COG US member traveling to the UK starting 23-May

[mikeyw64]

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

[Rynglieder]

I've been watching this with interest; I have not jumped in before because the other members have pretty much already given you the advice that I would.

I have no experience of transatlantic shipping and have never done the island of Ireland but here are a few thoughts of my own:

Heathrow > Bolton – Definitely achievable but I presume mostly motorway work, so not much to look back at in your photo album in your old age unless you are thinking of cutting through the Peak District?

Bolton > Jedburgh – should be a nice day on the bike, a taste of either the Lake District or North Yorkshire, Northumberland and the Borders.

Jedburgh > John O'Groats. OK, now this is just a personal opinion but I think the west coast of Scotland is far more spectacular than the east.  The thing with John O'Groats is that it is furthest point you can travel to from Lands End in the south west of England, but in some ways it is just a box to tick. If I were time limited I would be spending what I have around the Assynt Mountains and the Torridon area. Every time I have had the choice I have gone for Ullapool as my furthest north destination. There is a reasonable camping site on the edge of Loch Broom that has the advantage that you can walk into the town and fill yourself with something to eat and a couple of beers and still stagger back to your tent in some safety. (I'd be interested in hearing other member's thoughts on the East / West debate, maybe I am on my own here!)

Northern Scotland > Cairnryan: Whether it is John O'Groats or Ullapool you start from, perhaps try going south via the A82 (Inverness, Fort William etc.) assuming that you went north on the A9 on your outward trip. The A82 will take you down the side of Loch Ness and except for a few tight bits at the northern end of Loch Lomond you should be able to make good progress on a nice rideable road.  I'd knock Skye on the head for time reasons, even if you only picked up Applecross it is eight and a half hours in the saddle without breaks. Just watch you fuel gauge up here, it is not that badly served but don't assume that you are going to find a petrol station with 15 miles – you may not.

Holyhead > Cardiff – Probably the most direct route is the A470 which should make for a good bike ride taking in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.  About five hours riding though so depending on what time your ferry from Dublin docks you may struggle to get into Cardiff before any exhibition shuts.

Cardiff > Heathrow:  This is only a three hour motorway run so you should have plenty of time to spend the morning in Cardiff to take in what you want you want and still get into London for the evening.

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

[mikeyw64]

@Guy

Ok done a rather better run from mine (whether you want to stay or not) up to Jedbugh(ish)

Split into two sections.

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

[mikeyw64]

Heathrow > Bolton – Definitely achievable but I presume mostly motorway work, so not much to look back at in your photo album in your old age unless you are thinking of cutting through the Peak District?

which is why I suggested diverting off through Olney/Market Harborough to break the Motorway monotony and also take in the Via Gellia and the Cat & Fiddle

https://goo.gl/maps/QvkPNJXv3PQ2

Its a nice steady break in day (I used to live in Aylesbury and regularly run up to Bolton)

[7LakesGuy]

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

[7LakesGuy]

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

[mikeyw64]

you will be doing this rather nice little stretch :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c5OivtrU1c

[O.C.]

Lucky me...I live in Leyburn and consequently travel and have travelled that road hundreds of times, the road is superb and the views even better     

Until 2+ years ago I spent 20 years living in the stunning English lake District and therefore took advantage of the amazing roads and scenery in that part of the world ......memories that will live with me forever          

[StickyOne]

I know that all here wish you a great trip to the UK.
I can add nothing to what the chaps have already told you, indeed I'll be taking advantage of the information myself in due course as there's always places in this country to visit despite having lived here all my life.
So do have a good one.

[7LakesGuy]

@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

[mikeyw64]

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

[7LakesGuy]

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

[mikeyw64]

is that 35mpg US or 35 mpg imperial ;)

[mikeyw64]

is that 35mpg US or 35 mpg imperial ;)

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.....

[7LakesGuy]

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!