my first bike run of the year

[garfield]

It's been a crazy start to the year for me, what with travelling with work, this was my first real chance to get some time for myself and hit the roads, a 30 second glance at the map at home, £25 in the petrol tank courtesy of Tesco and I'm belting down the A7 to find my little bit of happiness....the turn off soon appeared.....

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1871.jpg">

almost immediately I was on some fantastic B Roads with great scenery. It was pretty cool weather, a few rain showers throughout the day and on I pressed....

This is St Mary's Loch from what I remember....

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1875.jpg">

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1876.jpg">

 

[garfield]

When I cross cattle grids my heart sinks a little, I have this morbid fear of hitting a sheep when I start skipping down these small roads....

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1877.jpg">

For a big chunk of time the Tweed was besides me

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1878.jpg">

It didn't take too long and I had passed through Lothian & Borders and ready for my lunch on the fringes of Scotland's first

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1879.jpg">

 

[garfield]

After a short lunch stop watching some walkers come off the hills, I set off and decided to do my own little off road....

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1886.jpg">

In view of my 'badness' I stopped for some spiritual support....

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1888.jpg">

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1889.jpg">

 

[garfield]

I was back on the road in no time and swinging a right at this church....

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1899.jpg">

and I was back on some rough and ready 'tracks'

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1900.jpg">

There's no photo or video camera that could capture all of the rugged beauty of Lowland Scotland that I saw

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1905.jpg">

I'm all washed out now, so much beauty in one day, and no feckin' cars spoiling it either....

 

[garfield]

If in doubt I've learnt that the best thing to do is 'hang a left', some more small tracks to have fun on

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1906.jpg">

and I was back near Hawick when I made my first turn off the A7

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1907.jpg">

I should have kept on going straight home, things to do and all that but I couldn't resist swinging up a tiny single road to have a look at Hermitage Castle, overdosing on some more unclassified roads, I found my way back to the A7 and had a quick blast home

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/080224_borders/DSCF1908.jpg">

170 miles covered in the end, the bike needed a really good wash, totally caked in cow shite and heaven knows what else, I'm knackered but happy......

 

[roddy]

I'll need to have a look at the map and trace that route, that looks like it would be fun s

 

[mikepg]

Nice photos Paul - tell me, in the end, did you choose the Christian or Buddhist spiritual path back to Dalkeith?

 

[Den]

Did ye manage to have a blether and a good time with the Irish folk who live in the forest ?

 

[zdaveuk]

Looks like Alermoor Resevoir between Hawick and Roberton

The route I think looking at the photos taken en route

 

[Big Jets]

Feck Garfield that was like watchin the start of Emmerdale.

 

[Schtum]

and I was back near Hawick when I made my first turn off the A7

If your trip report is posted in the correct chronological order, then the above statement is incorrect. The pic shows you as being on the B709 and turning onto the unclassified road which joins the A7 c. 4 miles North of Langholm.

 

[Uinneag]

If your trip report is posted in the correct chronological order, then the above statement is incorrect. The pic shows you as being on the B709 and turning onto the unclassified road which joins the A7 c. 4 miles North of Langholm.

.
Never mind guid ye were oot the day thanks for the pics

 

[skyenet]

Nice Photos there Paul

I'll need to explore the borders more as there seem to be some interesting roads around plus its not too far away from me.

Iain

 

[AndyT]

Spring is on the way..... good to see more ride out threads appearing. Good thread

AndyT

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

day oot

Baaaaaaaaaastuurt,

Jist wait till a get a bike

No thit am jealous or owts.

Much.

 

[cunning fox]

hey Kenny, just got RIDE with your report init ,when's the autographed photies gaun on sale

 

[garfield]

thanks, it was something like B711, B709, B723 then it all went a bit mental and I kept on looking for small lanes to go down.....sure I got them all in the right order, I reckon I can retrace my steps easily so if anyone is up for joining me on this one day, give me a shout.....

PS, you'll never get lost with me because we'll always be sight seeing.....

 

[Voyager]

Good pics Paul, glad to see you got out to enjoy yourself.

Had you been near St. Mary's Loch you could have joined the seven of us who were at the Tibbie Shiels Inn for lunch

It was a good day for a tour of the Borders.

Bob.

 

[garfield]

Did ye manage to have a blether and a good time with the Irish folk who live in the forest ?

yeah I noticed the sign about the fairies....didn't know if I was meant to say or give them something, so I just smiled....

 

[garfield]

Nice photos Paul - tell me, in the end, did you choose the Christian or Buddhist spiritual path back to Dalkeith?

the one that offered true enlightenment....