The English are coming...
 

Well, one of them is anyway! :lol:

I couldnt make it up to the Glencoe Massacre due to work and stuff, but I'm going to be staying at the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe next week, so I figured it would be a crime not to bring the SV!

I've been up that way once before but only got as far as the commando memorial at Spean Bridge, and we never really ventured off the A82, except to do the loop around Loch Leven itself, so I was hoping some of you lovely people might be able to recommend some roads around there that I can explore within a day's riding please? Sadly I'll only have 1 day where I can go for a ride :(.

If it's not far from the start of the GMII route, maybe I could just do that, if anyone still has the route saved anywhere?

Any recommendations welcome please, & if anyone wants to join me for a bimble / brew stop somewhere that'd be ace, though I don't know yet which day I'll be playing out - it'll be either Friday 4th or Saturday 5th though.

Thanks guys :D

Andy

Re: The English are coming...
 

Crazy not to go to Skye. Madness.

How does this look? Linky

Add the obvious loops to Uig and/or Dunvegan if you want more, turn right before Broadford for the bridge if you want less.

Re: The English are coming...
 

Something like this.....

Incorporated as many nice roads within the area as I could -ie. Spean Br. Invergarry, Carrbridge, Glenshee, Laggan, the southside of loch ness is a bonus! ;)

About 260miles, mostly quiet-ish roads where possible.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&so...48&ie=UTF8&z=8


Loads of options in other directions too. Mallaig/Skye/Applecross/Invegarry?
Corran/Oban/Loch Fyne/Arrochar?
Laggan/Aberfeldy/Killin/Callander/Dukes Pass (twice of course!)/Crianlarich


What I'm saying is - bring the bike - you simply cant pick a bad direction to head off into. :cool:

Re: The English are coming...
 

Make it Saturday :)

Re: The English are coming...
 

Thanks for the maps guys, I just have to decide which route to choose now! :lol:

Darren - I won't know whether it'll be Friday or Saturday pretty much until I get there and see what my mates plans are - the guys I'm going with don't ride so we'll be walking or mountain biking one of the days while we're there and then I'll be free the other day. I'll post as soon as I know what we're doing :D

Re: The English are coming...
 

Righto, still don't know which day I'll be hooning around yet, but am thinking of doing Tiger's route cos I've wanted to go to Skye for a while.

Just a question about the ferries though, what's the best thing to do, stay sat on the bike to keep it steady, or do they strap it down? I haven't been on a ferry with the bike before so a bit nervous of it tipping over! :lol:

Re: The English are coming...
 

You don't need straps on the Corran ferry. Just leave the bike in gear. It's a very short trip and the ferry doesn't go fast.
Don't know about the Mallaig ferry but they will have straps if they are needed. Just watch when they put them on the bike. Either straps or they might have those front wheel clamps. Not sure, I haven't been on the Mallaig ferry

Re: The English are coming...
 

Here we are on the Mallaig ferry, straps and protective foamy bits provided, leaving you free to roam the upper decks making pirate noises. (Not compulsory.)

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...7/DSC00459.jpg

Re: The English are coming...
 

Oh nice one. Yep, the Mallaig ferry boys are used to taking care of bikes. Gives you a chance for a well earned cuppa and caramel slice. :smt003

If you're planning wandering round these parts I'll see if I'm free and we can meet up, maybe do a lap of the Skye TT if that grabs you, lol. :cool:

Re: The English are coming...
 

One thing, the mallaig ferry can get busy, perhaps not at this time of year though.
they only have room for 10 or 12 bikes.
the last time we went over we had booked, there were a group there who haddn't and failed to get on their third ferry (all were full) so had to go back to ft william and up that way.
moght be ok at this time of year but.... just a heads up.

Re: The English are coming...
 

Eh Up Andy Lad. You should do all right up there now you are immune to the English midge. time to try out the full blown nasty scottish variety.

It is a fantastic part of the world. I stayed over a few years ago at Glenfinnan. The road up from Ft William to Mallaig, ferry over to Skye and then onward was just brilliant. I even met a full blown stag on the road. Thankfully he scarpered as soon as I appeared, legs slipping on the tarmac.

If you like your scram. a damm good meal can be found in them parts.

Re: The English are coming...
 

I had to do a double take. Misread it the first time :smt016

Re: The English are coming...
 

Just got back after an ace weekend.

I ended up going out on Friday at the last minute and followed Tiger's route, I got really lucky with the weather too considering what was happening elsewhere in Scotland with the rain this weekend! I didn't have any internet access though so couldnt let anyone know I was heading out, otherwise could have met up with one or two of you maybe...

The roads up there are just amazing, and I more or less had them to myself! The ferry from Maillaig to Skye was fine, the crew strapped the SV down and all was well. :D

I will definitely be coming back again, hopefully for a bit longer next time so that I can way up north & explore some of the islands etc.

Re: The English are coming...
 

Another satisfied customer. :-)

See you next time.

Re: The English are coming...
 

Extremely fortunate I'd say. Thursday's edition of the Daily Record had a piece about south Skye's 50 consecutive days of rain! :)

Glad you enjoyed your trip. You'll just have to join the melee for GMIII next year. There seems to be a regular after-massacre trip round the north so I'm pretty sure that'll be happening again. :cool:

Re: The English are coming...
 

GMIII is definitely high on my to-do list for next year! Combining it with a trip further north sounds like a plan to me, I'll make sure I save some annual leave at work for the occasion! 8)