Can you do Scotland from the Midlands and back in a long weekend ?

[JohnnyBoxer]

Of course you can, over this weekend a guy (on another forum) on a 1200GS WC rode Sat lunch (after work) to Sun from Land's End to John O'Groats - just for fish and chips at both ends

He did 1917 miles for the hell of it, mad Eric

http://www.adventurebikerider.com/f...more-like-mad-eric-lol.html?limit=10&start=10

 

[MarkShelley]

It is a personal thing, but I think what you propose is easy. I wouldn`t do it with the wife on the back, but solo it is no problem at all. Take the A1 to Darlington then head NW to Corbridge and onto the A86 up to Edinburgh to make the first and last days more interesting and it will only add half an hour or so to the journey There is no scenic way to get to Darlington from down South without it taking ages.

 

[Grim Rider]

Once did Midlands to Lowestoft to John O Groats to Lands End and back home to Midlands in one trip: 2040 miles and around 42 hours. Never again! (Weather was shite whole way round and didn't see a thing - it was then I decided long distance riding for its own sake is a waste of time!)

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

It is a personal thing, but I think what you propose is easy. I wouldn`t do it with the wife on the back, but solo it is no problem at all. Take the A1 to Darlington then head NW to Corbridge and onto the A86 up to Edinburgh to make the first and last days more interesting and it will only add half an hour or so to the journey There is no scenic way to get to Darlington from down South without it taking ages.

I think that should read A68. It is a good road on a bike. Watch for speed cameras once you cross the border into Scotland. However it still leaves you on the east of the country when you want to be on the west. It might be better to just blast up the M6 and M74 and get past the Scottish central belt as fast as possible.

 

[ossa eck]

The Corrieyairack is do-able on a gs but not easy, and not with a pillion.

 

[fringe]

I think that should read A68. It is a good road on a bike. Watch for speed cameras once you cross the border into Scotland. However it still leaves you on the east of the country when you want to be on the west. It might be better to just blast up the M6 and M74 and get past the Scottish central belt as fast as possible.

That would be dull as anything just M6 and 74 but will depend upon your timings. Would be better to come off and go up the A7 / A701 or A702. Then at least do the M9 until Stirling and do the A84/A85 (part of the A82) via Callander Crianlarich and Glencoe. Worthwhile doing at least in one direction.

 

[G.C.]

Its the same at the other end.....but there's quite a schlep in between. I'm confident that were it possible, it would be a well known traillie type excursion...and it isn't. GC is the man to know.

It'll be the same as the Corrieyairack....looks OK on paper but virtually impossible on the ground.

Yea, big gates at both ends, and as mentioned after a bit of rain, quite a few burns to cross. From the fort its good single track up to Loch Lundrava then a decent forestry road for a couple of miles before the Gate. Signs there for no motorised vehicles.

I forgot she was on the back that day.

 

[DJ GSA]

Yea, big gates at both ends, and as mentioned after a bit of rain, quite a few burns to cross. From the fort its good single track up to Loch Lundrava then a decent forestry road for a couple of miles before the Gate. Signs there for no motorised vehicles.

I forgot she was on the back that day.

That's what I suspected. The streetview of the road must be the driveable bit. Will have a rethink about where to go.

That would be dull as anything just M6 and 74 but will depend upon your timings. Would be better to come off and go up the A7 / A701 or A702. Then at least do the M9 until Stirling and do the A84/A85 (part of the A82) via Callander Crianlarich and Glencoe. Worthwhile doing at least in one direction.

... it was then I decided long distance riding for its own sake is a waste of time!)

I would agree. To make it work it would have to be M6/A74 to get it done in a day. Thats 6:45 according to the goog without stops.
And we'd have that on the way back too, I think it would take the shine off the trip to be fair.

7/8 hours on a wiggly Scottish road with awesome scenery with numerous photo/video opportunities is way more preferable that dodging Audi's and "white van man" for the same period

I'm inclined to plan a bit more and stick and extra day or two in to make it worthwhile.