Featured A Few Days Away On The Bike

Discussion in 'Rideouts, Trackdays, Touring & Spotted' started by FellZebra, Jun 23, 2024.

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  1. FellZebra

    FellZebra Elite Member

    Mar 9, 2020
    3,113
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    Cheshire, UK
    Yes @Vulpes , that’s the Kylesku bridge. A stunning part of the ride.
    Never done anything like that but a yacht journey sounds a good adventure. I’d like that

    @Eldon Yes I’ve been to Raasay too, me and first wife had a day over there for walking when on a Skye holiday. Agree, definitely worth a visit.
     
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  2. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

    Mar 14, 2018
    17,826
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    Thought so... :grinning: 20190530_115759.jpg
     
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  3. FellZebra

    FellZebra Elite Member

    Mar 9, 2020
    3,113
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    Cheshire, UK
    Love it @Vulpes , you’d have been quicker on the Speed Triple but I got the blue skies!!
    It’d take some finding but I’ve a similar photo somewhere with my Harley Davidson in the foreground!
     
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  4. FellZebra

    FellZebra Elite Member

    Mar 9, 2020
    3,113
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    Cheshire, UK
    So Tuesday morning I was looking forward to the ride South of Fort William and in particular coming up out of Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor on the A82. Don’t get me wrong this ride never disappoints but I just like it better with more sun and blue skies. Was a bit cloudy and overcast, and in no doubt that it picked up later in the day but when it’s time to go it’s time to go!

    Buachaille Etive Mor in the background usually looks a bit more spectacular than this.
    IMG_4656.jpeg

    Kept heading south and past Loch Lomond and through Glasgow on the M8.
    Then headed east and a lunch stop at Peebles, never been and looks a nice little town. Never also ridden the Tweed Valley, was bloody brilliant too; smooth tarmac sweeping bends and lots of ‘em for miles on end!
    Through the borders and into Northumberland although bit of a cloudburst here.
    That day ended up at Pickering on the edge of North Yorkshire Moors, nice little campsite with a lovely sunset.

    IMG_4670.jpeg

    Next day was a ride round North Yorkshire Moors, sorry no photos but it was gorgeous. And then to Stokesley to ride what is known to the locals as the Helmsley TT between Stokesley and Helmsley. Worth a visit it you’re ever near the area.
    Then back home for Weds afternoon.
    Was a great trip and really dropped on for fantastic weather for 99% of it. My Explorer was brilliant and makes me wonder why I thought about swapping it.
    5 days and 1720 miles, was knackered at work the next day but absolutely worth it…… the pay is the same if I go in refreshed after a break (like it’s ever happened) or I’m tired!
     
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  5. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

    Nov 14, 2018
    6,177
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    North Yorkshire
    Exactly, a break is a break and the monotony will continue on my return :cool:

    Nice one ;)
     
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  6. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

    Nov 14, 2018
    6,177
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    Plus a chair like yours, I have similar, makes the evenings so much more enjoyable and comfortable, well worth the space and weight ;) ( I wanted thumbs up but no option).
     
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  7. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
    Subscriber

    Oct 28, 2020
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    @FellZebra: Thanks for sharing your great impressions with us! I remembered my last year's journey in that area. It was wonderful.

    PXL_20230911_095705425_copy_1612x1209.jpg
     
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  8. FellZebra

    FellZebra Elite Member

    Mar 9, 2020
    3,113
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    Had my Helinox chair a good few years now and was one of those ‘How much??…. wonder if I actually really do need it?’ items.
    But glad I got it, I agree makes a bike camping trip so much more comfortable.
    A very good design
     
  9. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

    Nov 14, 2018
    6,177
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    North Yorkshire
    #29 Eldon, Jun 29, 2024
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2024
    As you did, I did a " how much for Helinox?" and will I really use it, or will I just end up with more clutter. Being a tight ar5e yorkshireman I bought a cheapo and it's done alright so far.

    As a user of Helinox how do you rate it, good points, bad points etc and is it worth the expense?

    My cheapo was around £30 if I recall correctly.
     
  10. FellZebra

    FellZebra Elite Member

    Mar 9, 2020
    3,113
    800
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    @Eldon I’ve seen there are now cheaper versions from other manufacturers, but when I got mine it was Helinox or nothing so I had to part with the money.
    And it’s been a good investment, I’m happy with it. It’s done lots of bike camping trips, I’m a runner and it’s compact enough to put in my kit bag for use pre and post cross country races …..lots of team mate comments of ‘where did you get that’ , ‘how much was it’ , ‘wish I’d thought of that’. Also used it when watching bike racing at Donington, Oulton Pk etc.
    I think it’s an excellent design and good quality. Only thing is that I’ve lost a rubber foot of the end of one leg, a bit odd cos the others seem well stuck on ….. I’ll make something to replace it and then it’ll be good as new.
     
  11. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Dec 3, 2018
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    I’m a bit late to the party, @FellZebra but thoroughly enjoyed your ride report! I’m glad you had some stretches of good weather mixed in with that fog and overcast and rain here and there. Such a different way to travel than Steve and I typically do… Seems like it would be relaxing and quiet to travel solo but I don’t think I’d be too keen on the camping part. ;):joy: Great photos and interesting commentary. Thanks!:heart_eyes::kissing_heart:
     
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  12. ajc400

    ajc400 Senior Member

    Jun 4, 2024
    310
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    First time I did the NC500 (which of course wasn't called that back then, and was blissfully quiet in comparison to now) was by VW camper in 1976 - the Kylesku bridge didn't exist and the crossing was by a little rotating platform cable ferry which drifted down with the current then hauled itself back across.

    I believe one of the ferries was just dumped down shore and is still there rotting away.

    Kylesku ferry.jpg
     
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  13. FellZebra

    FellZebra Elite Member

    Mar 9, 2020
    3,113
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    Solo travelling worked ok for me, ultimate flexibility with my route planning!
    And I’m highly recommending camping….. when it’s dry!
     
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  14. FellZebra

    FellZebra Elite Member

    Mar 9, 2020
    3,113
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    @ajc400 Love it, and the NC500 must have been a whole different experience back then.
    Can you imagine the tailbacks in the height of summer if they’d still got that little ferry?!
     
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  15. ajc400

    ajc400 Senior Member

    Jun 4, 2024
    310
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    Glasgow
    We filled up with petrol waiting for the ferry - it was a hand pumped petrol pump!! How old am I??? :laughing:
     
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