Another trip to Scotland

[Jeannot]

My first ride report, so be gentle guys. I have been waiting for May to arrive with some impatience as it meant that I was going to spend a few days riding all the way to Scotland.
Finish word on Tuesday at 02:00am and was up at about 08:00, excitment and all that made me got up despite the tiredness.
Got the bike ready, had a "dress" rehersal on the Saturday just to make sure that the new bag would fit ok on the bike.
So around 09:50 it was all go. Started the bike, fired the 2610, looking for the route I had prepared and found out that I had forgotten to load it. So time to rush to the PC and load the road onto the GPS and this time it was time to go.
First it is the boring motorway journey, I decided to stop first around the Lake District area, I wanted initially to stop at the recommended Castlerigg camping but due to the GPS letting me down a few times (more about this later) I ended up in Pooley Bridge (near Penrith) in a lovely camping place (Park Foot Ullwater).
As you can see i picked a very nice spot, there was hardly anyone around. The facilities were allright and the village only a 5/10mins walk. I had a nice diner with a well deserved nice beer (they only had John Smith for some reasons).
More to come

 

[Wanderer]

Looking good so far, keep it coming

 

[Jeannot]

A few more pics I took when I walked to the village.
So far I have been very lucky with the weather, sunshine all the way and according to the weather people it was going to stay that way (not).
To be continued

 

[Jeannot]

Next day got up at around 07:00 and packed the bike. Scotland here I come. Onto the M6 to get the M74 via Glasgow and all the way to Fort William. Initially I had planned to move around from camp to camp but when I saw the time i was taking me to pack and unpack i decided to set up camp in Fort William. The A82 was a great road to ride. I have seen many pictures of Scotland but once I got there, and maybe thanks to the sunshine I could not find adjectives good enough to describe its beauty. I was stopping every few miles to take more pictures.
I read about the Ben Nevis Camp, not very far from the Ben Nevis itself and got there after a nice Scot told me how to get there in Fort William. The camp is very nice and the standards are great (£18 for 2 nights). The only thing was the wind, it was not constant but kept coming like a wave, and despite the tent being secured with all cords and pegs it felt sometimes like the tent was going to fly away. Afther the first night, when I got up the porch had detached itself from the peg and cords, and also on the last day i found out that 2 out the 3 poles were broken (but this is due maybe to the cheap price I paid for the tent...).
Anyway a few pics, on the way to Fort William, view from my tent and dinner time.

 

[Jeannot]

Next day for ride time. 2 fellows that were camping there, told me about turning right coming out of the camp and ride the road until it stops. This was a cracking little road, ending on a 1 track road.
I will carry on tomorrow I am dead tired right now

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Bloody Hell. Not another trip to Scotland!

This is going to make my trip next week look sooo common.

Nice photos, I've got to pull all the stops out if my report is going to stand out.

Note to self: buy some beans.

 

[blues n twos]

What a difference the sunshine makes... I'm gonna have to go again in better weather hopefully.

Nice pics and report

Jon

 

[Big Lee]

Good report How many times did you get airborne down that road It`s worth going to Fort Bill just for that

 

[Jeannot]

OK I am back (God do I love my bed!!).
So I decided to go all the way to Inverness via the A82, again the road was fantastic and the scenery amazing. I stopped at the Commando Memorial, the views of the Ben Nevis from there were great.

 

[Jeannot]

Good report How many times did you get airborne down that road It`s worth going to Fort Bill just for that

It did bring a smile a few times I have got to admit sometimes felt going back the road to do it again...

 

[Jeannot]

I then reached the Loch Lochy,

Next stop was at the Old Bridge Invermoristor.

Next stop was the Urquhart Castle. I looked at the map and decided to go to the Black Isle instead to stop at Inverness.
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness7-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/way-to-inverness7-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Urqhart Castle on the Loch Ness"></a>

Switched to the A833 direction Beauly ==> Muir of Ord
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness8-small-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/way-to-inverness8-small-1.jpg" border="0" alt="A893 cracking road"></a>

Enough for now I am off to work and Photobucket is uploading very slowly.

JC

 

[NA1959]

Nice pic's and ride report, keep it coming

 

[Jeannot]

Next direction Conon Bridge and turn onto the B9163 all the way to Newhall Point
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/way-to-inverness9.jpg" border="0" alt="Newhall Point 2"></a>

Not sure what those big chemineys thingys were
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/way-to-inverness10.jpg" border="0" alt="Newhall Point 3"></a>

<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/way-to-inverness12.jpg" border="0" alt="Newhall Point 4"></a>

<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/way-to-inverness13.jpg" border="0" alt="Newhall Point 5"></a>

<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness11.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/way-to-inverness11.jpg" border="0" alt="Newhall Point 3"></a>


Passed Cromarty. So far the ride has been great, looks like all the roads in Scotland are good to ride .

Unfortunately I missed a turn after Cromarty to take a single track road to Eathie (I loved those single track road) and carried on the A832 instead to catch the A9 to Inverness.

Next I went onto the B852 that rides along the Loch Ness (did not see any monster though). Stopped a few times to absorb the beauty of the scenery.

<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/way-to-inverness16.jpg" border="0" alt="Bliss tranquility"></a>

Then I saw some funny looking cows...
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/way-to-inverness14.jpg" border="0" alt="Funny looking cows"></a>

The road gets better and better
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Trip%20to%20Scotland%202009/way-to-inverness15.jpg" border="0" alt="More great roads"></a>

And then saw those little fellows
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=way-to-inverness17.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/way-to-inverness17.jpg" border="0" alt="Deer oh deer"></a>

To be continued

 

[Jeannot]

Made it back to the camp ok. I took the decision to make my way back home the next day, Friday, instead of Saturday as I could not bear to ride all the way from Fort William to Essex in 1 go (I am not that hardcore just yet ).
The next day the weather had changed back to cloud, wind and rain. I packed up everything up, this is when I have noticed that 2 poles were broken. Instead to go back all the way by the A82 i decided to switch at North Ballachulish to the A828 via Oban. Then it was the A816 direction Lochgilphead. Had a lovely full Scottish breakfast at Inveraray.
Again the road did not dissapoint even with the grey sky and the few drops of rain.
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=wayback2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/wayback2.jpg" border="0" alt="Down the A816 2"></a>
<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=Wayback1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/Wayback1.jpg" border="0" alt="Down the A816"></a>
I kind of got lost in Glasgow, I switched on the 2610 and this time he put onto the right path.
On my way out fro Glasgow the rain started to get heavy. it accompanied me up to the Scotch Corner top of the A1. By that time i had realised that I did not do my sleeve properly and both my arm were completely soaked

So as I stopped to refill, at saw a TravelLodge. Went in to query if they had room. The receptionist told me that I could not get a room directly, i needed to call central reservation or go on the Internet to book the room. I called a colleague at work and she booked me a room (£51 ). I managed to dry all my stuff on the top of the electric converter.
The next back on the saddle for the last run. The weather was not too bad, except for the wind that made me swear a few time under my lid

Finally made it home in one piece, tired but happy.

<a href="http://s319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/?action=view&current=arrival.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm480/jeannot18/arrival.jpg" border="0" alt="I have arrived"></a>

Next trip is Corsica in June but without the GS. Not enough time and not really worth it to drive all the way down to the South of France and spend 4 days in Corsica. So my mate whom lives down there will have his bike and I will rent a 660XTz.

 

[Jeannot]

To anybody that has been to Scotland yet, one word go. It is a wonderful place to ride your bike. I was lucky with the weather, but even on the last day with rain and grey skies it sill looks fantastic.
What I have learnt from this trip: (in no particular order)
1. Don't try to open a map on a windy day
2. Invest on a decent waterproof suit
3. Read the manual on how to use your GPS properly
4. Setup your tent in your garden not just once
5. Less is better (equipment wise)

My Gelert Nimbus 3 - 3 Berth Tunnel Tent is great as it gives you all the room you need, but it's a dog to put up on your own when it is windy. It is as i found out not very strong and a smaller tent maybe better for me for next trip.
The 2610 did not behave too well, i will have to read the manual some more. But surely when you are zooming down the A1, why does it tell to quit and turn right in some obscure little lane and the right hand side? Screen freezing up and taking you back to the find menu.
The Outwell waterproof bag i bought has been great, keeping all my camping gear dry.

That's it
JC