I made it to Scotland!
 

Well, not quite.

The weather was miles better yesterday than it is today, so I set off from home at 08.30. I've been meaning to head for Keilder Forest Park, so yesterday was as good a day as any.

I went up the A1 and came off just after Jn49. Took the A6108 through Masham and on to Leyburn. Lovely, fast road. I carried on the A6108 to Richmond. What an amazing road! I was so tempted to turn back and do it again, but decided time was not on my side, so carried on to Barnard Castle via the A66. Boring.

From Barnard Castle, I took the B6278 to Egglestone and carried on to Stanhope. Wow! Wow! Wow! The views over Bollihope Common are breathtaking. A fantastic road. Hardly any traffic. Absolute bliss.

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Then on to a poncy little village called Blanchland. I was going to stop and have lunch here but decided against it. It all seemed a bit too posh for the likes of me.

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I then took the B6306 to Hexham, where I stopped for a quick bite at a petrol station. :D
Then on to Bellingham via the B6320. Another great road, but I was stuck the wole way behind a load of Harley Davidson Hells Angels type bikers. I didn't dare to overtake them. There were so many I would have had to overtake them one at a time so I chickened out and plodded behind them and their side cars.:)

Then on to Keilder.

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I carried on through the Park. I didn't stop long here as it looked like a storm was brewing and I was a long way from home. I'll definitely go back some time and stay over a couple of nights.

I carried on out of Keilder Park, heading for Newcastleton, so when I arrived at this sign, I was completely thrown. I assumed I must be heading the wrong way, but looking at my map, I could only see one way out of the Park (without having to go back via Bellingham).

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So I turned around and stepped back into England.

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Got as far as Keilder Village before I realised that my route was correct and if I carried on, I would arrive in Newcastleton, so I turned around, again, and headed for Scotland.:D The road finally joined up with the B6357 which took me to Longtown. Another fabulous road! Carried on through Carlisle and took the A6 to Penrith. Boring!

From Penrith, I decided I'd had enough and wanted to get home the quickest way, so took the A66 to Scotch Corner then down the A1.

351 bum numbing miles.

I didn't stop to take as many photos this time as the route was far too long for the time available.

I'll definitely be doing it again, but with at least one overnight stop somewhere.

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

wow imense!!! love it. :)

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

Your getting real hardcore these days.

Bet your bum is like iron

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

I remember that road (or one very like it) from Bluepete taking me up north. Superb roads up there.

Looks like a really good ride out.

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

:notworthy: from this day forward you shall be known as Lady Iron Butt

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

Looks great Melody

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

Immense but exhausting!

Yep. Buns of steel me.:smt045

This particular road is just fab. Next opportunity and I'm heading back there.

LOL. I've got an image in my head of Margaret Thatcher on an SV!

Thanks Lily. x

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

would she dare go within 100 miles of any one that may have worked in a northern pit.
with norman tebbit on his bike

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

Ahh doh i was going to ride to Kielder yesterday but changed my mind at last minute wish i had gone now, i could of said hello.

Re: I made it to Scotland!
 

I love the borders, my mum lives up in Hawick, the roads are a great excuse to visit, not that one's needed. Looks like the weather held nicely for you :D