Applecross Double Dash

[haggis]

After a few major changes from the proposed route in the other thread, this is the revised plans for May 23/24/25th based in Applecross.

DAY 1: Skye
Fort William - Group meet up, probably about 11am. Fuel-up.

Head to Mallaig via Glenfinnan in time for the ferry @ 13:45 (13:15 check-in). We should have plenty time to get lunch in Mallaig at noon-ish.

From Armadale @ 14:15 head round a loop of Skye; Broadford (fuel)-Sligachan-Dunvegan-Portree-Kyle of Lochalsh (fuel)
Then Lochcarron and onto Applecross via the Bealach.

The reason I've altered this day's route is that it's easier to catch the ferry times at the beginning of the first day than at the end of the second.


DAY 2: West coast run to Ullapool
From Applecross over the Bealach to Kinlochewe (fuel), Gairloch and onwards to Ullapool for lunch. Fuel-up.
Return will be through Garve, Kinlochewe (fuel) and Applecross via the coast road for a change.


DAY 3: Kintail and Fort Augustus
From Applecross over the Bealach to Lochcarron (fuel), Dornie (eilean Donan Castle stop maybe?), and onto Invergarry and then Fort Augustus for lunch. Fuel-up.


From here everyone picks their own route to continue the way home.


Maps to follow......

[STRAMASHER]

Who would not like to take a bike on a road with a sign like this...........

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/stramasher/IMGadj.jpg

[haggis]

The list....

1. Haggis
3. Peterco
4. Johnny Wolfie
5.Pete
6.Lissa
7.Seggons
8.Kilted Ginger
9. Punyxpress
10. Combatfred & Mrs Combatfred

[Speedy Claire]

My mate Rhino will be camping at the same place as you guys on the Saturday night... His names Rhino and he`ll probs be drooling over your bikes as he`s had to leave his at home. Lisa i`ve described you so if a shaven headed, weegie...heavily tatooed, with a lurcher and a silver golf estate says Hi its him :D

[rhino..]

Hi folks, i will indeed be in that neck of the woods on the sat.
heres hoping we all get the weather eh. thanks for the introduction speedy lol i promise all your bikes will be safe from drool.
seen a few familiar faces on the site so know im not the only non sv rider, curently got a minted mk1 1200 blandit. cheers rhino

[Kilted Ginger]

The Plan...

Pete, Lissa, Seggons, Punyxpress, Combatfred (&Mrs), Kilted Ginger, Peterco.
Meeting at Tyndrum 9am for a 9:30 Depart

Haggis.
Meet at Malaig 12ish for the ferry (6 bikes) 9 people

Amanda, Johnny Wolfie, Jimmy42376??
Meet at the campsite in the evening

Option as we are no longer meeting anyone at Ft William (unless the spearies man up) We do not have to do the A82. We can get the corran ferry and take the A861 west and round the coast to mallaig or north up round the south west of Loch eil.

Both of these routes are about 100 miles and 2.5 hours. Or we could stick with the original plan.

Fuel.. Fill up at Tyndrum, Info from Haggis is that next best fuel is Broadford, so thats 120 miles between fuel, everyone ok with that, if not we can still do ft william.

Opinions?

[haggis]

Coopz, Johnny and me made it home safe, and for the first time (pretty much all weekend) dry riding weather. Big "Woohoo's" from Johnny for that, and a celebration lunge.

Many tales to be told I'm sure, as folk get home. Great company, most roads ridden were acceptable if you didn't suffer from vertigo ;) and the food and drink was dutifully eaten and drunk with panache!

KG couldnt remember his passwd, so created the new account. I'll let him fill in the details of his weekend that ended on a low, never good that. Poor man, we all felt for him.

Non attendees - Guess again for the receiver of 3 points! You're well off the mark. [-X


For the first time all weekend I, personally, am not going to queue for an hour and a half for a measly cold coffee and bacon roll whilst watching the rest of our group stuffing their faces. Only coz I'm raiding the fridge at home.

Big thankyoooou to all who attended for making this a fab rideout, despite bad luck seemingly following us as much as the rain clouds. Who cares, bring it on we say, new friends, old friends, good friends.

:smt039

I'll start a dedicated thread in the photo section now....

[Kilted Ginger]

Everyones, fine.
I binned my bike, slow speed, slowing down and either snatched the brake or braked on loose chuckies or sheep poo or some such but the front end just washed away.
Nose shattered, crash bungs did their job.
Wasnt even hard or fast enough to snap bar ends or brake levers. mirrors and screen intact. Helmet scraped, gear did its job.
Rode back to the camp site, then recovery truck brought me home today.
I'll post more details etc later. bit of a scunner but walked away from it.
So anyone got a spare bikini fairing and headlight;)

[petevtwin650]

The remaining crew are ensconsed again at Strathfillan. Tumble drying all our wet gear, well,that which will tumble. So wet leathers for us tomorrow :(

Combatfred, Wendy and Peterco popped in for a cuppa before heading homeward. We've booked a cab to take us to the Tyndrum Lodge (£8 each way!) but sadly no carvery during the week.

Dukes discs looked odd, covered in slurry type substance, which turned out to be brake dust mixed with rain. On taking out the pads, they are down to the metal. Only done about 6k miles:confused: So easy on the brakes tomorrow.

Hope everybody got home Ok and had a nice hot shower:smt048

More to follow when we get home.

[Quiff Wichard]

oh KG.. bad luck mate.. those offs are the worst cos you feel liek they cudda been avoided- you dont know what happenned and you wonder if it will happen again.. you be all fixed up for GM trip??


morover you are OK.. dont you get married in a few weeks?? imagine! pphheewww.

[peterco]

Have safetly arrive home @1836.
Soaking wet rain all the way down,petering out at stirling.
Plus covered in midgies bites.Now for a hot shower.

pete

[peterco]

The rain has arrived here now.
Total milage over the weekend 700 miles.
Just waiting for a shower,have put on the boiler for hot water.



pete

[Sally]

Hope You and the Bike are ok KG.
David.

[TheRamJam]

Everyones, fine.
I binned my bike, slow speed, slowing down and either snatched the brake or braked on loose chuckies or sheep poo or some such but the front end just washed away.
Nose shattered, crash bungs did their job.
Wasnt even hard or fast enough to snap bar ends or brake levers. mirrors and screen intact. Helmet scraped, gear did its job.
Rode back to the camp site, then recovery truck brought me home today.
I'll post more details etc later. bit of a scunner but walked away from it.
So anyone got a spare bikini fairing and headlight;)

Glad your ok Marc!

Good job you had recovery/breakdwon policy, else the weekend could'ave went from bas to worse :( Hope you get your bike fixed soon and back on the road :riding:

[Speedy Claire]

Sorry bout the weather folks and really sorry bout your spill KG.. hope it doesn`t prove too costly. Sounds like despite everything you`ve all had a great weekend... look forward to the pics

[Tiger 55]

Big thankyoooou to all who attended.
Big thank you for organising. It's an annual event, right?

I binned my bike
It was wrecked by neglect anyway. Get the Tiger :D

We've booked a cab to take us to the Tyndrum Lodge (£8 each way!)
That's outrageous! I'm sure it's cheaper without the tourist accent ;)
And hopefully it was an 8 seater...

covered in midgies bites
Aahhh, Scotland :smt055

[appollo1]

Not good to hear about your spill Marc. At least you are ok. As always bikes can be fixed.

Hope everyone else gets home safely.

[Bibio]

Bad luck KG... hope you get the bike sorted soon....

[combatfred]

4309

Poor Peter! That was a sh!tty start to the weekend.

Me and Mrs Combat made it home in 1 piece. Dinner, hot bath & bed. FANTASTIC! That was a hell of a soggy weekend, but very, very good fun.

There will be a lot said about the roads. Even in the wet...... :p WOW :p.

Big thanks goes to Haggis, Johnny and Coopz for their tour guide touch. :notworthy:. It was good to meet Johnny & Coopz. Will hopefully see you again sometime.

This has got to be an annual thing. The Combats will be there if it is (and if it isn't).

A big "CHEERS" goes to our southern pals for making the trip north. We really appreciate the miles you guy put in. :notworthy:.

Mrs Combatfred, would like to thank everone for their splendid company. It helped take her mind off the fact that I was there!

KG had a tough break with his off. He did nothing wrong and it could have happened to anyone of us. It was very nearly me just after leaving the campsite for Sundays ride. I lost the front in a straight line. Going down the box with just a touch of front brake. It locked, it tucked, we were going down, then it gripped, turning the busa into a bucking bronco for a second or two :smt107. I was lucky, KG wasn't.

I hope you get sorted soon Marc. Through your insurance or by yourself. That was a tough break and we're all gutted for you. We're all preying that you make it to the Massacre.

Take care guys.


Fred

[Tiger 55]

Shame on you Peter. Shame.

A criminal in our midst...

[Lissa]

Home safe and sound:D

Full thoughts and some pics later, bike to clean and luggage to unpack first! :(

[punyXpress]

Back home about an hour ago via Hartside & Helmsley TT - both in touring mode which you've discovered is about my speed.
What a super weekend with roads & company ( the weather was a bit damp but a moment at Spean Bridge Monument puts that into perspective )
Will write more when I recover my brain, but in the meantime thanks to all who made it such a spectacular event.!
Wow!

[Kate SV650]

Glad to hear you're O.K. KG.

[Seggons]

Home safe and sound, will type more later when/if my brain wakes up. :D

[punyXpress]

Have safetly arrive home @1836.
Soaking wet rain all the way down,petering out at stirling.
Plus covered in midgies bites.Now for a hot shower.

pete

Hey! Pete
I thought your pipe was protection agin midges? Perhaps a little research into the mixture will sort out the little b,stewards
Great to meet you.

[rhino..]

good to meet you'se guys, well done on those roads in those conditions, i came back down through skye (thanks for the ferry number) lets hope the weathers much better for glencoe. hopefully see a few of youse there.

[peterco]

Hey! Pete
I thought your pipe was protection agin midges? Perhaps a little research into the mixture will sort out the little b,stewards
Great to meet you.

More bites coming out,they itch like mad.
It was nice meeting you all,had a good weekend.

pete

[peterco]

Shame on you Peter. Shame.

A criminal in our midst...

I own up................................................ .......................................
was pulled by the police on the A82:pale: for speeding near Loch Tulla.
Conditional Fixed Penalty Notice £60 and 3 points:smt022

http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo62/petercorsar/Achallader-1.gif


pete

[STRAMASHER]

60mph along that straight must feel like you are stopped!

Used to switch the lights off coming on to that straight for fear of the plod sitting up on the hill............waiting.....waiting...:smt031. Same going up Rest And Be Thankful. Paranoid moi? :rolleyes:

Hard lines fella. You want no plastic and straight bars to keep the speed down;)

(Hard lines too KG, GWS, highs and lows, bikes can never be said to be mediocre!)

Good photies especially from haggis' Goldwing? (Big screen and wiper):geek:

[Tiger 55]

was pulled by the police on the A82:pale:

Alas. How fast were you going? And how come they got you and not one of those hooligans you were with?

[Bibio]

Pete got a speeding ticket... i don't believe it...

bad luck m8...

[petevtwin650]

Smeggons and ourselves made good progress to the Penrith lunchtime stop where we were joined by the indefatigable Puny Express. More good progress was made up to Dawn and Hovis's place, where we were royally treated. It was nice to be able to spend a bit of time with them before heading up to Strafillan Wiggywams.

The site is pretty perfect IMO except for no local hostelery. We got ourselves sorted then rode back down to the Drovers, Smeghead taking Puny on his bike, and enjoyed a fine repast.

Early night then, fully packed, we headed off to Tydrum for the all you can eat breakfast (£5 including tea,coffee,juice) at the Lodge. First of the locals to arrive was the pipe smoking Peter(co), followed by Combatfred with Wendy somewhere amongst the luggage and KG. Brekkie dispensed with, off we set to Fort William through the mighty Glen Coe. At the regroup point, we witnessed the first sorry incident of the trip with the hooligan formally known as Peterco getting his undeserved ticket.

Undeterred, he carried on. Good man.

Off up to Fort William briefly joining the Breast Way Round rideout. Stopping to re-group we were spotted by Jillyburd and Shonadoll. Nice to meet you ladies.

Running a bit behind schedule now due to longdrawn out roadworks we had to go straight to the ferry and forego lunch in Mallaig. We had a closeish encounter with a Red Stag as it ran in front of us. The coach we had just overtaken locked up apparently fearing the worse.

At the ferry terminal, Haggis and his driver CC (CrippleCoops) were waiting. We were thankful we had booked in advance as they were turning bikes away. Over on Skye the two 4wheelers kindly took Wendy's rucksack and pointed us in the right direction for the belated lunch stop. There we were joined by Wulfie (Johnnie) on his Monster.

Decision made to curtail the island tour and bash straight on to Applecross was unamimously agreed and off we set. All except Wulfie, whose Ducati refused to start. Luckily the 4wheelers ferried him to somewhere that allowed him to pinch the fuses out of a stricken car (although the right fuses were later found in the boot of CC's Celica)

Eventually arriving at Applecross via the scary mountain road. Fog, cold hands and feet plus tight hairpins. The site was full of bikes as there was an event going on which meant there was a Hog Roast tent providing much needed nourishment. Early night for us lightweight Wigwammers, but not before Rhino came over and chatted for a while. Think he may be joining us on GM2 now as will Wulfie I believe.

For Sunday we headed up to Ullapool via spectacular roads with incredible scenery. Sadly the rain was still following us. Stopping at a view point we discovered KG had a rear puncture. Fully equipped he popped in his Tyreweld which seemed to do the trick. A quick tyre pressure check after lunch appeared to confirm that the weld was holding but KG purchased a foot pump to be on the safe side. More spirited riding ensued but as we passed KG we noticed his tyre was flat. Down to 4psi. So plan 2. Plug it. KG was carrying one of those sets too. We were in the most unwelcoming place possible with the rain lashing down and the wind gusting, but eventually job done and pumped up off we went.

Of course for poor KG that was not the end to his days trouble. We were lagging behind with CF and Wendy, making the most of a rare break in the weather and getting some scenic shots, so the first we knew of his tumble was back at the site. Fortunately KG didn't dwell on it and organised his ride home for the next day and joined in with the festivities. A meal was had at the Applecross Inn, thankfully down to CF booking a table for 11 when he arrived as the place was heaving. Fabulous food.

Monday and the rain persisted. We waved off KG, snug in his little van, and braved the mountain pass once again. Even scarier as the fog/cloud was thick in places. We headed to some castle somewhere where after more grub we said goodbye to the Islanders and headed south. A brief and wet stop at the Commando Monument and another group decision to head straight for Tyndrum, and not do any of the possible scenic detours.

At the site we made those heading on a hot drink and showed them the site and facilities. Wendy's smile said it all after having braved it in a tent, that the warm and dry prospect of a wigwam was going to be pretty much perfect.

Those of us left, Lissa, Puny, Smeggons and myself decided that a taxi down to Tyndrum and hot food was the best option even though it did cost 8 quid for a 2 mile trip. However it was the taxi drivers last night and his service will not be available for GM2-ers.

Whilst waiting for the cab I noticed my discs were covered in a slurry type substance. This turned out to be brake dust and rain. all the cooling holes were filled too. Clearing the holes with a screwdriver and then quickly popping out the pads I found that they had all worn to the limit and one pad was down to the backing plate (on getting home I checked and the pads have done less than 5K) Anyway a nice meal was enjoyed at the Lodge although we missed the carvery as that wasn't available Monday.

After some deliberation I decided we would call in at Ducati Glasgow to get and fit new pads. Dawn was contacted and directions found but even after two local drivers directed us we didn't find it so, as the most difficult part of the journey brake-wise had been done, we headed for Penrith where we were to meet Smeggons and Puny for the last time this trip.

Managed to do the 400 miles home without using my front brakes at all except two 1mph incidents. 1430 miles covered and she didn't miss a beat.

Big thank you to Haggis for the planning, Coop for being there in the car and doing TEC, KG and/or Wulfie for leading us everywhere and everybody else for keeping all our spirits up in such dire weather conditions.

Now, where's the polish?

[Kilted Ginger]

Officially ticket was for 71 in a 60, although the officers said they had clocked him at 86. TBH i was surprissed they didnt give him a verbal considering where it was and the conditions etc. They obviously had a target for the bank holiday weekend.
Peter was at the back of the pack at this point and none of the rest of us saw them anywhere so we are assuming they came up behind him, maybe saw him in distance along one of the straights. If not then they might have pulled one of the rest of us who may have exceeded the limit whilst performing a safe overtake.
On the way back down on Monday they were parked up Here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=56.5527,-4.750224&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=56.55299,-4.750557&sspn=0.002874,0.01369&ie=UTF8&ll=56.552245,-4.748325&spn=0.005748,0.02738&t=k&z=16) off the road on the rhs just after the bend. You could not see them southbound until you were past, very sneaky.

[punyXpress]

Now, where's the polish?[/quote]

Ploddy Hell, Peter!
We're not invading Poland this weekend are we?

[Seggons]

Big thanks goes to:

Pete and Lissa for putting me up, feeding me and generally being very welcoming.
Haggis for organising the weekends events.
Kilted Ginger and Wulfie for the various stints leading the rideout
Coopz for not taking offence to my English humour of calling him cripple/hop-along/etc...
PunyXpress for constantly scaring the living daylights out of me every time we went under a bridge with your backfires.
And to everyone on the rideout who kept in amazingly high spirits even when the weather conspired against us. :D

[combatfred]

All the pics from the 1st Annual Applecross Doubledash are in here........

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=132508

[haggis]

Erm, actually i think this counts as the 2nd Annual Applecross Double Dash! :D It's just that last year I didn't get much notice, so it was Amanda, Coopz, me and our pal Libby.

But hey that's cool, thanks for adding the 'Annual' bit. No pressure on me to come up with the goods again next year, lol. :p Will be an honour to have u all back.

[combatfred]

But hey that's cool, thanks for adding the 'Annual' bit. No pressure on me to come up with the goods again next year, lol. :p Will be an honour to have u all back.


:smt026 Woo-hoo :smt026

[dawn07]

Big thanks goes to:

Pete and Lissa for putting me up, feeding me and generally being very welcoming.
Haggis for organising the weekends events.
Kilted Ginger and Wulfie for the various stints leading the rideout
Coopz for not taking offence to my English humour of calling him cripple/hop-along/etc...
PunyXpress for constantly scaring the living daylights out of me every time we went under a bridge with your backfires.
And to everyone on the rideout who kept in amazingly high spirits even when the weather conspired against us. :D
Hope you managed to exchange your English notes for Scottish ones Seggons?!
Haha! Sorry couldn't resist! Dx

[Seggons]

I did try but everywhere I tried just laughed at me. :lol:

[peterco]

Paid the fine and licence now endorsed with 3points.
Had a ride to lochguiphead to pay it 110miles then up to Oban
and across to tyndrum and back home. 250miles total.
Kept to the NSL for most of the trip.

pete

[punyXpress]

I did try but everywhere I tried just laughed at me. :lol:

Tried to swap Scottish back to English & was told they were too wet!

[wulfie]

Yeah I had a a great time and dispite the weather an awsome ride-out on the sunday as well!

thanks everyone!

Peter - sorry to hear your a criminal now but hey now those three points make you look like a badass :smt080

KG - I hope every thing gose well with your bike and if im at GM2 hope that you make it.

Seggons - you made my whole weekend a big LOL also ive just watched your hedge video on youtube ..... youtube its the word im using :mrgreen:

Pete & lissa - awsome to meet ya's!! murdo told me about your front brakes on the way home kina sucked considering i had a set pads in my shed with plenty of life left for yas to use for the trip home #-o

Fred & wendy - again awsome to meet ..... i wonder where that limited edition stone from ullapool went!? :confused: and i dont remember a photo of me eating my steak being taken? *blames the rubes ale*

David - *aka the ladys man* never stoped trying alll weekend i sware by it!! hehe *should have seen his steak and mushrooms to proove it!!!:smt103*

Yeah so I had an ace time im still pondering about GM2 soo ill see, I hope to see ya's all in the near future again!

[punyXpress]

Richie ( see Photos section ) mentioned a wench, so had to give it a go !

[Quiff Wichard]

Who would not like to take a bike on a road with a sign like this...........

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/stramasher/IMGadj.jpg




what road is this.. road number..

me want to do it when me up there on the GM 2

[peterco]

what road is this.. road number..

me want to do it when me up there on the GM 2



here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=57.434695,-5.80164&geocode=FXgibAMdTIKq_w%3B&hl=en&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=13&sll=57.437005,-5.79752&sspn=0.041115,0.07021&ie=UTF8&ll=57.418059,-5.704479&spn=0.044926,0.21904&t=h&z=13)

pete

[punyXpress]

'Tis the ultimate Alpine road in UK, Quiff & one of the reasons I want to head that way after GM II - you'll enjoy it.