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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 21:57 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: What Scotland Might Look Like If It Was Sunny- pic heavy! |
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On Monday, I actually decided to believe what the weathermen were saying and booked a couple of B&Bs in Scotland, since my last day trip merely whetted my appetite for more.
First overnight was at Ardrishaig, Kintyre, but first priority was a loop down the Kintyre peninsula. Weather dry and mild, but a bit overcast, so pics not great on this first day.
Kintyre western shore:
https://i.postimg.cc/YCKhDh2j/DSCN7220.jpg
Looking across the sound to Jura:
https://i.postimg.cc/664ZHsVj/DSCN7230.jpg
Cormorants:
https://i.postimg.cc/pddhz3XB/DSCN7233.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/fLtVgXdt/DSCN7234.jpg
Bottom of the loop, at Campbeltown harbour:
https://i.postimg.cc/hPqXpXtv/DSCN7238.jpg
Davas (?) Island:
https://i.postimg.cc/K88vHBSG/DSCN7245.jpg
All around the Kintyre coastline, you find these rock formations:
https://i.postimg.cc/9MZW7BTp/DSCN7270.jpg
Heading back up the eastern side, view of Arran across Kilbrannan Sound:
https://i.postimg.cc/DfQvfB7f/DSCN7301.jpg
And on up to my B&B.
Day two, and the destination was Ullapool. Much of my route up I've already done this year, but on the last mini tour I missed a section of the coast road, from Kinlochewe and round through Gairloch, so I put that right this time.
First few shots are from on the way to Kinlochewe:
https://i.postimg.cc/HL7mqtSg/DSCN7345.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/YC0M37Yj/DSCN7337.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/KvrCgHWj/DSCN7368.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/CxrPGTsh/DSCN7406.jpg
Five Sisters of Kintail (I love this view!):
https://i.postimg.cc/J41PS4T7/DSCN7431.jpg
One highlight of the stretch to Loch Carron was obliterating a bunch of scooby-doos who were racing nose to tail
And the next ones from Kinlochewe to Ullapool on the coastal route:
https://i.postimg.cc/yx7yqvyp/DSCN7465.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/prkYPz0W/DSCN7470.jpg
A panorama of peaks just after Gairloch:
https://i.postimg.cc/d1Y8d4pQ/DSCN7484.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/dt1G87HC/DSCN7513.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/8C8WQZ1d/DSCN7519.jpg
And at Ullapool yesterday evening:
https://i.postimg.cc/vBh6nM5X/DSCN7536.jpg
More to come, maybe tonight, maybe not. Currently at Thurso, heading for the Cairngorms tomorrow ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!
Last edited by chickenstrip on 19:39 - 06 Oct 2019; edited 5 times in total |
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ScaredyCat |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
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Posted: 22:12 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Right, that's what it might look like if it were sunny, what was it actually like?
Very nice pics btw.... ____________________ Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 22:29 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Today was the furthest north I've ever been, despite a number of tours I've done that have visited Scotland over the years. Like most people, I've seen photos of these remote mountain regions, but it's something else when you are riding mile after mile through it all. And be warned; if you're not interested in mountain scenery, might as well go elsewhere now!
https://i.postimg.cc/3RxxPGDC/DSCN7557.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/50rbTRJb/DSCN7565.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/yYmW37BR/DSCN7566.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/wvN9KkjN/DSCN7571.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/0yz3HyQM/DSCN7592.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/5tqmshwQ/DSCN7595.jpg
As well as the larger lochs, there are many little tarns and lagoons on this stretch:
https://i.postimg.cc/RZCfMWfh/DSCN7624.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/R0KvyRFH/DSCN7632.jpg
Photos of mountains on their own are all very well, but sometimes you need a sense of scale:
https://i.postimg.cc/vZvJVNcX/DSCN7655.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/4x48rNxb/DSCN7660.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/YSZbG6fb/DSCN7667.jpg
On occasion, you just catch a tantalising glimpse of a little glen as you whiz by. Sometimes worth going back for a better look:
https://i.postimg.cc/RFtGcWg9/DSCN7672.jpg
And so to the northern coast:
https://i.postimg.cc/Nj04dJdd/DSCN7686.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/ZYrVny9x/DSCN7681.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/J0cq29w2/DSCN7680.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/CLSJqLkT/DSCN7683.jpg
But now and again you turn inland for bit again:
https://i.postimg.cc/nzqYX6Lh/DSCN7699.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/G3JxdwNM/DSCN7711.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/yYLh3h7c/DSCN7718.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/52GwnxYt/DSCN7722.jpg
I'd never been to the mainland's most northerly point, but now I can say I've Dunnet (coat?):
https://i.postimg.cc/gJy8z8Mw/DSCN7726.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/YqCY74Q9/DSCN7728.jpg
And of course...well, you didn't think you'd get away with it this time did you?
https://i.postimg.cc/FFDkT9wQ/DSCN7732.jpg
Not going down the A9 from here tomorrow though; hopefully the planned route will be a bit more interesting. A bit of a back-track to Tongue, then south and, as said Cairngorms. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!
Last edited by chickenstrip on 19:55 - 06 Oct 2019; edited 8 times in total |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 22:34 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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ScaredyCat wrote: | Right, that's what it might look like if it were sunny, what was it actually like?
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Dunno, couldn't see a feckin thing in all the rain ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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RhynoCZ |
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RhynoCZ Super Spammer
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Posted: 22:58 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Lovely place, seems abandoned though. Is it a hostile place or why are there no signs of human habitation? ____________________ '87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 23:06 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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I was actually surprised at how many little communities and single houses there were dotted here and there. But also plenty of evidence of people having given up, boarded up, and buggered off elsewhere. No way to make a reliable living for most. Too remote, too cut off in the winter snows. Hard living up there, you have to have the right mentality, and most folks couldn't hack the isolation. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!
Last edited by chickenstrip on 23:12 - 06 Oct 2016; edited 1 time in total |
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Pigeon |
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Pigeon World Chat Champion
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Posted: 23:09 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Howling Terror |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 23:16 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Howling Terror wrote: | chickenstrip wrote: | Hard living up there, you have to have the right mentality, and most folks couldn't find the chippy. |
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Lol! It's been a struggle to avoid fish and chips every day! I haven't struggled that hard to be honest ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 23:21 - 06 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Pigeon wrote: | silence except birds, running water and a breeze.
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For a city boy like me, it's a new experience. I stopped on a couple of occasions in more sheltered spots, and just listened. Nothing. no birds, no breeze, no running water. ABSOLUTE silence. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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ScaredyCat World Chat Champion
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Saraya |
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Saraya Spanner Monkey
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Posted: 04:45 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Such beautiful pictures.
Being a newbie, grandma rider, I’ve never ridden my YBR and thought 'I need more bike, moar powa.'
But seeing threads and pics like this make me wonder if maybe one day, I’ll get something a bit more grown up. |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 07:34 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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You can do touring on small bikes Saraya. I saw what I think was a 125 loaded up with luggage at Kinlochewe (might've been a 250 - off-road style, and I'm not good with identifying those). Personally, I do like having the moar powah, especially for any motorway stretches (only done M74 from Carlisle to Glasgow on this tour), and just the relaxed effortlessness of a litre bike, but it's not entirely necessary. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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Posted: 09:34 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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You got the magic week when the sun was out, there's no salt on the road and ... most importantly... The midges are gone!
I was up around Kinlochrannoch/ Loch Awe at the weekend. Just about the best biking weekend of the year so far. Actually, second best, the best one was about a month ago when we got stuck behind a set of wind turbine blades on lo-loaders between Kyle and Sheil bridge then had the whole road free and clear once we got past them.
Small point of order on describing small bodies of still water. You get Tarns in England. If they are in Scotland, they're called a Lochan. ____________________ “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. |
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Saraya |
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Saraya Spanner Monkey
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Posted: 09:35 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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.Bishbash. |
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.Bishbash. World Chat Champion
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Posted: 10:53 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Looks ace pal. Scotland is truly beautiful.
I had the pleasure of living in Oban for some time in 2013/14 and the roads round there are made for bikes. I remember when I first rode through Glencoe valley thinking "I'm gonna blitz these bends like a beast", get there and rode at about 25mph gazing at it's beauty like a kid in a candy store.
It's a breathtaking country and I'm super jealous of your trip.
Keep the pics coming dude, they are fab. ____________________ Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8 |
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Kris |
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Kris World Chat Champion
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Posted: 12:14 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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Awesome, as ever! ____________________ NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
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B5234FT Brolly Dolly
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chrisdubya Scooby Slapper
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 17:43 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | You got the magic week when the sun was out, there's no salt on the road and ... most importantly... The midges are gone!
I was up around Kinlochrannoch/ Loch Awe at the weekend. Just about the best biking weekend of the year so far. Actually, second best, the best one was about a month ago when we got stuck behind a set of wind turbine blades on lo-loaders between Kyle and Sheil bridge then had the whole road free and clear once we got past them.
Small point of order on describing small bodies of still water. You get Tarns in England. If they are in Scotland, they're called a Lochan. |
Thanks for that I do actually like to be corrected on these things. It's not like I'm going to get pronunciation of Scottish place names etc overnight, but every little I can learn, I try to absorb, wherever I go.
Had to stop just before Campbeltown for a few trucks loaded up with wind turbine blades, then at the port itself was the ship that had brought them in, still with a couple of blades on deck. Dutch ship IIRC.
Scotland had a few days of weather like this back in April this year. Locals in the far north informed me that this, and September/October fine weather is quite common. I'm fortunate in that I can watch the forecasts, and if it looks like we're going to get a settled period, I can book on spec. This'll probably be the last trip this year though. The wind on the north coast yesterday was quite biting, and I've felt the drop in temperature today too - needed to be well wrapped up.
I didn't do too well today. The route south I chose, although it had some nice bits of riding, wasn't so spectacular in the scenery department, so just a few photos.
Turning south at Tongue, this view meets you almost immediately:
https://i.postimg.cc/6pG76Cq9/DSCN7736.jpg
You climb up onto high moorland, and it's all just pretty empty, no more spectacular mountains, just some lochs and small rivers:
https://i.postimg.cc/brJJ7t4f/DSCN7741.jpg
Went down through Lairg and Bonar Bridge, and made for Drumnadrochit, near which is Castle Urquhart. I must have some Scottish blood in me, as I couldn't bring myself to pay to look round it, especially when I saw it looked like they'd actually made an effort to block any views of it with carefully planted trees and judicious use of fencing. Not to be beaten though! :
https://i.postimg.cc/KY2YZVCN/DSCN7746.jpg
Had a ball down the A82 from there to Fort Augustus as it was pretty traffic free mostly for a change. Then headed south over more hills:
https://i.postimg.cc/qqSkWZ82/DSCN7748.jpg
...and gradually found my way to the hotel I'm in now at Nethy Bridge, poised for some exploration around the Cairngorms tomorrow on the way home. I would've done some of that today, but was aching like buggery by the time I got here this afternoon - getting old ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!
Last edited by chickenstrip on 19:59 - 06 Oct 2019; edited 3 times in total |
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nitrosurf |
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nitrosurf Trackday Trickster
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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Pigeon World Chat Champion
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Pigeon |
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Pigeon World Chat Champion
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Posted: 20:50 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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The days are shorter / colder now, but you do get some wonderful light effects! |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 20:51 - 07 Oct 2016 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | chickenstrip wrote: | now at Nethy Bridge, poised for some exploration around the Cairngorms tomorrow on the way home. |
You're in for a real treat tomorrow. |
Any recommended roads? I have a route in mind, including going to the end of one little dead-end lane (according to my map) near Aviemore, then turning around and looping around to the east and south, past Lochnagar (A939, and A93 to exit the region). ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 7 years, 202 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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