...not something very original but I'm looking forward to it.
Leaving Wiltshire on Friday the 26th to ride upto the Lake district
Saturday - Lakes to Inverness via Glasgow and Fort William (then no more motorway!)
Sunday - Across the Highlands to Dunnet Head and John O Groats then back to Inverness along the coast
Monday - Inverness to Kielder Forest via Balmoral
Tuesday - Keilder to Buxton(ish) via Yorkshire moors, Penines, Peaks in Derbyshire
Wednesday - Buxton to Cheddar via Wales - Welshpool then Brecons, across the bridge (I know it's motorway but it serves a purpose) around Bristol to Cheddar
Thursday - Cheddar to Mullion (Lizard point) via Exmoor then Dartmoor, Falmouth and along the coast to Mullion
Friday - Mullion to Lands End to meet my wife and son for the weekend in Cornwall.
Camping as I go and apart from the Lakes to Inverness leg I have limited milage to around the 260 per day mark so I can enjoy it and stop for the anticipate photo opportunites.
If anyone is free during these days and fancies joining me for a few miles that would be great, if you can let me know and we'll arrange something.
Regards,
Kev
By the way she's orange of course!
Hey kev w !! hope the weathers kind to you for yer trip !! the Scottish motorcycle show was canceled a few years ago in march, because of the snow :shock:
you might find this handy as gettin fuel way up there ( far north ) can be a pain, so plan ahead..........
http://www1.thomsonlocal.com/find/Petro ... /Scotland/ (http://www1.thomsonlocal.com/find/Petrol-Filling-Stations---24-Hour/Scotland/)
have fun !!
KK
Thanks for the info KK. I can happily get 250-260 miles from a tank (albeit if I ride like my mother drives) but I must admit I hadn't considered that being a problem, being in Inverness for two nights may be in my favour.
As for the snow I'm just choosing to ignore it, if I have to modify routes/plans when I am in Scotland then so be it.
I just can't wait for a week on the bike, camping and the mountains!
Kev
it was minus 17 in Braemar last night apparently.. :shock: :D
have fun 8)
Hey kev w !! here`s a wee site that might be of interest......
http://www.scottishwebcamslive.com/webcams.htm (http://www.scottishwebcamslive.com/webcams.htm)
its better to view them in the daytime :roll: :lol:
have fun !!
KK
When the Aviemore White Lady (main ski run) webcam was first switched on I was in Hong Kong, I remember spending an hour or so trying to sort out PC and Internet provider as all I could see was a grey fuzzy image. Finally It dawned on me it was about 3 am in Scotland :oops: :roll:
Wish I was home to join you, enjoy the ride and watch out for the sheep, they are stupid and hard to spot against roadside snow :shock:
Thanks for the replies but anybody would think you're trying to put me off!
Three weeks to go so surely it has to improve by then?
Went on the bike 30 miles to work this morning at 530am, it was -5 degrees C and only had to stop once to thaw the fingers!! Scottish winter no problem...as long as it warms a little.
On a positive note my Oregon Scientific ATC5K camera turned up today, mounted it on the bike for a few miles in this afternoons sunshine and I'm well impressed with the quality of the video. Just need to make a variety of mounting positions for it now.
Kev
Quote from: "kev w"Three weeks to go so surely it has to improve by then?
Kev
That's what I thought when I left in mid Jan :roll: :lol:
It's still on
Handle bar muffs fitted, not very pretty but looking at the weather I suspect they will be worth every penny. Tried them yesterday and found above 60 mph I couldn't get my fingers over the levers due to the muffs compressing so refitted the hand guards then muffs over the top and bolted to the bar ends/weights and they are fine.
Camera mounting perfected and packing has commenced!
I've extended the route to take in Snowdonia as well.
Kev
You'll be the one laughing at the first bruger van when crotch rocket riders are clutching styro cups to heat themselves up :lol:
Ride safe Sir 8)
Quote from: "kev w"Tuesday - Keilder to Buxton(ish) via Yorkshire moors, Penines, Peaks in Derbyshire
Hi 'kev w', sounds a cracking ride. I take it your on about easter week? I've got that week off and am getting the bike on the road for then so if you tell me your planned route for Tuesday and the weathers good I'll meet up with you. I'm based in Bradford.
Is that Easter week?? thought it was the week after.
I would have definitely done the Kielder to Buxton with you, but I've got a hospital app 0n the 30th for an ongoing shoulder problem.... going for a scan, only been waiting 3 months :twisted: I know the York moors quite well, some nice roads..
Yes it is the week after :oops: , I remembered half way to cubs with my lad. I don't feel daft in anyway. Its a shame it would have been good meeting up for the afternoon but never mind. Have a great time.
I'm setting off this Friday so Kielder to Buxton is on Tuesday the 30th. If you can do next week PM me so we can arrange to meet. Will probably had enough of my own company by then so it would be good to ride with someone.
cheers,
Kev
Hospital on the 30th, would have definitely been there otherwise.
Never mind, enjoy your trip.
Hey kev w !! I hope ya made it through this bad spell :shock: ( understatment ) the last couple of days have been gale force winds and rain, then today the white stuff returned with avengance :shock: hope yer kickin back in some warm hotel havin a beer or 3 and not tryin to camp out in this !!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -come.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1262265/UK-weather-warning-Snowstorms-leave-drivers-stranded-come.html)
a week ago was a different ball game as the sun was out, honest :roll:
KK
I have made it home! I was meant to be camping near Cheddar tonight but decided to come home as it is so close.
I'll probably do a ride report with pics next week but just an update for now...
I made it to John O Groats on Sunday through gales and driving rain riding with my left cheek off the seat to try and counteract the wind it was a nightmare but I got there.
Dream ride throught the Cairngorms on Monday morning in the sunshine then got to Edinburgh, got completely lost then had a green Ford Mondeo reverse into me...you'll spot it as being the one with a dent in from my size 11!! Then is was just heavy rain then snow when I arrived at Keilder.
Changed my route yesterday due to the fog but eventually got down to the campsite near Leek, rolled into the farm yard and my parents car was sat there. They had booked into one of the farm houses which was just the best thing possible, Lamb shank for dinner and hot tea on tap. Mums and Dads eh!
Today set off in a blizzard which soon tunred to rain, changed route but still got into Wales.
Tiger has been perfect and is now in my garage oiled, greased, etc still loaded ready for the morning to head down to the Lizard then Lands End for Friday morning. Staying near Newquay for the weekend with the family so will post next week to let you know how the trip ends.
Kev
Phew !! thats a relief !! ya just missed it big time by a day, at least 6in fell today just south of Edinburgh and the higher you went it was more like 18in from what i heard !! :shock:
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/In-pi ... 6194547.jp (http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/In-pictures-Heavy-snow-returns.6194547.jp)
http://www.commercialappeal.com/photos/ ... 31/161634/ (http://www.commercialappeal.com/photos/2010/mar/31/161634/)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8596775.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8596775.stm)
this is wat ya missed !! :shock:
KK
Wild weatehr you can handle, muppet Mondeo drivers are another thing :wink:
Glad you managed that safely.
Hi Folks,
Trip completed and ride report done...on another forum as I could load my photos without having to use smugmug, etc.
Have a look here: http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/ride-repor ... s-end.html (http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/ride-reports-pictures/45699-john-o-groats-lands-end.html)
Regards,
Kev
What a brilliant ride report. :D Looks like you got the s****y end of the stick with the weather :roll: but I bet you still enjoyed the experience. Im hoping to go to Scotland this year (havent been for a few years now) and hope the sun comes out to play for a while.
The weather was a nightmare, however it was just a dream in the sunshine across the mountains and through Glenshee. Some fantastic memories will stay with me and out weigh the 'bad' bits. I would love to go back just to do the ride from Inverness to Blairgowrie again.
The Tiger just soaked up the roads and was amazing fun despite being loaded up. She is now booked in for the major service next week.
Kev
Nice report, looks like you had a great trip. Scotland is a great place to ride :D