Round the houses Tour

[Kilted Ginger]

I've been toying with this idea for a wee while and am tempted to make it a reality in 2009.
A circumnavigation of Scotland, Eyemouth on the east, Stranraer on the west Skye, John O' Groats and everywhere in between right round the coast / border.
Sticking to the nicer roads i reckon this would be between 12 and 15 hundred miles, so probably 3 days riding possibly 4 if you stretch it out. That's only if you dont include the islands.

Opinions:

If you are doing that many miles would you prefer to do "the continent"?
Would there be an interest in anyone else doing this?
Would there be an interest in "joining" up for short sections as it passed your area.
Would there be org'ers prepared to give those on the trip a bit floor space for the night (and rolls on sausage in the morning;))

Very early stages but definate possibility, thinking of before this years massacre. Thoughts please.

[scooby2102]

KG, I have done the southern part a few summers ago and kinda staggered it over a few weekends.

I was thinking of heading north this year with the tent but would be taking around 10-14 days to cover the coast roads although that would include some island hops.

Ref the mileage, if your going to be doing 400 + miles a day, you aint gonna see much mate.

[Dicky Ticker]

KG, 400MILES per day up the far north on coast roads is an endurance trial,ok for one day but 4days. You could do it but it would not be all that enjoyable as you aren't allowing any time to relax. We have done a couple of 280mile days on previous tours and that was enough,especially in company as you will all be stopping and starting for some reason or another which eats into the day,not forgetting the weather
The old adage would apply to this I think "The lone wolf travels fastest"so I presume you are looking for saddle happy company for this one

[-Ralph-]

Why didn't you come up with this idea last night? We'd still have been drinking whisky and pouring over maps at 5am, and Hazel would have long since given up on the idea of going home and gone to bed!

Yep, maybe a 5 or 6 day tour rather than a four. If you need to take 4 days off work, you may as well take a week and give yourself up to 7 days.

The trip I'd like to do would basically be "follow the sea" in that you stick to the road closest to the sea regardless of how narrow, twisty and detourish it might be, that's how your going to see find the bits of the coast that you you'll be glad you didn't miss.

There would be a LOT of 30 mph limits, but you would just have to approach the trip with the intention of going slow and taking in what you see.

Maybe you could cut it back a bit by starting in Dundee and finishing in Stranraer? Most of us know E Lothian / Fife / East Neuk pretty well already and can ride it anytime we want. Don't often hear of folk doing the Ayrshire coast unless they live over that way though, which is a real shame. Also could replace some sections of "follow the sea" where the minor road is not within view of the sea anyway, ie: such as Buckie to Dornoch with main road and make up some miles.

Could we do it at a time of year when we can see the Northern Lights? I'd love to do that.

Adding in some ferries to get down the West coast would break things up a bit and allow a bit of the Mull of Kintyre, and Arran to be done.

[gerbrox]

Sounds Fantastic, I'd love to do that but probably unlikely I'd get the better half support and all that, I suppose it could be a toss up between West Highland way or this? You never know.

Never been to Skye yet and love to do that on the bike!!!

What time of year would you be talking about?

[TEC]

Another (http://www.roundbritainrally.co.uk/) reason to visit the wilds of Scotland and other places ;)

[combatfred]

This has been on my to-do list, so in theory I'll be in.

My ideal is probably to hug the coast as much as possible, though you've got to find a balance between that and making a bit of progress.

2009 could be a splendid biking year! The AR, the Whiskey Chaser, Round the houses and Haggis's idea. :cheers:.

[Tiger 55]

The AR, the Whiskey Chaser, Round the houses and Haggis's idea. :cheers:.
And Mac's Annual Essex Lounge Pilgrimage. Any more?

I think I'd fall in to the 'join in for a bit' section. 400 miles p/d is too much for my ****/back/neck/wrists/sense of humour. I'm 41 you know...

But put me down for available floor space and rolls, bit of a diversion though that would probably be.

[haggis]

I had a similar thought last year to do the four corners sometime, but maybe doing it for charity? Getting time off might be an issue for me though.

Like the twist of staying with the org'ers when possible, would keep luggage and cost down and comfort up, bonus!!! :cool:

[Baz]

I suppose it could be a toss up between West Highland way or this?

I really would not recommend trying to take your bike along the west highland way. ;)

[scooby2102]

ref sticking to the coastline as much as poss, bejeezuz, ah thought that was just me :p

glad to see a few of you do that as well, yep, it can be slow going at times but you see some magnificent views.

Have done from Glasgow right along the coast down to Mull of Galloway (even right round the funny shaped bit north of Stranraer, right round that bit as well). Then along the coast to Dumfries, right across the borders (keeping as close to the line as possible), then right up along the coast finishing at South Queensferry.

The last bit I done was from St Andrews down the coast to North Queensferry, the road from Crail to Elie had some gorgeous views and the harbours were stunning as well.

Roll on the summer :D

[Kilted Ginger]

Having read and absorbed your comments and looked in more detail at the route, miles and road type i will bow to the superiority of your garnered experience and wisdom and accept that the timings may have been slightly ambitious. I also looked at incorporating some of the Islands but feel these actually deserve a trip of their own (5 day island hopper from calmac) as many ferries and islands as you can fit in, which i will look at later (2010?)
In order to make the proposal more appealing and allow adequate time for proper appreciation for the many marvels the route has to offer i have a new proposal.
Split it in two. A lowland ramble and a highland rollercoaster. This gives a number of benefits:
less rigorous riding schedule,
Geographical orientation to allow others to join in,
2 shorter trips less fatigue on rider, bike, personal commitments,
May act as "bolt on" to Essex Lounges' tour of scotland.

To this end I have done a first pass (somebody really needs to teach me the intricases of google maps) at the lowland Route as this will probably be the first one. Same as before, sticking to the edge of Bonny Scotland as closely as possible. This Gives a route of approx 750 miles so probably 3 days. Possible stops around Dumfreis area and lochgilphead / inveraray?? again only rough ideas at the moment.

Again open to comments / advice and anyony that feels they may want to join for all or some of it.

Thanks,

[Baz]

Again open to comments / advice and anyone that feels they may want to join for all or some of it.

Thanks,

I'm defiantly up for as much as possible.
I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of help on routes as I seem to just remember roads when I'm on them but have no idea what the name is or what town it went through.

[JamesMio]

I'm up for tagging along, definately. I can help with routes/scouting for any of the roads in D&G if that's any help to you?

[Kilted Ginger]

Ok first pass at part on of this tour, 3 days for everything south of The Clyde and the Tay...

day (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=M80&daddr=Kilbowie+Roundabout+to:A770%2FShore+St+to:Do ck+Rd+to:A738%2FVernon+St+to:A737%2FDouble+Dykes+R d+to:A79%2FAyr+Rd+to:A719%2FAyr+Rd+to:B738+to:B738 +to:A77(M)%2FMain+St+to:Unknown+road+to:Unknown+ro ad+to:B7065+to:54.873841,-4.861794+to:A77(M)%2FStoneykirk+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FVSqVgMd2S3E_w%3BFYY_VQMdUsS8_w%3BFWbmVQMd Pn-2_w%3BFUD9UAMdBnu2_w%3BFe7lUAMdggO3_w%3BFfadUAMdba u4_w%3BFbrGTgMdpJi5_w%3BFV6ITQMd_p-3_w%3BFQ0CRwMddx-y_w%3BFbwiRgMdDD6x_w%3BFQzZRAMddPOx_w%3BFVZJRAMdzk yz_w%3BFSapQQMd5N61_w%3BFWjoQgMdkLa0_w%3B%3BFaCjRQ Md_Fqz_w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=14&sz=12&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14&sll=54.860209,-4.920158&sspn=0.085564,0.22007&ie=UTF8&z=12) 1 home to Glasgow to stranraer right down the west coast. 230 miles 7 hours

Day (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=A75&daddr=B7004+to:54.797518,-4.380798+to:B727+to:A711+to:A710+to:B725%2FShore+R d+to:B721+to:A75+to:B6357+to:A6088+to:A699&hl=en&geocode=FRzIRQMdWMKz_w%3BFYywQgMdelC9_w%3B%3BFXBXR AMd5g3B_w%3BFSE4RAMdq4DD_w%3BFbKRRQMdfOHF_w%3BFVjP RgMdQxLK_w%3BFUwFRwMdDsnO_w%3BFQA9RwMdWi_R_w%3BFck nSAMd2D3R_w%3BFVG0TAMdr67Z_w%3BFQZWUAMdMtDa_w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=10&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&sll=54.841827,-4.597778&sspn=0.342409,0.88028&ie=UTF8&ll=55.570581,-2.610626&spn=0.336198,0.88028&z=10) 2 Stranraer to Kelso skirting the border 230 miles 6 hours

Day (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=A6089%2FDryinghouse+Ln&daddr=B6460+to:Unknown+road+to:A1+to:A1107+to:A108 7%2FBelhaven+Rd+to:A198+to:A199%2FBridge+St+to:A90 1%2FLower+Granton+Rd+to:B924%2FBo'Ness+Rd+to:B923+ to:A917+to:56.269286,-2.636719+to:A92+to:M90+to:Glasgow+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FYxmUAMdxvra_w%3BFY74UgMd3NDf_w%3BFeqMUwMd Jjvg_w%3BFYabUwMdpsng_w%3BFUWsVAMdpFHf_w%3BFSiDVgM dMHnZ_w%3BFT5dVwMdRh_X_w%3BFfCiVQMd7lTR_w%3BFYIzVg Md2s_O_w%3BFZhUVgMdOPfL_w%3BFUijVwMdoonP_w%3BFaaOW QMdKGzV_w%3B%3BFRIQXQMd9D3T_w%3BFYweXAMdlMPL_w%3BF eawVgMd_2TE_w&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=12&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14&sll=56.26166,-3.144836&sspn=0.660513,1.760559&ie=UTF8&z=9) 3 Kelso to perth then home 230 miles 7 hours.

Picked Glasgow and perth as they then allow the next parts to pick up nice and easily, ie perth heading NE and glasgow heading Nw.

Picked Stranraer and Kelso as stops as i know i can get a bed for the night there, but this can be moved to suit. Probably looking at this in april, warmer, time for me to build up my stamina.

Comments welcome:takeabow:

[-Ralph-]

Comments welcome:takeabow:

Just my input......

Most of day two, the roads don't stick close enough to the coast to make it worth riding them on a "coastal tour". An inland road is an inland road, if you can't see the sea you might as well be miles from it. Just take the fastest road that gets you to the next one where you can see the sea. By doing that you could really cut Kirkcudbright to Dumfries out by using the A75, then extend the route to include Edinburgh and home and cover it in two days (moving end of day one further round to Kirkcudbright or Dumfries if necessary). Picking up the next section of the tour at the Forth Bridge.

For people who live in Glasgow they can choose whether to ride home at the end of day two and return back to the Forth Bridge in the morning (an extra 80-90 miles) or set up camp near Edinburgh somewhere.

[Kilted Ginger]

Not technically a Coastal tour more a circumnavigation of Scotland, in reality 7/8ths of the border is coast so can understand the confusion.

[-Ralph-]

The confusion was.....

A circumnavigation of Scotland, Eyemouth on the east, Stranraer on the west Skye, John O' Groats and everywhere in between right round the coast.

[Kilted Ginger]

My bad, corrected ;)

[Tiger 55]

Anyway, you should follow the coast road even if you can't see the sea otherwise nasty little pedants like me will call you a cheat. To your face!

[edmurrgr]

I would love to do this, I’ve wanted to travel round Scotland’s coast for years, when I got a bike it made me even more determined. I got this book from the library a couple of months ago (fantastic book, would recommend to any one!) and it’s made me even keener.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazing-Places-Britains-Readers-Digest/dp/0276443004/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231524212&sr=1-5 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazing-Places-Britains-Readers-Digest/dp/0276443004/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231524212&sr=1-5)

You wouldn’t need to spend much time planning the north half of the trip, its more or less just one road, I’ve been up in the north west a fair bit, most years for the last 10. On the way through Durness (good stop for fuel) I would have to make everyone take the 2 mile detour to the Balnakeil craft village where you can get what is in my opinion a cup of the world’s best hot chocolate, http://www.cocoamountain.co.uk/ (http://www.cocoamountain.co.uk/)

I know a good bit of the sights up that way so would be happy to give some input if wanted.

I will defo keep an eye on this post, though work commitments and brand new baby would have a big say on if I could attend or not.

Some thing to think about is youth hostels, I looked at doing it and staying at YH’s where poss to keep costs down, I was amazed how many there are! Certainly one in Durness (it’s directly opposite the cottage I norm rent)

[svdemon]

I'm well up for something like this as i too have always wanted to go round Scotland after i got a taster by going up to Glencoe at the end of the summer.

[Blue Flame]

If you are doing that many miles would you prefer to do "the continent"?


That's ultimately what I want to have a go at. I'm not sure about this one. Depends on dates and the wife, err I mean the credit crunch.

[JohnMcL7]

Having read and absorbed your comments and looked in more detail at the route, miles and road type i will bow to the superiority of your garnered experience and wisdom and accept that the timings may have been slightly ambitious. I also looked at incorporating some of the Islands but feel these actually deserve a trip of their own (5 day island hopper from calmac) as many ferries and islands as you can fit in, which i will look at later (2010?)

A friend of mine did this last year as a sponsored run on his BMW F800GS (or whatever the BMW that Ewan and Charlie made famous' little brother) round all the islands. Again five days isn't much as the ferries don't run that often which makes it a bit of a race taking some of the enjoyment out of it. That said, I think it would be great to do.


In order to make the proposal more appealing and allow adequate time for proper appreciation for the many marvels the route has to offer i have a new proposal.
Split it in two. A lowland ramble and a highland rollercoaster. This gives a number of benefits:
less rigorous riding schedule,
Geographical orientation to allow others to join in,
2 shorter trips less fatigue on rider, bike, personal commitments,
May act as "bolt on" to Essex Lounges' tour of scotland.



Sounds a great way to do it as it makes it much more flexible for those who can't get a large chunk of time off work.

John

[Endellion]

I am up for this