Touring in the UK

Posted 04 January 2007 - 02:35 pm

A1 tips from MH!!

Edited by Pict, 04 January 2007 - 02:36 pm.

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 03:05 pm

QUOTE(Pict @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A1 tips from MH!!

Oh erm yes - avoid the A1!

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 03:20 pm

QUOTE(Minty Hippo @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh erm yes - avoid the A1!

Now if I'd said "Ace" you'd have told me to avoid cafes??

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 03:42 pm

Hope I'm not being patronising here

...but headlight flashing in scotland and the uk for that matter means "go ahead, I'm stopping or slowing to let you through".(*)

...as opposed to the rule in europe: "f%ck off, out the way I'm coming through"



Also in Skye I strongly recommend the Harbour View if you end up staying in Portree and haven't booked anything. The Harbour View don't take bookings - just turn up 5.00-5.30 to assure a table. Food is fantastic. It's basically a front sitting room you eat in. Try and get a table by the window to see over the harbour.

If you can book/plan ahead just along the road in Portree is the Bosville Chandlery restaurant. I've had possibly the best food ever there last year - seriously good food. A wee bit posh but not snooty.

Happy eating errr I mean riding...

Gaz

(* not to be confused with it's other meaning "you are a f%cking idiot" often accompanied by a blaring horn!)

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 09:01 pm

QUOTE(Pict @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 12:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Forget the tour round Loch Leven - take the Ballachulish bridge. You'll still get the best view and avoid the crap (aluminium works etc.)

all rightie then, gives us more time to do both the A82 and the A828 (and see the Glen Orchy Falls)

QUOTE(Minty Hippo @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi DK, sounds like an ace trip, look me up in Edinburgh when you're there.

We're not sure yet when we'll be in Edinburgh, depends a bit on when we take the ferry and how fast we progress... But I'll definitely give a shout on the forum when I know more.

QUOTE(Minty Hippo @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One further suggestion - when coming down from Mallaig, don't go all the way the Fort William - its not very nice and the road is dull - instead turn right at Lochailort and take the road south past Glen Uig (great wee hotel) and very scenic, mainly single track roads (Castle Tioram worth the short detour) via Strontian then a fab road to the Corran Ferry (boat goes every 30 mins, about £3 for a bike) and rejoin the main road south of Fort William. Fingers crossed for the weather!

Looks great. We will probably still make the short trip to Fort William though, if only to check how far up Ben Nevis I can park the TDM for a piccie

QUOTE(gazman @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hope I'm not being patronising here

Nah, we're used to that imperial attitude here on the mainland

QUOTE(gazman @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...but headlight flashing in scotland and the uk for that matter means "go ahead, I'm stopping or slowing to let you through".(*)

...as opposed to the rule in europe: "f%ck off, out the way I'm coming through"

(* not to be confused with it's other meaning "you are a f%cking idiot" often accompanied by a blaring horn!)

Then you should do some more touring in Belgium. Flashing headlights can mean one of the following (in order of likelihood):
- "go ahead, I'm stopping or slowing to let you through"
- watch out, speed cam ahead
- "it's dark, turn on your headlights, you moron"
- "you are a f%cking idiot" (usually the horn from * is involved as well)

QUOTE(gazman @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also in Skye I strongly recommend the Harbour View if you end up staying in Portree and haven't booked anything. The Harbour View don't take bookings - just turn up 5.00-5.30 to assure a table. Food is fantastic. It's basically a front sitting room you eat in. Try and get a table by the window to see over the harbour.

I just love seafood, we'll definitely consider the Harbour View when we're near Portree.

Yamaha XJ600S Diversion '94
Yamaha XJ900S Diversion '97
Suzuki SV650S '01
Yamaha TDM900 '04

Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré '08 + Yamaha TRX850 '97

I'll let go of my throttle when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 09:06 pm

QUOTE(duibhce Kaelann @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We will probably still make the short trip to Fort William though, if only to check how far up Ben Nevis I can park the TDM for a piccie

You should make a fair distance - all kinds of challenges have already been met, motorised and otherwise. (Best one I've heard of was to haul a piano up there.... )

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 10:06 pm

QUOTE(Pict @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 09:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You should make a fair distance - all kinds of challenges have already been met, motorised and otherwise. (Best one I've heard of was to haul a piano up there.... )

I heard about the piano. And if Clarckson can get a Range Rover all the way to the top a TDM shouldn't have too much problems, should it

Edited by duibhce Kaelann, 04 January 2007 - 10:07 pm.

Yamaha XJ600S Diversion '94
Yamaha XJ900S Diversion '97
Suzuki SV650S '01
Yamaha TDM900 '04

Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré '08 + Yamaha TRX850 '97

I'll let go of my throttle when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 10:43 pm

QUOTE(duibhce Kaelann @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then you should do some more touring in Belgium. Flashing headlights can mean one of the following (in order of likelihood):
- "go ahead, I'm stopping or slowing to let you through"
- watch out, speed cam ahead
- "it's dark, turn on your headlights, you moron"
- "you are a f%cking idiot" (usually the horn from * is involved as well)

I'll be in Belgium at the end of May. I was a bit worried about riding on the continent for the first time but it's nice to know you use your lights for the same things as us Nothing to worry about then

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 10:55 pm

QUOTE(duibhce Kaelann @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 09:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I heard about the piano. And if Clarckson can get a Range Rover all the way to the top a TDM shouldn't have too much problems, should it

As long as you don't get mistaken by McPlod for an off-roader

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 11:05 pm

QUOTE(cupasoop @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 11:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll be in Belgium at the end of May. I was a bit worried about riding on the continent for the first time but it's nice to know you use your lights for the same things as us Nothing to worry about then

I'd invite you over for coffee and cake in the "beer capital of the world", provided the end of May is a date after the 24th (estimated day we return from Scotland).

Yamaha XJ600S Diversion '94
Yamaha XJ900S Diversion '97
Suzuki SV650S '01
Yamaha TDM900 '04

Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré '08 + Yamaha TRX850 '97

I'll let go of my throttle when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 11:11 pm

QUOTE(duibhce Kaelann @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd invite you over for coffee and cake in the "beer capital of the world", provided the end of May is a date after the 24th (estimated day we return from Scotland).

31st hopefully. I'd accept except we'll just be passing through on the way to somewhere else. Maybe on the way back though

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Posted 04 January 2007 - 11:26 pm

QUOTE(duibhce Kaelann @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"beer capital of the world"

Reminds me - I still have 2 nice big bottles of Pauwel Kwak left over from Christmas..

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Posted 05 January 2007 - 07:59 pm

QUOTE(cupasoop @ Thu 4th Jan 2007, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

31st hopefully. I'd accept except we'll just be passing through on the way to somewhere else. Maybe on the way back though

all right. Just let us know if you would like to make a stop around these parts.

QUOTE(Pict @ Fri 5th Jan 2007, 12:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Reminds me - I still have 2 nice big bottles of Pauwel Kwak left over from Christmas..

enjoy it!
btw, do you also have the accompanying glass?

Yamaha XJ600S Diversion '94
Yamaha XJ900S Diversion '97
Suzuki SV650S '01
Yamaha TDM900 '04

Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré '08 + Yamaha TRX850 '97

I'll let go of my throttle when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...

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Posted 05 January 2007 - 08:14 pm

QUOTE(duibhce Kaelann @ Fri 5th Jan 2007, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

enjoy it!
btw, do you also have the accompanying glass?

No, but I'm open to offers.....

Edited by Pict, 05 January 2007 - 08:16 pm.

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Posted 06 January 2007 - 06:41 am

There are loads of Scottish tourism sites, of which I think "Undiscovered Scotland" is one of the better ones for a browse - lots of real pictures, descriptive text and cross-references. There are more layers than at first apparent - on any regional map, use the green blocks to home in on more detailed locations, e.g on Skye, or around Mallaig...

Happy clicking!

PS for dK: If you have any time when at the south end of Loch Awe:
 Loch_Awe_south_end.jpg   14.58KB   4 downloads
consider a pootle down to Dunadd if you have any interest in history - this was one of the earliest centres of rule in Scotland. While on the same geographical topic, be aware that the hotels around the Loch are upmarket-aspiring - even the one at Ford is now upward of £28 pp pn Guess I've been away too long.

PPS This year is forecast to be the warmest on record, so here's hoping the sun shines on our visitors, even if it doesn't warm the waters around Scotland!

Edited by Pict, 06 January 2007 - 07:32 am.

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Posted 06 January 2007 - 10:21 am

QUOTE(Pict @ Fri 5th Jan 2007, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, but I'm open to offers.....

So you don't know yet why it is called "Kwak"
You really need to experience the beer from its trademark glass to fully grasp the name
I'm afraid the glass wouldn't survive even 1 day on my bike though

QUOTE(Pict @ Sat 6th Jan 2007, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"Undiscovered Scotland"

we have been clicking around there for a week or two already. excellent site indeed!

QUOTE(Pict @ Sat 6th Jan 2007, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

PS for dK: If you have any time when at the south end of Loch Awe:
 Loch_Awe_south_end.jpg   14.58KB   4 downloads
consider a pootle down to Dunadd if you have any interest in history - this was one of the earliest centres of rule in Scotland.

It's laready on the planned route for our little detour around Kintyre

QUOTE(Pict @ Sat 6th Jan 2007, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

While on the same geographical topic, be aware that the hotels around the Loch are upmarket-aspiring - even the one at Ford is now upward of £28 pp pn Guess I've been away too long.

Their website even says 45GBP pp pn


EDIT: b*ll*cks, why won't it do the quotes right?
EDIT2: There, that showed the little bugger

Edited by duibhce Kaelann, 06 January 2007 - 10:32 am.

Yamaha XJ600S Diversion '94
Yamaha XJ900S Diversion '97
Suzuki SV650S '01
Yamaha TDM900 '04

Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré '08 + Yamaha TRX850 '97

I'll let go of my throttle when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...

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Posted 06 January 2007 - 11:16 am

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Posted 06 January 2007 - 12:18 pm

Here you go Pict Kwak Glass + Beer (the Kwak is a little over half way down the page).

Found another set.

Edited by Andy K, 06 January 2007 - 12:20 pm.

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Posted 06 January 2007 - 01:05 pm

QUOTE(Andy K @ Sat 6th Jan 2007, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here you go Pict Kwak Glass + Beer (the Kwak is a little over half way down the page).

Found another set.

Cheers, Andy!

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Posted 08 February 2007 - 09:22 am

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