First real tour...

[cleeve.]

Dont get to excited . The plan is for me and three of my good friends to go to scotland this july.

The plan is to leave on the 10th of july ( friday ) to go to a family biker bash in Maiden Bradly which is excellent event.

Then on the sunday (12th july) get up early in the morning to take a scenic tour up to and around preston sleep it ruff in the forest tents campfires and beers around 250 miles all A-roads

Then on the 13th (Monday) the plan is to head up to the outskirts of glasgow around 30-40 miles away. Again the same night activitys will take place. Around 200 miles this day again using A-roads.

On the Tuesday (14th) we are looking at blitzing it past Glasgow to up in the Highlands which again will be about 200 miles. You gesed it the same old activitys in the night.

On the wednesday (15th) we are looking at going further into the highlands but today take a nice easy ride. We are looking at doing around 100-150 miles this day. Same old same old for the night time activity

Thursday (16th) we are looking at doing the same untill we are around 200-250 miles away from Jhon O' Groats this should give us time to relax for a bit.. Same for the night time If you have not yet realised we are alcoholic pyromaniacs

on the friday (17th) We are heading on up to Jhon O' Groats. Where more than likely we will lay a victory flag . we will then be looking to eating out at a restaurant for the first time on the whole trip would have traveled around 200-250 miles.

Saturday (18th) A slow ride back into the highands to have a bit more of a rest ready for the next day. night going to be the same sort of thing.. We would have only done around 100-125 miles.

Sunday (19th) We are looking at opening the throttle a bit more than we have as we are takeing a 400 mile trip down to newcastle. Where if all goes to plan finacialy we will get our first real bed for 9 days which will be a god send. On this night we will be hitting the town watch out lady's here we come.

Monday (20th) We are once again looking at takeing a nice gentile drive to around Hull if not around the outskirts. where it will be back to the luxury two man tent. around 100-125 miles.

tuseday (21st) We are going to take a nice drive down to Northampton where the likely hood is we will be sleeping it ruff again in the trusty tent . But if able to convince the friends a B&B is looking promising.. would have done around 275-300 miles.

Wednesday (22nd) Today we will be traveling back to trusty old fareham. the likely hood is that the bikes will be on there last legs and will be crawling there way back... We will be unpacking the panniers and rucksacks and tail/tank bags. then collapsing into bed ....

Riders Profiles:

Joe trylski: 33bhp restricted suzuki 600 bandit.

Andy cleeve: cagiva mito 125cc 34 bhp. (Hopefully will have his yamaha xj 600cc diversion 33bhp by then.)

Nick tavinder: aprillia RS 125cc 14.5 bhp.

nathan Jones: super byke 125cc 12.4 bhp. (crosser)

As you can see from the bike's this is why the journey is going to take so long..

Any good roads missed. Or just random comments really. BTW I WILL apologise FOR THE SPELLING NOW

[Charlie]

Between b & c, I'd take this route...

Camp near preston, (Clithroe on my route) (if you the follow the route to Slaidburn, the route going out of that is a quite area and there is some woodland for possible camping?)

Stop at Devils Bridge if you want, normally full of bikers in the summer. Then head towards Kendal... the Kendal to Shap road is very good.

Stop at Hart Side Pass (you will jump of your bikes at this point and be in sheer amazement of the road you have just been on, probably one of the best ever, then turn around go back down it and back up it) again popular with bikers here.

The road from Hartside to Alston is pretty good too. My knowledge gets a bit vague after that so I guess that is up to someone else to make the rest of the route.

The main bit that is a must is Penrith to Alston. There is plenty of fun to be had in the lake district (although full of tourists and really slow to ride in the summer, in good weather) and in the Yorkshire dales. Like instead of doing Kendal Shap you could do this. With a stop at Hawes as lots of bikes meet up there too. Not too sure about the bit into the Lakes, the road I send you down to Windemere is good but not many places for overtaking, although the scenery is good.

Oh and the way back I'd recommend this bit of road over the A68 through the forest.

Enjoy the trip and make sure you post pictures from it!
____________________
Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Charlie]

If I am round for the B to C bit of the trip I could perhaps meet you if you wanted someone local to that area
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Trylski]

Thats actually the old planned route. Because nick might need to be back for the monday this is the new plan:
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[gmanxiii]

From D head to Mallaig (fast and awesome road), 13quid ferry over to Isle of Skye. Do a loop that will knacker you out and stop over if you wish. Take the bridge back inland and you'll pass Eilean Donan Castle.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[kitty kat]

If you go to Mallaig you have to stop at the Green Welly in Tyndrum, that is a biker's meet and then enjoy the road through Glen Coe. Be careful if you go through Glen Coe, the road seems to drag your right wrist back and increase your speed
____________________
Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people

[Nath]

For wild camping you wanna be in areas as remote as possible. This is especially true if in England where you're breaking the law.

Look for remote rural roads particularly in forest areas that are dead ends.

If you want some tips/inspiration look at this writeup of the 2008 scotland trip I did with a few mates. I didn't write it but the photos should give you some ideas.
https://docs.google.com/View?docid=dg3fhtfm_4dwh3zng2

Remember getting setup for the night will nearly alwasy take longer than expected. Stopping to buy food/beer/supplies at a shop, finding a suitable camping site, pitching up the tents, finding and gathering firewood, buidling a fire.... This will always take longer than you think. By the time you can chill out with a beer and some dinner it'll be late.
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Hard livin', hard luck.

[Trylski]

Great pics there Nath. Im not entirely sure about camping wild in england... We'll just wait and see
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[ljwalker]

is it legal to ride to scotland on a provisional licence ?

[Charlie]

[kitty kat]

It is legal, but make sure you have your passport and EHIC card with you.
____________________
Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people

[ljwalker]

that sounds awesome for a beginer like me i have a megelli 125r and i am really thinking about taking a trip up to scotland from the south east any1 no of any good places that are worth visiting.
cheers,

[damz]