Advice needed re: small trip
 

Hello,
I might be away for a few days and need some advice, mainly on fuel stops, but would appreciate some knowledge on the route and places to stay.
The tank range of the bike on twisties is 130 miles + 30 reserve. I'm thinking of looking for a hostel or something cheap.
I know I would like to head north:

DAY1
ABD - Thurso, easy, just go, fill up in Inverness and find a place to sleep in Thurso.

DAY2
Thurso - Applecross, I'm a bit worried about this one, The road looks ok (never been there). If it's a normal road, then the distance is fine.
I'd be slightly worried about petrol (Thurso to Ullapool is 140 miles, should be ok, anyone know of a petrol station opened at the weekend?). Sorry never been so far north and have heard that some places just shut down.

DAY3
Applecross- ABD, again little bother, fill up in Inverness and go back.

I'm mainly worried about day 2, I'm sure some of you know the route.
What do you think about biking + hostels? Can you recomment any?

Big thanks
Dyzio

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

Definately fuel at Kinlochewe and lochcarron, An old oil bottle 1 or 2 litre may get you out of a hole and is quite robust. The kinlochewe one shuts at 6pm i think, not sure if its open sunday, dont know about further north. You will have no mobile phone reception for large sections of that route as well mate, so if ur going alone, make sure someone knows where you are and an expected check in time.
Thurso

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

Cheers, found this: http://www.mapzit.com/PETROL/highland.htm I should be fine on the north coast, and that will get me to Ullapool.

May swap 2nd day stop for Torridon, and do Applecross if I have time, if not, it'll have to wait.

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

Petrol in Durness 01971 511209

"Mackay, is it yourself? Will you be breaking the Sabbath and opening for petrol on Sunday? Although where anyone could be going in sight of the Lord I don't know." Anyway, they're open between 10 and 2. :)

As for the road being 'normal' though, it'll be single track with passing places quite often, but you wont find grass growing on it or anything...

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

That will slow me down, just wondering if Applecross is a bit too far for 1 days riding (via that route).

:D

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

Mibbes aye, mibbes naw. I'd say make your mind up at Ullapool. If your ar$e is in tatters take the A835 (a normal road) and the A890/A896 route. Only a couple of hours that way.

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

Nope, did at least that much on consecutive days while up there, on those roads. Kinlochewe and Gairloch filling stations close early and were shut when I went past needing fuel, so make sure you know where you gonna fill up. Luckily my 200 mile tank got me out the hole (again!). Applecross petrol station is run by volunteers and so opening hours seem a bit random. It's only 17 miles from Applecross (over Bealach na Ba) to Loch Carron so you would be ok there.

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

Enjoy Dyzzy 8) , wish I had them roads near to me ....

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

Assuming Ullapool is opened, I'll be fine to Applecross, will be stoping in Tongue, Durness and Kinlochewe (better to have petrol than not to ;)).
I'll give them a call as well to see if they're opened.
It's only 380miles to Aberdeen from Sheffield ;)

Re: Advice needed re: small trip
 

The most expensive petrol in the North! (unless you can persuade him to charge you the 'locals' rate!:rolleyes:) It is also easy to miss the petrol station as it is tucked down from the road. Durness is cheaper and easier to find.