Scotland, oh Scotland!

[dokotela]

Just 24 hours to go before I set off on my 5 day tour of Scotland.
I've done the trip twice before, but previously on Triumphs. This time its aboard my beloved R12R. She is all kitted out with tent, sleeping bag, and all manner of bits to keep a boy happy on a bike for a few days in the bush.

Just cannot wait.

For all my American colleagues who have never been to Scotland, just do it. Its the best place in Europe to ride a bike. And I'm not even a Scot!!

Just bring on tomorrow.

Will put some pics of the tour on when I get back

Cheers,

Julian

[Shakey]

Last year, starting on the date of the general election, I took my bike up to Dumfries and Galloway to meet some like minded folk.
It was the first time I had ever ridden there and all I can say is that I echo dokotela's sentiments!

Can't wait to take the R1200 there

[nylife]

safe travels

[rockbottom]

I think I'd be more inclined to ride somewhere that I could understand the local language. Maybe Bhutan or Burkina Faso.

[Sander Abernathy]

It is a wonderful place and it's amazing how wild it is. I had the pleasure of going there in 1999 to go backpacking. I left Glasgow in a rental car and travelled north past Fort William and Loch Lomond eventually arriving at the little town of Kinlochewe where I set out on my adventure from a pub where I spent the first night. The plan was to walk across what was described as the "largest roadless tract in Britian". My backpacking experience at that point was precisely nil so my pack was much too heavy and my legs much to flimsy. As I was leaving the pub, one of the bartenders I had met at dinner the night before came out to ask me what I was planning. I explained my plan to walk across the "largest roadless tract in Britian" to another town on the other side where I would hitchhike back. I told him I expected it to take 3 or 4 days. He looked at me like I was a complete idiot and told me to call him periodically if my cell phone had coverage and to let me know when I was headed back.

The region holds some beautiful mountains and one of the first I passed was a particularly intimidating one named Slioch. I thought only a coward would walk past such a beautiful mountain without climbing it. So I started climbing it, and I climbed and I climbed and I took off my backpack and left it by the path and I climbed and I climbed and little old ladies puffing unfiltered cigarettes sped past me and I wished I hadn't left my water in the backpack and I climbed and I climbed. I finally reached one of the two tops and then walked the very narrow ridge to the other top. At that point, I wished I hadn't left my camera in the backpack.

I walked back down to my pack, pitched my tent, made some backpack products that that purported to be food with a generous helping of midges mixed in. I then went to sleep. The next morning I woke up and seriously considered abandoning the trip across the "largest roadless tract in Britian" as I was hurting everywhere. Slioch had just kicked my behind. I resolved to continue, packed up and put my pack on and resumed my journey. Within 100 yards my knees convinced me I was every bit as foolish as the bartender's expression indicated the day before. So I turned to head back and go home. When I turned I was facing Loch Maree and looked across it and there, sitting in plain sight, laughing at me from less than 3000 meters away was the pub. It just cracked me up that I had completely exhausted myself without leaving sight of the pub. I probably covered 8 miles on the first day but never actually lost sight of my starting point.

The bartender was sitting outside the pub when I returned and he welcomed me heartily; too heartily. I knew he was thinking "I knew you'd be back this morning." He didn't say it though and asked me if I wanted breakfast. I was too ashamed of my pathetic outing to take him up on it because I know he was laughing hysterically at me.

I am jealous that you will be taking a bike trip there. It should be a great, is somewhat soggy, experience.

[Shakey]

I think I'd be more inclined to ride somewhere that I could understand the local language. Maybe Bhutan or Burkina Faso.

Och! dinnae fash yersel!

[ro1100]

Have a nice trip!

I hope to see your travel pics.

I wish to ride there someday. I´m from Galicia (Spain) and I would be like home there (same music, rainy weather and green forest....).

Best regards.

[2wheels]

Beautiful country and spectacular scenery - but beware the midges, especially on the west coast.

[dokotela]

Well, what can I say other than Scotland is VERY, VERY wet, and VERY windy!!!
I guess I chose the wrong week to go. I hit storms, with horizontal rain, and winds with gusts of 114mph. Unfortunately 2 people died in the storms, and frankly I consider myself lucky not to be one of them! I struggled to keep the bike upright, both on the move, and stationary whilst waiting for fallen trees to be cleared from the roads. I nearly dropped her or was blown into other traffic so many times that I lost count.
Alas I had to cut the trip short due to the weather, as it proved too much for me.

Nonetheless, I did get a few great days riding, and came across more roads that I've not been on before, some just beautiful, others just fantastically great to ride.

Still love the place, and do believe that on the right day, those roads cannot be beaten by anywhere else in Europe.

There are a few pictures, but not as many as I had hoped for, as the rain was so severe that taking the camera out was prone to wrecking the camera!!


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr


Scotland Tour May 2011 by Julian Lane, on Flickr

This final photo sums up the wet weather I had. As you can see, most of the photos are taken on dryish times, when I got a few moments of bliss and got the camera out.

I will be back, in the dry.

[websterize]

Wow, 114 mph winds. That's a category III hurricane in the USA.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Great pics Dokotela! Now I see why your asking about slr in the tank bag in the other thread.

Scotland by bike is on my bucket list for sure. I got fambly there.

[sjbmw]

ah, I can smell the peat....

Great pics, thanks...

[dav]

Damm shame about the weather mate, as we all know doing a multi-day trip there is always a chance of riding into crap, mind draining, why do the storm gods hate me sort of weather but glad you came out of it in one piece.

Great pics mate

[Stegreen]

Just got back from my trip, brilliant place when the weather is on your side. Used satnav on shortest route and that put me into some very out of the way places. That for me though is all part of the fun and adventure.

[Doug]

Julian, those pics are incredible! Thats looks like a really satisfying trip!

[Boxerpunk]

If you haven't seen clouds and rain (the wind ain't necessary) in Scotland, you haven't seen Scotland; look at those wonderfull dramatic pictures with the clouds surrounding the mountains).
And I can assur you that those roads can be beaten by anywhere else in Europe (okay, they're all in the UK)
Try the Hardknott-pass in the Lake-District at a gradient of 33% and lots and lots of u-turns (experienced riders only !)
Or do Wales.
Only problem in the UK; the nicer the roads, the more sheeeps ón the roads....

[ro1100]

Thanks Julian, great pics!

Julian, do you ride alone?, I think that it is dangerous ride alone on lonely roads and bad weather.... but, as we say in Spain: better to travel alone than in bad company.

Best regards

[dokotela]

Thanks Julian, great pics!

Julian, do you ride alone?, I think that it is dangerous ride alone on lonely roads and bad weather.... but, as we say in Spain: better to travel alone than in bad company.

Best regards

Ro110,

I do not normally ride alone, but with my best friend. Unfortunately this year he had to cancel at the last minute due to a family bereavement.
We are already planning our next trip to replace the solo tour I did. In October probably; maybe Spain; it will be warm there then.

[ro1100]

Thanks Julian, great pics!

Julian, do you ride alone?, I think that it is dangerous ride alone on lonely roads and bad weather.... but, as we say in Spain: better to travel alone than in bad company.

Best regards

Ro110,

I do not normally ride alone, but with my best friend. Unfortunately this year he had to cancel at the last minute due to a family bereavement.
We are already planning our next trip to replace the solo tour I did. In October probably; maybe Spain; it will be warm there then.

Ok, Julian. You were a brave man in a brave earth.

Spain in October.... , 30ºC or 5ºC unpredictable like everywhere. You know?. I may assure you one day before....
North or South?... , lately it is not relevant. Anyway it is an interesting trip.
I'm from Vigo (Galicia) in north-west, I can help you for any doubt.

Best regards