Any southerners going to GMIV?

I really really want to go!

I can't confirm for definate until closer the time due to work but assuming I can...

Never will I have travelled that kind of distance before on the road in one go (furthest for me so far was from Harlow to AR10).

How long do you reckon it will take from Harlow to GMIV? I know some of you would do it in a day, but I really dont fancy doing it in 1 day - at least I dont think so. Although if I did it in a day, I'd save on a night's accomodation.

I used Google Maps to route from Harlow to Glencoe and it placed the journey at ~500 miles and 8 /12hour stint, on the M6. Sore ass or what

Reckon it will take that long? Those of you who I went to AR10 with - how long did that take us, all in all?

This will obviously affect how many days I need to try and get off work also.

Thoughts?

[keith_d]

It's roughly twice as far as AR10, which took us about half a day at a fairly leisurely pace.

Allowing for meal breaks, roadworks, etc. I'd budget a whole day to get up to Scotland. That's nine hours in the saddle, three hours of breaks, two hours delayed in traffic, and an hour taking a detour because you can't stand any more motorway.

But I'm sure Rictus can probably give you a better estimate. He probably did it before breakfast yesterday.

Keith.

[rictus01]

all a question of planning and endurance really, if it was me I'd set off at 11pm, m25,m40,m6, fairly dead that time of night I've done Penrith in 6hrs*(flying petrol/toilet stops), but that's a fairly brisk pace, after that you have both the advantage of daylight kicking in and the disadvantage of fatigue which will mean more frequent stops,so it'd be breakfast and then 60-70 mph average for the next 200 miles, if you don't know your tolerance (and it sounds like you don't) then it'll probably take you at least 8 hours to Penrith, and another 4hrs to Glencoe.


* not that I'd advocate anything other than legal speeds of course.....

Cheers guys.

Never even considered setting off at night actually, although I fear I'd get sooo tired and be buggered for a place to kip if I really needed one lol.

Or not be able to find a 24hr petrol station...

If I went on my own I'd only do quick stops, not much point hanging around. But you're right as usual, I have no idea how I'll hold up on that distance on a bike. I know for a fact I'd fall asleep in the cage.

Sounds like the best plan is to not rush it too much and plan for an overnight stay half way then to be honest, possibly somewhere round Lancaster way...

Thanks guys.

[Dave20046]

could consider a stop with an en-route orger? We set off from sheffield at about 9am for the GM2 and got there about 9pm ...but if you follow a map I'm convinced it'd be much much faster . Last year was muchos bearable if I remember rightly...infact I can't remember the trip at all which is probably a good thing.

Hmm, possibly. Wouldnt want to put anyone out though! I'll definately have the sat nav on me as well!

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by hongman

Hmm, possibly. Wouldnt want to put anyone out though! I'll definately have the sat nav on me as well!

~That was a joke about following a map - there was a lot of general fannying about / meeting other orgers/ breaks, good day still. - Just remembered I went up with andybrad and tonyS last year and it was most enjoyable/direct
I have no idea what my circumstances will be or if I'll even have a bike but I'm sure people will be formulating plans nearer the time.

[sv4me]

I'm planning on going this year, would be happy to put you up for the night Hong if you wanted to break the trip up. We've got a spare room and sofas, my girlfriends a mean cook and if shes away with work I order a mean takeaway

Google says its 265 from mine to Tyndrum trudging up the M6. I was thinking of making it 300, heading off early taking the scenic route upto Gretna and then blitzing the rest of the way up the motorway. Works out about 150 of fun roads and then 150 mway miles.

Let me know if any of that appeals nearer the time. Offers open to other southern softies too

Dave

[Bibio]

+1 about travelling at night so you hit the border around lunch time then have a good break. once over the border its a doddle. i would also try and get some miles under your belt first to see how you get on, for instance going runs on a weekend/days off and cover about 150-250 miles on that day its better to say 'i'll go to xy place today its only 90 miles away' then come back a different route. if you dont enjoy it or get really tired then its probebly better to stopping halfway and staying overnight at a willing orgers house.

[dizzyblonde]

if you are to join up with anyone, go as a SMALL group, or it gets a long and slow journey. Instead of choosing to wait if folk fall off the radar, make sure everyone knows of a point/place where you can regroup if such happens.

I'm more inclined to do it on my own, its quicker, but then I'm accustomed to being able to get 250 miles done in less than 4 hrs...like Bibio says, you need to build up your stamina for long trips by riding out on your own for long periods whenever you can.
In 2008 I travelled to Scotland, Essex twice, Devon, Wales and Derbyshire once a week for kicks, from Halifax On my own...improved my riding 200%, but then I was still used to doing long journeys anyway with other people.