Featured Touring 1st Annual? Scotland Road Trip 13th-18th May 2018

Sounds like a plan. I'll see if I can tempt figwold to join us.

 

If it helps anyone, SWMBO and myself did Fort William to Pontefract (W.Yorks), where we lived at that time, fully laden on the Trident in around 7hrs - setting off around 10am and getting home around 5pm via Loch Lomond, Glasgow, M74/M6 to Penrith, A66 to Whisky Corner and the A1 down to Ferrybridge and home.
We were going to stop at Carlisle overnight but the weather forecast for next day was horrendous so we booted it home. The weather forecast was right!!!

 

Riding solo from Tyndrum to Bedford last September, with a couple of long-ish breaks, otherwise as fast as I could go, I got home at 7pm cold, wet and miserable, having left 10.00am-ish iirc, maybe a bit earlier.

Riding up this year, bearing in mind Ken will be coming from Essex, I reckon we should stop over at Demesne Bunkhouse in Bellingham (Kielder Forest), because we know it's a good one from last year's GMU. That'll leave a nice 170-200 mile cross country ride to Tyndrum on the Sunday, depending on the route we take.

Edit: maybe not Bellingham. I've found a a couple others probably more convenient in the general area. Anyhow, there are plenty around that way.

 

Was going to do the NC500 this year with a group on classics but it’s not materialised yet so might jump ship and join you. I’m at my busiest currently and can’t follow all posts but will dip into this in amongst things. Eric

 

i've booked up the http://www.tyndrumbytheway.com/ for 15 people (i can give them the correct total later) for Sunday the 13th May

 

Holiday booked. I'll clean the bike tomorrow.

 

Just had a look and looks good. Will the stays always be in something similar or will I have to bring a tent for any of the nights?

 

i was thinking mostly hostels..on Rich's recommendation i will try and get ones that they supply or hire sleeping bags & pillows, possibly a couple of hotels thrown in,i was thinking if 2 are sharing a room it would be a max of £40 each for the hotels, if everyone's OK with that?

 

Sounds good to me

 

Sounds good to me mate. All the bunkhouses I stayed in last August were perfectly acceptable, except the Back Packers in Skye which was smelly. The most important thing after bedding being provided is that they have a drying room because it tends to rain a bit in Scotland. And parking for bikes of course.

 

I’m in:

1. Dougie D
2. Andyc1
3. Rich Bryce
4.Ken Walburn
5. AndyPandy.
6.Dougsbike
7. figwold

 

Good lad. That's four in the Bedford convoy.

 

Bit worrying this, all these southerners. Do you realise it's going to be wet and cold at the same time ?

 

I’m assuming we’ll be leaving before the midges ...

 

yeah it should be pre midge season

 

Just when you visit Rich.

 

Well up for this, room for a wee yin? added my name anyway
1. Dougie D
2. Andyc1
3. Rich Bryce
4.Ken Walburn
5. AndyPandy.
6.Dougsbike
7. figwold
8 lexy

 

Blimey, this is really starting to come together. I'm getting really exited. I know Dougie has guaranteed total sunshine but I've got my fail-safe sou'wester and heavy duty oilskins on order just in case along with my Ambre Solaire and midgie repellent. Best to cover all the bases. Snow shovel?

 

Are you sure it’s not just you riding around with a dark cloud over your head Rich?

 

You do know that with all us Southerners attending, we're going to bring the dry/sunny weather with us ☀️