Short UK Tour - where to go?

BrownTrousers · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Sep 2013 Karma :

With winter closing in, I'm keeping my spirits up between wet commutes by thinking about next years trips.

I have 5 days (Sat-Wed) booked off work in September next year with which to do as I please on my bike.

It will be a solo trip, from my home in Cambridge.

I have camping stuff but haven't ruled out staying in B&B's or whatever.

I made a shortlist of either camping in the Lake District or heading further north into Scotland.

Lake District
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Is it going to be overrun with tourists?
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Easy to Camp
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Nearer

Scotland
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With only 5 days, if I want to see the really remote parts in the far north (which I think I do), then i'm going to have to endure some really high mileage days
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Harder to camp (since will have to move every night, and weather likely to be worse)
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More remote & better roads

So, where should I go?

P.S
I did Wales and the peak district (Separately) this year and prefer to see new places, but am open to other suggestions.
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Scotland and do that thing called wildcamping and hostels when you need to rinse your pants.

Lake district is pretty rubbish for roads.
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c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Is there a reason you're sticking to the UK?

I had a fantastic short trip across Europe in 5 days back in 2013: Thread link

If your budget allows I would definitely consider something along those lines.

In fact the area of Luxembourg we stayed in on the first night was incredible and we could have easily spent a week there to cut the mileage down. Etch-sur-sure.

There are some places in the UK that are worth riding, but nothing I've found so far compares to the non-stop scenic trip I did back then.

Edit: Just to add, this is where we stayed that first night:

https://app.visitluxembourg.com/images/15146-crop-840x500x70.jpg

Find me somewhere in the UK to match that!
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TallPaul_S · Trackday Trickster Joined: 19 Dec 2013 Karma :

I'd say Scotland and the North Cost 500 but you're looking at 500+ miles just to get to the starting point of Inverness, so that's 2 days wasted just getting there and back.

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

Somewhere brown.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/climate/averages/maps/uk/8110_1km/RainDays02_Average_1981-2010_9.gif

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/
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pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

Having been to the north west of Scottyland on more than one occasion, I can vouch for how much rain they have up there Shocked

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However ,when it stops raining and you are out of the towns in the more remote places, I cant think of a better place to be imho Thumbs Up

I like Scottishland and found that anywhere norther of the big cities just gets better.

Why not do what I do to choose a destination?...... randomly stick a pin/dart in a map, then go see what`s there Thumbs Up

.........been to Birmingham doing that Doh!

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Fladdem · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2011 Karma :

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

My trip to the Peak District a few months back' the roads are good enough for me Thumbs Up

Fladdem · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2011 Karma :

Did you do it on an MX 125? You legend! Thumbs Up

Where's the write-up?!?

EDIT: Actually, I have no idea what that bike is.
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spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

I've visited the Ardennes and Mosel/Rhine/Eifel region loads of times, but the North of England and the Borders offers riding that's as good or even better. The roads are less crowded than the Peak District too Thumbs Up

Avoid the Lakes on a weekend, but it's fine mid-week. The Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines are adjoining the Lakes and offer some fabulous roads. The New Galloway Forrest road and numerous other in Dumfries and Galloway are good fun too.

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BrownTrousers · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Sep 2013 Karma :

Thanks for the input so far guys.

I hadn't considered Europe as never ridden or driven abroad before, so was cowardly avoiding the hassle of sorting overseas insurance/breakdown cover (and a passport)! Also I get lost enough in my home country, with maps and signposts I can read....

Having said that, it would certainly fulfil the 'adventure' aspect which is kind of the whole point and some of those pics do look awesome.

I'm thinking I can basically rule out Scotland as it would involve 5 x 300 mile days which might get too much? Which brings me to my next question....

How far is too far in a day? Or in 5 days?

I'm relatively young and fit but don't want to be too knackered to enjoy it or be too rushed for time to stop for lunch etc...
My bike is reliable, capable and fairly comfortable but its not made for long distance touring.

My initial idea for route was

Day 1 - Cambridge to Lake District via N Yorkshire
Day 2 - Lake District to Inverness
Day 3 - Loop round part of north coast, returning to Inverness
Day 4 - Reverse of day 2
Day 5 - Reverse of day 1

1,500 miles in 5 days though....
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c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

I'd aim for between 150-250 miles per day, depending on the sorts of roads you're riding. You could double that if you include long stretches of motorways, we basically avoided motorways and dual carriageways as much as possible once we got off of the eurotunnel. Twisty mountain roads are very hard going for hours on end.

I'd want less than 6 hours in the saddle in any given day.

We did 300 miles a day average and some days were getting on for 10 hours riding, IMO it was a bit too much.

P.s. Your insurance will cover you in Europe and breakdown cover will be cheaper than you think. Honestly you'll love it.
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TallPaul_S · Trackday Trickster Joined: 19 Dec 2013 Karma :

Breakdown cover - go with ADAC - it's what I'll be doing next year.

And deffo stick to around 200-250 miles a day max if solely 'A' roads/twisties - depending on the bike you have you can cover long distances on motoways with ease if you have a comfy bike with fairings that cruises at 80mph (France motorway speed limit is 130kph). On proper twisties with no DC or main A roads you might only see 30mph average speed.

I did a 2 day trip to north Wales and back earlier this year, 800 miles in total (320 miles of that on motorways) and it was too much - 12 hours in the saddle both days. by the time you'd added fuel stops/faffing with sat nav/maps/getting lost/food stops you can easily add an hour or 2 and that's without doing any touristy stuff.

You'll need to work out what you like to do regarding planning routes and hotels/campsites - some people like to have everything planned, some just pick a destination and see where it takes them.

Having a campsite/hotel prebooked can mean you end up rushing to get there on time, passing loads of just as good campsites on the way. Pre-planning your route in a sat nav however can mean loads less faffing and time wasted looking at maps, getting lost, ending up on a motorway when you wanted to ride the gorge road below... nowadays with street view you can 'preview' the roads and plan a route to pick the best roads. For me, panning a route on google maps/tyre is part of the fun Very Happy

And if you want to save money and are likely to do lots of trips, go camping! Euro camp sites are normally around £10-20 a night or less, whereas a semi decent hotel/B&B you're looking at £50-60+ - a week away it soon adds up. Of course if it's pissing with rain or you've just done a 500 mile day then a nice warm hotel bed will be a pleasure, but you can mix it up. Most of the time in Europe you can rock up to a hotel/campsite and get a room easily especially if there's only one of you.
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Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

September next year - if the dates fit, and you like bike racing, get over to Holland and incorporate it with a trip to Assen for the BSB. Excellent weekend and well worth the trip.

Holland has some great roads, interesting places to visit, and really welcoming people. Go overnight on the Harwich ferry with a cabin.
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Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

I live up in the far North West Highlands in Ullapool and yeah we get some shit weather but when its nice its FECKING nice. Thumbs Up

Even in Winter its stunning.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/1557421_10152954231871710_5247704277372656835_o.jpg
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spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

I'd rather stop in Ullapool than Inverness Thumbs Up

I'd forget about John O'Groats too as the north east tip of Scotland is pretty dull in comparison to the Highlands and Islands

Parson · Trackday Trickster Joined: 12 Apr 2015 Karma :

You don't need to go to the far north. Both sides of the border have great scenery and roads. Head through Northumberland and then plan something around the Moffat area.
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MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

Don't go to Keswick until it has dried out. (Circa July/August 2017/18).

Best time of year to hit the Scottish West Coast as the midges are on holiday. Smile

It would be nice but the days are very short

I wouldn't bother my arse with a tent as it would be les miserables crawling oot in the morning.

I have a 5 Zillion Tog Pheather Philled Schleeping bag for 'summer' use in Scotland. Embarassed

Tented or Housed, I sleep au natural you see.

I used 'normal' sleeping bags before until I realised that the little patches that state the temperature ratings are for when fully clothed inside. (minus one's boots of course).
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Ebbs73 · Nova Slayer Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Karma :

You can always join us on our trip to the Bol dor on the south coast of France in September .
We're in Peterborough , long ride but a fantastic weekend .

Or the Black Forest in germ ?

Just a thought

Chris

Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

D_redd · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 05 Apr 2016 Karma :

Have you made any plans fella? Good contributions here which have given me a few ideas, maybe even pre-planned a route Smile

rubyhorse2 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

why not ireland? some great roads over there.