take on and master the Bimble Hill features at Bridge of Brown! Paul and Finlay narrowly escaped ending up in the back of a sheep trailer when the driver sharply stopped at the bottom of the hill. With clear blue skies, no wind and the temperature rising, the team reached and gathered at the top of the Bimble Hill above Bridge of Brown and drank fluid readily! Wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains provided the backdrop and a mirage seemed to appear of a lady called Dylis in a car asking “All right?”.

The next section flew by as the team descended at great speed to meet the sparkling river Spey, the van and Ali’s mum at Anagach. Well-earned teas and buns ensued beside the old bridge before Finlay and Smudge popped off with the support van to the next stop.

The next section followed the banks of the glistening Spey through Anagach woods to Cromdale with a luscious green landscape enveloping the team. Good time was made on the quiet back roads as the padded machine headed north east and eventually met Finlay and Smudge heading back the way to meet us (very red-faced as it all uphill that way!). The sun got hotter and hotter and
Morag T (aka Helga) took more and more padded bits off! At Delnapot, the lycra machine jinked right and followed the Speyside Way over the old railway bridge over the Spey to Ballindalloch to meet the van for lunch. Under the shade of the trees, by the river and the loo, and with the gentle hum of the generator softly playing, the team had a lovely picnic and Penny even sang a song about a wood nymph called Eric who lived locally.

As the mercury continued to creep up, the next section would be the riskiest part of the day – crossing the A95! With only several near misses, the team got over the road and once again joined quiet country roads that would lead to Nirvana (Glenlivet Distillery). The instruction was simple – “ follow the regular, easy to read, unmissable, big signs to Glenlivet Distillery” – however, Heather, Clive and Alan missed them! Anyway, the team duly arrived at the sublimely located Glenlivet Distillery, threw their bikes on the grass in front of the coach parties, poured more Vasaline into the gaps and sprawled on the lawns in baking heat. The smell of confectionery soon became too much and Norrie herded the team into the Visitor Centre Restaurant for tea and stickies; not only that but everyone got a free dram to keep them going!

The last leg of the day was an 11-mile meander and undulate alongside the banks of the river Avon back to Tomintoul. The sun continued to stream inexorably through the trees that lined the road home which had pretty milestone markers to let you know how far you still had to go! A wee twisty-twiney, uppy-downy bitty at Croughy (but with lovely views) led the team home the final few miles to the cosy hostel. This had been a 45-mile day in hot sun with quite a few undulations; nuff respect to everyone! With only a minimum number of showers, some of the team just bathed in the kitchen sinks which was a bit of a shock for the hostel chap cooking his mince. As ever, the team appeared after an hour or so looking very sparkly and smelling a lot better if a little sunburnt down one side only! Full marks to Bill and Mike who had both been suffering with illness or injury leading up to the event; Mike in particular was pretty rough after Day 1 and had sadly to head home to recover – one lost on  Day 1! A wonderful meal and excellent service was served up in the Glenavon Hotel that evening and the traditional BBC quiz was won by ‘Norrie and his Babes’ (Pat, Ingrid and Penny).

Saturday 30th: As the morning rays warmed and stirred the aching limbs, and the sound of female ablutions reverberated from the Tena suite, the team donned their  padded armour, applied cream to every known part of their anatomy (and breakfast  toast) and got ready for Day 2. The team welcomed ‘Dave the Driver’ arriving on a huge motor bike who had kindly agreed to do the Support Van for Day 2 being told:  “It’ll be a skoosh today mate, only 35 miles, easy cycling, team are all fit so no worries – trust me!!!!”. Departing en masse at 0830, the route led north out of Tomintoul and headed past the Tomintoul peat works to Auchnarrow gathering pace  as the morning sun massaged the tired limbs. A quick turn took the posse down to Chapeltown and then on to Scalan with wonderful views of the Ladder Hills and serene Glenlivet Estate in all its full morning raiment.

At Scalan, we met Dave and had tea and biccies in a leisurely mood (“no worries or rush mate; straight – forward day I promise”). The team then wandered on foot for 1km to visit the hidden sanctuary at Scalan Seminary and marvelled at the history and fortitude of the people who lived here in the 17th century.

Remounting the steeds, the team then headed for an off-road section planning to meet Dave in an hour or so. As the gang started to bike up a rough farm track, Morag C hit a boulder and went over the handlebars of her bike; despite Morag’s protestations that ‘she was fine’ and would be ‘back on the bike in a minute or two’, her massively distended left elbow (that she couldn’t see and was clearly in shock) meant we had a real emergency on our hands. The BBC team as one
moved into action like a scene from ‘Casualty’; medical skills were deployed, counselling sessions set up, field communications (which were remote and very difficult) managed to recall Dave (“it’ll be a quite day mate honest”), the nearest farm at Achnascraw  provided a phone link to NHS 24  and catering services were in abundance. No-one panicked and it was very heart warming to be involved in. Morag was extricated to Elgin Hospital accompanied by Driver Dave and Nursey Elaine and point blank refused to let hubby come along; “BBC 7 must go on” she cried (especially when the van door blew on her elbow) “and you must lead them big boy”. And so it was; BBC 7 continued albeit a lot more gingerly than before!

So 2 bouncers down down – only 14 to go!) The team continued along the off-road Bochel Hill path and crossed the River Livet;  those who took the bridge stayed dry, those who took the ford got very wet.  Alan had a bike somersault too but luckily his elbows were ok. From Allanreid, 5 bikers took the big off road forest hill climb and the rough descent route and the rest followed the River Livet route with everyone meeting at the Glenlivet Distillery for lunch. A warm welcome was waiting at the distillery from Margaret McKeith (Alzheimer Scotland) and her boys who provided much needed bottled water and Mars Bars. After a bask in the sun on the manicured lawns, the team had lunch in the restaurant and were presented with a Glenlivet miniature from the distillery.

After lunch, the team headed back through Tomnavoulin with a warm but fresh headwind in their faces as they steadily climbed the scenic route back to Tomintoul and the hostel – Day 2 was 30 miles - BBC 7 route was completed.

News came through that Morag C was to have surgery on her elbow – Paul sped off to the hospital (but not on his bike). The evening meal at the Glenavon Hotel was again superb and copious and the hotel staff did the team proud. Paul arrived back about 10pm with news that Morag had been safely operated on and her broken elbow wired up and was making a good recovery in hospital; the surgeon had even managed to save the padded pants! The BBC 7 presentation took place with
T-Shirts, Certificates and Miniatures given to all the team. The prestigious ‘Bouncer of the Year Award’ went to Alan who had seamlessly transformed from a support team Bouncer to a biker Bouncer and even fell off on his first year. He received the customary loud underpants and of course put them on in the pub! As the toast to ‘absent bouncers’ took place, Jan and Rob phoned live from New Zealand – great to hear from them! Those Bouncers who couldn’t make it for various reasons were sorely missed. It was agreed by all that supporting Alzheimer Scotland was a most worthy cause and the work they undertaken was commended by everyone.

The Bouncy Bike Challenge AGM followed the presentation with a review of the
accounts, a review of the Constitution (and CACs), signing of the Constitution by
those missing at BBC6 and a general review of BBC7.  Paul promised that
BBC8 would be on the bank holiday weekend as per CAC No 3.  Suggestions for
BBC8 supported charity were put forward and a toast to the BBC was held. Votes of thanks were given to: Finlay for his generous support with the van, Bob for the
supplies, everyone for helping extricate Morag C, the hostel,, the hotel, the distillery, Alzheimer Scotland and Margaret McKeith and her boys. A special vote of thanks was posted for Margaret & Graham Harris (Ardchattan Solutions) who generously manage the BBC website as a charity donation – the team agreed that we have to pin them down for lunch when they are up in the area!  It was noted that Norrie and Elaine will be in Singapore for BBC8 buy they agreed to undertake a BBC8 (Oriental) over the same weekend; the Singapore branch of Gregg’s the Bakers have been warned.   

Sunday 31st: Another glorious morning greeted the bleary eyed and red
bottomed team as they awoke. A hearty breakfast was followed by a thorough
cleaning of the hostel, collecting up all the kit and food and packing up. Bill is a dab hand with a hoover and Clive can swish a mop most impressively. As ever, the departure moment involved warm hugs, moist eyes, questions (“is this your KY jelly”) and subtle hints of what BBC8 will bring (it won’t be north or south …).

Post Event Notes: Morag C got released on the Monday and is recovering at home but will be off work for weeks so will be nursed by Paul (nightmare for Morag …). Mikey Boy too is recovering well and can’t wait for next year (honest)! Bill has to speak to Finlay about snow on the Cairngorms (“it’ll never happen this week and if it does I will show my xxxx at the dockyard gate”) - photo please Bill.      

BBC7 was brought to life by Bill, Morag C, Heather, Norrie, Dave, Smudge, Morag T, Elaine, Penny, Mike, Ingrid, Ali, Finlay, Pat, Alan, Clive and Paul    

BBC 8 will be in a very excellent location – See you there!

Bouncy Bike Challenge – Never Knowingly Undersold

From the Controller of the BBC