First camping trip for me on a bike - Scotland - R1250GSA

[Sly]

Done plenty of camping back home in ZA out of our little Jimny, first time though camping from a bike.

Left Yorkshire for the A1 North to cross across the A66 up to Carlisle for a quick stop to meet someone for my mate to get his new Carpuride for his 1200GSA.

Quick fuel up (I do love the range of the GSA compared to my GS - even though I still prefer to take breaks, nice knowing you have that extra range) and off to Troon to catch the ferry across to Isle of Arran.


Off the ferry for a short 3-5 minute ride to the first camp site of the trip, Middletons Camping.


Lovely bit of food, trying a different setup with the awning this time. Makes a big difference having a decent bit of shelter for 2 tents and 2 of us.

Next morning, up, breakfast in the belly and bikes packed ready for next leg around the island and to a few distilleries:

After the lap of the island, we caught the next ferry from Lochranza to Rockfield

 

[Sly]

On the ferry:

Off the ferry and a nice fly by of an Atlas A400:


Up to Tarbert for a couple supplies then Kilbery and stop over at Port Ban Holiday Park for 2nd campsite:


Lovely campsite that, glorious sun set.

Next morning, up bright and early for a glorious trip around West coast before heading back home - nice 750 mile round trip in 3 days. Bike did a great job, just itching to get out again!

Our route back brought us through Loch Lomond, beautiful area that. Need to head back up there with the wife and show her around there.

Hopefully share more trips in due course!

 

[Flintlock]

A great country, thanks for sharing. Spent a couple of days on Arran a few years ago - lovely island.

 

[theoneandonly]

now look at all the things you took ...but did not use !

 

[Thejoybringer]

On the ferry:
View attachment 452037View attachment 452038
Off the ferry and a nice fly by of an Atlas A400:
View attachment 452039

Up to Tarbert for a couple supplies then Kilbery and stop over at Port Ban Holiday Park for 2nd campsite:
View attachment 452040View attachment 452041

Lovely campsite that, glorious sun set.

Next morning, up bright and early for a glorious trip around West coast before heading back home - nice 750 mile round trip in 3 days. Bike did a great job, just itching to get out again!View attachment 452042View attachment 452043

Our route back brought us through Loch Lomond, beautiful area that. Need to head back up there with the wife and show her around there.

Hopefully share more trips in due course!

I remember doing the west coast and Isle of Skye on my 1200Gs, absolutely loved it and it looks like you guys had a great time also. Good pictures

 

[Sly]

now look at all the things you took ...but did not use !

Think it was two items..

 

[Rusty]

That looks very nice ! Thank you for the write up and piccies. I see one of you has a set of Denali lights. Are they as good as they say ?

 

[Sly]

That looks very nice ! Thank you for the write up and piccies. I see one of you has a set of Denali lights. Are they as good as they say ?

They are okay but nothing to compare against the Lone Rider lights.

Those Denali ones are the S7's, they came with my bike. The fill in the gaps a bit but nothing to write home about. The Lone Rider (or Denali D7's) are collapsed suns on the front!

 

[JMacd62]

Nice pictures

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Nice one, thanks for sharing.
I have tarp envy.

 

[HxH]

Great story and images.

Friendly reminder tip:
When laying down your helmet, better to lay it on the ground next to your bike if not securing it for a long period, so easy for it to be blown off the top of rear em, "Helmet box", or should it fall if you move your bike. Seen grown men weep after forgetting its there, and the remains that's left after a fall.
Mirror helmet holding, can also distort the soft inside of the helmet linings.

They ain't cheap to replace neither, and once dropped " Kaputt "

 

[Doc]

Great story and images.

Friendly reminder tip:
When laying down your helmet, better to lay it on the ground next to your bike if not securing it for a long period, so easy for it to be blown off the top of rear em, "Helmet box", or should it fall if you move your bike. Seen grown men weep after forgetting its there, and the remains that's left after a fall.
Mirror helmet holding, can also distort the soft inside of the helmet linings.

They ain't cheap to replace neither, and once dropped " Kaputt "

Beware of creepy crawlies doing that. Especially ants.

 

[HxH]

I agree, a helmet on ground, can impress wee beasties for new accommodation, better place your helmet into your convenient helmet lock on the side of bike, or lock too seat.

Antz in pants, Mozzies in hair, the joys of Scottish highland camping, and always shake out yer boots if left outside yer tent, for Snakes love that hidie hole. Hotel anyone?

 

[Sly]

Great story and images.

Friendly reminder tip:
When laying down your helmet, better to lay it on the ground next to your bike if not securing it for a long period, so easy for it to be blown off the top of rear em, "Helmet box", or should it fall if you move your bike. Seen grown men weep after forgetting its there, and the remains that's left after a fall.
Mirror helmet holding, can also distort the soft inside of the helmet linings.

They ain't cheap to replace neither, and once dropped " Kaputt "

Yep - wasn't my helmet on the top box! Mine was in my top box

 

[Sly]

I have since got some Hiploc helmet locks if I leave it on the bike.

 

[Guru Gora]

Good use of Tarp.

Can’t beat a good Tarp

 

[JoeBiff]

…, and always shake out yer boots if left outside yer tent, for Snakes love that hidie hole.

They can all adder up to a lot of pain.

Good pics, tho’….