Cheshire to Scotland (Advice needed)

Hi guys

I'm heading up to Callander (between Glasgow and Edinburgh) next weekend for a family holiday (they're all going in the car and I'm taking the bike (I want to play while we're up there).

Basically, i'm after advice on what roads I should take on the ride up (coming from just SE of Manchester) and where I should go while I'm there (hopefully will be there all week).

Those of you who know me, know I like my twisties, so I should be in heaven, but where do you recommend?

Last, but not least, is there anyone who fancies meeting up either on the way or while i'm up there?

Ask Northwind for the Glencoe Massacre route we did last year, cos we stopped at Callander as part of the route and it was excellent

[appollo1]

I'm heading up to Callendar next friday so if you will be there then, PM me and we can meet up.

[JamesMio]

The direct route is M6 to Carlisle, then M74 to Glasgow then M80(I think!?) from Glasgow to Stirling then across to Callander.

Depending on how much of a diversion you're willing to take, there are some truly awesome roads round my way that you could take in as an alternative to the M74.

Option 1 is to come off the M74 at Gretna and head to Dumfries along the low roads through Gretna & Annan etc (this is a not bad road to get you started), then from Dumfries head to either Moffat (A701) or Thornhill (A76). From either of these you have the choice of two of the best biking roads in the area - the 'Dalvene Pass', between Carronbridge (just north of Thornhill) to Abington Services, where you could re-join the M74 and continue your merry way, or if you take the Moffat option, you can head up the A701 ('Devils Beeftub') road to Edinburgh, then cut across towards Stirling/Callander way.

The Beeftub road is essentially Asphalt Porn on a bike, it's an utterly fabulous strip of tarmac and well worth the extra time it would add to your journey!

That's the SW Scotland section of your trip sorted anyway, now all you need to do is sort the bits South & North of here!

Originally Posted by JamesMio

The Beeftub road is essentially Asphalt Porn on a bike, it's an utterly fabulous strip of tarmac and well worth the extra time it would add to your journey!

So true - i used to drive the road in the car regularly - amazing and last year I went on it pillion with my OH... cant wait to get out on it on my own bike.

I already advised this in the other thread somewhere else - great minds think alike!

[JamesMio]

Suggested link - (only with my diversion on it, the rest is motorway (yawn!)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Stockport&daddr=Gretna+t o:Annan+toumfries+to:Moffat+to:Edinburgh+to:56.2 33428,-4.174805+to:A84%2FLeny+Rd&geocode=%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B% 3B%3BFWg6WgMd5I6__w&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=5&mrsp=6&sz =11&via=6&sll=56.189896,-3.876114&sspn=0.277006,0.892639&ie=UTF8&ll=54.9555 4,-2.263184&spn=2.286891,7.141113&z=8

just go straight route to callendar and then go and play on surrounding roads. wibbly wobbly and military road are only 30 minutes away

A82 then A821 I think over hill to garelochead and wibbly wobbly road to arrochar - most fun on 2 wheels, then on way back to callendar take dukes pass over hill down to aberfoyle. someone will come along with proper road names shortly

From Carlisle up ride on the old road which more or less runs alongside thr M74 and is a lot less boring and rejoin your main route at J6[Hamilton] for Stirling and Callender
Come off the motorway just past Stirling J10 on the A84 via Doune

[Quiff Wichard]

Dunna bother duck..

the roads up there are rubbish ..

Somehow I don't believe you Quiff.