GM IV Details & Itinerary [Archive] - SV650.org

stuartyboy

13-06-11, 12:48 AM

Lead: Carelesschucca
Marshalls: Blue Flame, A N Other

CAMPSITE: Here (http://www.cruachanfarm.co.uk/)

FRIDAY NIGHT(FOR THOSE WHO WANT):
[/B]Food at Old Smiddy Killin
Beer and light social entertainment at Falls of Dochart and Killin Hotel
Note: This is just a couple of pints and some food beforehand.

SATURDAY

START TIME:
Depart 10.30 sharp Saturday 25th June Lix Toll Garage

ROUTE:
Note: Return is the same route in reverse

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Killin&daddr=fort+william+to:B9152+to:Aviemore&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFW78YgMdZwiy_ykbAxw3I zOJSDEhSFQI4z6gzQ%3BFfAjZwMdkdbC_w%3BFYK3aAMdp5PF_ ylh3AtuWfGFSDEDcpvVHNHdMw&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=57.132012,-3.926411&sspn=0.005194,0.021007&ie=UTF8&ll=57.132012,-3.926411&spn=0.005194,0.021007&z=16

(Click for Bing Maps version (http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=56.75963169360205%7E-4.199062967571048&lvl=9&sty=c&rtp=pos.56.468450501%20561165_-4.317160248756409_Killin%2C%20Stirling___e_%7Epos. 56%20.818429827690125_-5.108459517359734_Fort%20William%2C%20Highland___e %20_%7Epos.56.8934565782547_-4.917559996247292_Spean%20Bridge%2C%20Highland___e %20_%7Epos.57.08008334040642_-4.051900506019592_Kingussie%2C%20Highland___e_%7Ep os%20.57.127844765782356_-3.9346544444561005_Kincraig%2C%20Highland___e_%7Ep os%20.57.1986698359251_-3.8287796080112457_Aviemore%2C%20Highland___e_&mod%20e=D&rtop=0%7E0%7E0%7E&form=LMLTSN&encType=1))

1ST REGROUP: North Ballachullish Services

OPTIONAL LOOP: (Kinlochleven Loop)
Wait point is North Ballachullish Services. This is approximately 30-35 min stop/detour. TEC will stay with this group.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A82&daddr=Kinlochleven+to:B863+to:North+Ballachulish,+ Fort+William&geocode=FSwuYQMdztuw_w%3BFR5fYQMdSzy0_ymb90KTEC6JS DGEF3qe6tWDEQ%3BFfvsYAMd1BOy_w%3BFZwYYQMdnfGw_ylD7 _osQjaJSDEwVbw2np4eaA&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=56.703355,-5.074745&sspn=0.08406,0.336113&ie=UTF8&ll=56.703355,-5.074745&spn=0.08406,0.336113&z=12
route is there and back.

2ND REGROUP: Fort William Tesco Car Park

LUNCH/REFUEL: Roos Leap Aviemore

RETURN 1ST REGROUP: Fort William Tesco Car Park

RETURN 2ND REGROUP: Green Welly Tyndrum

CUT OFF/RETURN ROUTE:
(This route is for those who don't want to do the full return journey.)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Aviemore&daddr=Catlodge+to:Killin&geocode=FYK3aAMdp5PF_ylh3AtuWfGFSDEDcpvVHNHdMw%3BF dncZQMd-x6__ymvoqfRQUiPSDHAYt93HGgMCg%3BFRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=56.885096,-4.244328&sspn=0.041827,0.168056&ie=UTF8&ll=56.763262,-4.141846&spn=0.671414,2.688904&z=9

SATURDAY NIGHT: OPEN/BEER/PUB/KILLIN/CAMPSITE

SUNDAY

START: 11am Lix Toll Services

ROUTE:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Killin&daddr=Lochearnhead+to:Crieff+to:dunkeld+to:Blairgo wrie+to:Braemar,+Ballater+to:Kirkmichael,+Blairgow rie+to:Pitlochry+to:Kenmore,+Aberfeldy+to:Killin&hl=en&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFeleXAMdnpS-_ymLhBTpmuSISDHNvqXUdhpnvg%3BFe0wXAMdEFzF_ymvCcBDT iaGSDFXiKisCzg-Jg%3BFXUdXwMdskrJ_yk9r5Ef6hCGSDEI12fLdHmIZA%3BFX6J XwMdGg3N_ykFX9iRx_2FSDEuGTrT_hphTQ%3BFWjXZQMdCCfM_ ynD0-npWOSFSDFNeoNqkRaN1w%3BFS2JYQMdYIbK_ymHvgGMZgWGSDG 2fszAsVGXeQ%3BFXBAYQMdrgnH_ymxa-dVkQKGSDF-QBA0KRGWgA%3BFWBrXwMd7vrC_ykD7LaaoLyISDEcua17k0V0w g%3BFRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg&mra=ls&sll=56.688294,-3.387222&sspn=0.168187,0.672226&ie=UTF8&z=9

1st REGROUP:
Crieff Services

LUNCH/REFUEL: Braemar

RETURN REGROUP:
Pitlochry Services

Return to camp site.

appollo1

13-06-11, 02:23 AM

have fun folks and stay safe

Well done Stuarty for doing the organisation this year and i hope it is as good this year as it has been in the past.

The Guru

13-06-11, 07:05 AM

:smt041

carelesschucca

13-06-11, 09:20 AM

I won't be doing Friday stuff quiet evening at the campsite for me, there'll be no hangovers for Mr Chucca on Saturday.

The Guru

13-06-11, 10:04 AM

We'll be arriving at the campsite about 9am on Saturday morning so no Friday night shenanigans for us. :(

Quedos

13-06-11, 10:29 AM

1ST REGROUP: North Ballachullish Services

OPTIONAL LOOP: (Kinlochleven Loop)
Wait point is North Ballachullish Services

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=A828&daddr=Kinlochleven+to:North+Ballachulish,+Fort+Wil liam&geocode=FXX6YAMdwtuw_w%3BFR5fYQMdSzy0_ymb90KTEC6JS DGEF3qe6tWDEQ%3BFZwYYQMdnfGw_ylD7_osQjaJSDEwVbw2np 4eaA&hl=en&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=13&sll=56.686597,-5.155849&sspn=0.042049,0.168056&ie=UTF8&z=13The route is there and back.

2ND REGROUP: Fort William Tesco Car Park

.

So you are starting the loop from the bridgeservices, turning at Glencoe and then heading back to the bridge/services?

If this is correct are those not doing the loop allowed to head on to the Fort william regroup as opposed to waiting round a garage for about an hour??

TamSV

13-06-11, 11:09 AM

It's a picturesque garage though. :)

I know what you're saying Q but then they'd just have to wait at Fort William plus it would mean another leader and another TEC for that stretch.

If some of the quicker ones from the loop caught up with the other group it would lead to mucho confusion as the TEC finds him or herself being overtaken. Similar happened on Ed's rideout when the group split and some folk ended up getting a bit lost.

To my mind the route includes the loop but, because it is a loop, there's the option not to do it. So those who choose not to can wait (half an hour at most I'd have thought) and dip their tootsies in the loch/top up the tan (optimistic). 8-)

Just my 2p.

Surely most folk will do the loop after travelling a distance to get there?

yorkie_chris

13-06-11, 11:18 AM

Or can some of us (IE ME!) do 2 laps?

stuartyboy

13-06-11, 11:29 AM

yorkie_chris

13-06-11, 11:31 AM

Great, lets see if it is possible to do a full tank in 38 miles :smt082

stuartyboy

13-06-11, 11:33 AM

Great, lets see if it is possible to do a full tank in 38 miles :smt082

:smt082Remember - we can do the loop on the way back as well ;-)

sv4me

13-06-11, 11:35 AM

Sounds great can't wait :smt031

Won't be anything heavy for me friday night (i'll save that for saturday \\:D/) cause I want to enjoy the ride

And hope people don't think i'm being a 2hat, but after the lunch stop in Aviemore i'll ditch you lot ;) and go back via c0ck bridge *snigger* and Braemar way

christopher

13-06-11, 11:44 AM

And hope people don't think i'm being a 2hat, but after the lunch stop in Aviemore i'll ditch you lot ;) and go back via c0ck bridge *snigger* and Braemar way

Looking at the route I was tempting by something similar rather than repeat the same roads in both directions, if others are breaking off I won't feel quite so bad about it :p

TamSV

13-06-11, 11:50 AM

Looking at the route I was tempting by something similar rather than repeat the same roads in both directions, if others are breaking off I won't feel quite so bad about it :p

Don't be too hasty now. That route's too good to just do once.

Blue Flame

13-06-11, 12:06 PM

Quedos

13-06-11, 12:08 PM

Any chance of a reply stuarty to my question?????

or am i to be totally ignored!

I will not be doing the loop for personal reasons

stuartyboy

13-06-11, 12:32 PM

Quedos - see post 9. Replied there.We are stopping at the service station. The group won't be split up. The loop is optional.

SV4ME - we are doubling back rather than doing it in a single loop because there is a 30mph limit along long stretches between Grantown on Spey and Ballater. There is also Pylon/contra flow along the Tomintoul road. Lastly, there is now no fuel at the Spittal as the pumps have been removed.

Day 2 covers the best bits of this road :-)

dyzio

13-06-11, 12:32 PM

You seen the Sunday route? ;)

OOOO and ooooo :) you'll have fun :)

I might pop into Braemar to meet you lot and maybe take a few snaps on the Glenshee road, I'll be the one with a camera behind a hedge :lol:

;)

Quedos

13-06-11, 01:04 PM

Quedos - OPTIONAL LOOP: (Kinlochleven Loop)
Wait point is North Ballachullish Services. This is approximately 30-35 min stop/detour. TEC will stay with this group doing the loop.

Apologies - didn't see this,:smt053 though clarify for me are you doing it twice(leaving and returning to service) because that will be a longer delay than 30mins looking at the mileage and factoring in possible newbies that want to do it.

MisterTommyH

13-06-11, 01:10 PM

FRIDAY NIGHT(FOR THOSE WHO WANT): [/B]
Food at Old Smiddy Killin
Beer and light social entertainment at Falls of Dochart and Killin Hotel
Note: This is just a couple of pints and some food beforehand.

Any idea what time you'll be heading down for food (roughly). Just trying to plan what time I need to start out to get there.

sv4me

13-06-11, 01:14 PM

SV4ME - we are doubling back rather than doing it in a single loop because there is a 30mph limit along long stretches between Grantown on Spey and Ballater. There is also Pylon/contra flow along the Tomintoul road. Lastly, there is now no fuel at the Spittal as the pumps have been removed.

Day 2 covers the best bits of this road :-)

Ahh thanks for the heads up :thumright: I may stick with you lot after all! Was just thinking i'll probably be too rough to do the sunday run and gotta head home afterwards unfortunately. I'll try and be up for the sunday ride though :)

So how come the roads have 30 limits up there? Are the roads knackered and getting repaired? Looks like nice fast open roads on google, whos bright idea was that!?

MisterTommyH

13-06-11, 01:20 PM

Bl00dy hell! Was planning to come back on Sunday, but that route looks good. Gonna have to see if I can book another day off now!

Bibio

13-06-11, 05:27 PM

to be honest i'm going to do the Lecht as i hate 'there and back' runs. but after ft billy i'm doing a little detour past Neptune's and the Commando then play catch up over the Laggan.

christopher

13-06-11, 07:26 PM

Don't be too hasty now. That route's too good to just do once.
Maybe. If there are large sections of contraflow and enforced low speed limits I'll probably stick with the group. Before posting up I did check Travel Scotland (http://trafficscotland.org/) and BBC Travel News for Scotland (http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/scotland/) and neither showed anything at all which is why I thought about it.

I mean I'm sure they're good roads on the route (wouldn't be picked otherwise) but travelling 300 miles to ride 4 roads in one direction, and the same again in another doesn't appeal much. I guess I just thought it would maybe show off some roads which you wouldn't necessarily pick from a map after people saying the GM is a riders weekend. Like showing off some hidden gems you wouldn't otherwise know about.

I'm not really one to speak as I've not done the roads before so they might be amazing and may want to do them over and over. But showing off a variation of what the area offers is my preferred way of doing things then people can pick/choose what they want to do again in their own time.

That's a bit longer and reads more rant like than I hoped, it's not meant to be too negative and it is just my thoughts - so not wanting (let alone expecting) anything to be changed. Just one to voice an opinion, whether it's taken as good or bad :) Sure it'll be a great weekend no matter what and I'm not complaining here!

yorkie_chris

13-06-11, 07:45 PM

I wouldn't worry about it mate, some of the "major roads" we've been on before have been bloody awesome. I can see what you mean but I am not concerned in slightest.

Blue Flame

13-06-11, 09:22 PM

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

-Ralph-

13-06-11, 10:18 PM

I can't do that kind of mileage this time due to injury and my wife on pillion, and won't be able to hang around for the Sunday ride, need to get back home.

The A82 and A9 are both roads I know far too well from having to drive them on a far too regular basis for work in the car. They became personal hates of mine, a bit like the sound of your alarm clock going off in the morning. Wide, straight and busy trunk roads with tourist traffic in summer and trucks on the A9, they are the motorways of the north, but have fantastic scenery for the tourist, just that I'm not really a tourist, I've seen it a million times.

Given that Glenshee and Tomintoul are knackered, what I will probably do is come with the rideout as far as Kinlochleven loop, do the loop, then head back to the campsite via the Connel Bridge and Loch Awe, which willl be a 140 mile loop. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Killin&daddr=Kinlochleven+to:B863+to:A828+to:Main+St%2FA8 27&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFR5fYQMdSzy0_ymb90KTE C6JSDGEF3qe6tWDEQ%3BFRkKYQMdwWOx_w%3BFbh4XQMdirmt_ w%3BFV6gXQMdMBy-_w&hl=en&mra=mi&mrsp=4&sz=12&sll=56.460025,-4.254799&sspn=0.12311,0.41851&ie=UTF8&ll=56.531471,-4.843597&spn=0.491511,1.674042&z=10 Anyone who fancies that I'm very happy to lead the way back to the campsite, albeit at a very steady pace, but I guess anyone who wants to cut the ride that short will be a newbie or carrying pillion anyway.

Maybe I'll do some roads local to Loch Tay and up towards Pitlochry in the afternoon having dropped the wife off at the campsite, but I'll see how I feel.

independentphoto

13-06-11, 11:11 PM

After all that time, all I can say is- sigh. Seriously tempted not to bother at all.

Blue Flame

14-06-11, 07:29 AM

Just to add a wee bit of detail. The campsite are reserving an area for us that is nice wee spot with a couple of fixed barbecue points.

Maps and further info will be available from the Friday so don't worry about printing these off yourself.

Quedos

14-06-11, 02:23 PM

OPTIONAL LOOP: (Kinlochleven Loop)
Wait point is North Ballachullish Services. This is approximately 30-35 min stop/detour. TEC will stay with this group.

route is there and back.

Apologies - didn't see this,:smt053 though clarify for me are you doing it twice(leaving and returning to service) because that will be a longer delay than 30mins looking at the mileage and factoring in possible newbies that want to do it.

and yet we wait and yes i'm impatient.
simple enough question though I'm not sure whether stuarty is on 3-4 times a day or only occasionally as said in two different threads?:confused::confused:

Blue Flame

14-06-11, 02:33 PM

It is safe for you to assume that it will be one loop for those that are going and if they wish to do it again then they may well do so on the way back after Aviemore. We will suck it and see on the day.

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 02:49 PM

Just to say that, there is no obligation for anyone to do the rideout or any part of it. It is also entirely your choice if you want to do your own detours. It's entirely your choice if you want to do any loops twice.

SV4ME, Christopher - it's entirely up to you guys if you want to do the loop all the way round - I'm only passing on what me and Dean discovered when we did the recce last week. The roadworks may or may not be there on the day. I can't see any mention on the traffic websites but on the Lecht we were sat with the engines turned off while they were moving pylons into place. I don't know if this is classed as roadworks or not so it may be why it's not listed? The 30mph stretch was a mystery tbh. It seemed to go on for miles and there was no work going on. IIrc it was the stretch between Tomintoul and Bridge of Brown. There was definitely no fuel pumps at Spittal of Glenshee and this is a refuelling point so you would need to be mindful of this. There is fuel at Braemar but they sometimes close early on Saturdays.

Christopher - I promise you that the route was definitely not picked from a map. They have been well ridden. As I said, Dean and me did the loop and it is simply too long for the majority of riders. If any of you can keep up with Dean then bear in mind it took us about 7 hours with only 4 short stops and we cut out the stretch from Killin to Dunkeld. Ideally, we would do the full loop but with 40+ riders, fuel and lunch stops, people might be in the saddle for between 10-11 hours. It isn't fair on less able or less experienced riders and we have to cater for the majority. Bear in mind also that if it rains on the day, it will be very long indeed and going across the Lecht in the rain is no fun at all.

On day 1, the stretch between Spean Bridge and Aviemore is 52 miles of pretty much non stop twisties. The last time we did this as a group the people who had never done it before were amazed and everyone wanted to do it all over again. If you're not grinning from ear to ear at the end of this stretch I will eat my lid.

On day 2, there is a very wide mix of roads including zig zags, switchbacks, rough gnarly and flowing roads. So this covers two days of varying roads and is very much a riders weekend.

As I said above, there's no obligation on your part but I'm only giving you as much information as possible so that you can make your own decision should you want to do your own thing. :-)

Quedos

14-06-11, 02:53 PM

Thanks Grant - appreciate that.

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 03:03 PM

and yet we wait and yes i'm impatient.
simple enough question though I'm not sure whether stuarty is on 3-4 times a day or only occasionally as said in two different threads?:confused::confused:

The Kinlochleven loop is once only and the stop will be for approx 30-35 minutes. There to Kinlochleven and back to the service station.

It's optional on the return journey depending on how people feel.

The Guru

14-06-11, 03:11 PM

There was the couple of cycle road races up that way a couple of weeks ago.. Could the 30mph be a left over from that?

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 03:14 PM

There was the couple of cycle road races up that way a couple of weeks ago.. Could the 30mph be a left over from that?

Interesting! The signs were dotted all along the road for quite a distance. They also looked permament? Maybe a new restriction between villages. OR maybe the pylon works? I'll see what I can find out. :-)

-Ralph-

14-06-11, 03:16 PM

On day 1, the stretch between Spean Bridge and Aviemore is 52 miles of pretty much non stop twisties.

Stu, have you got your route link correct on the OP? Of that 52 miles, it shows 18 miles of A9 in that route, which ain't twisties. Are you taking them up the A9 or should the route show the A86 to Kingussie, then one of the B roads up to Aviemore?

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 03:17 PM

Can I just say to everyone that if anyone needs any information in a hurry then please see this thread here (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=161514)post #1. I've mentioned this several times. I have said that I will reply quicker by PM, txt or email rather than go through forum posts. My settings do not subscribe me to all threads so I don't get notifications. I do get txts and emails quickly. HTH

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 03:19 PM

Stu, have you got your route link correct on the OP? Of that 52 miles, it shows 18 miles of A9 in that route, which ain't twisties. Are you taking them up the A9 or should the route show the A86 to Kingussie, then one of the B roads up to Aviemore?

You're looking at the cut off route for those that want to go back to the campsite. There's no a9 on the way up.

The Spean Bridge to Aviemore route is http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Spean+Bridge&daddr=57.0790667,-3.9952988+to:Aviemore&hl=en&geocode=Fd8VZAMd7ea0_yklT0Exl8iOSDHJPp59BWdkAg%3BF Rr1ZgMdXgnD_ykhpodH_1qPSDFR3W_cGWgMEw%3BFYK3aAMdp5 PF_ylh3AtuWfGFSDEDcpvVHNHdMw&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&sll=57.054549,-3.875427&sspn=0.166548,0.672226&ie=UTF8&ll=57.146671,-3.722992&spn=0.166134,0.672226&z=11

Edit: Col - can you post on here what you are seeing? I'm not seeing any of what you're describing. Yes it's the B roads to Aviemore

Cheers

TamSV

14-06-11, 03:31 PM

Ralph's right enough - I'm seeing a big chunk of A9 in that linky. I didn't notice that - just assumed we were staying on the A86 (which is presumably the intention).

The route in that link cuts off towards the A9 at Drumgask, bypassing Newtonmore/Kingussie.

-Ralph-

14-06-11, 04:07 PM

Yep, click on the link in your OP and zoom in to Kingussie area, you get this. Thought that had to be wrong from what you were saying.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Killin&daddr=fort+william+to:Aviemore&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFW78YgMdZwiy_ykbAxw3I zOJSDEhSFQI4z6gzQ%3BFYK3aAMdp5PF_ylh3AtuWfGFSDEDcp vVHNHdMw&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=56.827939,-5.41626&sspn=1.340544,5.377808&ie=UTF8&ll=57.107911,-3.946838&spn=0.242004,0.837021&z=11

-Ralph-

14-06-11, 04:10 PM

Fixed it for you, edit your OP and paste in this link instead.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Killin&daddr=fort+william+to:57.054932,-4.145522+to:57.0987,-3.94696+to:Aviemore&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFW78YgMdZwiy_ykbAxw3I zOJSDEhSFQI4z6gzQ%3BFdSWZgMdjr7A_ynBXP8V40WPSDHAi2 3cGWgMEw%3BFcxBZwMdMMbD_ykPAOErxVuPSDGA2m_cGWgMEw% 3BFYK3aAMdp5PF_ylh3AtuWfGFSDEDcpvVHNHdMw&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=11&via=2,3&sll=57.046706,-4.009323&sspn=0.242403,0.837021&ie=UTF8&ll=56.824933,-4.070435&spn=0.975396,3.348083&z=9

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 04:58 PM

The route doesn't take in Feshie Bridge Colin. There seems to be some snap issue with Google maps on my PC. We are basically going along the A86 which joins the B9152 into Aviemore.

I've edited the OP and had it checked on several PCs for the zoom details. I've also added a bing maps equivalent.

Note: The route does not take in the A9.

haggis

14-06-11, 05:54 PM

Phew, I noticed that too. I'm glad you guys have it in hand.

As a slight alteration just for the hell of it, could it maybe take in Coylumbridge/Feshiebridge/Ruthven on the return leg, rejoining the A86 at Kingussie perhaps? Just a suggestion, I'm happy doing either road and appreciate your efforts.

The whole route posted is well worth doing twice, so well done chaps. Now I'm off to check out the Sunday route. :-D

mabozzar

14-06-11, 06:18 PM

Ralph... you said ye wir sick o they Northern Motorway routes...Yers Me too. i have been up an around Glencoe area fur years., but what I will say is if you want a trundle around with your wife on the back,, can I suggest this...Stuarty.. please dont think I`m messing anything up that youve planned Please..

Leaving Killin, head back on to the A82 heading to an thru Crainlarich. pass the green welly at Tyndrum... then take the Left for Oban... head to Oban, then around the coast road leading you back to ballahulish bridge, Awesome roads an scenery...carry on heading into Kinlockleven[the Loop] the high road is quite amazin...the roads are good too,,, but the Low road out of Kinloichleven is AWESOME.. an very nice scenery near the end of it... then turn left, over the bridge...head on down thru GLENCOE and after you pass teh Bridge of Orchy Hotel... take a Right, to GLEN ORCHY.. what a road..its a tight road hugging the water all the way to the end,,, an mind stop at the Falls of Orchy ...very nice... this is a 40mph road..when you come to the end...turn left,, that`l take you to the Green welly..an follow yer nose back to Killin...

or if you get as far as Fort william wi the Gang.... head down the Malaig Road, to the white sands of Morrar.. that is an awesome road.. but unfotuantly its a dead end road.. you need to come back up that... then you could take the road on the right heading the otherside of the water all along to you come to the ferry crossing to CORAN...its £4 an takes 5 mins, then head back down to the bridge then go the Oban Road the other way with the water on yer right... a fast road, awesome scenery.......

You Mentioned something about the Commando memorial... if you where that far up.. you could carry on to Invergarry... then head towards the Skye road...around 8 miles fae Invergarry,, theres a small road on your left to TOMDOUN..its a 35 Miles dead end road..again theil probably be no one on it,, but its a small road,, for trundling... at yer own pace.. an the scenery is just mind blowing leading you to BARRISDALE BAY,, park the bike an walk a mile to the Bay... around the track you will NOT be dissapointed in this road..

if not this time.. maybe do it some other time..but sayin all that there is nice roads all around the North... even if ye just went to SKYE, an playe around there for a few days to a week.. yed love it.. BUT IMHO... the Roads dont get GOOD till around 40 miles North of Fort william on the West coast.. all the way up an around onto the top coast is awesome... ave been on mayny a grat road up North... it is a shame an a bit sad furme to say,, that from Callander to Fortwilliam,,, ave done itthat many times.. am sick o it.....sad eh !!! but whatever ye choose.. ye`l enjoy... but if its raining....seriously... jist stay in yer tent... I kid not....

-Ralph-

14-06-11, 06:28 PM

route stuff

Cheers mate. I pretty much know all the roads there are to ride around Scotland, originally from Kirkcaldy, and though I grew up as a child and went to University in England, free rent with family and no money bought me running home with my tail between my legs to Fife, and I stayed in Scotland for about 12 years, until moving south again 2 years ago.

I won't go further than Ballahulish, and the Oban route you suggested is basically what I am going to do in reverse. I've never been up the Glen Orchy road though, so I might do that on the way back by turning left after Dalmally.

Kilted Ginger

14-06-11, 07:18 PM

The Guru

14-06-11, 07:32 PM

:winner:

mabozzar

14-06-11, 07:36 PM

YES a huge thanks fae me too.. i was only suggesting to Colin some roads,,as he`s been there an done it so many times like maself... I even let stuarty know that I wasnt meaning to Digress fae the route that he an a few others have taken the time an effort to sort out... there was NO tuppence worth fae me to lodge bad Vibes on the weekend...sorry if I offendd you or anyone else,,I didnt an Dont mean to.. but this was jist a short ride around fur them that didnt want tae tag along an maybe do their own thing.... as trhere will be plenty o time tae catych up at the site, an the pub an stuff...................

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 09:52 PM

Cheers KG :-)

Mabozzar no worries. I quite like the look of those roads for another day :-)

-Ralph-

14-06-11, 09:56 PM

People, the guys organising this have spent a lot of time , effort and money, planning, riding and checking and riding these roads to make the day go smoothly and for everyone to enjoy it. Now is not the time to start suggesting alternatives, no matter how well intentioned.

HUGE Thanks to all the organisers for their efforts.

Agreed, the ride out route is the ride out route and people have put a lot of effort into creating it. "Why don't we do this instead?" at this point isn't helpful (not you Mabozzar I know that wasn't your intention, it's just a general comment).

However, coming back from Aviemore using the return route will still be 210 miles, so I don't think a few more drop out points is a bad thing so long as they don't change or inconvenience the ride-out route that has been decided upon.

So my offer stands, I'll still be going the way I said I would at Ballachulish (which is on the rideout route), and I'll be happy to lead people back if there are those who feel for whatever reason that they can't or don't want to go on. The organisers would just need to make people aware at Ballachulish of who I am and that the option is open to them, as visitors following along, they may not be aware of their whereabouts.

Hope that helps

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 10:00 PM

After all that time, all I can say is- sigh. Seriously tempted not to bother at all.

As it's clear you're dissatisfied with this year's GM then it's best that you don't go. Please remove yourself from the list so we can inform the campsite and give the space to another member that is in support of the GM.

sv4me

14-06-11, 10:00 PM

SV4ME, Christopher - it's entirely up to you guys if you want to do the loop all the way round - I'm only passing on what me and Dean discovered when we did the recce last week. The roadworks may or may not be there on the day. I can't see any mention on the traffic websites but on the Lecht we were sat with the engines turned off while they were moving pylons into place. I don't know if this is classed as roadworks or not so it may be why it's not listed? The 30mph stretch was a mystery tbh. It seemed to go on for miles and there was no work going on. IIrc it was the stretch between Tomintoul and Bridge of Brown. There was definitely no fuel pumps at Spittal of Glenshee and this is a refuelling point so you would need to be mindful of this. There is fuel at Braemar but they sometimes close early on Saturdays.

Christopher - I promise you that the route was definitely not picked from a map. They have been well ridden. As I said, Dean and me did the loop and it is simply too long for the majority of riders. If any of you can keep up with Dean then bear in mind it took us about 7 hours with only 4 short stops and we cut out the stretch from Killin to Dunkeld. Ideally, we would do the full loop but with 40+ riders, fuel and lunch stops, people might be in the saddle for between 10-11 hours. It isn't fair on less able or less experienced riders and we have to cater for the majority. Bear in mind also that if it rains on the day, it will be very long indeed and going across the Lecht in the rain is no fun at all.

On day 2, there is a very wide mix of roads including zig zags, switchbacks, rough gnarly and flowing roads. So this covers two days of varying roads and is very much a riders weekend

Can't say fairer than that :)

I'm well up for a marathon ride on the saturday as i'll probably have to miss out on sundays fun to get back home :( but totally agree it would be wrong to EXPECT the group to do it. Either way, should be a great day and i'm praying for sun :D

On day 1, the stretch between Spean Bridge and Aviemore is 52 miles of pretty much non stop twisties. The last time we did this as a group the people who had never done it before were amazed and everyone wanted to do it all over again. If you're not grinning from ear to ear at the end of this stretch I will eat my lid.

Shut up, just shut up....you had me at 52 miles of twisties :smt031 lol

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 10:08 PM

Shut up, just shut up....you had me at 52 miles of twisties :smt031 lol
I did resist the urge to say I would eat my helmet ;-) TAXI!!!!!!

sv4me

14-06-11, 10:15 PM

Quite a talent if you could :o lol no need to take such drastic measures, i'm sure them roads are great!

-Ralph-

14-06-11, 10:17 PM

Quite a talent if you could :o lol no need to take such drastic measures, i'm sure them roads are great!

Careful! Stuarty will start telling you how he'd not have to bend too far to reach ;)

stuartyboy

14-06-11, 10:23 PM

Careful! Stuarty will start telling you how he'd not have to bend too far to reach ;)

On a good day - I'm getting old lol

sv4me

14-06-11, 10:24 PM

Well this threads taken a turn for the worse

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/6/20/noopassthemi128584756925535236.jpg

fenjer

14-06-11, 10:28 PM

surely all this chat should be in the idle banter thread... not the details thread.

-Ralph-

14-06-11, 10:31 PM

surely all this chat should be in the idle banter thread... not the details thread.

I blame the organiser.

sv4me

14-06-11, 10:34 PM

I also blame the tripod

markc123

15-06-11, 09:18 AM

Just seen its now 2 days - awesome! Monday be booked off work ;-)

Blue Flame

15-06-11, 07:37 PM

Hi there.

A gentle :smt064

By my reckoning the majority of you still have to indicate a preference in the polls for food.

"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)"

The Polls will close on Friday so that we can contact the owners of the establishments with an idea of numbers.

Thanks for listening :joker:

stuartyboy

23-06-11, 12:29 PM

FINAL UPDATE

Grant will have printed maps for everyone with photos showing the street view of the stop offs. This is just a reminder for those who want familiarise themselves with the stops.

The stop offs are as follows:

1. Lix Toll - starting here so everyone has a full tank of Fuel.
2. North Ballahulish Services. This is for those wishing to do the Kinlochleven loop (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=A82&daddr=56.70046,-5.18661+to:Kinlochleven+to:Glencoe,+Ballachulish+t o:North+Ballachulish,+Fort+William&hl=en&ll=56.700452,-5.186311&spn=0.005301,0.021007&sll=56.701054,-5.187263&sspn=0.005254,0.021007&geocode=FSwuYQMdztuw_w%3BFSwuYQMdztuw_yldNgUqPjaJS DFA-U_iGWgMEw%3BFR5fYQMdSzy0_ymb90KTEC6JSDGEF3qe6tWDEQ %3BFTboYAMdTCWy_yl1syl76jCJSDHnMhfC8-Dc0Q%3BFZwYYQMdnfGw_ylD7_osQjaJSDEwVbw2np4eaA&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=16&via=1&t=h&z=16) Note: Please do not detour from this or make any suggestions about stopping at Glencoe. We have done this specifically as the single stop. Last year there was confusion at the Ballachulish roundabout and people went along the A828.
3. Fort William Car Park for regroup. This is the first car park on the left at the roundabout into the town.
4. Aviemore Tescos - Everyone can make their own arrangement for lunch, however, Roos Leap does some fantastic food.

Return journey are the same stops with an extra stop at The Green Welly Tyndrum.

Route day 1

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Killin&daddr=fort+william+to:B9152+to:Aviemore+to:Feshieb ridge+to:Station+Rd%2FB970&hl=en&ll=57.042224,-3.669434&spn=0.666417,2.688904&sll=57.07079,-3.983574&sspn=0.083237,0.336113&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFW78YgMdZwiy_ykbAxw3I zOJSDEhSFQI4z6gzQ%3BFfAjZwMdkdbC_w%3BFYK3aAMdp5PF_ ylh3AtuWfGFSDEDcpvVHNHdMw%3BFZeHZwMdfIfE_ym9DV8VOV mPSDHwW993HGgMCg%3BFXb3ZgMdPCXC_w&mra=ls&t=h&z=9 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Killin&daddr=fort+william+to:B9152+to:Aviemore+to:Feshieb ridge+to:Newtonmore&hl=en&ll=57.06911,-3.878174&spn=0.665935,2.688904&sll=57.084784,-3.747711&sspn=0.332825,1.344452&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFW78YgMdZwiy_ykbAxw3I zOJSDEhSFQI4z6gzQ%3BFfAjZwMdkdbC_w%3BFYK3aAMdp5PF_ ylh3AtuWfGFSDEDcpvVHNHdMw%3BFZeHZwMdfIfE_ym9DV8VOV mPSDHwW993HGgMCg%3BFarCZgMdBR_B_ymxTKXAKzGPSDFFrE_ ocjKW1A&mra=ls&t=h&z=9)

SUNDAY

START: 11am Lix Toll Services

ROUTE:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Killin&daddr=Lochearnhead+to:Crieff+to:dunkeld+to:Blairgo wrie+to:Braemar,+Ballater+to:Kirkmichael,+Blairgow rie+to:Pitlochry+to:Kenmore,+Aberfeldy+to:Killin&hl=en&geocode=FRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg%3BFeleXAMdnpS-_ymLhBTpmuSISDHNvqXUdhpnvg%3BFe0wXAMdEFzF_ymvCcBDT iaGSDFXiKisCzg-Jg%3BFXUdXwMdskrJ_yk9r5Ef6hCGSDEI12fLdHmIZA%3BFX6J XwMdGg3N_ykFX9iRx_2FSDEuGTrT_hphTQ%3BFWjXZQMdCCfM_ ynD0-npWOSFSDFNeoNqkRaN1w%3BFS2JYQMdYIbK_ymHvgGMZgWGSDG 2fszAsVGXeQ%3BFXBAYQMdrgnH_ymxa-dVkQKGSDF-QBA0KRGWgA%3BFWBrXwMd7vrC_ykD7LaaoLyISDEcua17k0V0w g%3BFRGhXQMdlRy-_ynJcMdUYJWISDGGRyvLOhCjZg&mra=ls&sll=56.688294,-3.387222&sspn=0.168187,0.672226&ie=UTF8&z=9

1st REGROUP:
Crieff Services

LUNCH/REFUEL: Braemar

RETURN REGROUP:
Pitlochry Services

Return to camp site.