Annual GTR Meet Up 2019.

[pross]

A GTR meet only attended by a BMW,  you couldn't make it up could you?
Everything is packed and ready for the launch tomorrow morning. 

Keep the flag flying enjoy yourself  lol

[Lonewolf]

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.

[pross]

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 

[Lonewolf]

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.










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.






















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.














You just cannot fault roads like this, even if the weather is changing every five minutes!







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.










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. 





Thankfully there was some level ground to park the bike at the bottom of the track.





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.





In the opposite direction......what a view! Just think of all the birds and wildlife that will visit this waterhole.





A simple bench, but I love the texture it has to it.





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.











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    kicked out of them.





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. 




So here's one for the photo album.....all on my Jack Jones. 







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.

[Robbieben]

Great Pictures and write up, I love touring in Scotland, hate the pesky midges though.

[Lonewolf]

  yeah the midges are brutal!

[Rusty]

Well done Steve ... super photos .. obviously ... and a great write up. You certainly know your way around up there  Lovely all round report.

[Lonewolf]

Many thanks, M' Lord. 

[PRD]

Glad you had a good trip . Surprise to see k16 in photos where is GS?

[Lonewolf]

Glad you had a good trip . Surprise to see k16 in photos where is GS?

Binned it off, I kept dropping the bugger. 

[flatfour]

Have you bought another K1600GT Steve?

[Lonewolf]

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!

[nightrider]

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 ,

[flatfour]

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?

[Rusty]

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