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Post by adbru on Jul 18, 2016 19:52:48 GMT
Hi All, now that the Fen run is past I'm looking for some input from you guys for next year :-) The general thoughts from this year were folk might like another run to the north so I have 2 possible routes, Which would you prefer or will I just choose ? :-) My first thought was for an oversea's adventure... Thursday night in Oban, Friday ferry to South Uist in the Outer Hebrides with overnight in South Uist/Benbecula Saturday ride throught benbecula and North Uist, ferry over to Leverburgh in Harris and ride up for overnight in Stornoway in Lewis. Sunday morning run for some sight seeing on Lewis then ferry across to ullapool with overnight in Inverness. Google mapSomething different with a different stop each night. This would mean an extra night (Thursday), would this be doable for the guys travelling from the deep south?? Or would you prefer a run closer to the border next year?? over to you :-) |
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Post by bev on Jul 18, 2016 19:59:37 GMT
I think the Islands would be fantastic, though not for me, but totally depends on numbers.
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Post by showaddydadito on Jul 19, 2016 6:23:42 GMT
The ferry no longer goes from Oban to South Uist - from the start of this summer's timetable they have run from Mallaig.
This year's timing is 17.30 from Mallaig, arrive Lochboisdale 21.00, which would presumably set your first night firmly in South Uist.
There is a campsite at the south end of the island, at Kilbride which is only about 10 miles from Lochboisdale.
Hope this helps.
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Post by showaddydadito on Jul 20, 2016 7:08:43 GMT
I was all for it till you got to the camping bit. No worries - for big girls' blouses there is a hotel. But at £90 a night I suddenly find camping more attractive. |
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Post by bev on Jul 20, 2016 7:33:09 GMT
I don't really do camping since my Oban debacle, took months to recover from that.  Hence the Islands aren't for me.  Here's a counter proposal Adrian, what about the increasingly popular NC500. B&B and camping both available depending on your stops. There's even the odd bunkhouse. |
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Post by ContourMac on Jul 20, 2016 9:03:41 GMT
Would be interested in the islands however camping would not be our choice either (I'm a martyr to my back but don't like to mention it   ). Bev's suggestion for the NC500 would also be of interest. We really enjoyed it this year and would be happy to repeat the experience. |
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Post by showaddydadito on Jul 20, 2016 11:14:44 GMT
I spent the first 2 weeks of June in South Uist, and travelled the full length of the road from Eriskay to Berneray.
If I was looking for a route to go for a bike run I would not include it. It's three and a half hours on the ferry from Mallaig to Lochboisdale, and about 90 minutes ride to the next ferry over to Harris, then another 90 minutes to Stornoway.
It's like Rannoch Moor without having mountains round the edges to give it a scenic attraction. Well over half of the main road is single track with passing places, so it is high concentration riding.
And there are no pubs.
It's great for ornithology, but as a bike ride - nah - forget it.
If I were going up scotch for a ride I'd go round the edges of the mainland.
If you go to the isles, go there to stay a week or two - it is nice for that. Take your binoculars, your little book of birdies, a flask, some midge repellent and enjoy.
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Post by bev on Jul 20, 2016 11:31:17 GMT
. If you go to the isles, go there to stay a week or two. Take your binoculars, your little book of birdies, a flask, some midge repellent and enjoy. You can be arrested for stalking women you know.  |
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Post by bev on Jul 20, 2016 13:44:10 GMT
ANNEoRak, seems the woman's blouses outnumber u bub! Thing is I spent well over a week in critical care with Pneumonia ( after a heart bypass) in total 8 weeks in 2 hospitals not to mention the 4 unable to drive thereafter, and another 2 years before I sailed again( which was a series of near disasters)which is why If I were travelling all that way I would at least want some creature comforts, nope I do not mean nustling up to local Aberdeen Angus Long Horns either. Apart from some grief with its engine, as of today now healthily running again, I made the right decision on the Derby outing to use the ol car. Also I do take my blouse oft and life preserver as to enjoying the weather after rowing out to my latest boat, a Bermuda rigged Sloop , sorting a few bits out ready for this weekend's nearby regatta. After sitting enjoying a pasty and a couple of coffees ( having remembered to buy a lighter for the primous), watched some jelly fish float by then rowed back to the beach, but unlike the day before when I had a swim , decided not to and unlike the previous day wasn't the juicy salt basted lump that the gnats fest off . I was chatting to a dinghy sailor whose family own one of the raised beach homes therein and he said if I wanted to bring one down to see him about opening the second gate. I did consider having the Harrier I towed back from Whitby down there too, but decided getting that in and out of the water with variable tides wasn't on,so advertised it on the Classis Vintage Dinghy Racing Association and a guy bought it on the strength of one photo, another was also interested. OK I made a hundred squid ( but it was still a heck of a bargain) so that covered my trip oop tar the Narth of England, and my stay overlooking Robin Hoods Bay , so everyone was happy. I still am looking forward to riding a bike over those moors which were so misty during my mammoth run in tribute to Mum, and a certain charity. Also I decided a couple or three short rides on the Cagiva weren't good enough and last week went for a ride along the coast. I very soon got arm pump, make of that what yer will. Also despite the more upright stance my injured knee was getting quite painfull( I wear leather armoured troops religiously but am inhibited by the higher pegs and lower stance on the Mille, albeit I may go to Bentley on in it. Also sorted out my shed and buried, retrieving the other Rotax Ape 125 so as to sort out the two, so as at least one is ready for the Tiddler run, during which there will be no question of this softie southerner wimp staying under canvas. Translation:
Due to being an old git Gav doesn't camp. 
He does look forward to the C to C run, he's been to robin Hoods bay before, and will consider other runs where appropriate.
Nicely summarised I think 
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Post by teejayexc on Jul 20, 2016 18:28:57 GMT
See we're back to normal.......ah well, the shortest post in Gavs YDC history..... I was all for it till you got to the camping bit. c est la vie  |
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Post by Tigger on Jul 20, 2016 19:22:44 GMT
A few days around Dumfries and Galloway might be nice. Moffat for a base? We had some good nights out there.
Just a thought!
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Post by teejayexc on Jul 20, 2016 19:50:25 GMT
A few days around Dumfries and Galloway might be nice. Moffat for a base? We had some good nights out there. Just a thought! Ah yes ...what happened in Moffat stays in Moffat  |
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Post by bev on Jul 21, 2016 6:49:22 GMT
Moffat was good. I guess it's Adrian's call if he's organising and he appears to be trying to bring places we've not been into it. We've covered a lot of the Southern/Central part of Scotland, maybe time to head for the Islands or North. A tour instead of a location also sounds good. There's a lot of Scotland we haven't been to yet. As I remember we've done (in no particular order ) Central Scotland (Stirling/Alloa), Fort William, Oban a couple of times, Blairgowrie a couple of times, Moffat a couple of times, Aviemore, Callander a couple of times and most recently Inverness. Of course Mileage for the Southerners has to be considered. |
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Post by showaddydadito on Jul 21, 2016 7:31:11 GMT
Translation:
Due to being an old git Gav doesn't camp.
He does look forward to the C to C run, he's been to robin Hoods bay before, and will consider other runs where appropriate.
Nicely summarised I think
Thanks Duncan - I tried, but kept falling asleep about half way through I never said there's anything wrong with being a big girl's blouse - happily been one meself many times since they started making the ground cold and hard - I just kindly pointed out that there is a hotel for them. |
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Post by bev on Jul 21, 2016 8:58:40 GMT
I've just been reading about the NC500. The Mail Online describes it a Scotland's answer to Route 66. It's nothing like Route 66 It has stunning coastal roads, it has fantastic scenery and more to the point it has corners to negotiate. None of which route 66 has. Plus it's a lot shorter than route 66 by approximately 2000 miles. Mmm I may be interested if this was on the cards. Would even consider forgoing the best weekend of the year It's also as busy as the M25 since people started hyping it in bike and car Mags. I'm sure the novelty will wear off. The roads were there before the recent publicity and very quiet.
Mind you with some of the recent incidents the Police will soon take notice, some people are doing it in a day from Central Scotland. Do-able but you have to be shifting.
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Post by ContourMac on Jul 21, 2016 13:47:53 GMT
I've just been reading about the NC500. The Mail Online describes it a Scotland's answer to Route 66. It's nothing like Route 66 It has stunning coastal roads, it has fantastic scenery and more to the point it has corners to negotiate. None of which route 66 has. Plus it's a lot shorter than route 66 by approximately 2000 miles. Mmm I may be interested if this was on the cards. Would even consider forgoing the best weekend of the year It's also as busy as the M25 since people started hyping it in bike and car Mags. I'm sure the novelty will wear off. The roads were there before the recent publicity and very quiet.
Mind you with some of the recent incidents the Police will soon take notice, some people are doing it in a day from Central Scotland. Do-able but you have to be shifting.
When Debs & I did the route at the end of May it was really quiet But I would see how it could be a nightmare in high season particularly on the Pass Of The Cattle. We did it with 3 overnight stops but it could comfortably be done in 2 with stops in Thurso and Ullapool. Wherever Adrian decides the primary consideration is to ensure that there is plenty of accommodation available whether it be multi-stop or based in one place which can be tricky to find as you get further into more sparsely populated areas. |
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Post by bev on Jul 21, 2016 13:58:19 GMT
It's also as busy as the M25 since people started hyping it in bike and car Mags. I'm sure the novelty will wear off. The roads were there before the recent publicity and very quiet.
Mind you with some of the recent incidents the Police will soon take notice, some people are doing it in a day from Central Scotland. Do-able but you have to be shifting.
When Debs & I did the route at the end of May it was really quiet But I would see how it could be a nightmare in high season particularly on the Pass Of The Cattle. We did it with 3 overnight stops but it could comfortably be done in 2 with stops in Thurso and Ullapool. Wherever Adrian decides the primary consideration is to ensure that there is plenty of accommodation available whether it be multi-stop or based in one place which can be tricky to find as you get further into more sparsely populated areas. Yep, there's been a few car and bike clubs doing it plus the added traffic from the publicity. Getting busy I hear. A few disgruntled locals and more than a few idiots caught trying to do it at light speed. ( I bet they aren't doing it on a CB100 ) |
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Post by adbru on Jul 23, 2016 11:23:34 GMT
Hi Guys,
Been manic busy hence my quietness, also just back from a week in Stornoway at a music festival (hic!)
I was just trying to think of something different, my second suggestion was to be the NC500.
I would do it anti-clockwise as that gets the (relatively) boring east cost done first.
Thursday night Inverness, Friday Thurso, Saturday Ullapool, Sunday Inverness.
Or as its only an hour ullapool inverness could shift the days to:-
Friday Inverness, Saturday Thurso, Sunday Ullapool, head south monday morning??
I don't think we have covered the NE (Aberdeenshire), not really my area but some nice roads which are a (little) closer...
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Post by ContourMac on Jul 23, 2016 17:01:33 GMT
Either option would fit with Debs & I
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Post by speighty on Jul 28, 2016 22:55:29 GMT
Hmmm, the NW500 sounds like a plan :-)
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Post by gordy1 on Oct 23, 2016 15:56:01 GMT
Hmmm, the NW500 sounds like a plan :-) Got your NW mixed up with the NC?  |
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Post by gordy1 on Oct 23, 2016 21:40:24 GMT
Old Father Time shows no mercy! Bikes still in use, less often due to more granddaughters (3), more trail riding tomorrow while dry weather lasts 😉
Good to see a good few of the old faces still posting here.
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Post by adbru on Oct 24, 2016 19:05:12 GMT
Still got the Serow? Might need to pick your brain as it sounds quite appealing |
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Post by speighty on Oct 28, 2016 22:06:19 GMT
Got your NW mixed up with the NC? Gordon..... Nice to here from you. Glad you're still about. Hope you are well and still on 2 wheels. You have to forgive Speighty, he's showing signs of getting OLD. You only have to look at his new bike to see what I mean. Certainly am confused ... happens a lot these days !! The Triumph lives on, although Im already starting to think of something maybe a tad more powerful. But Im loving the comfort...but the weight .... you should see me try and get it off the side stand, nevermind the centre stand !!! |
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