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For some reason the idea of riding to scotland and riding back the next day popped into my head. Might have something to do with a recent performance increase in my bike. Or maybe i had a stroke? :smt017
Am i mad?
yes, and performance increase?? errrrrrrrrrmmmm
Spank86
24-09-12, 06:01 PM
No, but it'll hurt.
I've ridden 1500 miles in one 36 hour stint before so a quick (sub) 500 miles would be fine but you're going to feel the pain during the ride.
I do have this amazing OAP style air bubble seat clip on i can use :D
Spank86
24-09-12, 06:14 PM
That might help part of the pain but after 4 hours or more you get aches in your lower back, your wrists and your knees.
Basically I wouldn't try to just up and do it like I did, you might want to try a few mid length rides first, oh and sort our your hunchback seating position.
thing is i did bodmin which was 7 hour stints, did hurt but meh. if it hurts i stop :P
IVE GOT THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE IN MEEE.
I should just go and waste my money on a tenere and paint it orange
Spank86
24-09-12, 06:17 PM
Go for it then. I just kept riding through it so I know It can be done either with strength of body or mind.
ive got a few days really untill i ened to start sorting college out and/or work.
Only problem is its meant to be pelting it down
Spank86
24-09-12, 06:19 PM
Yeah, cold hurts too.
Sometime in the second day I got a dead arm from the constant windblast, think that was the MOST painful bit.
littleoldman2
24-09-12, 06:20 PM
Yes you're mad. To reach Scotland then not ride the best roads in GB before going home would be a SIN. Plenty of people on here to tap up about sofa space. HTH
:/ you werent on your triumph were you? cause if so i can see that being interesting...
Any ideas of anything closer i could ride to? Lake district?
Spank86
24-09-12, 06:22 PM
Yup, not the optimum set up for it but it did the job.
A fairing would certainly help.
Some of the roads in and around the lake district/Yorkshire dales looks Beautiful!
Drive to where we did the pub stop on Saturday then turn North West. Through the Cotswolds and into Wales. Fantastic roads and saves the huge slog up the country.
Only issue is i cant remember the route for the life of me and have no sat nav equipment. I'd be kinda winging it
Spank86
24-09-12, 06:30 PM
Not even a smart phone?
Ive got a smart phone but with gps on the battery life would probably only be good for a couple of hours
Spank86
24-09-12, 06:39 PM
Get a cheapo cigarette lighter attachment for the bike battery, I've got one under my seat.
A339 - Newbury then look for B4000 towards Swindon turn right just before Swindon and then look for Wales.
You really need a week or more to get the best out of Scotland, not including a days travel each way to get there and back.
The Peak district, Wales and the Lakes would be more achievable but not by much if you really want to enjoy it.
Thanks for the input everyone. Im only really looking for a short journey just to escape for a day or two. This'll be my first superlong ride alone anyway so that's a challenge in itself
The Idle Biker
24-09-12, 06:58 PM
I want to go ride in Scotland it looks amazing, but no way could I do motorway on a bike all the way up there. Soooo boring. I think I'd put my bike on trailer or in a van, and drive it up.
At least you can have a few beers on the go.
'At least you can have a few beers on the go.'
Your funeral.
Might consider this on the weekend if the weather improves. Dont mind the cold but mid week seems to be just constant showers
Thunderace
24-09-12, 07:04 PM
I think I'd put my bike on trailer or in a van, and drive it up. At least you can have a few beers on the go.
Really!:(
Spank86
24-09-12, 07:05 PM
It'd suggest making the journey part of the trip.
That's the aim Spank haha. I dont have a week spare so it makes sense
Don't ride that bike to Scotland mate, it's the same colour as Iron Bru. All the Jockenese people will try and nick it and put it in their whiskey/vodka.
-Ralph-
24-09-12, 07:41 PM
Gone up on a Friday and back on a Sunday night a few times now. Also done Northern Ireland twice now as well.
One of those trips was home to Londonderry via the Antrim coastal route, which was 500 miles in a day.
If your going to take a nice route up and give yourself 12 hours plus for the journey, and then take a different route down the next day, then go for it, why not.
The key to not hurting is stop every hour whether you feel you need to or not, then a 450 mile trip averaging 50mph, just becomes 7 individual legs of 1 hour each, and easy to fit into a 12 hour day.
Personally though, I'd take a Friday off work, ride up the scenic route, spend the best part of two days in Scotland, and motorway it home on the Sunday night. You'd be getting home early hours of Monday morning, and you'd be knackered, but it'd be worth it.
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