Pick yer time for a trip!

aRTy_Hexhead · May 24, 2013

After reading some of the horror rides in the snow this week thought I'd just mention (brag?) about last weekend.

Planned a weekend trip with Scotboxer to west coast. Postponed till Sunday as on Saturday, tipping it down all day in Central Belt about 1 - 2 inches!

0800 - murky and misty. Scotboxer wimps out!

1200 - eventually set out from Linlithgow. Don't see the sun till other side of the Coe, but still don't stop. Fort William comes and goes, Loch Ness likewise. Hang a left to head up through Beauly and onto the Ullapool road.
Now I've got wall to wall sunshine. Great winding quiet road to Ullapool.

1700 - 230 miles (I stop, tank up and have a coke and a wee chat to a GS owner who is looking for his hotel and his first pint. Luxury lad, I've only got me tent.

1745 - I decide that it's a great day and head for John O'Groats - 170 miles away. So off I go......

aRTy_Hexhead · May 24, 2013

Best biking roads in the country winding its way north past glorious mountains and vast rocky outcrops.
Kylesku bridge and onto Durness and round past the beach.
Then onto Loch Eriboll passing the famous tombolo on its eastern side.

aRTy_Hexhead · May 24, 2013

Then the very last push button A/B phone boxes in the UK. Changed over in the early 80s.
These boxes are still a life line as there is no mobile reception!!

On past the 50s icon of Dounreay, which is being decommissioned.

aRTy_Hexhead · May 24, 2013

2120 - 400 miles later, John O'Groats just as the sun is going down.

Campsite next to the car park. So let in at 2200 by kindly warden.
Tent up and pasta down.

adventuredon · May 24, 2013

great idea, spirit and photos. Well done and looks awesome.

aRTy_Hexhead · May 24, 2013

Got talking to three biker blokes from Manchester. They had riden up on Saturday through all that rain. :bow

On the Sunday had come up and over Glenshee and Cockbridge Tomintoul and then onto John O'Groats.

What was remarkable about this venture was the bikes; a Ninja 600 thingy, a BMW 75RT ( so that's okay) but then one was on this.......
unbelievable :bow

doyle · May 24, 2013

Travelling light i see :augie

aRTy_Hexhead · May 24, 2013

So it takes all sorts of people and all sorts bikes and all sorts of weather but best of all is just get out there and ride.

ps return journey was a straight whack down stopping at Inverness for fuel and then home for 1500.

What you can do in 27hrs, 660miles with no rain and no snow.

That's Scotland for you!!

gerarddwatts · May 24, 2013

Did you glance over the dyke opposite the red phone box? Used to be all sorts of quaint military vehicles stashed in the yard.

aRTy_Hexhead · May 24, 2013

No, I didn't.

Maybe have a look this weekend!

Weather is to be 'good' :nenau

Posh Pete · May 25, 2013

aRTy_Hexhead said:
0800 - murky and misty. Scotboxer wimps out!
.

Oi! I resemble that remark!

.

arcboutant · May 25, 2013

JEEZ sake man, we KNOW they are the best roads in these 'countries' but they will soon lose that title. MCN escort tours round there and other places, guys froth at the mouth about them to others - shit happens and we find speed limits, cameras and public funds paying the blue boys o/t to catch us . for the love o' the wee man keep it quiet, - PLEASE- let others find out in there own time :beerjug:

Sleepy · May 25, 2013

Watching the midge forecast as we speak...

gerarddwatts · May 25, 2013

Well if you wanted to pick your day, today was it!!! Topper!! Working outside all day in a polo shirt....unheard of!! Lot of bikes on the A93!!

doyle · May 25, 2013

gerarddwatts said:
Well if you wanted to pick your day, today was it!!! Topper!! Lying relaxing outside all day in a polo shirt....as usual when its sunny!! Lot of bikes on the A93!!

Fixed it for you

Just back from a wee 330 mile bimble to lochcarron via the lecht ,then nairn :blast

Best day so far i think,traffic was fairly building up as i came back.Hardly anything going up as we started early

.

Saw 3 broken down bikes on recovery trucks today.

gerarddwatts · May 25, 2013

Oi!!

Been so successful with larsens I had to get another 2 into operation....then grass cutting for 4 hours....a pleasure in the sun.

Sounds like a good run...was the west as nice as here??

Den · May 25, 2013

Tricycled up to Killin in the Grin. Lovely weather, sunburnt puss.

None of your helmets and goretex for me today. Lightweight fleece and sunglasses.

Magic.

John Armstrong · May 25, 2013

Went down to Ardoch Fort

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardoch_Roman_Fort

today so through Strathdon and down the A93, I don't think I've ever seen so little cloud over the Cairngorms. So nice went back up the A93 in the afternoon, and was surprised on how few bikes I saw. Sure I saw the same quad bike going up and down in the opposite direction to me :confused:

285 miles with it mostly around 20 deg C, and only down to 16 near Oldmeldrum.

Den · May 25, 2013

Did anybody notice the HUGE increase in bloody cyclists this season.

doyle · May 25, 2013

Den said:
Did anybody notice the HUGE increase in bloody cyclists this season.

Saw some brave ones in the great glen today,rather them than me ,looked a bit dangerous with the amount of traffic.
I thought there was a cycle trail that went through there? Be a Lot safer on it.

Pick yer time for a trip!

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