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After incorporating all of your feedback and a LOT of review and re-review and re-re-review, here's what I think is my final map.

Magenta is the main route, Green routes are "stretch" if I have time or "optional" based on what I'm feeling, and red routes are short-cuts to make up time if I'm behind.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rYtdMb-nIzqh25b6jwJRJTvtB90&usp=sharing

Day 0 - Home to Montreal
Day 1 - London to Bolton
Day 2 - Bolton to either Jedburgh or Edinburgh campsites
Day 3 - (Jedburgh or Edinburgh) to (John O'Groats or Sango Sands) campsites
Day 4 - (John O'Groats or Sango Sands) to (Applecross or Kinloch) campsites
Day 5 - (Applecross or Kinloch) to Cairnryan B&B
Day 6 - Ferry-Larne to Belleek Caravan/Camping park
Day 7 - Belleek to either Glanbeg or Hungry Hill campsites
Day 8 - Belleek or Hungry Hill to Dublin ferry, Holyhead to Airbnb in Abarangell
Day 9 - Abarengell to Cardiff, Doctor Who Experience and Airbnb in Cardiff
Day 10 - Cardiff to Heathrow to check the bike in with Air Canada, Heathrow Express to Airbnb in Paddington
Day 11 - walk London, Airbnb in Paddington
Day 12 - Heathrow Express and airplane home
Day 13 - Montreal to home

presuming thats US Mpg thats 42mpg Imperial which is about what I normally average, occasionally on a run out it might creep up to around 49mpg  if im being gentle but.....

Yes US MPG... honestly I was ignorant that there was an imperial gallon that was different!

WHilst I remember you have taken into account the cost of fuel over here haven't you ?

Currently (standard) Unleaded is an average of £1.16 (although may be higher in remote areas)  per litre which is equivalent to US$5.65 per US Gallon

Mike - definitely, I've planned for £1.20/liter for petrol, assuming an average of 35MPG.  Thanks for mentioning it.

BTW - if anyone is interested, I mentioned in an earlier response that I rode in India last year - forgot that I posted a video to Youtube:

https://youtu.be/iPFlJUXgJ8I

@Guy
If I can I'll come with you as far as Penrith before shooting back down the M6 home

https://goo.gl/maps/2QA7y8GYLMH2

The I'll leave yo uto strike out towards Scotland, there's no real bad way :)

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Penrith/Jedburgh/@54.9921957,-2.6498616,9z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x487c5590670b3849:0x45dbca264a6bfb4e!2m2!1d-2.752708!2d54.664097!1m5!1m1!1s0x487d80a8a3477a9b:0x6f77b35ac1d3e19e!2m2!1d-2.5549369!2d55.477721


Hell I'll even throw a spanner in the works and suggest you either head for an overnight stop at Lindisfarne

https://goo.gl/maps/we5QuNuj6MF2

Or Shoot up and find somewhere around the Edinburgh Area to shorten the run to JOG

https://goo.gl/maps/tDgsr165Jbx

Hell If I could get 2 days off I'd come up to Edinburgh with you, I have a mate lives in Dunfermline, But I cant I'm off to Cyprus on the 31st and most of my annual leave has already been taken/pre booked for later this year (off to Portugal)

BTW I would call in at Loch Ness on the way from Edinburgh to JOG

https://goo.gl/maps/WhCPg3ca1N32

From Jog I would head to Applecross via Ullapool, thees a cracking campsite at Applecross and not a bad pub either :)

https://goo.gl/maps/3ryzma36V9G2


Both of those last two legs I have done almost exactly inas part of a 3 day tour round Scotland so easily doable

For the final leg din Scotland I would do this route, mostly main roads but with some cracking views

https://goo.gl/maps/LDSyQPdtf8B2

Mike - this is all great stuff.  I can decide at Penrith whether I head to Jedburgh or Edinburgh, depending on timing.  Still deciding between heading all the way up to JOG or cutting the corner and spending more time around the Assynt mountains.  I think you've worked this into one of your maps but I have to go through it in some more detail.  For now, I'm locked on meeting up with you on the 23rd and riding with you through the lake district on the 24th, I'll finish remapping the rest over the next few days.

Guy

The most important thing – have a good time and stay safe! I like others on here would really appreciate your thoughts on your trip and a few photos would not go amiss. If you get back home feeling slightly frustrated because you could have done with three nights in every town that you could only spend one, it is still a success of sorts.

Now, the big question that everyone else has been too embarrassed to ask; what sort of money does it cost to fly a bike that sort of distance? I am curious because there are a few places that I would love to ride but seem out of reach by rubber and tarmac alone within the maximum two weeks I can take from work. If you don't want to answer I won't be offended!

Pete

Wow it's going to take me a while to digest all of this - thank you so much. I completely agree that it is a bit of a whirlwind tour, but I want to see as much as I can in the time I have. No doubt I will end up wishing I had more time - story of my life.

I'm flying the bike under a special program that Air Canada has run the last few years, where they discount the freight if you fly with the bike. The cost varies based on destination, London was the cheapest that I looked into. Using Google to convert it looks like it comes to around £480 each way to ship the bike from Montreal to Heathrow. There are about another £200 in other charges - hiring a dangerous goods specialist at the source, hiring a freight forwarder at the destination, insurance, etc.  I don't know if Air Canada's deal is available unless your trip originates from Canada, but might be worth looking into.

Here's a link to the offer details: https://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/shipping/shipping-solutions/ac-dgr/#tab_motorcycle

more than welcome to use my spare bedroom, might even see if I can get a day off and joing you up as far as the lakes

Mike - thanks fo the offer, I sent you a PM... would be grateful to ride with you if that works out.

Guy

If this has already been mentioned (and I've missed it) please accept my apologies but whereabouts will you be at the end of May ?  I ask because ALL the major motorways (Interstates to you) become car parks as millions of cars/motorhomes/caravans/HGV's (trucks) travel and the result is often gridlock.

If you stay off of the M-ways and away from the bigger cities you stand a better chance of keeping moving, I type this as somebody who only recently took 8.5 hours to complete a mere 150 mile trip undertaken on a Bank Holiday.   

Best wishes and have a brilliant and safe trip 

It's a great question - here's my current rough agenda, making some changes thanks to all the suggestions here:

21-May : Home to Montreal
22-May : Montreal air cargo, plenty of time to get Connie checked in, late flight
23-May : Arrive, receive bike, Heathrow to Bolton
24-May : Bolton to Jedburgh (thanks MikeyW64 for these two routes)
25-May : Jedburg to John O'Groats
26-May : John O'Groats to somewhere - still updating the routes here, whether I try to do Skye, head over to Loch Ness for a tourist day, not sure
------ Holiday weekend -------
27-May : Reservation in Cairnryan at a B&B
28-May : Reservation for 07:30 ferry to Lairne, Giants causeway and a taste of the atlantic coast
29-May : To south coast of Ireland with a few diversions, still finalizing
----------------------------------
30-May : East to Dublin, 14:15 ferry to Holyhead
31-May : Through wales to Cardiff and (hopefully) Doctor Who exhibit
1-Jun : Drop bike off at air cargo by end of day, renting a room in Paddington for 2 nights
2-Jun : On foot in London seeing the typical sights - first time there
3-Jun : Fly back/Ride home if I get my bike quickly
4-Jun : Ride home if I'm too tired to ride on 3-Jun

Let me know your thoughts on my timing and what to expect with these areas, I'm really hoping I'll be far enough out of the way by the bank holiday weekend that I won't be too badly affected.

Guy

I'm overwhelmed by all the advice and feedback - really, thank you all for taking the time.  Incredibly helpful - I know I'm repeating myself but every time I log in there's so much new information!

A question on camping - I have installed a few apps on my phone that have directories to campsites in the UK and Ireland, and I was hoping to camp at least half the nights there.  I camp regularly in the US, and from what I've seen on the web, campsites in the UK look very similar - areas for caravans, tents, etc, and usually some sort of common toilet/shower arrangement and sometimes having to buy tokens to use the showers. A few will have pay laundry machines as well, allowing me to pack for half the days assuming I'll find a way to wash clothes along the ride.

Any advice here?  In the US I'm normally able to identify a campsite when I stop late afternoon and figure out where I'm likely to end up at the end of the day, call them and check availability, show up around 7PM and set up camp, then get up relatively early and get on the road by 7:30AM the next morning.

Guy

Have you ever visited/driven in the UK before?
The reason I ask is that your first day out of Heathrow involves two of the busiest motorways in the south east of England, the M25 and M1
Compared to the US, besides driving on the other side of the road, you may find lane discipline over here leaves something to be desired at times, filtering [lane splitting] is legal, and you will need to make sure you are familiar with our road signs .
In Scotland, the maximum speed limit is explicitly signed by e.g 60 or 70 numerals on a circular sign.
However in England and Wales the maximum speed limit can be indicated by the sign below, which on dual carriageway roads is 70mph, but on single carriageway roads [ no centre reservation / median strip] is 60mph. It would be very easy to get stopped for the sake of not understanding the signage

Thanks for the tips - I've been reading the highway code and watching youtube videos on signage in the UK, trying to be as prepared as I can be.  I haven't ridden in the UK before, but I did ride in India last year (admittedly on a much smaller bike).  What's your advice on filtering with a fully loaded GTR?  I'm assuming that sometimes it's just not possible with her wide hips.

ANyways that aside  I f I was doing it I would head up to mine day 1, which is a comfortable day and gets you settled in (also takes in the Cat & Fiddle)

https://goo.gl/maps/QvkPNJXv3PQ2

Day 2 I would punch aout a bit longer and only give you a "taste" of the Lakes (up as far as Penrith is part of a regular Sunday ride out for me but instead of coming home I've continued you up to Jedburgh. unfortunately Im in work otherwise would take you on this leg)

Takes in places such as Ribblehead and Tan Hill (UKs highest pub above sea level)

https://goo.gl/maps/o4xttutVSTs

Day 3 I would go straight up to John O'Groats (easily doable, have done it a couple of times)

https://goo.gl/maps/GFygscC3TJr

WHich then means Day 4 you can enjoy the ride around to Applecross  as per your original

Day 5 I would probably just cut out the diversion to Skye

Day 6,7,8  I havent got a clue about as havent been over to NI or Ireland (dont forget you need Euro in the South not £sterling)


Day 9 as it is is a bit of a killer, personally I would stop at Cardiff (did I mention Dr Who exhibition in Cardiff Bay ??) then just shoot down the M4 to Heathrow the following morning back to Heathrow but I don't know what flexibility you have.

ALso bear in mind that the 27th May-29th may is a Bank (Public) Holiday weekend

Wow - thank you for the detailed route advice - one question.. several of the pages I read said that Honister pass and Whinlatter pass were must see rides - your "taste of the lakes district" skips those.  What's your take on that extra loop to go through those two passes, just not worth the traffic and frustration?

And agreed, if I can get to Cardiff it would be the best for the Whovian in me.  I like that your map mods get me a bit farther, and whether or not I skip skye will have more to do with ferry timing than anything... if it does me good to get to Cairnryan earlier, and that gives me extra time in Ireland, that could be a good call.

Thanks again for the time you spent putting this together - very helpful!

Guy

Thank you all for all the feedback on the routes.  I'm traveling solo so I will be able to make adjustments on the fly.  I did the trip planning in Garmin Basecamp and relied pretty heavily on it's trip timings, sounds like I probably need to dial it back 25% on speed to plan more realistic days.  Worst case I can skip some segments so I can stick to my schedule.  I do plan to spend between 8-10 hours a day on the bike, only stopping for petrol and quick food - it's what I'm used to when I'm on trips like this.

Enjoy your holiday and if you do change the latter part of your route and find time to visit Warwick we have a spare room that your welcome to. 

Thanks much for the offer, I'll let you know if I end up that way.

Personally I would do the Heathrow to Hull short route, the long route via Ely and Kings Lynn is not the most scenic [ majority is reclaimed marshland and very flat ]

In north Scotland a lot of the western part of the red  route is single track road [ though tarmac paved] with passing places and I reckon you would not average more than 40mph.

Applecross is a wonderful route but again single track with passing places and a few very tight hairpin bends, a fully laden 1400 will be a bit of a handful.

Likewise your yellow route through the Lake District will be full of tourists in campervans and mobile homes, you may well find your timetable slipping there.

Thanks for the detailed feedback.  The longer Heathrow to Hull was based on a tour from the book I was using, I created the shorter one since I'm not sure what time I'm getting my bike through customs and wanted a more direct route.

I had seen pictures and read about the single-track roads in Scotland but it wasn't clear from the mapping software which roads those were.  I have a couple alternatives including cutting across the NC500 through the hills, and skipping Applecross or Isle of Skye altogether to make up time if needed.  My worst case "parachute" is that I ditch Ireland and stick to England and Scotland if I'm enjoying the roads and sights and am not making good time.

As for the lake district - I was hoping that getting through there the ween of 22-May ahead of the holiday weekend would work in my favor - wishful thinking?

why Hull 

It's a Doctor Who thing.  Based on all the other feedback I'm thinking that I'm better off heading straight up towards the lake district and skipping Hull on the first day.  Maybe better off heading up through Peak District?


Thanks again to everyone for the advice, cautions, and encouraging words!  It's really appreciated.

Guy

Hi all - I was referred here by gPink on the COG forum in the US.

I'm taking advantage of Air Canada's "fly your bike" program to do a round trip tour of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales between 23-May and 2-Jun.  I put a link to my route plan below - yes I know it's aggressive, I'll be riding solo so I can make adjustments along the way as needed.  Unfortunately I can't get more than 2 weeks off work.

I think I have all the shipping logistics figured out, and I'll be either camping or using Airbnb to find a room each night along the way.

Any local knowledge is appreciated - regarding the routes, tips/advice, etc. Yes I realize that Isle of Man is going on while I'm there, but it'd take too much time to ferry in and out of there for not much riding, so that will have to wait for another trip when I have more time.

And if any of you are ever in my area -north/west of New York City - let me know!

Thanks!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xD6ZuOZ7IxyTzxMxihlmLJn1Oas&usp=sharing