The year is fast disappearing and so far there's been no official meet up.
This year will sort the men from the boys. Two nights accommodation, Friday 16th & Saturday 17th August, departing, Sunday 18th August. The venue Muthu Ben Duran Hotel, Tyndrum, The Highlands, Scotland, FK20 8RZ.
https://www.muthuhotels.com/ben-doran-hotel/en/index.html (https://www.muthuhotels.com/ben-doran-hotel/en/index.html)
If you want to receive 10% refund off your booking, simply use the link below.
https://www.booking.com/s/15_6/79bd5eda (https://www.booking.com/s/15_6/79bd5eda)
Let's see how many people say it's too far to go on their touring bikes. :whistling:
That IS a massive shame ... pre booked for ever and a day so sadly I am unable to make those dates Steve. :no: :no: The Hotel looks lovely though ...what a cracking meet up that will be ... :biker3:
Steve dates are good, hotel looks lovely but just too far for me (approaching 500 miles each way) on UK roads for a short stay (even with the legendary comfort and reliability of a BMW!).
When we returned from Scotland at the end of June, 350 miles took some eight hours in Friday's traffic.
Hope it goes well and everyone enjoys the weekend!
Sorry just a bit beyond me ,i would be leaving my home 4.30 am for ferry at 8.00 land in holyhead 12 and then 400 miles and do it all again on sunday .
Nice morning ride to get there ,shame I've sold bike , :biker3:
Cant make it as I return to the middle east on the 14th otherwise Id be there and its only 37 miles from my hoose! :asshole:
Sorry, me neither as my Sister is here that weekend.
Starting the 19th I'm doing the GTR Rally based from Vijlen, NL for 4 days on my rebuilt GTR1000. :banana:
Very tempting and the dates might just work - it's the one free weekend I have in August - but can I get the Friday off work ???
Thinking about it.........
Quote from: Rynglieder on August 03, 2019, 08:18:03 AM
Very tempting and the dates might just work - it's the one free weekend I have in August - but can I get the Friday off work ???
Thinking about it.........
If you were able to go I reckon it'll just be me and thee at this rate! I was going to Scotland that weekend anyway but as someone was commenting recently that there didn't appear to be any plans afoot for a meet up this year I threw the suggestion out there for that weekend to see if anyone might be interested in heading upto Scotland. It's amazing how many people have never actually visited Scotland and it has so much to offer. However it would appear that Scotland is too far for some on their mile munching touring bikes!! :mfr_lol:
It’s a shame it wasn’t posted earlier.
I am away at the moment and the bike is being a bitch :censored:
I would have gone to that meet otherwise it looks and sounds brilliant.
But its the end of my allocated Hols :sad:
Well, we do try to visit Scotland each year Steve, together with Wales and France or Italy. I do, however realise that my enjoyment of a trip requires quite a lot of time off the bike after high mileage days now and riding really long distances (my brother and me once packed 830 miles into a day returning from the Pyrenees) are in the past.
I find 250 - 300 miles reasonable in the UK, or up to 450 miles on Autoroutes, however almost 500 miles each way on UK roads for a short stay would not give me any pleasure now. I cannot easily extend the stay either, as we have recently returned from holiday and go off again mid - September and then early October - this retirement is quite tough, you know!
I will, though miss joining the annual meet - up, it's become something of a fixture in the riding year.
I hope that you and others who go really enjoy it all, if the weather is kind, the rest is a given in Scotland.
Quote from: Lonewolf on August 03, 2019, 12:07:04 PM
If you were able to go I reckon it'll just be me and thee at this rate! I was going to Scotland that weekend anyway but as someone was commenting recently that there didn't appear to be any plans afoot for a meet up this year I threw the suggestion out there for that weekend to see if anyone might be interested in heading upto Scotland. It's amazing how many people have never actually visited Scotland and it has so much to offer. However it would appear that Scotland is too far for some on their mile munching touring bikes!! :mfr_lol:
Oh dear, still no more takers then?
I'll drop you a PM on this particular trip Mr Wolf, but in the meantime is it worth thinking about setting a 2020 date now? I'm sure most of us own our bikes to ride them and would be up for something like this if they can plan ahead a bit.
If we want a bit of a gathering of GTRs this year would there be any apetite for a good Sunday out one day toward the end of September - meet up in the midlands which is a bit more central for everyone mid-morning, a couple or three hours off on the bikes and then break up after a final coffee somewhere?
Pete.
I hear you, Wales is always a good RV point and in the past we have had quite a few annual meet ups in The Cotswolds which is beautiful.
By all means if you want to start a thread for a September meet up, go for it. :clap:
I know its only you going Steve but have a good trip, ride safe and keep us updated with some of those great photos !!! :clap: :clap:
A GTR meet only attended by a BMW, :mfr_lol: you couldn't make it up could you?
Everything is packed and ready for the launch tomorrow morning. :clap:
Quote from: Lonewolf on August 15, 2019, 06:59:38 PM
A GTR meet only attended by a BMW, :mfr_lol: you couldn't make it up could you?
Everything is packed and ready for the launch tomorrow morning. :clap:
Keep the flag flying enjoy yourself lol :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Thanks mate, I had an excellent ride up here yesterday, while most of the country was experiencing rain, including back home in Bradford the temperatures soared to a surprising 23.5 degrees, I couldn't believe it.
Quote from: Lonewolf on August 17, 2019, 07:28:01 AM
Thanks mate, I had an excellent ride up here yesterday, while most of the country was experiencing rain, including back home in Bradford the temperatures soared to a surprising 23.5 degrees, I couldn't believe it.
I know what you mean absolutely p#*#*d down down here . Enjoy yourself don't forget the piccies :yes:
Well, I'm back. Not a bad weekend at all if I'm honest and I'm very glad I bit the bullet and went even if it was a solo trip.
I didn't take too many photos, but here's a selection below with a bit of a quick write up of the event. I did however shoot quite a lot of video and when I get it edited I'll out a short clip together and stick it on that there Youtube thing.
So no real revelations or surprises, Friday I set off from West Yorkshire out towards Kirkby Lonsdale via Skipton and then joined the M6 North for the long and tedious ride up to and beyond Glasgow. As you'd expect nothing to report on the M6, but it does always make me laugh when you join the motorway and the sat nav says, "Turn Left In 145 Miles"! So approximately 260 miles later I landed at the hotel in Tyndrum, got checked in and unpacked. The hotel was lovely, probably the most friendliest hotel staff I've ever experienced, the room was massive and I prepped myself to have a good weekend.
In the evening I went out for another ride for a couple of hours as I wanted to get some dusk shots at Loch Lomond of the calm waters and boats whilst trying not to get attacked by the midges of course.
There is a jetty at Loch Lomond where Loch Cruises sail from, the light was perfect and there was an eerie air of peace about the place.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HDL98Rz/0/XL/i-HDL98Rz-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-HDL98Rz/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-6wXs5Zv/0/XL/i-6wXs5Zv-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-6wXs5Zv/A)
Saturday, the plan was to get a full days riding in, regardless of the weather and that's exactly what happened. I'd plotted a route from Tyndrum to Glencoe and then out towards Fort William.
On route to Glencoe, before you hit Glencoe village itself there is a car park on the left where occasionally there is a Piper. The position is very elevated and the views are outstanding looking back down the twisty roads towards Tyndrum and Loch Lomond over the Glen's.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-tXfpWmQ/0/XL/i-tXfpWmQ-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-tXfpWmQ/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-cZ2bCSP/0/XL/i-cZ2bCSP-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-cZ2bCSP/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-TbwcmGs/0/XL/i-TbwcmGs-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-TbwcmGs/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Qj5jxtR/0/XL/i-Qj5jxtR-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-Qj5jxtR/A)
From here, in relatively decent weather I headed through the Glencoe Mountains toward Glencoe village, where, to put it bluntly, it rained pretty damn heavy!
I then took the B863 from Glencoe for a short distance where I came across this breathtaking view.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-fB39jNh/0/XL/i-fB39jNh-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-fB39jNh/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-scTNPdT/0/XL/i-scTNPdT-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-scTNPdT/A)
You just cannot fault roads like this, even if the weather is changing every five minutes!
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-RrhcG6t/0/XL/i-RrhcG6t-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-RrhcG6t/A)
From Fort William I then took the A830 towards Mallaig but turned off onto the A861 towards Glenuig & the Inn. Unfortunately because I hadn't done my homework the bloody Inn was closed, it seems it only opens from 4pm onwards which seems strange during the Summer months and school holidays that it doesn't cater for passing lunchtime trade.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Tq5xh6J/0/XL/i-Tq5xh6J-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-Tq5xh6J/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-q2mPMkX/0/XL/i-q2mPMkX-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-q2mPMkX/A)
As I carried on down the road from the Inn to rejoin the main road, this rather attractive Ewe caught my eye. We chatted, exchanged numbers, promised to call each other but like all holiday romances I don't think it'll amount to anything. On I pressed towards Castle Tioram a short ride away at Loch Moidart. Now the K16 is no lightweight and the single track road leading down to the castle was no easy task, blind corners, grass growing in the middle of the road, gravel on every bend and me praying I didn't meet anything coming the other way.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-73snfrh/0/XL/i-73snfrh-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-73snfrh/A)
Thankfully there was some level ground to park the bike at the bottom of the track.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-RGt4P2q/0/XL/i-RGt4P2q-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-RGt4P2q/A)
I took a quick photo and got the hell out of there as fast as possible dreading now having to go up the same old run down track, thankfully I nipped in behind a car that was leaving at the same time as me so I used him for my eyes on the corners and to forewarn me of any oncoming vehicles.
Having survived that experience I headed towards Salen when I came across this impressive looking bridge. When you think that bridges such as this have been standing for probably a few hundred years you have to have respect for the people who built them in yesteryear.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-tvkpTL9/0/XL/i-tvkpTL9-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-tvkpTL9/A)
In the opposite direction......what a view! Just think of all the birds and wildlife that will visit this waterhole.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-kdxf5F8/0/XL/i-kdxf5F8-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-kdxf5F8/A)
A simple bench, but I love the texture it has to it.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-jnKRWc3/0/XL/i-jnKRWc3-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-jnKRWc3/A)
Still travelling on the A861, much of which was single track roads with passing places, possibly somewhere near Ranachan I came across a small cafe. One beautifully cooked bacon buttie later and a refreshing can of coke I carried on towards Blaich via the Coran Lighthouse before rejoining the A830 to head back towards Fort William.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-R9Jrwvb/0/XL/i-R9Jrwvb-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-R9Jrwvb/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gbjh7JZ/0/XL/i-gbjh7JZ-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-gbjh7JZ/A)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-g9vjcmP/0/XL/i-g9vjcmP-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-g9vjcmP/A)
On route back towards Fort William on the A830, I saw my first and only speed camera van, if only the same could be said for back home!
As I still had plenty of time I visited Spean Bridge as it's only about eight miles from Fort William. Although I have visited this 'tourist' attraction many times before, it compells you to attend as to not do so seems almost disrespectful in my opinion. What impresses me about the location apart from what it represents is the memorial area to the side of the three figures where there are personal photos, plaques, letters and other personal items and yet NOTHING looks out of place, no vandalism, graffiti, or anything which would imply it's a gathering point for idiots out to cause trouble in an evening. I would like to think that if anyone did cause damage here they would get the :censored: kicked out of them.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-28tdzxj/0/XL/i-28tdzxj-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-28tdzxj/A)
Anyway, we digress......after respects paid at Spean Bridge, I ride back to Tyndrum once again via the beautiful mountain range that is Glencoe and this time it was slightly drier!
By nine thirty this evening, I was fed, watered and in my bed. (Not with the sheep, they never called).
Sunday morning, all packed up and ready to go, a trip wouldn't be a trip without a group photo. :mfr_lol:
So here's one for the photo album.....all on my Jack Jones. :cry:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Qr6kBS8/0/XL/i-Qr6kBS8-XL.jpg) (https://www.ruffmuttpawtraits.com/Motorcycle-Photography/Scotland-Tyndrum-Tour-August-2019/Scotland-Tyndrum-August-2019/n-9ZFD5W/i-Qr6kBS8/A)
All in all, a bloody cracking long weekend. Yes it's a lot of miles to do, 784 for me in total but it was worth it. This is my third trip to Scotland on a bike this year, hopefully I may get an overnighter in during September somewhere on the West Coast. I love Scotland.
On a serious note, for anyone who has never visited Scotland at all, it has to be on your Bucket List to do. The place is bloody awesome! If Scotland was a contender for a future bike meet, you could do a lot worse than staying here in Tyndrum. Its fairly central (ish). The roads are stunning, wind, rain or shine you are guaranteed a fantastic time, the accommodation is sensibly priced if you shop around and Scottish drivers are so switched on to bikers they are very courteous.
Anyway, if you take the time to read this post and look at my photographs, I hope it inspires some of you to visit the Country. It makes no difference what you ride, you'll see people touring Scotland on everything from Scooters to huge HD Cruisers.
:biker3:
Great Pictures and write up, I love touring in Scotland, hate the pesky midges though.
:mfr_lol: yeah the midges are brutal!
Well done Steve ... super photos .. obviously ... and a great write up. You certainly know your way around up there :clap: Lovely all round report. :yes:
Many thanks, M' Lord. :mfr_lol:
Glad you had a good trip . Surprise to see k16 in photos where is GS?
Quote from: PRD on August 19, 2019, 04:13:04 PM
Glad you had a good trip . Surprise to see k16 in photos where is GS?
Binned it off, I kept dropping the bugger. :mfr_lol:
Have you bought another K1600GT Steve?
Quote from: flatfour on August 19, 2019, 04:33:42 PM
Have you bought another K1600GT Steve?
Yes, as much as I liked the GS Adventure, I kept dropping it which was working out quite expensive!
I did the same trip a couple of weeks ago stopped at the same hotel went up on the wed back on the Thursday ,up and past glen coe and back round followed a route out of a ride mag ,,the roads were very good , surprised how busy it was , came back on the road that mirrors the m74 then back via hawes had fish n chips there , a fantastic 2 day blast ,cannot believe how many folks I speak to have never been , another great place to ride is around dunfries and Galloway ride mag has 4 routes for this area and it's even closer to get to , :biker3:
Steve, I've a few friends who, like you have toppled off the GSA due to its height and high C of G when fuelled!
Is the K1600 new, it certainly looks like the latest version in the photographs?
I concur Mr Nightrider .... it is lovely up there.
Was in Dent recently for a GS weekend .. only 10 miles or so from Hawes.. ~I bet those chish and fips were lovely !
Then a couple of weeks after that I went with an old work team to Luxembourg .. if you have never been I recommend it 5* ... using Ride Magazine routes which were just fantastic .. it was like having a local guide with you ... we would never have chosen half the roads we rode if we had not used the downloads :clap:
I downloaded the routes for Luxembourg off ride got there ok using my garment 390 ,but the route started and finished in the same spot and it would not let me get going without bringing me back to the same spot so I hopped across to the Nurburgring great roads to and back across the Belgium Ardennes area ,,will have to try again ,
Quote from: nightrider on August 19, 2019, 06:45:11 PM
I did the same trip a couple of weeks ago stopped at the same hotel went up on the wed back on the Thursday.
How freaky is that, that you stayed at the same hotel! If you think that area was busy, you want to try Skye. It's getting that ridiculous on Skye now there is consideration being given to a tourist tax. You get camper vans parked in passing places on single track roads, foreign tourists driving on the wrong side of the road, cars just stopping without warning on roads because they want to take photos out of the window. When I was up on Skye and around Lochness in May/June in just two days I personally saw the aftermath of no less than three head on accidents due to foreign tourists just happily tootling along on the wrong side of the road. It's a beautiful country but getting out of control with bloody tourists. :whistling:
Lovely photos and reports once again Steve 👌.
As you mentioned in your write up it's those dreaded motorway miles from down here to there that puts people off in my opinion I tried a few years back to arrange a trip to Scotland or Essen for the motor GP. But the monotonous motorway riding scared people off :no:
Indeed Pros ... from the sunny Sussex coast its a lonnnnnnng way so best to make the outbound journey a "bit of a tour in its self" and visit other people or places on the way. The route back ? it doesn't seem to matter so much :smiley:
You could always get the ferry to Ireland ride up the west coast then ferry into Scotland makes a great trip ,
Quote from: nightrider on August 20, 2019, 04:57:11 PM
You could always get the ferry to Ireland ride up the west coast then ferry into Scotland makes a great trip ,
That journey would be spectacular but considerably further than riding up the East coast which is also amazing :yes:
Like your thinking nightrider :yes: :yes:
PS .... why didn't I think of that ???? :mfr_lol:
Quote from: nightrider on August 20, 2019, 04:57:11 PM
You could always get the ferry to Ireland ride up the west coast then ferry into Scotland makes a great trip ,
Sounds like an amazing road trip 👌
I,m working on that Pross ... working on it ! :clap:
Quote from: Rusty on August 26, 2019, 08:48:36 PM
I,m working on that Pross ... working on it ! :clap:
Get that route sorted and the manifesto :banana: :popcorn:
what a shame we didn't know before i was over in August from SPAIN we did skye and a good part of the NC500 after doing wales and the lakes but i would really like to recommend Torguish house in Daviot Inverness a BandB for bikers only and unbelievable place the breakfast was FANTASTIC and Ben the gaffer can recommend routes all over the highlands
just to say we rode from PERTH and arriving at BENS i hadnt turned the bike engine off and i was asked TEA or COFFE black or white etc etc all i can say is WE WILL BE BACK I will try to post a part of our 7000km trip when i get chance
Sounds good Mr Taz :yes: :yes: