2011 UK Tour

[Lonewolf]

Tonight I am a very happy chap. My wife has agreed to allow me to go on a bike tour during 2011. Now to some that might not sound like a great achievement, but trust me it is.  :)

As a compromise I have agreed to keep it UK based, so I'm thinking Scotland, Cornwall or Southern Ireland. I did initially mention Spain to her but alas that was not to be.... :D

Still beggars can't be choosers and I am more than happy to plan a trip to one of the above areas.  I'm very flexible as far as dates are concerned, I'll just slot it in, in and amongst my work commitments. Duration of the trip, probably no more than seven days, best not push my luck, eh!

I know everyone seems to head North up to the Scottish Highlands, probably because it is such a beautiful location, so although it is a bit clichéd I'm certainly not going to dismiss it.

If anyone has any great ideas, recommendations, advice etc that would be gratefully appreciated. I will be travelling with tent but primarily staying in B&B's unless the weather is so great that the tent appeals to me more than a comfortable room with running water and electricity....so it'll probably be B&B's then!

I'll need secure parking and ideally a place where I can leave the bike locked up in a garage so I'm not messing about stripping down sat nav and other bits off the bike every night. 

I need peace and quiet when I am not working, so countryside, relative silence and good hospitality/company are a must more so than night clubs, kebab shops etc, if that makes sense.

Dont forget to cast your vote, at the very top left of this page any ideas greatly considered....

[Kwikasfuki]

I'd say Scotland. Lots of biking roads there, beautiful lochs etc. Unfortunately I can't remember what routes I did but I had great fun. I would you suggest you take a heavy duty bike chain and lock. Personally, I would just book some Premier Inns now as you'll get a low rate. I can unclip my Sat Nav within a couple of seconds - is yours bolted down? If you really want a garage, most BB's will allow you to use theirs as long as you ask in advance.

[Lonewolf]

I'd say Scotland. Lots of biking roads there, beautiful lochs etc. Unfortunately I can't remember what routes I did but I had great fun. I would you suggest you take a heavy duty bike chain and lock. Personally, I would just book some Premier Inns now as you'll get a low rate. I can unclip my Sat Nav within a couple of seconds - is yours bolted down? If you really want a garage, most BB's will allow you to use theirs as long as you ask in advance.

NB, did you go on your own or as part of a group? Which part did you go to? My sat nav is secured in place by some sort of security, anti theft screw, it only takes about a minute to undo it but it is a bit faffy.

[Lonewolf]

I've had a look at my shifts and the dates are now set Thursday 16th June to Tuesday 21st June inclusive.  ;D

[Nygie]

The highlands for sure.
I'll get around to them myself sometime, maybe even next year!

[Lonewolf]

The Highlands definately seem to be the most popular choice. If I were to go in that direction I would plan to stay in Glencoe and use that as my base and travel out daily from there. Glencoe is a stunning location.  8)

[Kwikasfuki]

I'd say Scotland. Lots of biking roads there, beautiful lochs etc. Unfortunately I can't remember what routes I did but I had great fun. I would you suggest you take a heavy duty bike chain and lock. Personally, I would just book some Premier Inns now as you'll get a low rate. I can unclip my Sat Nav within a couple of seconds - is yours bolted down? If you really want a garage, most BB's will allow you to use theirs as long as you ask in advance.

NB, did you go on your own or as part of a group? Which part did you go to? My sat nav is secured in place by some sort of security, anti theft screw, it only takes about a minute to undo it but it is a bit faffy.

Yes, went on my own. I worked in Scotland for a while so took a trip up to Aberdeen, then across to the west coast and back to Edinburgh.

[Lonewolf]

The decision is made. The Scottish Highlands it is.  ;D
I have the dates booked at work so I'm going to work on finding some suitable accomodation now with drying facilities, (just in case) and ideally secure parking.

Looking forward to planning the trip now.

[Kawdolph]

Would have suggested southern ireland but after another hard winter back roads are in shite again,me im hoping to return to france this year again,one of the reasons for getting a gtr and hoping to bring younger son with me.

[Lonewolf]

I'm glad you said that about Ireland, it is a place I have never yet been but would love to visit one day on the bike.

I dont feel as guilty now about not going this year.

[Lonewolf]

I've sorted out some accomodation for the first night. Two hundred & fifty miles approximately from home which is enough because I'm supposed to be relaxing and chilling out not doing an endurance trip.

This is where I will be staying on day one, http://www.innischonainhouse.co.uk/.

Looks quite nice, right on the edge of Loch Lomond and with private parking where the bike should be safe.

I still need to decide where I go from here, but thats half the fun planning a trip.  ;D

[Lonewolf]

My second nights accomodation will be as close to the banks of Loch Ness as I can get. Just trying to get some quotes as we speak. I'll put a link on to the accomodation when I get a satisfactory quote, some of them are rather expensive, apparantly Loch Ness is a popular tourist destination, especially if you want to stay close to the water as I do.  ::)

[Lonewolf]

Sorted, a sensible price too.

http://www.glenrowan.co.uk/index.html

Thats day two sorted out.

[Lonewolf]

Last but not least...just got this booked, http://www.blinkbonnieguesthouse.co.uk/

The final nights accomodation booked in Portpatrick near Stranraer, on the west coast of scotland. Went there last year, photos are in the adventure section, http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,69.0.html.

Beautiful place. From there I'll have a steady ride back home on the Monday stopping off at Kirkcudbright to see a friend on the way and then visit Threave Castle just outside Castle  Douglas, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Threave_Castle_2.jpg

Really looking forward to the mini adventure. I know its nothing really compared with some folks European adventures but it will be the first substantial trip I have done on the GTR since I bought it and in fact it will be the longest trip I have done on any bike for over twenty five years.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I'm a bit giddy... ::)

[Kwikasfuki]

What you need is a GPS tracker and software. Easiest way to keep a record of your trip (and we can follow you as well Big Brother style!)