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spitfire |
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spitfire Trackday Trickster
Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Karma :
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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Posted: 16:03 - 15 Aug 2006 Post subject: |
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You'll probably do it anyway given your route but the roads in the far North West are awesome. From Thurso, head West to Durness then South to Ullapool.
I'll give you some road numbers later when I have my map in front of me.
Just don't get caught out by the distances involved. People often underestimate this grossly.
Carlisle to Inverness is a good five hour ride.
Inverness to Thurso is another four hours.
Thurso to Ullapool will take a good five hours (depending on how radge you go on the durness/Ullapool road. Ever gone down a single tracker at 90+mph? ) |
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map Mr Calendar
Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 16:31 - 15 Aug 2006 Post subject: Re: Scotland trip planning |
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TheDonUK |
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TheDonUK World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Karma :
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Posted: 19:31 - 15 Aug 2006 Post subject: |
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Stinkwheel are those time estimates based on a C90 trying to get optimum fuel efficiency?
I took near on the same route... the A1 will fly by till scotch corner, I would take the A9 up to inverness, and follow it most of the way, When you get to Tain and cross the bridge follow signs to Bonar Bridge/SpinningDale/Lairg/Ullapool/Lochinver, The roads from and between those places are spectacular.... |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 20:14 - 15 Aug 2006 Post subject: |
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TheDonUK wrote: | Stinkwheel are those time estimates based on a C90 trying to get optimum fuel efficiency? |
No, they are based on my numerous trips up to the Highlands of Scotland.
AA route planner: Carlisle to Inverness: 4h 30min
Inverness to Thurso: 3h 30min
Thurso to Ullapool: 4h 10 min
And I added some time to allow for having a sore arse and possibly wanting to stop and have something to eat or drink.
As to routes, I would probably spank it up the A9 to Inverness. If you are serious about going to John o Groats then you will probably have to stick with the A9. It is a crap road in my oppinion and passes through an area of Scotland called the flow country, spectacularly flat and featureless.
A much nicer route would be to give up on the idea of John o Groats and head up the A836 through Lairg and Altnahara. It is a fast single tracker that takes you through some truly spectacular scenery and comes out at the every picturesque Kyle of Tongue.
From here I would head West on the A838 to Durness then follow signs for Ullapool (fantastically fast road, utterly awesome on a bike).
From Ullapool I'd head South then turn off for Achnasheen. If the weather is good, go via Poolewe on the A832, they've been upgrading it to a superspeed megahighway with noone on it using European money.
Again. If the weather is good, turn onto the A896 at Kinlochewe. You will see signs for Applecross just beyond Shieldaig, follow them. It is a circular tourist route with some of the most spectacular, single-track switchbacks dropping 1,500 feet in about six miles. If you take the first turn off you go up the hill, if you take the second one (about three miles further on) you go down the hill (downhill is best IMO).
Having done this detour, continue on your way through Lochcarron and turn right onto the A890 for Achintee. There is a hotel about a mile down there who don't mind dripping wet bikers drinking tea and warming up in the bar (for some reason it always pisses down on me within a ten mile radius of Lochcarron).
If the weather is foul, head south from Ullapool on the A835 and take the secoind turning onto the A832 just north of Garve. Turn left onto the A890 at Achnasheen (the mega-road abruptly turns into single track after about 15 miles with little warning, on a sharp right hander under a railway bridge, be warned!). Then hang a left (still on the A890) to take you to Achintee.
Continue along the A890 which takes you up over the hills and onto the A87. Hang a right to go to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye bridge.
If you have time. You can turn left on the A87 and carry on to Shiel Bridge. Take the minor road signposted to Glenelg which is a silly hill pass. There is a ferry at Glenelg that takes you across to Skye with an equally stupid hill pass coming back onto Skye.
Just my route there, you don't have to follow it. I would suggest getting to Inverness or thereabouts on day 1. Taking the run over to Ullapool on day two then heading for Skye on day 3.
Be warned, fuel stations can be thin on the ground ESPECIALLY on a Sunday when a lot of them are closed. If in doubt, fill it up. You can do it with a 100 mile tank range but it requires you to pay attention. Ask at the filling stations for where the next one is on your route. |
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TheDonUK |
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TheDonUK World Chat Champion
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spitfire |
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spitfire Trackday Trickster
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TheDonUK |
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TheDonUK World Chat Champion
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Posted: 21:59 - 15 Aug 2006 Post subject: |
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I would do it the other way round if i were you, scotland for the lovely roads and the bike and the campervan for france with their over zealous police
Its the wrong choice to make but its your choice, have fun with it |
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spitfire |
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spitfire Trackday Trickster
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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TheDonUK |
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TheDonUK World Chat Champion
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colin1 |
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colin1 Captain Safety
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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tonyyzf |
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tonyyzf Brolly Dolly
Joined: 13 May 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 09:06 - 16 Aug 2006 Post subject: |
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Don't know about Carlisle to Inverness but Inverness to Thurso is only 2 hours, you can do it in 2 hours 15 by car. ____________________ Something dark reddish with two wheels and cagiva written on the side
SS50, CB175, CB250N, CB350, CB750K2, DT250, CB750K1, CB750F1, XS1100, CB750F2, FJ1200, FZR1000, YZF1000, GSXR1000, Cagiva Navigator, Triumph Tiger 1050
https://www.cliqueyclanmcc.co.uk/ |
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TheDonUK |
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TheDonUK World Chat Champion
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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EuropeanNC30R... |
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EuropeanNC30R... Gay Hairdresser
Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 17 years, 259 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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