May as well make a start, Scotland is heavily favoured by this year's group. And lets get the date done early. I'm tied to a race calendar that's not even published yet, but as I won't be organising it, my maybe not being available won't be of any influence this time.
Avoiding school hols won't matter as much for Scotland, and there's always the ability to wild camp thus saving on site fees. Might be an idea to avoid mozzie season though.
Let the discussion begin.... :icon_biggrin:
Im up for a run to Scotland...2 or better 3 nights depending where abouts as it could be a long way for some to travel. Make sure its out of mozzie season and theres no Haggis around to bite yer ankles...
Try here for a taster http://www.visitscotland.com/
Ok, we need some local input regarding mozzies and I agree, a longer weekend due to the distance would be good. I think putting together something that will allow those that can't do a long weekend to "bolt on" to the bits they can do. I think Metalguru has the furthest to go but he could doss at my place if he travels after work the night before the run up. As a guide Fort William is about 460 miles from my place so a long day but doable.
Midge season is from very early June to mid to end August so your usual timing is right out the window
:icon_study:
http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/home (http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/home)
Quote from: akendall1966 on July 25, 2013, 04:08:36 PM
:icon_study:
http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/home (http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/home)
Nice find :icon_lol:
Camping has to be away from any water, higher up and better clear of Bush to avoid midges but there are no guarantees :icon_lol:
After my run up there last weekend I have plenty of ideas for roads and Newtonmore turned out to be a better base than I thought. And with B&B at £35 per night (2 sharing a twin room) camping becomes questionable unless you are hell bent on roughing it.
http://www.tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,12866.0.html
Last time I went to Scotland and camped I had to beat an angry adder to death with a copy of Harry Potter... I hate snakes. Nightmare moment.
Can I stay in a hotel instead? :icon_redface:
After my recent trip a hotel seems almost cost effective. As long as you don't mind sharing two to a room (twin beds of course) it works out £35 per head per night B&B. We could try for a discount for block booking perhaps?
Quote from: nickcalne on August 18, 2013, 05:13:23 PM
Last time I went to Scotland and camped I had to beat an angry adder to death with a copy of Harry Potter... I hate snakes. Nightmare moment.
Can I stay in a hotel instead? :icon_redface:
I thought adders were protected species, you next hotel will have bars on the windows if the authorities read this :bug_eye
PS I stayed in a hotel in Thailand and found a snake in my hotel room, so Nick your not safe anywhere....... :icon_lol:
I'm hoping to go to Germany/Austria next August so this might be pushing it with her in doors. I'll be tapping you all up for were to go and what roads I must do whilst I'm there but trust me I'll be busting a gut to come on this as well.
Quote from: nickcalne on August 18, 2013, 05:13:23 PM
Last time I went to Scotland and camped I had to beat an angry adder to death with a copy of Harry Potter... I hate snakes. Nightmare moment.
Can I stay in a hotel instead? :icon_redface:
Are you sure you were smoking legal stuff during your bed time reading :pimp I have never heard of that, they are actually very timid and heard to find.
Count me in guys! :thumbsup
An extended weekend seems more logical to me & I'm not adverse to a b&b for a little added comfort. (Or perhaps b&b's, as the route allows?)
But we'd need to bolt things down pretty soon so we can get booked up I guess?
Ride reports & pics from up there look good! :eusa_clap
Just let me know the where & when? :XXsunsmile
Had a quick browse today and came up with these (bunkhouses)as tasters, first ones near Dornie tho accomadation is limited, b&b available http://www.holidayhighlands.co.uk/.
Seconds in Glencoe, http://www.glencoehostel.co.uk/hostel-bunkhouse/ with a pub a mile up the road http://www.clachaig.com/ :thumbsup.
As always, we need to pick a date. I can't commit until next year's race program is published which will be in November.
While we wait for a date, should we have a show of hands for general location, then start narrowing it down?
Good idea. Obviously I'm biased having just done it, but if we fancy highlands, Newtonmore was easy reach for the Lecht route while Applecross / Kyle of Lochalsh / Invergarry - although a long day - is still doable. Alternative would be one night there and one night near Fort William or Invergarry. I've done Glen Coe two or three times and, in my opinion, it's better going down than coming up, and there's a couple of good spots about half way down for photos. We could incorporate that in the run home at the end.
There is nowhere better than the West Coast of Scotland for riding and scenery. However it is a long ride up for the people from the South, ( it is no problem for me).
If you want to reduce the travel then the Borders, Dumfries/Galloway offers a good alternative. Not quite so scenic, but some very good narrow twisty roads. If the travel is a problem for some people, it may be worth considering.
Pete, Thanks for the hints, I'll add them to the list to check out.
Geoff, I'm a little biased of course but I agree. So far however all 7 of the people who have voted want to go for the full haggis :icon_study:
Quote from: Sin_Tiger on September 13, 2013, 06:29:17 AM
Pete, Thanks for the hints, I'll add them to the list to check out.
Geoff, I'm a little biased of course but I agree. So far however all 7 of the people who have voted want to go for the full haggis :icon_study:
Haggis! :bug_eye Does that mean I'm going to have to pack my hunting gear??? :icon_biggrin:
Really looking forward to this already. Any excuse to ride Scotland :hat10
Happy New year guys, hope you've all over indulged suitably? :thumbsup
Let's bumpity bump this thread! :icon_biggrin:
Anything happening??? :icon_scratch:
Not as yet but I've already told the wife and got a weekend pass :eusa_clap.BRING IT ON.
Sin is running this one, the dates I have to avoid are:
http://www.crmc.co.uk/calendar.htm
To keep it tidy I'm locking this one now the other is Sticky :XXcomputer