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Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Scotland the UK. 1371 miles in 6 days.

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Day 2 - Kendal to Glasgow

I woke up about 7 to some glorious mizzle but decided to get on with things and make the most of my day. After getting ready and loading up the bike I jumped on, pressed the starter......and nothing, nothing at all. I then tried a few times to kick it over, but it wasn't playing so decided to disconnect the sat nav charger(permanently) in a bit of a red mist. Rolling the bike down the bank I was camped on it bumped first time and off I went again thinking the problem would sort itself and the battery would charge on a long run.
I left Kendal and headed up the spectacular A6 over Shaps Fell. As I got higher the fog came in though and although the local area views were fantastic I missed out on the best views. I followed the A6 until I got back on the motorway and carried on up. On stopping for fuel the bike still wouldn't start on the button but would kick over, so I was beginning to think a new battery would be required in Glasgow.
The motorway was pretty empty and once the fog broke provided me with some fantastic views and lots of other friendly bikers flying by me. I had to kick the bike over at every stop and also topped up the oil for the first time on this part of the journey. Arriving in Glasgow (George Square) I parked up not far from the hotel my better half was staying in a few hundred yards away, gave her a shout and had a great night in Glasgow after researching battery dealers for the morning and dreaming of how the real fun bit of the journey would start.

peteBLUEttr · Super Guru

Great report so far. More sir more!

locky · Guru

Looking forward to day 3, I enjoyed reading that.

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Day 3 - Glasgow to Glasgow

Got myself packed up in the morning with a bit of a fuzzy head due to sampling the delights of Glasgow the previous evening, and on pressing the start button....nothing. As I was parked on a hill I didn't bother trying to kick it over, and just rolled down the hill to bump it. Nothing. It was then I realised it was probably more than a battery issue and I might have been hasty ditching my phone/sat nav charger!
I then rang Green Flag who turned up in 20 mins and they got the bike started right away with a battery booster and tested everything which then pointed to the reg/rec being knackered as the battery wasn't charging. I think it showed how good the battery was traveling all that way with lights etc and it still got me where I was going!
Between me and the Green Flag guy we the found Bill the Biker, a small garage a mile from where we were and I followed him there on the bike. Bill (as wide as he was tall) dropped everything to try and get me back on the road, but it turns out most places that might have a reg/rec in Glasgow close on a Monday. Arse. I then made the call to Totally TTR's, spoke to Trish and arranged for the reg/rec to be sent up next day delivery to Bill's garage. Yes I could have fitted it myself, but Bill said he keep my bike in the garage overnight and recharge the battery for me at the same time. Again I can't thank Trish enough for this, perfect service and done at the drop of a hat for me, even though I couldn't get the money to her exactly at that moment.
The rest of Day 3 was spent sight seeing in Glasgow, buying Kiss albums on vinyl, a new Motorhead shirt and then I had another night out with my better half, so I can't complain to much!

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Day 4 Glasgow (again)

As promised by 1pm the Reg/rec arrived in Glasgow, Bill fitted it as soon as he could and by 14:30 the bike was back on the road. However, due to the time I decided to stay put for one more night and make the most of the hotel with my better half as it was her last night there as well. I did go to Glasgow Cathedral that day and have a look around though and it is pretty spectacular. And yes, there really was a Bishop Blackadder!

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Day 5 - Glasgow to Dunbar

I was on the road again and with no sat nav what could go wrong?! After being convinced by my better half to go exploring and not just make my way to Dunbar I headed out of Glasgow on the A809 and headed up to Drymen and I joined the A811 here and turned left. I then drove down to the A82 and headed up alongside Loch Lomond on the road I would have taken to Applecross if I had not broken down. The whole ride was fantastic with awesome scenery and the TTR was back in its element happily and briskly taking on the small back roads as well as the slightly busier main A82. I headed up to Luss and stopped here for some photos before turning around and heading down to the Erskine bridge with the intent to then follow the road back to Glasgow and then to Dunbar. After crossing the bridge I then thought bollocks to that and turned around again, headed back up to the A811 and followed it all the way to Stirling. Its a fantastic small A road with again brilliant scenery and also some lovely villages with Buchlyvie especially having a brilliant café with great food.

Once at Stirling I headed on the A905 to the Kincardine bridge and then drove down to North Queensferry to see the Forth Bridge. After an obligatory photo I then drove across a very windy and brown trouser inducing Forth road bridge circumnavigated Edinburgh (due to time) and followed the A1 to my Campsite in Dunbar where I had my own personal castle for the night! Once set up I got back on the bike and explored the area, which included the harbour, the lighthouse, the best Fish and Chips I have perhaps ever had (fish in breadcrumbs rather than batter) and a few take away beers back at my tent.

pug · Guru

Thanks for the ride report

j180 · Senior Member

Wish I had seen your earlier post about you coming up I could have met up for a few miles. Shame about reg/rec, mine is in my garage doing nothing at the moment you could have borrowed it to get you by.

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Day 6 - Dunbar to Scarborough

This ended up being the day to end all days. I was on the road by 6:30 and headed down the A1 to Berwick upon Tweed stopping along the way for photos at the boarder and enjoying the scenery. I then carried on to Holy Island/Lindisfarne and decided to go across and have a look around. I arrived at the causeway about 30 mins before the safe crossing time started, but using my judgement and thinking I could always do a U-turn if need be I headed over. It was fine with about a foot of water at the worse case. I parked up on a deserted island (it was only 8am) and spent an hour or so walking around before heading back and taking some on board action shots with my phone as I came back over the causeway.
I then did the most boring bit of the trip which was the A1 and A19 down to Middlesborough via the Tyne Tunnel. It just seemed to drag especially knowing the North Yorkshire moors awaited me. Once reaching Middlesborough I took the fantastic A171 to Whitby and that is where I became distracted by the moors. I turned off and ventured up onto the moor and came across a lovely "Not suitable for motor vehicles" sign and decided to go for it. This was a brilliant moorland dirt track which ran for about 3 miles over the moor which best I can work out was near the Moorsholm/Houlsyke area. Loaded up with tyres at road pressure it was interesting to say the least, but I took it easy and loved it. Half way down I stopped and spoke to a man with his dog and he told me to turn around at the end and come back and then head up to t'beacon over yonder, as there was another track up there I should go on. He also told me to cross the Humber Bridge on my way down the country as its quite spectacular.
I followed his directions and found the track, again with spectacular views, and followed it for another 3 miles or so down into a little village. In the village I crashed. A rabbit jumped out of a hedge right in front of me on a tight right hander. I hit the brakes, the front wheel went and I slid before hitting the hedge and being flicked off the bike. I ended up sat on top of the hedge laughing with the bike lent neatly against the hedge below me. The farmer in his tractor that came the other way gave me a strange look as he passed by, before he stopped and asked if all was ok. It was, not a scratch on me or the bike.

I then headed back to the A171 and stopped at Whitby to be a true Northener and take some photos of the Abbey over the wall. #tightarse I then continued to Scarborough loving the road and got to the Travelodge I had booked for the night. A fantastic, long day finished off by a walk around Scarborough exploring.

TTRfan · Super Guru

Loving the travelogue and photos Nigel! Keep 'em coming biggrin

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Day 7 - Scarborough to Stratford Upon Avon

Was up and gone by 8 this day (a lie in!) and decided to take the man and the dogs advice and head down the coast to Hull, partly because of the chance for this photo had to taken.....yep I love AC/DC and I was indeed on a Highway to Hull!

I followed the A165 down the coast to Bridlington (again a great road) and then followed it on to Hull taking the time to stop and get a photo after crossing the Humber Bridge. It was then I got in trouble with the law...

An officer of the law told me to get on my bike, bugger off and stop being so childish. The offence....trying to take a selfie with a road sign with some strategically covered letters. The road sign was on a roundabout and it was a sign for S****horpe. biggrin

Following this I followed the A15 to Lincoln and stopped again to have a gander around the cathedral and town. First time I had been and its beautiful, well worth a visit. After that it was the A46 all the way to Stratford upon Avon, which despite it being mostly straight I found a really enjoyable ride. Lots of interaction with other bikers and a good chat and the loan of some tools to a group of scooterists who had a breakdown. Within 15 minutes new parts had been fitted and we all left together and stayed together for a good twenty miles before they peeled off. Once I got to Stratford and eventually found the campsite I set up camp and then headed into town for some tea. Again a lovely town well worth a visit and there I felt really at home as they sold Doombar and Korev in the pub I was in. Started chatting to a bunch of Pan European riders there about my trip who had come for an evening ride from Leicester. When we strolled outside to our bikes it was pure comedy when they saw mine. They could believe it and only the photos I showed them convinced them where I had been and earned me a whole new level of respect!

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Day 8 - Stratford Upon Avon to Plymouth

As my other half was leaving to catch a train at 11 to head to London I got up when I first came around and was on the road at 5:45 giving me plenty of time to get home and say goodbye before she headed off....in theory.
I left on the B439 to hook up with the A46 all the way down to Bath. Again this is a fantastic road, especially through the Cotswolds climbing and falling steeply with some amazing views and some beautiful towns like Painswick on route. Once I got to Bath I switched my phone on to check the route and my phone had died. I desperately wanted to avoid the motorway as I was enjoying the riding so much, so completely winged it heading to Shepton Mallet on the A367 knowing I should be able to get on the A303 soon. Once I got there I missed signs and ended up getting lost. Looking back now I know I went through Castle Carey and ended up in Wincanton, but I don't think it was direct at all! It was entertaining though and once on the A303 it was press on the Exeter. I got to Exeter at 10:30 knowing my mission had failed and I had a sore arse from solid riding for a few hours!
After a pasty (it was breakfast!) I headed back to Plymouth and came home to a heroes welcome from the dogs and cats!

Now if you want to do something similar go for it! The bike was a dream and didn't miss a beat (bar the reg/rec) and at the end of the day what's the worse that can happen, a lift home! I didn't change the tyres so did it all on knobblies as well! My only advice would be wear earplugs, I forgot mine for about an hour or so and really missed them, and also don't do lie ins. By getting up when you wake (and in a tent that is normally early) you get quiet roads, beautiful unspoiled views and get to where you want in daylight with plenty of time to shower and get out for tea and to explore the area.

It really was one of the best weeks of my life, I highly recommend it to anyone, and on a TTR its affordable!

Cubber · Super Guru

What a good write-up.

Thanks for letting me join you on your journey, Nige.

I've got a cricked neck from turning my head anti-clockwise now, though. bleh

You certainly enjoyed it all, even the parcel waiting I guess. wink

Martyn

peteBLUEttr · Super Guru

Very eventful trip then! Shame you didn't get to see Glencoe/Skye/Applecross, but there's always next time, looks and sounds like a great trip anyway. Thanks for the really good report with lots of pics! You came round my neck of the woods, Castle Cary is only small miles up the road from me. 1371 miles all told then. Even managed to do 2 green lanes too! What's the name of the half price Kendal campsite?

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Thanks all, and yep sorry about the sideways photos! Yeah I really enjoyed it and would definitely do it again.

The campsite in Kendal is www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/cumbria/kendal/kendal%20&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Regional%20Campsites%20-%20Regional

Basically they charge bikers as a back packer rather than someone with a car, so I got money back on arrival. Bargain! Nice little site as well.

peteBLUEttr · Super Guru

You don't have to be a member of the camping and caravanning club to stay there then? confuse

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

Nope not at all. I stayed in one at Dumbar as well and booked that one line before I went. I think if you are a member its cheaper again mind you.

CaptainHighside · Veteran Member

Sounds like you had a proper adventure Nige!

Willion01 · Member

Thanks for the ride report and the pictures!

I recognize the response of the other bikers when you explain you're doing a trip on a small displacement bike.

Only would they know it's easier and more fun on a small bike... biggrin

peteBLUEttr · Super Guru

Willion01 wrote:

Only would they know it's easier and more fun on a small bike...

What' the argument behind that then Willion?..

P.S. Is the U.K on your list to travel to?!..

-- Edited by peteBLUEttr on Tuesday 28th of July 2015 01:13:44 PM

Nige Taylor · Senior Member

My reply to that would be;

More Fun - Definitely. At the slower speeds you tend to take in your surroundings a whole lot more and I even got a few lanes in as well!

The Mancunian · Senior Member

Nige Taylor wrote:
My reply to that would be;

More Fun - Definitely. At the slower speeds you tend to take in your surroundings a whole lot more and I even got a few lanes in as well!

Valid point Nige. I'm planning on going up to Longtown [just our side of Jockville] through the Trough of Bowland next weekend on the TTR on some roads I've ridden for 20 odd years and not really seen much tbh as I'm usually blatting with the mates or ripping on my own on a big bike. I can't wait smile

dlee22 · Senior Member

Such a good write up! A few hick ups along the way is part of the journey :)

I think I've done a stint of 2.5 hours on the motorway twice, fair play for you pushing on along them to make your planned destination work

Big question - when's the next trip?

mossproof · Super Guru

Well it was posted in 2015 Dan, he could have been rtw a couple of times since then!
Suspect the last post was spammer selling tents, but I could be wrong. 21 year old girls not the normal ttr demographic! Then again, Itchyboots is quite a role model

ttr steve · Super Guru

At least Hope looked at the pictures smile

tripodtiger · Senior Member

I enjoyed that flash back.

I hope to be back in the UK some day.