[updated] Scottish tour, whats the worse that could happen?

[gmanxiii]

Well me and Monsieur Stiffler are gonna be doing a mini jaunt upto scotland this coming weekend and not sure where to go really and where to stay. Gonna go on the friday and hopefully come back on the monday i think.

At the moment our plan is to "head through the lakes" and thats it. It's abit vague but i suppose head towards glasgow for the first day seems pretty reasonable right?

Thinking of crashing at B&B's but will we have trouble at this time of year finding a place for the night? Or is it simply a case of go find a place as it starts getting dark....?

Im really bad with place names but believe Oban and Ullapool has been mentioned in the past? Think we'll head north west then down again along the east passing through edinburgh on the way back.

So.... any tips and suggestions of where to go? is john o groats worth a punt?

Ta very muchly.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[Stiffler]

Ok so I've penciled in a vague idea of the route for day 1. Not really venturing into the thick of Scotland on this one:

Day 1 to Irvine

I've never been to Scotland in my life, I've no idea what any of the roads or places are like so any advice will be very much appreciated! I'm not scared of constructive Criticism.

Thanks in advance!
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[stinkwheel]

That's a reasonable distance for a days ride-out.

What I would say though is if you're serious about doing some of the wacky highland roads, get as far North as possible, a quickly as possible. You've picked out some not bad roads in Dumfries and Galloway but that still leaves you below the central belt on Day 2.

There would be a good argument for battering up the M74 and getting North of Glasgow on day 1. Somewhere just this side of Glencoe on the A82/A85 makes for a good step-off point for the Highlands proper. Basically, the roads are fantastic anywhere North of Fort William.

Just to give you an idea, last time I was up at Ullapool, it took me the best part of 7 1/2 hours to get back to North Cumbria. That's the most direct route on roads I know reasonably well and not hanging about.

On a 4 day trip, Isle of Skye is not outwith the realms of possability.

Are you aware of Wigwam sites? A good alternative to B&B, there are quite a few dotted around Scotland. If it were me doing your run, I'd try to batter up to the Strathfillan Wigwams on the Friday then see where the Saturday took me. (Book wigwams ahead of time, they are very popular).
https://www.wigwamholidays.com/
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Itchy]

Not to rain on your parade...but Scotland/Cumbria/North Yorks may have some serious fuel shortages , erm shortly due to the grangemouth refinery shutting down for a week or so. (its already actually in the process of shutting down).

https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7358069.stm

Its not so much the fact that there isn't enough fuel its that fact that people will panic buy and exhaust supplies faster than they can be replenished.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[gmanxiii]

Cool thanks Stinkwheel, yeah think we are gonna do isle of sky now its on our route. Cant wait now!
____________________
I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[stinkwheel]

Gimme a wave if you see me on a totally overloaded red VFR750 being ridden much faster than is sensible. I'll be passing through that kind of area with a group of other, similarly overloaded motorcycles this weekend.

Top tip. If you're in a hurry to get back from Skye. The Armadale to Mallaig ferry should be running at this time of year. The road out to it on Skye is entertaining and the recently upgraded Mallaig to Fort William road is famously quick on a bike. Cuts a corner off your journey.

If you have time to kill, check to see if the Glenelg ferry is running. You go up an insanely twisty, single track road over the top of a hill on Skye, down the other side, catch a ferry across the shortest yet fastest flowing piece of water you ever did see then repeat the exercise on the mainland. Takes you out at Shiel Bridge. You stand a chance of seeing golden eagles at the top of the Glenelg pass.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Stiffler]

We're going to get soooooo wet! There is going to be no petrol! We don't have a decent map or any real sort of plan!

Anyone interested in reading a disaster story check back here on Tuesday/Wednesday....

Scotland here we come

Tim
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[stinkwheel]

[Stiffler]

Back prematurely.... It's a long story and I've ridden 450 miles today and am absolutely knackered.

I'll just say the Scotland is absolutely amazing, There was plenty of petrol to be had, I was wet alot of the time. And at 2pm this afternoon I was just south of Fort William.

Photos and full explanation will appear here tomorrow.

Now Timmy must sleep...
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[gmanxiii]

Aye back prematurely and didnt quite make it to Ullapool due to a slight mishap with a particularly greasy corner....

We had been riding for about an hour and a half in pouring rain then it started drying out and clearing. About 10 miles out from Oban there was a long right hander, Stiffler went through ok although he did say he had a slight wobble, i was probably about 100 yards behind, went round and just as I was approaching the exit the back end slide out from under me... Goes down on the tarmac and into a patch of gravel, mounts a pavement and then back onto the road... That effectively finishes our trip as something has punched an inch sized hole into the clutch cover and released the oil all over the road. Indicator and fairing is cracked, itchy's panniers i borrowed are abit knackered. I have a hole where the leather burnt through on my forearm and my groin/pelvis hurts from where i slid face down on the gravel, the stretch panels are worn through as well. Amazingly my lid didnt make contact with anything.

Several cars stop to help and push the bike off the road. There was a building site just opposite that we borrowed a shovel and some sand to cover the oil. Police came to help sort things out and see what happened. They checked the surface and said yeah it was greasy and I lost control. Not going to take it further matching up the contact patches of the fairings with the road etc because no one else was involved and i wasnt injured (just couple of bruises so nothing) just compulsory breathalyser and taking down details so highways agency can claim off me for clean up...

Rang carol nash recovery and they recovered the bike 450miles, took 10 hours to get back...

Eveyone who stopped was really nice rallying together. Sorry to the Owners of the Creagan Inn who i clipped their recently painted wall. Recovery guys at Chisholms were fab ferrying me back. The policeman who was at the scene was a top bloke

Would like to return at somepoint to finish the journey as it absolutely stunning round there. The Mountains are epic and you feel tiny riding next to them. Rowantree B&B on the A83 is Lovely as well, great hospitality and has a cat that looks like puss in boots from shrek.

Well the worse has happened and tbh it wasnt that bad so if anyone is thinking of going doing a big journey on their bike just go for it. Just make sure you have recovery incase you have an incident no amount of gaffatape and cableties can fix
____________________
I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[tutton]

Unlucky on the off.
Sounds like your ok tho.
and the bike isnt in too terrible a condition few new covers, levers and fairin and itll be as good as new
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[Stiffler]

The journey began at 10:30am in Bury. The weather was overcast, mild with the roads slightly damp.

Day 1

We took the motorway to Nelson and then rode up to Settle. The intention was to take Settle to Hawes but after a slight bit of confusion we missed the junction. We stopped to check the map and adjust the panniers:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3423.jpg
Gman making a call alongside his CBR6

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3426.jpg


After deciding that we were probably already running a little late to go via Hawes we aim straight for Devils Bridge and grab some breakfast/lunch. It's the first time I've been to devils when the car park had more cars than bikes. After some greasy food between bread we head off to Windermere. We chose the Hyning Brow (A5974) off the A590 which was absolutely fantastic. It's a new one to me and I was really impressed. Freshly resurfaced with the hedges either side cut back. And being a working day the road was lovely and quiet. As we reached Bowness I shouted to Gman "Can we go back and ride it again!"

We then took Kirkstone pass up to Ullswater and stopped to take in the scenery. Back when I was 17 I spent 4 days trudging 55 miles around the area on my Duke of Edinburgh so I have a little bond with the place.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3427.jpg

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3432.jpg

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3430.jpg

The next destination on the route was Keswick where we filled up for the first time. The fun stuff now over the pace was upped and we began the rush up to Glasgow via Carlisle. The pace up the M74 in the pouring rain was spirited to say the least. I was shocked to find myself on such an empty Motorway at the start of rush hour on a Friday afternoon.

WELCOME TO SCOTLAND:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dsc00774_116.jpg
In truth, neither of us sure of our Geography we mused over our drinks in the service station if we'd actually crossed the boarder yet

As we approached Glasgow roadworks and a contraflow system resulted in us missing the connection to the "Mate" (ridiculous that the forum script is marking my Karma down for talking about a Motorway so I'm going to loving refer to it as the "Mate") and we enter Glasgow city center to fumble our way through to the "Mate". To anyone who lives round here no offense but it's a bit of a dump and nobody seems able to drive! After a couple of U turns we manage to rejoin the Motorway.

The Erskine bridge then takes us up to Loch Lomond. A combination of tourist and rush hour traffic contributed to a fairly dull journey up the A82. The heavy rain and mist had left me resigned to moving with traffic... But after 40 minutes or so I finally snapped and began overtaking a huge que of traffic! Behind me I notice in the mirror Gman is doing a fine job of sticking with me. We finally arrived at our Bed & Breakfast at around 7pm. Soaking wet and cold. Out misty location has a sense that it is a stunning place to be but unfortunately we can't really see much of it.

Our little Bed and Breakfast just north of Arrochar:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dsc00776.jpg
____________________
Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[Stiffler]

Day 2

We're up bright and early to be greeted by a fine "full Scottish Breakfast", Haggis and all. The rain is beating down and it somehow looks even more misty than it had been the day before. The B&B owners wish us good luck and assure us that the weather should clear up for lunchtime.

Despite the rain the first 40 mins ride are great fun and I muttered to myself "Who says you can't have fun in the wet". We stop in Inveraray for a quick check of the bikes/panniers and to get our first proper glimpse of Scotland as the mist clears and the rain dies back:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3434.jpg
Sorry for the dark picture I'd accidentally switched my camera to manual and it wasn't set correctly

We head onwards keen to get to Fort William for lunch. The roads are great all-be-it fairly wet but I'm still having fun. I was settling into the rhythm of things as we stop to fill up just East of Oban. The so called fuel panic is nowhere to be seen out here in the country side. People are being sensible and with forecourts notifying drivers of a £20 limit per vehicle. We then join the A828 and take in yet more of endless fantastic scenery.

Finally the rain looked like it had stopped for good. The roads were beginning to dry although were mostly still damp. As we approached a little village of Creegan everything was beginning to look good.

I'd got ahead of Gman after passing some traffic so I'd eased off and in my mirror I could see he'd caught up. As we took a short series of bends I notice the bike react oddly. Something isn't quite right as the bike seems to slip a little underneath me. I ease off again and as I pass out of the corner onto a more open, straighter section... I immediately notice that Gman was no longer in sight in my mirror. I slow down in the hope he's just been caught up by something, 10 seconds later the sinking feeling has reached critical mass, I spot a space to turn the bike and I rush back. As I round the corner I see Gman is up and his lid is off and a number of people are helping him get the bike up which is side on in the road stood in a very large pool of oil. My initial feeling is one of relief as I was terrified I'd find him in a worse state after my mind had raced through a number of unthinkable possibilities.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3436.jpg
Two police vehicals and 3 policemen arrived to make sure more traffic didn't fall foul to the oil slick in the road. The locals cone off the area too.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3437.jpg

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3438.jpg
You can see the rainbow colours of just some of the oil slick

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dsc00778.jpg
Gman stands back to admire his handy work

The recovery team arrives and we both begin the long journey home. I could have gone on alone but I'm not good with my own company and maybe we could get back and finish what we'd began together.

The Police man being a IAM motorcycle instructor and local to the area gives me some helpful friendly advice on which route to take back and I head off home (including warning me about some dodgy corners that he knows has caught others out).

Day 2 - Part II
So at 2pm I depart for home. The first 60 miles or so contain the most stunning scenery I've ever ridden through and it's just a shame we didn't get a chance to finish it off. Still at least the G was ok and we'll get back and do it again another time.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_3448_116.jpg

Tim
____________________
Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[trevoriv]

Unlucky mate, glad you're not hurt too badly.

Sounds like a proper adventure anyway
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Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[Timmeh]

Harsh, very.

At least you escape unharmed - shame about the CBR though.


____________________
GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[kitty kat]

Pleased to hear you are not too badly hurt Gman, hope you both get to finish the trip off in the near future and hope the bike doesn't cost too much to repair.

Good pics though
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Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people

[Shay HTFC]

What a bugger of a thing to happen

Ah well, at least everyone is ok and for some reason, I can see you guys going off up again in the relative near future

Pics are good and I can't wait till I ride up there!
____________________
Full Motorbike License - GS500E '95

[gmanxiii]

Cheers guys, somehow the pictures just dont do the place justice.

The A82 (stifflers last pic) was breathtaking, felt like the mountains ran on forever. Blasting along in the rain may sound crap but when its by the lochs and your carving your way through the valleys and what feels like the middle of no where, you just forget your actually still in the UK.
____________________
I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[stinkwheel]

I know that corner too, it's usually good for just winding on more and more.

Ah well, noone hurt, just a shame about the damage to the bike. 9/10 times you could have patched it up and kept going.

Weather was totally pish on the Friday night (I was camping up in Glen Orchy, turn right up a single tracker about 15 miles before the crash site). Wouldn't surprise me if it had washed some gravel out into the apex of the road because my VFR was squirming about on it on the way up.

Last picture looks like Glen Etive viewed from Rannoch Moor. Did you manage to nail the hairpins on the way back down? I've only managed to get them perfect once but it feels bloody great when you do.

Our guys got totally soaked on Saturday night (like, to the skin soaked complete with wet sleeping bags) and bugged out home. I probably passed you two on your way up as I was heading back to Edinburgh (red VFR, I'd have waved). Didn't fancy camping by myself if it was going to be pishing it down that much.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[ram_doom]

Great write up, and sorry to hear about g man's get off. Least youre ok, and the bike will patch up easily.

The last pic of the A82 brings back memories from my trip in september great scenery along that road, especially when youre right at the foot of the mountains.
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Andy C]

Looks like a great trip, shame about the off. Last year me and Ram went and i had to cut it off a day or two early due to mis-budgeting