Applecross Double Dash

[Bibio]

Pete got a speeding ticket... i don't believe it...

bad luck m8...

Smeggons and ourselves made good progress to the Penrith lunchtime stop where we were joined by the indefatigable Puny Express. More good progress was made up to Dawn and Hovis's place, where we were royally treated. It was nice to be able to spend a bit of time with them before heading up to Strafillan Wiggywams.

The site is pretty perfect IMO except for no local hostelery. We got ourselves sorted then rode back down to the Drovers, Smeghead taking Puny on his bike, and enjoyed a fine repast.

Early night then, fully packed, we headed off to Tydrum for the all you can eat breakfast (£5 including tea,coffee,juice) at the Lodge. First of the locals to arrive was the pipe smoking Peter(co), followed by Combatfred with Wendy somewhere amongst the luggage and KG. Brekkie dispensed with, off we set to Fort William through the mighty Glen Coe. At the regroup point, we witnessed the first sorry incident of the trip with the hooligan formally known as Peterco getting his undeserved ticket.

Undeterred, he carried on. Good man.

Off up to Fort William briefly joining the Breast Way Round rideout. Stopping to re-group we were spotted by Jillyburd and Shonadoll. Nice to meet you ladies.

Running a bit behind schedule now due to longdrawn out roadworks we had to go straight to the ferry and forego lunch in Mallaig. We had a closeish encounter with a Red Stag as it ran in front of us. The coach we had just overtaken locked up apparently fearing the worse.

At the ferry terminal, Haggis and his driver CC (CrippleCoops) were waiting. We were thankful we had booked in advance as they were turning bikes away. Over on Skye the two 4wheelers kindly took Wendy's rucksack and pointed us in the right direction for the belated lunch stop. There we were joined by Wulfie (Johnnie) on his Monster.

Decision made to curtail the island tour and bash straight on to Applecross was unamimously agreed and off we set. All except Wulfie, whose Ducati refused to start. Luckily the 4wheelers ferried him to somewhere that allowed him to pinch the fuses out of a stricken car (although the right fuses were later found in the boot of CC's Celica)

Eventually arriving at Applecross via the scary mountain road. Fog, cold hands and feet plus tight hairpins. The site was full of bikes as there was an event going on which meant there was a Hog Roast tent providing much needed nourishment. Early night for us lightweight Wigwammers, but not before Rhino came over and chatted for a while. Think he may be joining us on GM2 now as will Wulfie I believe.

For Sunday we headed up to Ullapool via spectacular roads with incredible scenery. Sadly the rain was still following us. Stopping at a view point we discovered KG had a rear puncture. Fully equipped he popped in his Tyreweld which seemed to do the trick. A quick tyre pressure check after lunch appeared to confirm that the weld was holding but KG purchased a foot pump to be on the safe side. More spirited riding ensued but as we passed KG we noticed his tyre was flat. Down to 4psi. So plan 2. Plug it. KG was carrying one of those sets too. We were in the most unwelcoming place possible with the rain lashing down and the wind gusting, but eventually job done and pumped up off we went.

Of course for poor KG that was not the end to his days trouble. We were lagging behind with CF and Wendy, making the most of a rare break in the weather and getting some scenic shots, so the first we knew of his tumble was back at the site. Fortunately KG didn't dwell on it and organised his ride home for the next day and joined in with the festivities. A meal was had at the Applecross Inn, thankfully down to CF booking a table for 11 when he arrived as the place was heaving. Fabulous food.

Monday and the rain persisted. We waved off KG, snug in his little van, and braved the mountain pass once again. Even scarier as the fog/cloud was thick in places. We headed to some castle somewhere where after more grub we said goodbye to the Islanders and headed south. A brief and wet stop at the Commando Monument and another group decision to head straight for Tyndrum, and not do any of the possible scenic detours.

At the site we made those heading on a hot drink and showed them the site and facilities. Wendy's smile said it all after having braved it in a tent, that the warm and dry prospect of a wigwam was going to be pretty much perfect.

Those of us left, Lissa, Puny, Smeggons and myself decided that a taxi down to Tyndrum and hot food was the best option even though it did cost 8 quid for a 2 mile trip. However it was the taxi drivers last night and his service will not be available for GM2-ers.

Whilst waiting for the cab I noticed my discs were covered in a slurry type substance. This turned out to be brake dust and rain. all the cooling holes were filled too. Clearing the holes with a screwdriver and then quickly popping out the pads I found that they had all worn to the limit and one pad was down to the backing plate (on getting home I checked and the pads have done less than 5K) Anyway a nice meal was enjoyed at the Lodge although we missed the carvery as that wasn't available Monday.

After some deliberation I decided we would call in at Ducati Glasgow to get and fit new pads. Dawn was contacted and directions found but even after two local drivers directed us we didn't find it so, as the most difficult part of the journey brake-wise had been done, we headed for Penrith where we were to meet Smeggons and Puny for the last time this trip.

Managed to do the 400 miles home without using my front brakes at all except two 1mph incidents. 1430 miles covered and she didn't miss a beat.

Big thank you to Haggis for the planning, Coop for being there in the car and doing TEC, KG and/or Wulfie for leading us everywhere and everybody else for keeping all our spirits up in such dire weather conditions.

Now, where's the polish?

Officially ticket was for 71 in a 60, although the officers said they had clocked him at 86. TBH i was surprissed they didnt give him a verbal considering where it was and the conditions etc. They obviously had a target for the bank holiday weekend.
Peter was at the back of the pack at this point and none of the rest of us saw them anywhere so we are assuming they came up behind him, maybe saw him in distance along one of the straights. If not then they might have pulled one of the rest of us who may have exceeded the limit whilst performing a safe overtake.
On the way back down on Monday they were parked up Here off the road on the rhs just after the bend. You could not see them southbound until you were past, very sneaky.

[punyXpress]

Now, where's the polish?[/quote]

Ploddy Hell, Peter!
We're not invading Poland this weekend are we?

Big thanks goes to:

Pete and Lissa for putting me up, feeding me and generally being very welcoming.
Haggis for organising the weekends events.
Kilted Ginger and Wulfie for the various stints leading the rideout
Coopz for not taking offence to my English humour of calling him cripple/hop-along/etc...
PunyXpress for constantly scaring the living daylights out of me every time we went under a bridge with your backfires.
And to everyone on the rideout who kept in amazingly high spirits even when the weather conspired against us.

[combatfred]

All the pics from the 1st Annual Applecross Doubledash are in here........

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=132508

Erm, actually i think this counts as the 2nd Annual Applecross Double Dash! It's just that last year I didn't get much notice, so it was Amanda, Coopz, me and our pal Libby.

But hey that's cool, thanks for adding the 'Annual' bit. No pressure on me to come up with the goods again next year, lol. Will be an honour to have u all back.

[combatfred]

Originally Posted by haggis

But hey that's cool, thanks for adding the 'Annual' bit. No pressure on me to come up with the goods again next year, lol. Will be an honour to have u all back.

Woo-hoo

Originally Posted by Seggons

Big thanks goes to:

Pete and Lissa for putting me up, feeding me and generally being very welcoming.
Haggis for organising the weekends events.
Kilted Ginger and Wulfie for the various stints leading the rideout
Coopz for not taking offence to my English humour of calling him cripple/hop-along/etc...
PunyXpress for constantly scaring the living daylights out of me every time we went under a bridge with your backfires.
And to everyone on the rideout who kept in amazingly high spirits even when the weather conspired against us.

Hope you managed to exchange your English notes for Scottish ones Seggons?!
Haha! Sorry couldn't resist! Dx

I did try but everywhere I tried just laughed at me.