Bedford to Isle of Skye, do-able petrol wise?

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

This year i rode to Lands End and back. Cracking break, really enjoyed it. Next year thinking of riding to Isle of Skye and back...

Looking at me road atlas, I can get to Glasgow no problem... but mu fazer thousand does about 100m to 130miles a tank, any advice for this trip, specially the latter stages?

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Well they do have petrol stations in Scotland.... Might be a wee bit dearer than down south. Laughing

Great roads north of the border. Thumbs Up

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adilxs · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Karma :

should be cheaper up north if anything,

110.9 at both my local stations...

strag · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

I don't understand the question.
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thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I think he means will there be enough petrol stations or will he run out in the gap between one and the next.

I think Stinkwheel has talked about this topic before, something like some petrol stations dont open on a sunday or something plus other info that I forget.

I'd carry a plastic jerry can with some extra just in case for the bits way up north and way west in scotland, but I've not been to scotland so maybe someone who has can say.
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thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

You'll have no problems whatsoever - on Skye they might not open on Sunday except in main tourist season.

Lady P · Scooby Slapper Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Karma :

It is do able no problem as they have plenty of garages in Scotland as has been said they dont all open on Sundays

I would question your route though why go to Glasgow why not via Sterling Perth Calendar Fort William slightly better roads still nice scenery

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I've toured all of Scotland on an MZ supermoto with a 95 mile tank range (to empty, not reserve).

In the far North West of Scotland there are limited fuel stations open on a Sunday and those that are open can be time restricted. In any case aim to have your last fill up by 5pm on weekdays.

You could go through Glasgow but I wouldn't recommend it. The first part of the road up Loch Lomond side is ok but then it gets twisty and is full of tourists and HGVs following their GPS in defiance of logic. You struggle to pass even on a bike.

To see some great roads, how about Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, A9. Turn off the A9 at Dalwhinnie and pick up the A86 at Laggan. Turn right onto the A82 at Spean Bridge then left onto the A87 at Invergarry (overshoot the turning by 200 yds for a filling station).

Carry on along the A87 and you eventually hit the Skye Bridge OR you can turn off left at Sheil Bridge and go along an insanely steep and twisty single-track hill pass to a place called Glenelg where there is a short ferry across to Skye run by a lunatic irish bloke (and his dog). On the far side there is an equally insane and twisty hill pass.

Right. Do all that in a oner from Bedford and you are a hero and will have a fucking sore arse. Find somewhere to stop to split the journey or you'll not appreciate it. The bit I've described is nearly 600 miles from Bedford.

For variety, on the way back you could get the ferry from Armadale (on Skye) to Mallaig then go to Fort William, Glencoe, Tyndrum, Stirling.

I did this route at the weekend (left Friday, home Monday) with a loop further North up to Poolewe via Achnasheen and back via Torridan. It's a good-un.

Factor in your lowest fuel consumption once you turn off at Dalwhinnie because if you're anything like me, you'll start riding like a dick.

EDIT: If you're staying on Skye. I'd advise not staying at Sligachan. The campsite is rough and windswept. The bunkhouse was in a poor state of repair last time I was there and we got ripped off for breakfast in the morning. Aye, you reading this now you sour faced old crone? Charge me an extra four quid for both a cooked and continental breakfast because I had a glass of fresh orange with my fry up would you? Know how quick google picks up this website? That's Sigachan, don't stay at the Sligachan because the staff at the Sligachan are only out to rob tourists.
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doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

The main problem at Sligachan is the midges.
- the most ferocious Scotland has to offer -

Him · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Karma :

thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

omg, is that the sort of crap I post when I'm drunk, hangs head in shame Embarassed

Some useful advice regading Sunday opening times, thanks!

I will be doing the trip in at least 2 stages, don't fancy riding it in one hi.

Shay HTFC · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Karma :

What's this I hear about Sligachan camp site (or is it spelt Sligachan campsite all one word?) on the Isle of Skye being crap?
I have [*1] been and it was the crappest camp site I have ever had the misfortune to visit.

As for petrol, yeah, you won't have a problem. I was just in Fort William a few days back and petrol was £111.9 in the Morrisons, but elsewhere you were looking at £115.9 or so in the smaller petrol stations.
The garage near the Isle of Skye bridge was £116.9 or something?

Nothing you wouldn't expect down south really.

Bungee a jerry can onto the back if you are worried.

Footnote:

[*1] : insert "not"
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strag · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Karma :

Why didn't you just type not, instead of a footnote and reference? Shocked

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kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Mr Nice Guy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Karma :

Far be it from me to disagree with thee great Stinkwheel, but junk the A9 route and come up via Stirling>Callander>Tyndrum>Glencoe>Ft William>Skye and come back Skye>Ft William>Oban>Inveraray>Arrochar>

Option 1 - Old military road and down Loch Lomond into Glasgow onto Motorway network or
Option 2 - Erskine Bridge and down the West coast to Stranraer and over to Carlisle and motorway network

As for when you are riding up north, never pass a petrol station. Even if you only filled up 15 miles ago. I did Skye and back (to Glasgow) in a day a few months back, and was seriously close to running out on the way to Dunvegan castle. Eventually got to this ancient looking station and put 16.7 litres in (17l tank!! Shocked

)

When I joked with the guy in the shop, he said we passed a petrol station about 5 miles back, but its inside a barn!!! Shocked

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Mr Nice Guy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Karma :

kitty kat · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Karma :

I might be heading up that way on August bank Holiday weekend. Not sure yet as to whether my daughter will accompany me tho (not many places to plug a hair dryer into when you are in a tent Rolling Eyes

)
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Shay HTFC · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Karma :

stinkwheel, did you by any chance happen to get the 16:50 ferry from Armadale -> Mallaig last Sunday?

Saw someone who made me think of you and it maybe ties in with your trip you said you did above.
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Shay HTFC · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Karma :

P.S. The Shell garage in Kyle was open on the Sunday when we went as well as a BP (I think) garage in Broadford.
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Mr Nice Guy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Karma :