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Post by Deeps on Aug 27, 2012 10:42:04 GMT
First weekend in October, leaving Newark Friday morning, Return Monday evening. The outline plan is to do a loop north of Fort William, to include John a Groats. Any recommendations from those who have ridden there. Gary and I will be doing the run, and B&B it for the evenings. More on the route when we have looked it over.
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Post by brandane on Aug 27, 2012 11:16:32 GMT
If it was me....... A82 Fort William to Invergarry; A87 to the A890 5 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh; A890 to A896 then left for Lochcarron; DON'T FORGET the Applecross road, round to re-join the A896 to Kinlochewe; A832 round to Gairloch, Gruinard bay etc., then A835 to Ullapool (good for B&Bs/fish suppers); north on A835 past Knockan then right onto A837 (single track A road??!!) to Lairg; A836 north to Tongue; A836 east to JoG, or better still forget the tourist tat at JoG and go to Dunnet Head, the TRUE northern point of mainland Britain. Return leg: A9 (north section has only light traffic) Thurso to Inverness (another good B&B stop if required), then A82 back to Fort William (or even better, the B862/852 which is usually deserted and no HGV traffic. It runs along the south side of Loch Ness as far as Fort Augustus). Sorry I don't have the techie skills to post a map  . And, errr, October? Good luck with the weather!  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2012 12:22:17 GMT
Applecross road in October ? Are you mad ?
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Post by Deeps on Aug 27, 2012 12:30:07 GMT
Thanks for the reply, we did some good roads in Pt l. I'm sure the A87 will be in there. As to October, that's the only time we can get off work at the same time. It can't be much wetter than last time, can it?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2012 13:47:39 GMT
It can't be much wetter than last time, can it? I wish I could be that naive.  At least the midges will be less of a problem, they hate horizontal rain. ;D |
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Post by Deeps on Aug 27, 2012 14:10:18 GMT
Was said very much tounge in check, although I have indeed witnessed some fine weather at Loch Ewe in October, maybe some of our northern members might be up for a meet and ride sometime over the weekend.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2012 16:46:58 GMT
Applecross road in October ? Are you mad ? Me and Willie did Applecross in October, a mans run  (The gauntlet had been thrown down by a hard woman from Greenock.)  Run down to the Inn from the summit was mostly with the bikes at 45°, Willie didn't fall off, get lost, or lose any bits off his bike. ;D What's gone wrong since then??? Agree with Brandane, seriously consider giving John O' Groats a miss, it's a coup. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2012 16:47:48 GMT
Was said very much tounge in check, although I have indeed witnessed some fine weather at Loch Ewe in October, maybe some of our northern members might be up for a meet and ride sometime over the weekend. I'm up for that |
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Post by charlietbird on Aug 27, 2012 19:42:32 GMT
me too, but I'll be sailing down the Grand Canale. Enjoy applecross if you go!
Charlie
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2012 9:11:10 GMT
Getting lost is a bit difficult on the Applecross Rd but if Wullie didn't fall off or lose any bits it must have been a sedate ride. |
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stav
Boy Racer
Posts: 143
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Post by stav on Aug 28, 2012 18:33:14 GMT
where you plan on bedding fri & sat night and that being the 5th & 6th ?
just may pop along with another rider but depends on work
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Post by Deeps on Aug 31, 2012 15:40:19 GMT
Gary sorting accommodation out, I will let you know as soon as I do.
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Post by Deeps on Sept 26, 2012 22:14:06 GMT
OK, update time. Three of us now going, one on a Speed Triple R and two on Diversion 900's. I have the Tyre routes and route books if anybody would like to meeting along the way. Day oneThis is a long run, mostly on the fast A roads and bits of motorway to get us to the border. Then its a little play time up to south of Glasgow, a run around the motorway again then off up the A82 and A86 to get us north to the first overnight stop which is booked here. www.stronlossit.co.uk/ Day TwoThis will be a run along the west coast to our second overnight stop which will be here. www.rhiancottage.co.uk/ Day ThreeStarts with a run to Dunnet Head then we start heading south to the third overnight stop here. www.bridgeofcallyhotel.com/ Day FourThe final day sees us heading south around Edinburgh and on to the A68 for a long run down to the A1 and then home. Final overnight stop is in my own bed for the night before heading back to work early on Tuesday morning, in the car i think, to be at my desk by 09:00. ![]() i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m536/David_Pindar/ScotlandDayFour.png [/img] |
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Post by cam7777 on Sept 27, 2012 12:17:12 GMT
That run is heavy duty  You are brave to do this in October, have fun and take some pictures. |
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Post by charlietbird on Sept 27, 2012 17:53:05 GMT
That, indeed, is heavy duty! Good luck, lads! The weather forecast is none too braw too!
Charlie
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Jona
Boy Racer
Posts: 242
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Post by Jona on Sept 27, 2012 18:44:12 GMT
how many miles is each section?
Just out of interest.
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Post by Deeps on Sept 27, 2012 18:59:57 GMT
how many miles is each section? Just out of interest. Day One = 386  Day Two = 284  Day Three = 288 Day Four = 313 We need to do big miles on day one and four just to get there and back. We are all early risers and intend to be on the road by eight, coffee breaks and a snack lunch should get us to our next overnight by late afternoon OK, there is always the option to alter the route as well. Then its a nice meal a couple of beers before doing all again next day. As for the weather, wish for the best but plan for the worst. It was the only weekend we could all get time of work at the same time. |
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Post by Mike D9 on Sept 27, 2012 20:00:05 GMT
Big miles indeed!! Have a great trip and look forward to full report on return. Ride safely.
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Post by brandane on Sept 27, 2012 20:03:44 GMT
Good luck Deeps! The weather forecast looks much like it did throughout the summer, so maybe October wasn't such a bad idea after all : From the Met Office....... |
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Post by Sean on Sept 28, 2012 15:52:02 GMT
Looks like a lot of saddle time...don't forget to stop and enjoy the view on your journies.
Catch up some time when you get back Dave,
cheers,
Sean
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Post by DahDit on Sept 29, 2012 7:08:53 GMT
Jealous, but looking at the routes and where you have to go down to afterwards.....I think I'd be booking a couple of day's leave post trip to recuperate Here's wishing for the good weather fairies to be kind...it'll be a fantastic trip if they're on your side - just get wrapped up! |
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Post by Deeps on Sept 29, 2012 14:15:01 GMT
If only i could. Because of past jobs which involved networks, and a time spent as a instructor both of which appear on my competencys, I have been roped into the i-hub team at work. We are just about to roll out Microsoft share point server, and with my previous instructor experience, I seem to have ended up delivering a lot of the training. :-(
Sent from my HTC One X using proboards
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 8:03:54 GMT
Bridge of Cally hotel is quite nice, though I suspect with the mileage you're proposing to do you'll be 'Bungeed' by the time you get there.
That really is an enthusiastic itenerary for this time of year. Hope the weather suits you, though it's not looking too good at the moment.
Day 4 the A924 from Bridge of Cally over the moor to Pitlochry is a nice biking road (in decent weather) and probably wouldn't add much time to your journey. Pitlochry is on the A9 and you can horse it home from there. Just a suggestion, much better than heading directly South to Perth.
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Post by fx110 (LIM) on Oct 1, 2012 8:33:46 GMT
how many miles is each section? Just out of interest. Day One = 386 Day Two = 284 Day Three = 288 Day Four = 313 We need to do big miles on day one and four just to get there and back. We are all early risers and intend to be on the road by eight, coffee breaks and a snack lunch should get us to our next overnight by late afternoon OK, there is always the option to alter the route as well. Then its a nice meal a couple of beers before doing all again next day. As for the weather, wish for the best but plan for the worst. It was the only weekend we could all get time of work at the same time. safe ride |
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Post by Deeps on Oct 4, 2012 8:40:24 GMT
Just had an update from the Fleet Weather Team, Not looking too bad really, specially for this time of year scattered showers/sunny spells, no prolonged rain forecast. Now do i believe the weather man? |
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Post by kissofdeath on Oct 4, 2012 9:24:30 GMT
why not check out ride mags figure 8 northern loop and incorporate it into your plans, at least you'll get a badge as a reminder  |
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Post by cam7777 on Oct 4, 2012 10:39:18 GMT
weather is looking good for your trip, hopefully some great photo opportunities ride safe and enjoy |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2012 12:59:05 GMT
It does look like half decent weather this weekend, though it was a tad chilly this morning 3C. Cloudy but fair out of the window at the moment.
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Post by Deeps on Oct 4, 2012 13:12:37 GMT
It does look like half decent weather this weekend, though it was a tad chilly this morning 3C. Cloudy but fair out of the window at the moment. I'm at the stage now of keeping every thing crossed. I should get home from work about seven this evening, my kit is already packed, i did it Sunday before i came down to work, so tonight it will be a last minute check on the bike again, pack my wash-kit and then get ready to meet the other two riders at 07:15 in the morning at village hall car park, then its off up north |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2012 13:59:33 GMT
Have a safe ride. Hope it stays dry for you.
There's even some blue sky and sun out there at the moment. ;D
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. And, errr, October? Good luck with the weather! 
