First long ride / weekend tour

[Cheerfulgrin]

So; I've been riding my YBR125 for about a year, I've got the mod2 re-take next friday (24th) but hoping i can remember to use my back brake more often and keep 2 seconds braking distance and I will pass this time

I've got a 2009 Hyo GT250R to ride once the test is done with and all being well i am going from NW Wales up to the Lake District for a weekend trip on either 2nd or 9th March.
I will have been riding the new bike for a week (or two) to work and whenever else i can I'm used to riding on NSL Dual Carriageway and a bit of small town riding on the YBR so hoping i can pick up the feel of the new bike pretty quick and be ready for a longer ride.

so has anyone got any tips or advice they want to pass on to a newbie to bike camping and touring. I'm really looking forward to this trip (as a test for a bigger summer one!) so want it to go as smoothly as possible but I'm expecting to learn a lot on this first trip.

I'm thinking i'll pack my gear and camp up in the Lakes, does anyone know if the campsites are generally biker friendly?

I've picked up some panniers and got a tail roll type bag too, so i think luggage is sorted. what to take / not to take will be more important? lol

I could probably do with something to do whilst i am there other than riding the bike, so any suggestions of places to go, things to do would be very welcome.





I've got some AA Cover for me and have checked it covers me on the bike...just in case
____________________
--Current Bike: '98 Hornet CB600F
--Previous Bikes 2012 Hyo GT250R - 2010 YBR125 - Back in '91:Suzuki 50cc moped & Honda CB125T Superdream
--CBT -Feb '11, Theory -Nov '11, Mod 1 -Jan '12, Mod 2 Feb '12

[Maruchino]

Camping in early March? Rather you than me!

A tent.
A change of clothes.
Some food.
A credit card.
Done!

[Cheerfulgrin]

I've stayed out late and early in the year before and have some warm camping gear so March doesnt really bother me, I'm planning on doing a write up, so I'll let you know if i turn into an icepop! haha

I might take a telescopic fishing rod too and do some fishing in Buttermere lake. The fell walking there looks good as well. shame its only a weekend trip!
____________________
--Current Bike: '98 Hornet CB600F
--Previous Bikes 2012 Hyo GT250R - 2010 YBR125 - Back in '91:Suzuki 50cc moped & Honda CB125T Superdream
--CBT -Feb '11, Theory -Nov '11, Mod 1 -Jan '12, Mod 2 Feb '12

[pepperami]

I just got a set of Oxford 1st time soft panniers and a I`ve got a Lidl magnetic tank bag on my Hyosung.
Took the bike to Lowerstoft and back (90 miles) with all the luggage to see how she behaved and all was fine.
I`m lucky as my missus works for a small hotel chain and I get "Friends & Family" discounts so I wont need to camp when I do a couple of small jaunts on my Hyosung in April .
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Dilyan]

[Cheerfulgrin]

thanks for the tips, i take it i should probably put a cigeratte lighter socket on the bike, there is space under the pillion seat to store stuff like that, would this attach direct to the battery with an inline fuse or attach elsewhere?

any idea how i can mount a sat nav/phone on the bike without too much trouble?
the usual cases seem to be for handlebars not clip ons

i'll make sure i have a spare bulb, although not sure how much of a faff it might be to change the headlight one, guess i should find out beforehand!!!

I've got one of the tiptop punchture repair kits, thought it was worth 15quid if i can be on the road again in 20 mins

i've got a small tent, sleeping mat, decent bag and liner, small gas stove and gas, small cookset (from being a camper and hiker) so i can make a brew or some bacon butties. I'm thinking it will be fairly quiet in the lakes at start of march, there are a few hotels and stuff that are bound to be open for food too.

1st choice of location so far is going to be somewhere near Buttermere looks like some good trout fishing and fell walking to be had as well as riding on some of those lovely lakeside A-roads....cant wait!!
____________________
--Current Bike: '98 Hornet CB600F
--Previous Bikes 2012 Hyo GT250R - 2010 YBR125 - Back in '91:Suzuki 50cc moped & Honda CB125T Superdream
--CBT -Feb '11, Theory -Nov '11, Mod 1 -Jan '12, Mod 2 Feb '12

[Dilyan]

[Bulldogz]

Alright pal good luck with yer journey im doing my first adventure in april going up to scotland for a week on the bike so keeping an eyre on your thread for tips also, This is the route im doing from[url]from:53.658316,-2.62189 to:Dunfermline to:Oban to:Uig Bay, Portree to:Isle of Harris/Isle of Lewis to:Stornoway to:Ullapool to:glencoe[/url]

[Cheerfulgrin]

[Bulldogz]

[Cheerfulgrin]

[karthick3d]

Guys, New to the Group, Passed my module-2 4 months before and bought Yamaha Fzs 1000 Fazer.
Regarding touring, I havent camped before, I havent done more than 50 miles in a day so far.
I want to keep that until April when I am planning to go round UK in 6 Days. Starting from South end on Sea to north along the coast to scotland, Peak, lake district, wales, devon, brighton, and finish. I will be touching all the recommended roads for riding in UK.
I can see that It's one of the ridiculous idea, my friends are betting that I cant do it. But I think it's possible.

[Dracon]

I'm used to driving long distances in the car, but I was amazed how tiring a long jaunt on the bike is in comparison. I'm ready for an extended breather after 2 hours in the saddle (twisty A/B roads).

IMO, you really need to build up to riding long distances, not just hope for the best. Losing concentration because you're tired isn't great!

[Cheerfulgrin]

[Diddylord]

That looks like a fantastic route, I'm planning a tour at the end of the month that will hopefully incorparate that area can you tell me where that picture was taken/ any good roads round that area.

Another nice place to visit is LLangollen and the horse shoe pass, very twisty and good fun and would be rougthly the same distance as you last ride.

Hope you keep enjoying you new bike and well done on passing your test

[Cheerfulgrin]

that is snowdon in the background, picture taken about a mile or two outside of waenfawr heading south(ish) towards beddgellert.

I guess it depends what sort of roads you like, some of these are pretty twisty with single track sections, but the 'main' roads are pretty good, smooth tarmac and bendy bits with straight sections that go up and down a lot!

its too difficult to pick a favourite as I'm still exploring, the A470 from conwy to dolgellau is a good one though.

I'll let you know of more after next weekend hopefully
____________________
--Current Bike: '98 Hornet CB600F
--Previous Bikes 2012 Hyo GT250R - 2010 YBR125 - Back in '91:Suzuki 50cc moped & Honda CB125T Superdream
--CBT -Feb '11, Theory -Nov '11, Mod 1 -Jan '12, Mod 2 Feb '12

[R1AL]

Nice pic Rob... One of the best biking roads around here is the A4212 from Bala to Trawsfynydd, you'll know who I am by my username... We'll have to get out for a ride sometime mate

Al

[pepperami]

Mr Cheerful! tell me about your heated grips on you Hyosung?.

Were they easy to fit? what ones did you choose? do they drain your battery or is the generator/alternator stong enough to cope?

I wired in my sat-nav directly from the battery with an in line fuse + a slight modification to the mount so the screen is a the right angle to be seen.
https://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/pepperami_photos/IMG_0329.jpg
It works really well .

I`m getting my bike it`s 500 mile service next week.
Then later in the month I`m going round the coast of East Anglia ending up in Hunstanton for the night , before returning to Ipswich the long way inland via the A-roads.

If everything goes well and the bike behaves.... John O`groats here I come in May!
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Cheerfulgrin]