The countdown has begun to my annual trip to Bonny Scotland which commences on Friday 22nd July.
No Nigel this year regrettably however Charlie has very kindly agreed to join me and keep me safe from the perils of the Scottish wilderness.
Loch Lomond, Skye, John O'Groats and many other breathtaking locations are included on the tour during which we will be taking in sections of the North Coast 500 on route to John O'Groats from Applecross.
It promises to be an awesome trip as Charlie has never explored Scotland on two wheels.
There will be updates during the journey and of course photos of our antics if we have a decent wifi connection.
I'm looking forward to your reports Steve, ....just keep an eye on Charlie, he's a scallywag ya know :mfr_lol:
Sounds like a lovely tour. Have fun!
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
Sounds great. Just one little worry. Two k16's is that not chancing it a bit. Still you can always cannibalise one if the other one goes wrong.
looking forward to seeing the pics on that , we do scotland every january but always in the car , did all mid scotland this year balmoral ect. last year did skye and had a genuine golden eagle sighting .
not been as far as john o scrotes haha, just wick .
have a great trip!
Wow an amazing trip :punk:
Kyle of Lochalsh and Loch Torridon are just beautiful, actually most of Scotland is beautiful but they are even more so :biker3:
Have fun, be safe and send lots of pictures please.
Thanks all for the comments, PRD behave yourself!
Really looking forward to it, I love the West coast of Scotland and the route via Spean Bridge to Glencoe.
Charlie gets back from Cornwall on Thursday night and then Friday morning he's off to the other end of the country.
It is alovely part of the world. I hope you get great weather
I will be biking in the West coast of Scotland on Friday morning (29th) on my way to the Cairnryan ferry, I'll be at the Northern Ireland Kawasaki Triples Club rally for a couple of days :clap:
well I guess ou two are all giddy and ready for the off, so ride safe and enjoy, dont forget the pictures and report :biker3:
Yep folks, all set. The last thing I had to do earlier to prep the bike was press a button, (a BMW button) on the fitted as standard computer to tell the bike to automatically adjust the suspension for rider and luggage, from rider only. :popcorn:
Its hard work being a K16 owner.....so much responsibility!
my heart bleeds for you :mfr_lol:
Have a safe good time you pair .very jealous :yes: :yes:
fingers crossed for good weather :yes:
Quote from: O.C. on July 21, 2016, 08:31:14 PM
fingers crossed for good weather :yes:
Oh it'll rain, it always rains that far up North! :mfr_lol:
Quote from: The Wolf on July 21, 2016, 11:18:08 PM
Oh it'll rain, it always rains that far up North! :mfr_lol:
:no: what happened to PMA........Positive Mental Attitude Steve.............I've been driving back through rain but have had the family out at every services praying for 5 days dry sunny weather :mfr_lol:
I was being positive, rain is acceptable.....monsoons are not!!! :mfr_lol:
I looked for them at South Mimms and at Watford Gap, never saw them :banana:
Coman
Quote from: coman37 on July 22, 2016, 08:09:16 AM
I looked for them at South Mimms and at Watford Gap, never saw them :banana:
Coman
If there meeting up like last time there could be one of them at both just saying :whistling: :popcorn:
Quote from: pross on July 22, 2016, 10:10:23 AM
If there meeting up like last time there could be one of them at both just saying :whistling: :popcorn:
i remember that. Lol. The eyes of the forum are watching guys!
Well I'm here at the correct services and on the right side of the road just waiting for my team mate.
Hopefully he has arrived by now!
Quote from: PRD on July 22, 2016, 01:59:21 PM
Hopefully he has arrived by now!
a cloud of smoke will accompany his arrival :mfr_lol:
Well we met up :punk:
Have riddern / driven approx 765 miles since Thursday lunch time.
Wolf no doubt will be along to give a more than fair and reasonable account of proceeding.
All I know is we are here and it's beautiful riding scenery company :banana: :banana: :banana:
More to follow in due course.
PS Both Steve and I are greatly moved by the thoughts of care and cocideration shown by forum membership as shown by the manhunt for the pair of us at M25 services.earlier today :mfr_lol:
Bikes running well I trust. I know a nice GTR should you need one!!
Okay guys, I have put Green Flag, AA and SOS bike recovery on standby, those in the know think this should be adequate breakdown cover for 2 X K1600's......now that aspect is covered, ride safe, have a great time and hoping you get good weather......looking forward to the piccies and reports :clap: :clap:
Two days completed and we are just letting our meals settle while we relax in the bar with some drinks. We're in Skye at the moment and tomorrow it's JOG via Applecross taking in a big chunk of the North Coast 500.
PRD will be pleased to know the bikes are performing brilliantly as one would expect.
Quote from: The Wolf on July 23, 2016, 10:20:27 PM
Two days completed and we are just letting our meals settle while we relax in the bar with some drinks. We're in Skye at the moment and tomorrow it's JOG via Applecross taking in a big chunk of the North Coast 500.
PRD will be pleased to know the bikes are performing brilliantly as one would expect.
:mfr_lol: glad it's going nicely
Quote from: The Wolf on July 23, 2016, 10:20:27 PM
Two days completed and we are just letting our meals settle while we relax in the bar with some drinks. We're in Skye at the moment and tomorrow it's JOG via Applecross taking in a big chunk of the North Coast 500.
PRD will be pleased to know the bikes are performing brilliantly as one would expect.
glad all is going well. Don't speak too soon though!!
Well the intrepid explorers are back home. The K16's performed brilliantly, neither bike broke down, neither bike required any recalls whilst on route, neither of us crashed, nothing fell off either bike during my 1433 miles, neither bike sustained any punctures & neither of us suffered any aches or pains from the hefty mileage. If Carling made motorbikes, you just know they'd make the BMW K1600 :yes: .
Photos and write up to follow.
Welcome back....really glad it all went well... :banana: :banana:
Looking forward to Photo's and the report.
Carling....yuk...crap lager, so yeah, they probably would make K1600's :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
yep welcome back, have you returned early as I thought you were coming back this weekend ?
My breath is baited now pending your report and pics of course :clap:
Did hear of a report of k16 towing a k16 near glencoe.
Rog, no we were always intending to come back on Tuesday. We've had 5 days away and we're both back at work tomorrow, (Wednesday).
Pete there was definitely no towing required, each bike managed to complete the journey under it's own steam.
Here's a sample photo which was taken on Skye.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00847_zpsuozv15nu.jpg)
Quote from: The Wolf on July 26, 2016, 08:02:21 PM
Well the intrepid explorers are back home. The K16's performed brilliantly, neither bike broke down, neither bike required any recalls whilst on route, neither of us crashed, nothing fell off either bike during my 1433 miles, neither bike sustained any punctures & neither of us suffered any aches or pains from the hefty mileage. If Carling made motorbikes, you just know they'd make the BMW K1600 :yes: .
Photos and write up to follow.
:agree:
My mileage for the trip was a little higher reflecting the different starting points at 1634 miles.
Would recommend the trip route to anyone who's interested as the roads scenery hotels hit the spot bang on.
That Coast 500 thing has to be riddern :yes:
Quote from: The Wolf on July 26, 2016, 10:56:32 PM
Rog, no we were always intending to come back on Tuesday. We've had 5 days away and we're both back at work tomorrow, (Wednesday).
Pete there was definitely no towing required, each bike managed to complete the journey under it's own steam.
I never doubted it for a moment. Nice sample picture. What a fine looking man he is! Looking forward to rest of pictures.
Here's a sample photo which was taken on Skye.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00847_zpsuozv15nu.jpg)
I did not doubt it for a moment. Marvellous bikes. Great sample picture. Look forward to the rest. What a fine looking chap Charlie is.
Quote from: PRD on July 27, 2016, 08:30:02 AM
I did not doubt it for a moment. Marvellous bikes. Great sample picture. Look forward to the rest. What a fine looking chap Charlie is.
he looks lik Paul Teutul snr :mfr_lol:
Actually he looks a bit grumpy perhaps because he is on a k16!
Quote from: PRD on July 27, 2016, 01:40:30 PM
Actually he looks a bit grumpy perhaps because he is on a k16!
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
With a face like that.
I should say the pub or cafe was closed and it was Mr Wolfs round :whistling: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: pross on July 27, 2016, 02:23:30 PM
With a face like that.
I should say the pub or cafe was closed and it was Mr Wolfs round :whistling: :mfr_lol:
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
So sorry that I was unable to attend this year ... Steve has everything all planned out so all I do is turn up and ride ! ... which of course means that Charlie will have had a brilliant time :yes:. Next year for sure ... I still want to see The Isle of Skye without low rain clouds, mist, and poor visibility ! I like everyone else am waiting with baited breath for the photos :clap: :clap: :clap:
Well done the 2 of you !
It was a pleasure to be your stunt double Rusty.
Steve had the whole thing planned and all I had to do was follow his lead.
It was a great experience that I'm missing daily. Roll on the next trip :punk:
PS Skye was also low cloud and rain by the time we hit the hotel :popcorn:
I'll hopefully get the photos and a write up done in the next few days, just at work at the moment.
Quote from: Charlie747 on July 29, 2016, 09:10:55 PM
It was a pleasure to be your stunt double Rusty.
Steve had the whole thing planned and all I had to do was follow his lead.
It was a great experience that I'm missing daily. Roll on the next trip :punk:
PS Skye was also low cloud and rain by the time we hit the hotel :popcorn:
If the three musketeers are doing it next year I would love to tag along if there is room for a little one :clap:
It's definitely a must do ride. I am doing the NC 500 ( with additions) with a bunch of mates next year.....oh yeah one of those mates is Moayling,,,really looking forward to it :clap: :clap: :banana: :banana:
Right finally I get round to adding some photos. :clap: Reader discretion advised as this write up and photos could be biased and may have a German theme. :whistling:
After meeting Charlie at Carlisle services on the M6 and having a quick catch up we headed North, deep North.....well towards Glasgow at least where we were confronted by tailbacks of traffic which thankfully didn't delay us too much before we reached the Eskrine Bridge, the gateway to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
We stopped at Luss which is the West side of Loch Lomond and had a short walk along the beach and through the village of Luss before heading back to the bikes. A quick conflab and we decided to explore the perimeter of Loch Lomond itself doing a large circuit before returning to Balloch and then finally heading to our accommodation at Loch Long which is just above Tarbot.
As Charlie and I were both members of the elite K16 club which as I tried to explain to PRD a couple of weeks ago affords you certain privileges on tours we were pleased to discover when we arrived at our accommodation, The Village Inn, that our 'Special; BMW themed room had been prepared as requested.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Loch%20Lomond%20May%202016/DSC00598_zpswe6ntbq3.jpg)
My room was beautifully prepped with home comforts....
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/image1_zps1v9xowrm.jpg)
The view from the front of the hotel overlooked Loch Long of which this is a very small section.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00788_zps9ljy1jtz.jpg)
The bikes were bedded down for the night in a quiet corner of the car park and their alarms, (fitted as standard) are activated automatically as the keys were removed. :whistling:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00786_zps8nud0ye9.jpg)
Now I need to add here that Charlie had never done such a journey before which required him to ride for multiple days and therefore like all good explorers he had put energy and commitment into considering how to make himself most comfortable on the miles which lay ahead and to hell with there millions of midges which awaited him. Yes Charlie decided to go Commando!! Ok, well maybe not full Commando but he ditched the full face helmet for the wind in your face option.
So having journeyed down to Toys R Us he picked up this bad boy.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00797_zpsmozstkhq.jpg)
It didnt stop there though, oh no, Charlie had a surprise, a BMW surprise. Look at this he said, take a picture he said, so I did.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00800_zps0u8egzcx.jpg)
Everything was complete....we were ready for day 2. So after a modest breakfast of toast, sausages, bacon, multiple fried and poached eggs, hash browns, haggis and black pudding (all washed down with a fresh orange juice as we were trying to be healthy) we set off from Loch Lomond to the Isle of Skye.
We headed for Tyndrum stopping off briefly at the Green Welly for a leg stretch and drink. A couple of quick photos and the intrepid explorers once again hit the road.
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Dropping down into Glencoe on the A82 which is awesome as you ride through the mountains we stopped for Charlie to experience the bagpiper in one of the carparks.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00804_zpsxtchhlts.jpg)
I invited Charlie to pose with the piper, saying just relax, look natural, chill out, unfortunately this is the result.... :oops:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00806_zpskcwqcdke.jpg)
The next photo doesn't do the location justice but if you have never experienced the beauty of Scotland it has to be on your Bucket List.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00807_zps4zgs4thf.jpg)
The main thing was though for Charlie to enjoy himself and that he certainly did.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00808_zpszad31mb7.jpg)
We then headed towards Spean Bridge to visit the Commando Memorial where I left Charlie to soak up the atmosphere and read the tributes towards the fallen Servicemen.
If you have never been here it's well worth the visit.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00810_zpsjwbpubqm.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00813_zps08k84m8d.jpg)
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Gathering our thoughts we then headed West on the A87 towards Eileen Donan Castle at Kyle of Lochalsh.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00822_zps7s3w3kqc.jpg)
The Castle is always a very popular attraction with all nationalities and again well worth a visit if you are in the area.
I'd mentioned to Charlie about us catching a ferry to the Isle of Skye from Kylerhea, nothing to worry about I said, small ferry, turntable, slippery ramps, everything will be fine.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00826_zpskb2ww1o8.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00827_zps2akr6zrh.jpg)
This is the last turntable ferry operating commercially in the UK and only carries six vehicles at any one time and believe it or not used to be the main and in fact only way of leaving and entering the island many years ago until the Skye Bridge was built.
Charlie....freaked out, does he look freaked out?
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00824_zpsbyuwjels.jpg)
I'm not sure if that was a forced smile or not but we survived, I just had to remind Charlie to remain seated on his bike as the ferry could jolt and we didn't want any mishaps did we? PRD would never stop with the piss taking!
After the short ten minute ferry crossing to the Isle of Skye we climbed the single track road up towards civilisation. Charlie was waving frantically behind me, flashing his lights and sounding his horn.....I stopped....Charlie announced that he wanted to have a moment to absorb the atmosphere.
At this moment, I realised, you know Charlie is right, we may never pass this way again, this is a time for Charlie to place himself in the middle of nature, soak it all up, relish in the beauty of it all, smell the air, almost taste it.....oh and while he's doing all that the might as well take a piss!
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00829_zpsrmjgiwtz.jpg) :mfr_lol:
I took the opportunity to capture the beauty of the available scenery.....
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00830_zpsk17hhntm.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00831_zpshvxgoiw0.jpg)
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As Nigel will testify, it very rarely doesn't rain on Skye. Today was no exception. We headed towards our accommodation at Uig Hotel which is at the top of Skye and as we reached the Sligachan hotel where a wedding was taking place the heavens opened up. So rather than go via Dunvegan Castle which we were intending to do we went straight to our digs and got checked in.
Keeping a watchful eye on the bikes from my hotel room.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00839_zpsos0jho0d.jpg)
A view over Uig bay, nothing much to look at and not one of the most appealing locations upon Skye however it suited our needs.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00835_zpshhibzmqv.jpg)
The following morning as we left Skye for John 'Groats the weather was fine and therefore before we left Skye we attempted some action shots.
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As we headed to JOG we stopped off at a small village for some photos.
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(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00849_zpsc3pjc3fr.jpg)
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We then noticed that BMW had provided special picnic rugs on the grass for us so Charlie obliged with a photo.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00850_zps6mjfopch.jpg)
The excitement didn't end there though, oh no, BMW think of everything, it's the little touches which mean so much.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00864_zpsojrdlydd.jpg)
From the 'Special' loos we visited a nearby cafe for a cool coke and a chat with a couple who were heading in the same direction as us on their KTM.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00857_zps6htuwepe.jpg)
The views were breathtaking and the photos don't do the area justice.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00853_zps881sz3r8.jpg)
Applecross beckoned however so we pushed on and thankfully the weather stayed clear for us. We had some nugget behind us in a Merc who insisted they wanted to get past us and relayed the message by driving on our rear wheels virtually whilst sounding their horn so deciding it would be better to have them in front of us rather than behind, we pulled over and let them pass.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00858_zpsleiwlfb0.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00859_zpszry2rd7m.jpg)
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After reaching Applecross we headed North up the Coastal road towards Lonbain and Annat, rugged mostly single track roads but well worth the effort. Ultimately we ended up at Ullapool where we saw a sign, John O' Groats 170 miles. Still a long way to go then! :mfr_lol:
The next 100 plus miles contained a mixture of a woman in a small hatchback who decided to reverse back at one passing place narrowly missing embedding my front wheel in her rear bumper, another woman in an Audi who refused point blank to use the passing place on her side of the road and instead kept her line heading straight for Charlie whilst shouting obscenities and introducing the vulnerable Cahrlie to many new Scottish hand gestures. But we survived of course and landed at our accommodation, The Anchorage as expected in the pouring rain.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00867_zpsf8lf874z.jpg)
A panoramic view of the area as the light faded.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00869_zpskct0expr.jpg)
The following morning we awoke to sunshine and headed down to the JOG sign for the must have photos.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00877_zps4qjvqgii.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00881_zpsky9r6yen.jpg)
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So this is the most Northern point asked Charlie, hell No, thats Dunnet Head, so we went there next.
And again we would like to thank the organisers at www.bmwwolftours.co.uk (http://www.bmwwolftours.co.uk) for making us feel so very welcome.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00908_zpsunafrdxb.jpg)
Some guy insisted he have his photo taken with the sign.....
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(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00904_zpsrpxdu2mv.jpg)
We then travelled a few miles to Castle Mey where unfortunately they wouldn't let us beyond the ticket office not even to simply get a photo so I had to make do with this.
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Heading back down via Drumnadrochit we stopped off at The Loch Ness Inn before visiting Urquhart Castle.
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On the final leg of the journey towards Loch Long where once again we were staying at The village Inn and after experiencing some lovely twisty roads we stopped for fuel and drinks as it was pretty warm.
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As we rose through Glencoe towards Loch Long we stopped for a quick photo of this mighty fall of water.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00930_zpswmavk3rg.jpg)
And finally back on the shores of Loch Lomond near Loch Long we stopped for a couple of photos as the journey was drawing to a close.
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(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Scotland%20July%202016/DSC00933_zpsomezirrz.jpg)
I think it's fair to say that it was an epic journey enjoyed by all and we finally parted company at The Hartside Cafe at Alston, Penrith.
So there you have it, hopefully you'll enjoy the photos and words and if it encourages anyone to visit Scotland then it will have been well worth the time spent putting it all together.
:clap:
Great pictures and report. Looking forward to returning there next year. thanks for sharing Mr Wolf.
When you said in the first part that your accomodation was BMW themed I thought you were sleeping in the shed :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Great pictures Steve, mind you we expect nowt less now do we :mfr_lol:
Thanks for sharing, I even managed to enjoy the pictures whilst ignoring the BMW theme :mfr_lol:
Cracking pictures once more and a quality review mr wolf .
Charlie's choice of helmet for Scotland and its weather must make his face feel like some of their granite :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Great write up and pics Steve, looks like a great tour. Do you have a gpx file of the route you took in Scotland? Would be good to see it on basecamp. Ps.... was Charlie smuggling a set of bagpipes under his jacket ....🙄
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Lovely pictures. Beautiful bikes. Great write up. I'm assuming you did not share the double bed with BMW cover!
Inspiring... ( despite the BMW theme)....great pictures Wolf and a very entertaining write up...thank you :clap: :clap:
Well Done Steve ! A big smile on my face as I am reading through that ! :yes: A great write up and some, actually they are all excellent photos all with meaning and thought .. particularly the poppy photo, really quite brilliant. You are clearly both tuned into the teutonic line of thought and I am sure the K's were a perfect ride for all those miles and oncoming Scottish women :mfr_lol:
Glad also to hear that Gail at The Anchorage looked after you both ... did you tell her that there will be ANOTHER visit next year ?? Loved it, good effort !
Thanks for all the positive comments, (even from PRD) :whistling:
Shaggs, I don't have any files of the route I simply researched the North Coast 500 route and then incorporated that as best as possible into the route for the accommodation we had booked. Everything was then plotted on Google maps and then input into the bike sat nav. The roads are easy, slow but easy, even the single tracks, twas great fun.
That was a great write up Steve, and I loved the pictures..
If you plan on doing it again next year, then I would love to tag along as never done Scotland on the bike.. :banana:
Nice write up and photos Steve.
Really enjoyed it..............so...............when's he next one ?
If enough interest and accomadation could be sorted, how about a group run?
Quote from: PRD on August 02, 2016, 04:10:31 PM
If enough interest and accomadation could be sorted, how about a group run?
Are you saying that you want to muscle in on the Beemer tour? :popcorn:
Quote from: The Wolf on August 02, 2016, 06:02:06 PM
Are you saying that you want to muscle in on the Beemer tour? :popcorn:
If he's not I am :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Yes why not. If the Beemer boys are happy to have us mere GTR riders along. Could be fun.
Hmm, sounds like a potential plan for some fun. :clap:
Very nice trip , I showed my wife as I proposed to her on the banks of loc lomond and went back for our honeymoon and have been back half dozen times since , the green welli shop has a shop for those whisky lovers but not been there on the bike would like to .
And now I know charlies face to the name . :clap:
Here's another photo of Charlie to keep that image fresh! :whistling:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s139/Jaffa_Cake101/Belfry%20GTR%20Meet%20June%202014/DSC_5546_zpsc1503979.jpg)
:mfr_lol:
Looking good Charlie :banana: :banana:
Blimey Charlie. We could be twins :mfr_lol:
I thought asif was talking to twins :whistling:
Steve, if you do anything about a Scotland trip next time to make it easier on yourself plan a route and your stopovers and everyone else that wants to go finds and books their own accommodation nr by
Quote from: stoketim on August 03, 2016, 02:02:44 PM
Steve, if you do anything about a Scotland trip next time to make it easier on yourself plan a route and your stopovers and everyone else that wants to go finds and books their own accommodation nr by
Colin yep that's exactly what I would do. I'd ensure the stopovers had plenty of rooms like this year, all bar one place and then as you say it'd be upto folk to get their finger pulled out and book.
On a serious note who would genuinely be interested in a group tour of Scotland somewhere between June and August 2017?
The trip would include Glencoe, Isle of Skye, John O'Groats, Loch Lomond and many other interesting places in-between. Four nights accommodation and five days riding.
The typical cost of such a trip would be approximately £600 -£700 per rider which would include accommodation, fuel and grub.
Would have loved to join you but already going in Sept. All booked up. I'm sure a group run would be a great success.
Quote from: moayling on August 03, 2016, 05:12:55 PM
Would have loved to join you but already going in Sept. All booked up. I'm sure a group run would be a great success.
I'm also going back up for a week in September. I can't keep away from the place. :mfr_lol:
I'll go, but due to my fears over group riding would probably want make my own way between night stops!
I'm interested but would probably ride at my own pace like flat four or join the group as the mood takes me.
Quote from: The Wolf on August 03, 2016, 05:18:03 PM
I'm also going back up for a week in September. I can't keep away from the place. :mfr_lol:
Should have said 2017. This September its the Harz mountains
Hmm, Colin & Pete if you made your own way between accommodation that wouldn't be a group ride. Whats the issue with riding with us, I'm not renound for my speed.
Quote from: The Wolf on August 03, 2016, 04:59:25 PM
On a serious note who would genuinely be interested in a group tour of Scotland somewhere between June and August 2017?
The trip would include Glencoe, Isle of Skye, John O'Groats, Loch Lomond and many other interesting places in-between. Four nights accommodation and five days riding.
The typical cost of such a trip would be approximately £600 -£700 per rider which would include accommodation, fuel and grub.
I would love to but I'm in the same predicament as you and others I am told when I'm on my holiday weeks so at the moment can't confirm I can't even go to the meet next year :censored:
i,m in
Quote from: The Wolf on August 03, 2016, 04:59:25 PM
On a serious note who would genuinely be interested in a group tour of Scotland somewhere between June and August 2017?
The trip would include Glencoe, Isle of Skye, John O'Groats, Loch Lomond and many other interesting places in-between. Four nights accommodation and five days riding.
The typical cost of such a trip would be approximately £600 -£700 per rider which would include accommodation, fuel and grub.
don't forget the meeting already arranged in June 2017 :yes:
Quote from: The Wolf on August 03, 2016, 10:44:17 PM
Hmm, Colin & Pete if you made your own way between accommodation that wouldn't be a group ride. Whats the issue with riding with us, I'm not renound for my speed.
no issue at all. Would prob be in group but if I wanted to divert to somewhere could rejoin later.
Steve, I have tried riding as part of a group in the past (some ten years ago I joined a group tour to France and Spain and numerous times I have used the various companies that offer escorted riding days on British bikes of my youth - the 1970's, in both France and Spain as well as the UK, and also joined day trips with the motorcycle clubs that I am a member of).
Problems encountered range from the slight but disruptive (i.e. someone missing a turn, or the rider due to be the next to guide everyone passing when using the "drop off" system forgetting to stop at a junction and everyone behind becoming lost) to the more serious (collisions when a rider slows more quickly for a bend than expected, or when stopping at traffic lights) to the plain tragic (rider and passenger going through a stone wall as they were so busy maintaining correct separation from the rider in front that they failed to look ahead, or the rider who went off the side of a mountain in the Pyrenees on a tour that I was part of as he was waiting for the rider ahead to slow - he was very capable and didn't need to, the victim did and failed to do so).
In short, I feel that the concentration needed is too great to allow me to enjoy the ride and so I now avoid any group runs except for holiday trips with my daughter and brother, where we are all very used to each other and feel totally responsible for the others safety.
I am sure that I would enjoy the holiday as a whole though, especially the evening gatherings and thought of it as an opportunity to benefit from your huge knowledge of Scotland and to meet up with everyone after the day's ride. However I certainly wouldn't want to cause offence to any of the wonderful people that I have met through the annual gatherings and at other times so will happily stay away from the proposed trip if that is likely to happen.
Quote from: flatfour on August 04, 2016, 08:43:15 AM
Steve, I have tried riding as part of a group in the past (some ten years ago I joined a group tour to France and Spain and numerous times I have used the various companies that offer escorted riding days on British bikes of my youth - the 1970's, in both France and Spain as well as the UK, and also joined day trips with the motorcycle clubs that I am a member of).
Problems encountered range from the slight but disruptive (i.e. someone missing a turn, or the rider due to be the next to guide everyone passing when using the "drop off" system forgetting to stop at a junction and everyone behind becoming lost) to the more serious (collisions when a rider slows more quickly for a bend than expected, or when stopping at traffic lights) to the plain tragic (rider and passenger going through a stone wall as they were so busy maintaining correct separation from the rider in front that they failed to look ahead, or the rider who went off the side of a mountain in the Pyrenees on a tour that I was part of as he was waiting for the rider ahead to slow - he was very capable and didn't need to, the victim did and failed to do so).
In short, I feel that the concentration needed is too great to allow me to enjoy the ride and so I now avoid any group runs except for holiday trips with my daughter and brother, where we are all very used to each other and feel totally responsible for the others safety.
I am sure that I would enjoy the holiday as a whole though, especially the evening gatherings and thought of it as an opportunity to benefit from your huge knowledge of Scotland and to meet up with everyone after the day's ride. However I certainly wouldn't want to cause offence to any of the wonderful people that I have met through the annual gatherings and at other times so will happily stay away from the proposed trip if that is likely to happen.
You raise some interesting points, and I agree that group riding is "Different" to riding on your own, however the key to group riding is to always ride within your own abilities, and not be influenced by the riding or actions of others, whilst remaining aware and courteous to those riders that are in proximity to you. Bad , discourteous riders, are bad and discourteous riders whether they are riding on their own or in a group. If they happen to be in your group then the ride leader should ask them to leave the group. :yes: :yes:
Count me in Steve .. obviously ! :yes: :yes: :mfr_lol: