Bealach Na Ba / Applecross

[ThunderGuts]

Afternoon all,

Looking to do this route next year; I've driven a 22ft motorhome over it, which other than doing a hill start with a reluctant handbrake, was pretty uneventful, but while it was big it was also inherently stable . . . I have a feeling two wheels will be different!

Any advice? I'm going to try and practice on some steep roads around the Peak District to get a feel for that sort of riding (normally I'm on sweeping A-roads rather than tight mountain singletracks) but I'd like to prepare so I can actually enjoy it (and the scenery) when the time comes!

Cheers
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TG.

[chickenstrip]

I don't remember it being particularly steep anywhere, nor the surface being particularly bad. I don't think you need any special advice - just go and enjoy it

If you want a challenge, do the Hardknott Pass in the Lake District. Don't take the motorhome on that one though
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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!

[doggone]

There's nothing remotely challenging apart from avoiding other traffic doing stupid things on the single track sections - especially the ever increasing number of motorhomes.
It doesn't even go anywhere very appealing there's noting at Applecross but the coast road north is OK (more dopey drivers not used to passing places though)

A far more testing route for bikes is HardKnott and Wrynose in the lake district.

[ThunderGuts]

[stinkwheel]

If you can do hardknott/Wrynose, you can do the Belach, it's no steeper, it just goes on for longer and has more idiot marmite pots driving 22ft motor homes who should keep their white elephant the fuck off it and take the coast road instead.

Especially given there is a 10ft high road sign at the start of the route asking you not to use it.
https://www.visitwester-ross.com/userfiles/image/big_5/_med/bealach.jpg

ffs!

When doing it on a bike, as always, look at where you want to go, not at the thing you want to avoid and remember the throttle is an analogue control.
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“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.

[ThunderGuts]

[chickenstrip]

Tbh, having done it in your motorhome and done the Lake District passes, I'm a bit puzzled that you felt the need to ask for advice. Was there a specific concern?
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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!

[ThunderGuts]

[chickenstrip]

The first time you ride a steep, tight road on a motorcycle will be the first time you ride a steep, tight road on a motorcycle. Not much getting away from that really

Just go and do it, you'll be fine. I didn't have any specific training or advice given me before I rode such roads.
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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!

[pepperami]

I’ve been up there and also the Wrynose/Hardknott pass on bike.

Granted, I wouldn’t want to be up there in the cold/wet/snowy weather.
I went to those places in the nice weather ie the summer.
None of them caused me an issue.

So the guidance should be , Just go!, in the summer.
Be there early in the morning before the tourists wake up
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[wintelf94]

[Skudd]

Hardknott is more fun but not as long. No issues on either of them.
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[MCN]

Applecross 'The Pass of The Cattle' is not very technical but very scenic weather permitting. The view from to top is panoramic vista.
Recommend the fresh scallops for lunch. Sweetest tenderest scallops..

The road out to Mallaig is more technical if running at a decent clip.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[chickenstrip]

[MCN]

[Nayaiutb]

Most challenging thing we found last year was the traffic. Especially one dumb fcuk coming down who, on the steepest part with the tightest steepest hairpin, stopped on the way down above the bend, so we came on (going up) - then the tw*t decided to go, right in the middle of the already narrow road - tyre to bumper nearly. Think is being a leftie drive he had no problem seeing us coming up at him either...
I'd agree with others here the lake district passes are much more challenging technically.
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Not as young as I used to be

[ThunderGuts]