GM4 travel arrangement

[hongman]

See 'ere!

Nothing set in stone yet but would like to know my options, and probably make my ride up from down south more enjoyable.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=2549384#post2549384

[hongman]

And here:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=2549401#post2549401

[DavieSV]

I'm planning a similar thing myself, to take in some of the lake district on the Friday :D and then trying to find a different route back down on the east Sunday/Monday

[hongman]

Sounds fun Davie. Some people could probably wing it without a GPS and search/discover their way to wherever, I'm one of these that have to follow a GPS avidly :D

[Dave20046]

I'm probably going to tank it up satnav stylee on the friday and take a scenic route down sunday/monday - I want to see this 'electric road' on the south west side on the way back doown

[hongman]

I still need to get my 12v socket working with my GPS. Hope I get that sorted soon, otherwise I'll probably end up in france.

[Dave20046]

took me 20 minutes to fit on my pointy ;)
Or is it one you already have fitted which is acting up?

[DavieSV]

No sat nav here!
Getting lost is a way of life, but that just adds to the fun :grin:

[Dave20046]

No sat nav here!
Getting lost is a way of life, but that just adds to the fun :grin:

I have an appalling track record if I don't get to work the next day (again) I'll be in big trouble :(

[DavieSV]

I led up there last year, basically a6 then west coast round to Glasgow.
It was quite a good ride.
On the way back down, my mate wanted to follow his sat nav, it was horrid! Motorway all the way and my tires never recovered from that flat spot :(
Much better the old fashioned map way :D

[hongman]

took me 20 minutes to fit on my pointy ;)
Or is it one you already have fitted which is acting up?

Just "fixed" it. Basically the male end (the bit which plugs into the socket) that came with the GPS was too short and wouldnt work. Bought a new one off ebay ages ago, just found it and its longer and works :D

I have an appalling track record if I don't get to work the next day (again) I'll be in big trouble :(
Same here!

[hongman]

I am a bit wary about squaring my tyres actually. The rear is just starting to square, just a bit.

I guess I would weave none stop all the way there and back ;)

[Dave20046]

I led up there last year, basically a6 then west coast round to Glasgow.
It was quite a good ride.
On the way back down, my mate wanted to follow his sat nav, it was horrid! Motorway all the way and my tires never recovered from that flat spot :(
Much better the old fashioned map way :D
How long did it take you? if it can be achieved in under 10 hours then I'd be very tempted (if you're offering to lead/share the route that is!!) other than that bombing it up a motorway in 5-6 hours might be the mind (and @rse) numbing way I go.



SuperHong- good stuff on the spaknav front.
I'm also a bit wary of tyres, mine wore at a ridiculous rate on the last gm leaving me with a bald tyre 186 miles from the most local bike tyre place :rolleyes: We were further out in the sticks than where the GM is held (it was the week following gm)..but I think Scotland's very different to englandshire in the way of handy amenities. Calculate roughly how many miles you'll be doing and take into consideration the state of your tyre - something I neglected to do!

[hongman]

At the moment its going to be around 1,100 miles give or take.

Front is no worry, rear is just tabletopping Im worried about. Probably wont get to change it before the GM anyhow so I'll just have to take my chances!

[Dave20046]

Would have thought nearer 1500 but anyhoo I've just actually looked at a map and the tyre situation isn't as dire as i may have thought. There's a place in crief that I got my tyres from last time which is only 30milesish from the general area that previous gm rideouts have been.
so you can ignore me :)

[hongman]

Yeah maybe I was being a little optimistic.

[DavieSV]

How long did it take you? if it can be achieved in under 10 hours then I'd be very tempted (if you're offering to lead/share the route that is!!) other than that bombing it up a motorway in 5-6 hours might be the mind (and @rse) numbing way I go.


I was thinking of setting off from Derby after work on Thursday at around 5.30 and making my way over the Peak district to the M6, off the M6 and onto the A6 just after Preston and up to the south of the Lake district.

If I stop around Kendal (Youth hostal?) I would try and spread the last bit out to around 300 miles or about 7 hours ish at a nice steady pace taking in some of the sights and roads on the west.

So, leaving around Kendal at 10am would get us to Killin at around 5pm :D

[carelesschucca]

So, leaving around Kendal at 10am would get us to Killin at around 5pm :D


Try to get on some of these roads on your route up they take a bit more time but they are well worth the effort.

A686 Penrith to Alston (I think its called the Hartside Pass) a great with a nice viewpoint at the top.

A702 - Carronbridge to Elvanfoot - Dalveen Pass (14 - 15 miles of open fast sweepers) its a regular road for me to take on the monthly route.

[DavieSV]

A686 Penrith to Alston (I think its called the Hartside Pass) a great with a nice viewpoint at the top.


Now that's what I'm talking about.

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/9168/hartsidepass.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/864/hartsidepass.jpg/)

You don't get to see many of them by tramming up th M74 following the sat nav :cool:

[JamesMio]

That's the one my friend - you'll be heading up it, which many (myself included) claim to be the best direction to hit it.

Enjoy!

[SIII]

I am travelling up after work from Dumfries and Galloway. Was thinking of going up to Ayr and then up M77 and havin some tea at the McDonalds just off J3 of M77, google says there's one next to a Sainsburys? (can anyone confirm?).
Then across to the airport and over the Erskine bridge past Loch Lomond up to Crianlarich then to Killin.

Dont fancy the 'short' route of motorway all the way to Stirling, last time I did that i was crippled, plus friday night thru' Glasgow on the motorway is not my idea of fun.

Won't get away from here(Castle Douglas) till back of 4, so will be at McD's about 6.00 to 6.30, if any of you weegies or EK guys want to meet up there?

Or southerner's wanna see the delights of D&G on your way up north?

[DavieSV]

B&B booked in Kendal for Thursday night so I have the whole of Friday to pootle about on the roads up north :riding:

Probably leaving Kendal about 9 - 10 Friday morning :D

[Dave20046]

Afraid I can't get that much time off work. Will be waking my may up Friday.

[Blue Flame]

Hiya,

Polls are now up for Friday night food (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=167668) and Saturday morning butties. (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=167669)

Please cast your vote.....now

[Dave20046]

Anyone else heading up Friday?

[mabozzar]

Now Heading up on saturday morning... leave Motherwell around 8am gives me plenty o time tae get up there an a cuppa na chat before headin out wi ye`s if thats ok..

if anyones ontheir way there on the saturday. i could maybe meet up wi ye`s

[fenjer]

Have a safe trip up this week folks, shame a couple more of you couldnt make it for the boat on friday!

[markc123]

Anyone else heading up Friday?

Heading from Harrogate on friday if you want to meet on the way?

[Dave20046]

Heading from Harrogate on friday if you want to meet on the way?

Afraid I've most likely dropped out.may still make it though,but won't know until the last minute what sort of time would you be passing nearish Sheffield?

[carelesschucca]

Afraid I've most likely dropped out.may still make it though,but won't know until the last minute what sort of time would you be passing nearish Sheffield?

I don't think he will be passing Sheffield he's coming from Harrogate. unless he's taking a long detour. Its not as if Harrogate is the biggest place try meeting at the Odeon (lovely art deco 'ish' building) and come and play.

Don't drop out, If you can come. DO IT. The roads on the way up are good but the ones up here ARE GREAT.

[Dave20046]

I don't think he will be passing Sheffield he's coming from Harrogate. unless he's taking a long detour. Its not as if Harrogate is the biggest place try meeting at the Odeon (lovely art deco 'ish' building) and come and play.

Don't drop out, If you can come. DO IT. The roads on the way up are good but the ones up here ARE GREAT.

Oops read that as Hampshire somehow.
I know how good the roads are,I always make time for the gm just cutting it a bit fine this year,I've got a lot on plus my bikes being a bit of an ****.
If I'm fed up enough tomorrow night I'll probably end up chucking my responsibilities and fleeing England Friday morning

[mabozzar]

I hate to of the bearer of BAD news, but ave checked the forecast fur the weekend, fae Glasgow, to killin to Fort willy, out East... an its not lookin good guys... sorry.. i know most o ye dont bother about rain... but its the dry roads that make it a GREAT weekend fur Riding..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2276?area=Killin

Bring yer wet gear wi ye`s an dont forget yer umbrellas,,, an a nearly furgot.. yer midgie nets...

[Bibio]

no its going to be sunny.

who cares its a weekend away from the norm in some fantastic campsite with some fantastic people.

[mabozzar]

yes I aggree.. i was only letting ye know of the weather forecast that i saw...

[mabozzar]

Callander main st http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIFc6RmKUWU&feature=related

[Bibio]

Callander main st http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIFc6RmKUWU&feature=related

hahahaaa like it. it does get a bit like that when the sun is out and all the wanabeez are on their shiny shiny.

[TamSV]

no its going to be sunny.

Yes. There still seems to be confusion about this. It'll be fine. It's all arranged. :)

[hongman]

:D

Half way to GM4!

Currently at Scotch Corner!

Ride here was interesting! First of all let me thank everyone who contributged to my route thus far, has been fecking awesome.

Only downsides were:

1. Rain. Absoloutely tossed it down some of the way. Was On, off, on, off, so I just left my waterproofs on.
2. Took a wrong turn, ended up on a very narrow dead end road leading to a field. Didnt fancy pushing the bike backwards uphill and round a blind bend so I turned around in the field. Looked flat enough,til I hit a hole, stalled it and nearly toppled over. Very close :o Kept it up though, thank god for Viagra.
3. Did a nice jump! over a huge bump on a long straight down a country road. Unfortunately as I landed one of the bungee cords snapped, and I assume that caused the pannier to move which snapped my rear indicator stalk. Gaffer'ed up and hey presto!
4. At Doncaster-ish way I had to bail and get off the twisties. I decided to not take the topbox and instead took my backpack...killed my back.

Despite that it has been an adventure already! Went through many towns I never knew existed, spotted some nice totty about (great thing about tinted visor, can gawp all I want!), rode some facking ace twisties, did my first jump, navigated some very crappy roads (single laners with pot holes, mud and gravel everywhere!) and survived, etc etc.

Now...time to catch up on 36 missed calls and 11 voicemails.

fuuun.

[Bibio]

little tip. strap the backpack to the back along with the panniers, that is unless you have brought everything including the kitchen sink lol

the adventure continues tomorrow :-)

[hongman]

You know, I'll get up early tomorrow and try that. Never been very good at starpping stuff to the bike.

When I left mine at 9am, the Satnav said arrival at 6pm. By the time I had stopped for lunch I had it down to 5pm ;) By the time I had decided to just hop on the A1, it was like 2:45pm lol.

See you at Carter Bar tomorrow!

[Dave20046]

little tip. strap the backpack to the back along with the panniers, that is unless you have brought everything including the kitchen sink lol

the adventure continues tomorrow :-)

was about to say the same, many more miles will kill your back hong. My right shoulder's never been the same after gm3!

[hongman]

Thanks. Shall def do that tomorrow!

Just paid £7.99 for a burger king meal. Room cost me £10. Lol.