Malt whisky distilleries have an uncanny attraction all of their own. It need not even be the thought of the amber nectar itself. I have met many a person at the islands’ distilleries who shares the same hydration habits as myself, a habit that has no place for malt whisky.
But mostly they’re fascinating places, with some incredible views out to sea (it’s an historical thing) and a standardised process for mixing water and barley that still has oodles of mystique, even for those that have seen through the head office marketing spiel. And there’s an inexplicable link between two wheels and a set of pedals and bottles of ten year old.
Living on an island that has eight of the blighters, one of which is only a few footsteps from washingmachinepost cottage, while the same distillery’s bonded warehouses are on view from my kitchen window every morning, I feel honour bound to assist those with an affinity for the dram. and, of course, a decent dram apparently goes well with fine food and a decent bike ride.
Some of this, as a number of you will know, forms a part of the Ride of the Falling Rain but there’s always room for more – and less, at the same time. And a reason to celebrate doesn’t exactly give cause for concern.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee, a collection of Ardbeg aficionados all around the world, numbering in the upper tens of thousands (around 80,000 I believe).
It is free to join and one of the many benefits is the opportunity to acquire committee bottlings not available to anyone else, or simply on offer prior to the great unwashed getting their chance to buy.
Earlier this month, Ardbeg Rollercoaster went on sale. 25,000 committee members hit the website at exactly 9am and crashed the server for the day. I know, because I was having a cup of coffee with il presidente, Distillery Manager Mickey Heads at that very time. Endless boxes of whisky bottles were being carried down the stairs awaiting delivery to Port Ellen post office.
My cup of coffee was not simply morning refreshment. Mr Heads and I were discussing the finer details of a bike ride to celebrate the ten years of committee-ness, to take place on Saturday June 19th. And because we think you would like to enjoy not only the cycling, but the ambience of Ardbeg Distillery both pre and apres, current plans are to start the day with breakfast at the Old Kiln Cafe, enjoy a few Ardbeg flavoured feedstops through the day, including a light lunch and coffee at Debbie’s in Bruichladdich, before heading on back to the aroma of Ardbeg. Probably a shade under 100km (60 miles) at anything down to a leisurely pace.
When everyone is rested, cleaned up, and no longer walking about in jerseys with pockets at the back, we will yet again experience the hospitality of Ardbeg’s Old Kiln Cafe for a three-course dinner in the evening – but, in the great tradition of Steve Jobs’ keynote speeches, there’s more.
After we have dined on a fine repast and are reflecting on a happy day’s bike riding, it’s time for the after dinner speeches, none of which, you will be happy to hear, will be delivered by members of the Velo Club d’Ardbeg peloton.
Instead, the words will be presented by someone who has an inherent connection with thewashingmachinepost, whether he likes it or not. Our after dinner speaker will be none other than Graeme Obree, who is also likely to join us for the bike ride.
Cost of entry has yet to be finalised, but it’s likely to be between £30-£40 per rider, including the food; and the peloton for the day will probably be restricted to a maximum of 50.
If this sounds like the very mid-June gourmet ride that will presage a fine summer of cycling, e-mail me very soon, because i’d hate you to miss out. e-mail me at brian@thewashingmachinepost.net
For travel and accommodation details, check CalMac and Islayinfo
Brian Palmer, cycling on the outer edge
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