Post by Deeps on May 13, 2011 21:08:45 GMT
The Tail of Deeps and Co's Long Weekend in Scotland.
So the weekend was sorted, B&B's booked, routes planned. Friday came and 0715 the bike was packed and ready to go.
Meet Gary at the end of the village, and then set off north, with a quick blast to Weatherby then A road routes toward Leyburn. Weather at this stage was still OK, a little overcast but not to bad. From Leyburn we took the A684 following 'DahDits' advice and what a road it was, the run along wensleydale was very good and is well worth doing. We stopped for a drink at a lovely little tea shop in Bainbridge. Oh and also to put on the waterproofs!! as it was looking very grim and foreboding on the hill tops, and we were about to run the Buttertubs pass.
Sorry no pictures, because the rain was now coming down horizontally, I'm glad we switched the planned route to cover most of the way in wensleydale, as the B6270 while a stunning road was very challenging in the rain and wind and took some time to cover. There followed a quick blast along the A66 to Penrith. The sun was back out, the waterproofs back in the top box and a fun run along the A6 and once at Grethna Green we followed the B7076 to Abington, what a fantastic road, all who ride on two wheels should use this road to travel both north and south. We stopped at the services at Abington for a refuel of coffee and tea.
We then ran up the B7078 and motorway to Glasgow. What a welcome we got, once onto the M8 the traffic came to grinding halt, and down came the rain. We took the A82 from the center of Glasgow rather than stay filtering on the M8. Once west of Glasgow the rain stopped and the run to Helensburgh was fine. We stayed in the Eastbank B&B, very clean rooms and the Host and Hostess could not do enough for us. Both bikes were parked off road, and were even given a rise of by the owner as he was out watering the hanging baskets. The breakfast was great and done early so we could get a good early start on day two.
Day two started fine and dry so we took the road past the base and then up along the A817 to warm the bikes and tires up
as you see from the above picture the clouds to the south west were looking angry. A quick run along the A83 and up the rest and be thankful gave us our first 'Character building Moment' as we rounded the top the wind was howling across the road and following the road around to the right was not the easiest of thing to do. It was still dry at this stage and the run up to Inveraray was fun, the roads were only a little damp ad we were the only traffic. After Inveraray we had another good run along to Lochgilphead where we were meet by John a fellow Navy man, and we then took the coast road to Oban. Five minutes after leaving we rode into the mother of all rain showers so had to stop and don the waterproofs. What a brilliant road from Lochgilphead to Oban, although now Little cold but still dry, my learning curve went vertical. Sharp corners, Sharp downhill corners through a few switchbacks, lose gravel on the road and by now the occasional mad man in a camper van, using all the road.
The did stop, just as we came into oban, and it looked very nice and picturesque, but we didn't stop as we had a date with hot coffee and bacon rolls at the Stalker Castle coffee shop, a fine place to have a break.
After our refuel John took the lead and we headed for Spean Bridge,where we stopped at the Commando Memorial.
After this there followed a very quick run to Invergarry, again my learning curve was steep, and i learnt to ride within my own abilities and not take risks to keep up with quicker riders. John left us here to ride home to Stirling and Gary and i took the A87 to Skye. The weather god must have had a soft moment because it stopped raining and the sun came out for our run along one of the best biking roads in the UK. Weather god soon back on form and the run run the Skye bridge into Portree was completely horrendous. Strange how the sun came out when we got there. We stayed in the Tongadale Hotel which was clean and basic, but it had its own bar
When we booked we asked if they had off street parking and she said yes. It was a small spot behind the hotel, down a very narrow passage and if there had been more than the two of us it would have been imposable to move. 
Had very good fish and Chips from the Lower-deck seafood restaurant in Portree.
Day three started in the rain, it rained most of the day, it was still raining by the time we got to Berwick, so no pictures. However in spite of the rain the views along the A890 and A832 were fantastic. By now i was allot more confident about riding at speed, not mad speed, in the wet and we made good time across to the A835. What a road that is, fast and again almost no traffic. Once onto the A9 we headed south, keeping an eye out for police and cameras. We stopped at Newtonmore for fuel and also at the cafe at the southern end of town for coffee and a well deserved slice of cake. As was the norm by now, it stopped raining shortly after we arrived in Berwick. Here we stayed in the Cobble Yard Hotel. It was the only one with off street parking. It was a fine place the staff were very helpful.
As it was the last night we awarded ourselves a very nice steak from the Queens head hotel in old town Berwick.
Day four was a quick blast south. There was no rain trying to wash us of the road, just strong winds trying to blow us off instead. Home by Lunch.
So what did i learn.1) The D9 is comfortable when spending 200/300 miles a day on it. 2) Once you've overcome your fears there is a good level of grip even in the rain. 3) Always ride at a pace you are comfortable with. 4) My boots don't let in the water. 5) My waterproofs are indeed waterproof. My helmet steams up at the hint of a dark cloud.
What did Gary learn. 1) His S1000RR is not very comfy for long rides. 2) He wishes he had never sold his K1200S. 3) he needs a different bike before going on his Alps Trip. 4) There are some awsome roads in the Highlands, and he would do it again, despite the weather.
Thanks to all who gave advice.
Dave.
So the weekend was sorted, B&B's booked, routes planned. Friday came and 0715 the bike was packed and ready to go.
Meet Gary at the end of the village, and then set off north, with a quick blast to Weatherby then A road routes toward Leyburn. Weather at this stage was still OK, a little overcast but not to bad. From Leyburn we took the A684 following 'DahDits' advice and what a road it was, the run along wensleydale was very good and is well worth doing. We stopped for a drink at a lovely little tea shop in Bainbridge. Oh and also to put on the waterproofs!! as it was looking very grim and foreboding on the hill tops, and we were about to run the Buttertubs pass.
Sorry no pictures, because the rain was now coming down horizontally, I'm glad we switched the planned route to cover most of the way in wensleydale, as the B6270 while a stunning road was very challenging in the rain and wind and took some time to cover. There followed a quick blast along the A66 to Penrith. The sun was back out, the waterproofs back in the top box and a fun run along the A6 and once at Grethna Green we followed the B7076 to Abington, what a fantastic road, all who ride on two wheels should use this road to travel both north and south. We stopped at the services at Abington for a refuel of coffee and tea.
We then ran up the B7078 and motorway to Glasgow. What a welcome we got, once onto the M8 the traffic came to grinding halt, and down came the rain. We took the A82 from the center of Glasgow rather than stay filtering on the M8. Once west of Glasgow the rain stopped and the run to Helensburgh was fine. We stayed in the Eastbank B&B, very clean rooms and the Host and Hostess could not do enough for us. Both bikes were parked off road, and were even given a rise of by the owner as he was out watering the hanging baskets. The breakfast was great and done early so we could get a good early start on day two.
Day two started fine and dry so we took the road past the base and then up along the A817 to warm the bikes and tires up
as you see from the above picture the clouds to the south west were looking angry. A quick run along the A83 and up the rest and be thankful gave us our first 'Character building Moment' as we rounded the top the wind was howling across the road and following the road around to the right was not the easiest of thing to do. It was still dry at this stage and the run up to Inveraray was fun, the roads were only a little damp ad we were the only traffic. After Inveraray we had another good run along to Lochgilphead where we were meet by John a fellow Navy man, and we then took the coast road to Oban. Five minutes after leaving we rode into the mother of all rain showers so had to stop and don the waterproofs. What a brilliant road from Lochgilphead to Oban, although now Little cold but still dry, my learning curve went vertical. Sharp corners, Sharp downhill corners through a few switchbacks, lose gravel on the road and by now the occasional mad man in a camper van, using all the road.
The did stop, just as we came into oban, and it looked very nice and picturesque, but we didn't stop as we had a date with hot coffee and bacon rolls at the Stalker Castle coffee shop, a fine place to have a break.After our refuel John took the lead and we headed for Spean Bridge,where we stopped at the Commando Memorial.
After this there followed a very quick run to Invergarry, again my learning curve was steep, and i learnt to ride within my own abilities and not take risks to keep up with quicker riders. John left us here to ride home to Stirling and Gary and i took the A87 to Skye. The weather god must have had a soft moment because it stopped raining and the sun came out for our run along one of the best biking roads in the UK. Weather god soon back on form and the run run the Skye bridge into Portree was completely horrendous. Strange how the sun came out when we got there. We stayed in the Tongadale Hotel which was clean and basic, but it had its own bar
When we booked we asked if they had off street parking and she said yes. It was a small spot behind the hotel, down a very narrow passage and if there had been more than the two of us it would have been imposable to move. 
Had very good fish and Chips from the Lower-deck seafood restaurant in Portree.Day three started in the rain, it rained most of the day, it was still raining by the time we got to Berwick, so no pictures. However in spite of the rain the views along the A890 and A832 were fantastic. By now i was allot more confident about riding at speed, not mad speed, in the wet and we made good time across to the A835. What a road that is, fast and again almost no traffic. Once onto the A9 we headed south, keeping an eye out for police and cameras. We stopped at Newtonmore for fuel and also at the cafe at the southern end of town for coffee and a well deserved slice of cake. As was the norm by now, it stopped raining shortly after we arrived in Berwick. Here we stayed in the Cobble Yard Hotel. It was the only one with off street parking. It was a fine place the staff were very helpful.
As it was the last night we awarded ourselves a very nice steak from the Queens head hotel in old town Berwick.
Day four was a quick blast south. There was no rain trying to wash us of the road, just strong winds trying to blow us off instead. Home by Lunch.
So what did i learn.1) The D9 is comfortable when spending 200/300 miles a day on it. 2) Once you've overcome your fears there is a good level of grip even in the rain. 3) Always ride at a pace you are comfortable with. 4) My boots don't let in the water. 5) My waterproofs are indeed waterproof. My helmet steams up at the hint of a dark cloud.
What did Gary learn. 1) His S1000RR is not very comfy for long rides. 2) He wishes he had never sold his K1200S. 3) he needs a different bike before going on his Alps Trip. 4) There are some awsome roads in the Highlands, and he would do it again, despite the weather.
Thanks to all who gave advice.
Dave.
.