August Bank Holiday Ideas

[geotim]

I’ve got the August bank holiday free to enjoy the bike. Ferry’s look stupid expensive so unless there’s a last minute discount I think that’s Europe out which is a shame as I really enjoyed my Normandy trip in May.

I’m based in Cirencester so Wales is always an easy option but not very inventive.

Cornwall is an option but I have been down there before.

Lake District is on my radar and I’ve never done that on a bike.

Any other, more imaginative, options that I’m not thinking of? I can leave home mid afternoon on Friday and don’t mind getting home late on Monday (works well for Caen ferry).

Yorkshire.

 

[geotim]

How about the Borders region?

Dumfries & Galloway.
Borders.
Northumberland.
Cumbria.
Yorkshire.

So many nice roads, loads of nice places for food & lodgings to suit most pockets.

A nice loop would capture the western side of the Lake District, across the northern edge and up into Dumfries. Perhaps as far as Moffat. Head east from there toward Howick and then cut back through the borders toward Alston. Take in Middleton in Teasdale or the Hartside pass to get you down toward the Yorkshire Dales.
Cut across through the trough of Bowland and then back down, homeward bound.

Shout if you want ideas on pubs/eateries/scenic bits to aim for.

 

[landmarkjohn]

Ireland, for the ABR weekend 5 day return special for the bike and I was €128 out Rosslare - Pembroke home Holyhead - Dublin.

Only trouble is hotels are pricey atm.

 

[Hatcho]

Stradbally Steam Rally is on in Co. Laois over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Always a great day out, and there are some cracking roads nearby to enjoy. And we have the best Guinness in the world.

 

[djgsa]

I take it back about the NC500. I'm thinking something like this (or Mull). Miles are approximate.
More about numb bum that stopping of to see stuff (but I'm sure there will be plenty.
I'm good for 2 hours max before I have to get off for a stretch.

 

[djgsa]

I'm good for 1.5/2 hours max before I have to get off for a stretch.
Nothing in Ayr to see as far as I know, just breaks the trip up nicely miles wise.



Thoughts?

 

[tjmouse]

I'm good for 1.5/2 hours max before I have to get off for a stretch.
Nothing in Ayr to see as far as I know, just breaks the trip up nicely miles wise.



Thoughts?

I like the idea (really want to do my NC500 trip that got cancelled a couple of years ago. But:

1) I only have the weekend not 5 days
2) Cirencester to Ayr is 360 miles / 6 hours of motorway slog. Not sensible after work on a Friday night and not a fun way to spend my Monday

If I lived further north Scotland and the borders would be definitely on the plan but it’s too long a slog to get there for a weekend.

Yorkshire dales and Lake District are winning options at the moment.

 

[the woodster]

How about Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) overnight ferry using the 'Couchette' sleeping option for an extra £12? £79 return for within five days. Into Bayeux then Falaise and Laval. Superb empty roads.

 

[Udders]

Moffat.
Either in a hotel, B&B or tent.
Loads of superb biking in the area and won’t be that overcrowded with tourists unlike The Lakes.

 

[djgsa]

I like the idea (really want to do my NC500 trip that got cancelled a couple of years ago. But:

1) I only have the weekend not 5 days
2) Cirencester to Ayr is 360 miles / 6 hours of motorway slog. Not sensible after work on a Friday night and not a fun way to spend my Monday

If I lived further north Scotland and the borders would be definitely on the plan but it’s too long a slog to get there for a weekend.

Yorkshire dales and Lake District are winning options at the moment.

I've done Moffat before and always fancied doing the isle's. NC500 would have been nice but like you @tjmouse I'd have struggled to get it all in without some very long slogs. I've had to tack on an extra day as it is to do one of the isles comfortably. I did The Lakes a few months back else that would have been on the cards. My planning/thinking over the summer was:-

• North - I've done the Lakes but always wanted to go further and get back to Scotland
• East - Did Norfolk just a couple of weeks ago
• South - Did the IoW just a couple of weeks ago
• West - I go to Wales almost every other weekend. I can do most places in Wales in a day

 

[tjmouse]

How about Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) overnight ferry using the 'Couchette' sleeping option for an extra £12? £79 return for within five days. Into Bayeux then Falaise and Laval. Superb empty roads.

Has the price dropped? I did that for the May bank holiday and it was ace but when I checked recently it was £300!

 

[tjmouse]

I've done Moffat before and always fancied doing the isle's. NC500 would have been nice but like you @tjmouse I'd have struggled to get it all in without some very long slogs. I've had to tack on an extra day as it is to do one of the isles comfortably. I did The Lakes a few months back else that would have been on the cards. My planning/thinking over the summer was:-

• North - I've done the Lakes but always wanted to go further and get back to Scotland
• East - Did Norfolk just a couple of weeks ago
• South - Did the IoW just a couple of weeks ago
• West - I go to Wales almost every other weekend. I can do most places in Wales in a day

I did the Scottish isles a few years back 2 up with the wife camping. Some of the best roads I have ever been on and I doubt that will ever change. We did a slog to Moffat to start and then had a week. It’s not a weekend option but if you have a full week and can do Saturday slog up and Sunday slog back it is 100% worth it.

 

[the woodster]

Has the price dropped? I did that for the May bank holiday and it was ace but when I checked recently it was £300!

You are right! Bastards! I looked about a week ago and I've just looked again and the overnight is £302.00. Strangely, the 0800 sailing is £217 Standard, £222 flexi. The 1500 sailing is £205 standard and £210 flexi. Plus couchette, obviously. That's....................annoying

 

[Flintlock]

Isle of Arran is also worth checking out

 

[the woodster]

You are right! Bastards! I looked about a week ago and I've just looked again and the overnight is £302.00. Strangely, the 0800 sailing is £217 Standard, £222 flexi. The 1500 sailing is £205 standard and £210 flexi. Plus couchette, obviously. That's....................annoying

Back down to £102 return within 7 days.

 

[tjmouse]

Back down to £102 return within 7 days.

Where are you seeing that? Outbound alone is £165 for 1 person and a motorbike on the Friday. The 4:30pm return is £223 so £388 return!

 

[the woodster]

Where are you seeing that? Outbound alone is £165 for 1 person and a motorbike on the Friday. The 4:30pm return is £223 so £388 return!

On Facebook. Apologies, forgot to mention that. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C89etnXqY/

I didn't look beyond finding out that it appeared to be genuine so no idea what days, times, dates this offer covers.

That link appears to be a link to my FB feed instead of the actual post. I did it twice and got the same result. No idea how to find the post again, despite numerous attempts. Anyway, off down the

If it pops up again in my feed I'll try and post the link again.

 

[the woodster]

On Facebook. Apologies, forgot to mention that. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C89etnXqY/

I didn't look beyond finding out that it appeared to be genuine so no idea what days, times, dates this offer covers.

That link appears to be a link to my FB feed instead of the actual post. I did it twice and got the same result. No idea how to find the post again, despite numerous attempts. Anyway, off down the

If it pops up again in my feed I'll try and post the link again.

Brittany Ferries

Take your motorbike on a 7-day French road trip. You’ll ride straight off the ferry onto peaceful roads – and see even more peaceful sunsets. 🏍️🇫🇷

www.facebook.com

I don't know if you can see the post but I'm just getting my feed again. If you PM with a phone number or FB name I can forward to you that way. I'm not very familiar with FB shit.

 

[Wapping]

I think I see what’s maybe happened, to cause innocent confusion.

The Brittany Ferries Facebook advert says (correctly) £106 return. The link takes you to a Brittany Ferries website (I checked it separately) where the standout price is £206 but that’s for a car. Reading lower down:

 

[tjmouse]

I think I see what’s maybe happened, to cause innocent confusion.

The Brittany Ferries Facebook advert says (correctly) £106 return. The link takes you to a Brittany Ferries website (I checked it separately) where the standout price is £206 but that’s for a car. Reading lower down:

Thanks Wapping. Found it now, unfortunately it’s for a 7 day break not bank holiday weekend:

https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/offers/ferry/7-day-fare