- Joined
- Mar 17, 2025
- Messages
- 66
- Reaction score
- 161
I’m writing this as a journal, maybe wanting a few bits of advice along the way, but also as a helpful bit of info for anyone else who’s new to touring and motorcycle “holidays”.
Let’s start with the planning.
I’ve owned the GS for nearly a year. I bought it with the sole intention of adventuring and touring, so the past 12 months have been a slow build-up to this: gear, equipment, setting up the bike, building stamina, and Mrs O getting used to being a pillion, etc. We’re by no means the finished article (I doubt we ever will be!), but we’re at a point now where we can comfortably do multi-day trips on two wheels.
The Lakes have always fascinated me, and a forced week off work prompted us to go for it. Early on we decided to base ourselves in one location for the week, rather than hop between places—mainly because it was our first time touring. The trip would be both a holiday and a practice run for future adventures, and we knew we’d learn a lot.
We found a spot on a working farm that was bike-friendly, secure, and perfect for our needs (separate review to come). We researched loads and watched countless videos on touring, picking up little nuggets of information along the way. I kept a running document on my laptop full of notes, and it really helped me make a few solid decisions.
Packing the bike.
We knew we had to pack light. For Mrs O and me, that meant making some ruthless decisions about what to take. From our research, we knew we’d be in bike gear most of the time, so “normal” clothes could be kept to a minimum. We also made sure our accommodation had a washing machine - while reminding ourselves that a proper tour won’t always come with that luxury.
We bought some waterproof 40L bike specific soft luggage from AliEx (great bags—another review to follow). Mrs O also bought some vacuum bags and a battery-powered pump. We didn’t really need the vacuum bags because we weren’t taking much; in fact, the bags rolled down small and stayed very light. We strapped them to our Vario panniers using the provided straps, then I added a couple of luggage bungees as extra security. They didn’t budge an inch. I also fitted luggage nets to the inside of the Vario lids, which turned out to be a really useful addition.
We also had a bag strapped to the top box, with lighter items such as woolly hats and the Jetboil. It gave us easy access to a few essentials.
I put together a small toolkit with the essentials: puncture repair kit, battery-powered pump, and a few basic tools. It proved useful throughout the trip to adjust mirrors, cable ties etc. Thankfully, didn't need the puncture repair kit or the battery powered tyre inflator ;-)
Another AliEx purchase was a tank bag. I’d never had one and always assumed it would get in the way. I found one for £14 and figured that if it was naff, I hadn’t lost much. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It’s been incredibly handy and surprisingly good quality. Although it’s strapped on and a bit of a faff when refuelling, I’ve really enjoyed having it and I can’t see myself taking it off now.
Other things I made sure we packed were spare bungees and straps, security items, an Oxford Aquatex cover (packs away really small), a small first-aid kit, and electrical chargers/power banks, among other bits. Most items were kept in waterproof roll-top bags.
All in all, we packed very light by our standards (compared with travelling by car), and the bike carried it comfortably. That said, we’ve learned we can pack even lighter. There were items we simply didn’t use—especially clothing. The panniers were barely half full, the top box was about three-quarters full, and the roll-top bags mainly held clothes. It’s surprising how much you can condense what you think you need versus what you actually need. Being ex-military probably helps with that mindset.
The journeys
From Birmingham, it’s about two hours of non-stop M6. I couldn’t see the point in Mrs O spending two hours perched on the motorway, so I sent her on the train to Lancaster for £15. It saved my ears and her numb ass. It’s not always an option, but it felt like a decent compromise for this trip. I strapped her gear to her seat, picked her up in Lancaster, and then we went to Morecambe for an ice cream. We made the trip home part of the holiday, swinging by Blackpool, on to J&S Oakmere and through to Montford Bridge near Shrewsbury for a coffee. Although it took 8 hours to get home, time in the saddle was probably only 4.
The Lakes
The place is stunning. Although we enjoy a great twisty road now and then, it’s just as much about the destinations. We discovered some truly wonderful places, roads, and scenery. Even roads that aren’t considered “driving roads” can be a joy to ride if you explore the B Roads or throw up surprising challenges (steep inclines with switchbacks, for instance).
The first two days brought rain and wind—torrential downpours and strong, gusty crosswinds. We still ventured out, but we got absolutely hammered and it did take the shine off things. We knew better weather was coming, so we saved the passes for later. The final four days were magical, and it proved how quickly (and dramatically) the weather can change in this landscape.
We mostly avoided town centres. We preferred heading somewhere quieter, enjoying the scenery, and cracking out the Jetboil for an isolated brew.
Touring is tiring. I don’t think I was in bed after 10pm on any night. I’ve learned that time in the saddle matters more than miles. For us, six hours riding is probably the maximum (more like eight hours “travelling” once you include stops—Mrs O has a bladder the size of a walnut too!). It also can be painful, stiff muscles later on in the week, probably down to me and how I ride.
You can carry very little compared with other styles of touring—and we anticipated that. We thought we might regret packing light, but we didn’t. We also realised there are some “essentials” you can simply buy on the way, depending on where you’re going.
As much as I love the Vario panniers, even empty they’re heavy. Replacing them will be a significant investment, but I wasn’t prepared to do that until I knew touring was going to be a long-term thing.
As good as the headlight is, a set of auxiliary lights would help when you end up travelling in the dark.
Motorcycling can be a faff. It’s the constant gear on/gear off, getting ready to head out, charging Cardos, heated clothing, base layers, bags on/bags off, setting the sat nav, earplugs in and out… and it’s even more of a production when there are two of you. A “quick stop” can easily take longer than planned once you’ve got everything sorted again.
The pillion pegs can be slippery in wet conditions. Mrs O took a tumble getting off in heavy rain and landed flat on her backside. As a quick fix, I put four cable ties on each peg with the cut ends facing upwards, which helped with grip. I’ll look at a more permanent solution now I’m home.
Keep hydrated, and remember to eat. It’s easy to get carried away with the fun of touring—some days we only realised we hadn’t eaten when we got back in the evening.
Plans can change. There were places we spent more time than expected (and others less). Weather can slow you down, and fatigue can creep up. If we were hopping between locations with every night pre-booked, we’d be committed to reaching the next stop even if it didn’t feel wise—plus it could encourage a riskier riding style. We’ve seen people who book accommodation day-by-day depending on how far they get, but that can bring its own problems if availability is tight. It’s one area we still need to figure out.
Time dissapears. I cannot fathom how a day dissapears and you only seem to get half done what you planned. This also happens on day rides too. Time flies...
Respect the area you’re in. It’s something we try to do anyway, but a motorbike tearing through a small village at speed isn’t a good look. I tend to roll through at 20mph, enjoy the scenery, and keep the noise down. Even then, you still get the odd funny look from locals—and in particular from hikers around the Lakes.
Verdict
It’s been a great trip, and it’s only increased our motivation to go further and stay out longer. All the planning and research paid dividends: we were well prepared, which meant we could actually enjoy it. Grand plans are now forming into continental Europe later on in the year.
For someone who’s only about a year into my two-wheeled journey (and with Mrs O only being a pillion since September), this trip felt essential. It confirmed some of what we’d anticipated, proved other bits wrong, and highlighted what we need to improve next time—which can only make the next tour even better. Not only this, I have come back a better rider, some of the challenges I faced this week pushed me beyond my comfort zone and that only helped my confidence.
I've been in a foul mood today as I miss it, I cannot wait until we go again...
Let’s start with the planning.
I’ve owned the GS for nearly a year. I bought it with the sole intention of adventuring and touring, so the past 12 months have been a slow build-up to this: gear, equipment, setting up the bike, building stamina, and Mrs O getting used to being a pillion, etc. We’re by no means the finished article (I doubt we ever will be!), but we’re at a point now where we can comfortably do multi-day trips on two wheels.
The Lakes have always fascinated me, and a forced week off work prompted us to go for it. Early on we decided to base ourselves in one location for the week, rather than hop between places—mainly because it was our first time touring. The trip would be both a holiday and a practice run for future adventures, and we knew we’d learn a lot.
We found a spot on a working farm that was bike-friendly, secure, and perfect for our needs (separate review to come). We researched loads and watched countless videos on touring, picking up little nuggets of information along the way. I kept a running document on my laptop full of notes, and it really helped me make a few solid decisions.
Packing the bike.
We knew we had to pack light. For Mrs O and me, that meant making some ruthless decisions about what to take. From our research, we knew we’d be in bike gear most of the time, so “normal” clothes could be kept to a minimum. We also made sure our accommodation had a washing machine - while reminding ourselves that a proper tour won’t always come with that luxury.
We bought some waterproof 40L bike specific soft luggage from AliEx (great bags—another review to follow). Mrs O also bought some vacuum bags and a battery-powered pump. We didn’t really need the vacuum bags because we weren’t taking much; in fact, the bags rolled down small and stayed very light. We strapped them to our Vario panniers using the provided straps, then I added a couple of luggage bungees as extra security. They didn’t budge an inch. I also fitted luggage nets to the inside of the Vario lids, which turned out to be a really useful addition.
We also had a bag strapped to the top box, with lighter items such as woolly hats and the Jetboil. It gave us easy access to a few essentials.
I put together a small toolkit with the essentials: puncture repair kit, battery-powered pump, and a few basic tools. It proved useful throughout the trip to adjust mirrors, cable ties etc. Thankfully, didn't need the puncture repair kit or the battery powered tyre inflator ;-)
Another AliEx purchase was a tank bag. I’d never had one and always assumed it would get in the way. I found one for £14 and figured that if it was naff, I hadn’t lost much. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It’s been incredibly handy and surprisingly good quality. Although it’s strapped on and a bit of a faff when refuelling, I’ve really enjoyed having it and I can’t see myself taking it off now.
Other things I made sure we packed were spare bungees and straps, security items, an Oxford Aquatex cover (packs away really small), a small first-aid kit, and electrical chargers/power banks, among other bits. Most items were kept in waterproof roll-top bags.
All in all, we packed very light by our standards (compared with travelling by car), and the bike carried it comfortably. That said, we’ve learned we can pack even lighter. There were items we simply didn’t use—especially clothing. The panniers were barely half full, the top box was about three-quarters full, and the roll-top bags mainly held clothes. It’s surprising how much you can condense what you think you need versus what you actually need. Being ex-military probably helps with that mindset.
The journeys
From Birmingham, it’s about two hours of non-stop M6. I couldn’t see the point in Mrs O spending two hours perched on the motorway, so I sent her on the train to Lancaster for £15. It saved my ears and her numb ass. It’s not always an option, but it felt like a decent compromise for this trip. I strapped her gear to her seat, picked her up in Lancaster, and then we went to Morecambe for an ice cream. We made the trip home part of the holiday, swinging by Blackpool, on to J&S Oakmere and through to Montford Bridge near Shrewsbury for a coffee. Although it took 8 hours to get home, time in the saddle was probably only 4.
The Lakes
The place is stunning. Although we enjoy a great twisty road now and then, it’s just as much about the destinations. We discovered some truly wonderful places, roads, and scenery. Even roads that aren’t considered “driving roads” can be a joy to ride if you explore the B Roads or throw up surprising challenges (steep inclines with switchbacks, for instance).
The first two days brought rain and wind—torrential downpours and strong, gusty crosswinds. We still ventured out, but we got absolutely hammered and it did take the shine off things. We knew better weather was coming, so we saved the passes for later. The final four days were magical, and it proved how quickly (and dramatically) the weather can change in this landscape.
We mostly avoided town centres. We preferred heading somewhere quieter, enjoying the scenery, and cracking out the Jetboil for an isolated brew.
- Honister Pass – A great experience. The slate mine is a nice stop for a photo and a drink.
- Kirkstone Pass – I really enjoyed the climb. We stopped at the small car park near the top, and even the descent down “The Struggle” was fun.
- Newlands Pass – Probably my favourite, surprisingly. The Balcony Road was challenging and the landscape was breathtaking.
- Silloth – Nice as an RAF veteran; a pretty little coastal place.
- Wast Water – Very peaceful.
- Whitehaven – A nice walk around the harbour.
- The Filling Station (Keswick) – Biker-friendly café.
- Bluebird Café (Coniston) – Free designated motorcycle parking.
- Lake Road (Keswick) – Free designated motorcycle parking; lovely walk and views, plus good coffee at The Moon & Sixpence.
- Grasmere Gingerbread – You can sometimes park right outside the shop if you’re lucky.
- Seascale - Beautiful little town with a great ice cream parlour that does coffee etc. Large car park right at the front thats free (donations encouraged).
- Wast Water - The nicest place we visited all week. The road is a nice challenge and the views are amazing. I was gobsmacked. I sat for at least 30 mins and it was silent, I could feel stress leaving my soul. 360 panoramic views, gave eberthing I wanted from the Lakes
Touring is tiring. I don’t think I was in bed after 10pm on any night. I’ve learned that time in the saddle matters more than miles. For us, six hours riding is probably the maximum (more like eight hours “travelling” once you include stops—Mrs O has a bladder the size of a walnut too!). It also can be painful, stiff muscles later on in the week, probably down to me and how I ride.
You can carry very little compared with other styles of touring—and we anticipated that. We thought we might regret packing light, but we didn’t. We also realised there are some “essentials” you can simply buy on the way, depending on where you’re going.
As much as I love the Vario panniers, even empty they’re heavy. Replacing them will be a significant investment, but I wasn’t prepared to do that until I knew touring was going to be a long-term thing.
As good as the headlight is, a set of auxiliary lights would help when you end up travelling in the dark.
Motorcycling can be a faff. It’s the constant gear on/gear off, getting ready to head out, charging Cardos, heated clothing, base layers, bags on/bags off, setting the sat nav, earplugs in and out… and it’s even more of a production when there are two of you. A “quick stop” can easily take longer than planned once you’ve got everything sorted again.
The pillion pegs can be slippery in wet conditions. Mrs O took a tumble getting off in heavy rain and landed flat on her backside. As a quick fix, I put four cable ties on each peg with the cut ends facing upwards, which helped with grip. I’ll look at a more permanent solution now I’m home.
Keep hydrated, and remember to eat. It’s easy to get carried away with the fun of touring—some days we only realised we hadn’t eaten when we got back in the evening.
Plans can change. There were places we spent more time than expected (and others less). Weather can slow you down, and fatigue can creep up. If we were hopping between locations with every night pre-booked, we’d be committed to reaching the next stop even if it didn’t feel wise—plus it could encourage a riskier riding style. We’ve seen people who book accommodation day-by-day depending on how far they get, but that can bring its own problems if availability is tight. It’s one area we still need to figure out.
Time dissapears. I cannot fathom how a day dissapears and you only seem to get half done what you planned. This also happens on day rides too. Time flies...
Respect the area you’re in. It’s something we try to do anyway, but a motorbike tearing through a small village at speed isn’t a good look. I tend to roll through at 20mph, enjoy the scenery, and keep the noise down. Even then, you still get the odd funny look from locals—and in particular from hikers around the Lakes.
Verdict
It’s been a great trip, and it’s only increased our motivation to go further and stay out longer. All the planning and research paid dividends: we were well prepared, which meant we could actually enjoy it. Grand plans are now forming into continental Europe later on in the year.
For someone who’s only about a year into my two-wheeled journey (and with Mrs O only being a pillion since September), this trip felt essential. It confirmed some of what we’d anticipated, proved other bits wrong, and highlighted what we need to improve next time—which can only make the next tour even better. Not only this, I have come back a better rider, some of the challenges I faced this week pushed me beyond my comfort zone and that only helped my confidence.
I've been in a foul mood today as I miss it, I cannot wait until we go again...
