241 replies to this topic

[masterbrewer]

Aviemore where we have REAL winters and it's sodding cold

....... And what's it like in summer though?

Don't think you'll need the heated grips Kym - you ARE going in July, remember ..........you'll just need a couple of gallons of midge repellent 

Do you use an automatic applicator like chain lube?

Edited by masterbrewer, 27 April 2014 - 09:46 pm.

[Nanook]

....... And what's it like in summer though?

Do you use an automatic applicator like chain lube?

 

Summer can be a bit hit and miss in the Highlands with, generally, the west being wet and warm(ish) and the east being dry and warm(ish).  But when the weather is good the roads are fantastic for biking anywhere west and north of Inverness.  I use a Scottoiler and have done for years.  Not only does it lube the chain but it extends chain life significantly.

[masterbrewer]

 

Summer can be a bit hit and miss in the Highlands with, generally, the west being wet and warm(ish) and the east being dry and warm(ish).  But when the weather is good the roads are fantastic for biking anywhere west and north of Inverness.  I use a Scottoiler and have done for years.  Not only does it lube the chain but it extends chain life significantly.

 

Apologies Nanook, just a bit of Aussie humour coming out,    I was talking about an applicator for the  gallons of Midge repellent I will need.

[Nanook]

 

Apologies Nanook, just a bit of Aussie humour coming out,    I was talking about an applicator for the  gallons of Midge repellent I will need.

 

Git!   Anyway, in the Aviemore area and generally to the east of the Great Glen the midges are not a real problem.  However, over west and up in Sutherland they can be a nightmare. If you are badly affected by their bites I would recommend taking an antihistamine pill once a day as it calms down the reaction and the itching.

[masterbrewer]

Don't think you'll need the heated grips Kym - you ARE going in July, remember ..........you'll just need a couple of gallons of midge repellent 

 

Are the midges as big as our mosquitoes?

 

[Rallyist]

Isle of Skye midges got teeth bigger than that little boogger

Edited by Rallyist, 30 April 2014 - 11:39 am.

[leehenty]

 midges are tiny, but the wee timorous beastie's have a bite and keep biting there's so many of them and they can get through most mossie nets.

Watch out for giant caterpillars on the road too, there were many when I was up there on the moors some years ago.

 

Haggis hunting season could still be on though. 

Six legs, big teeth apparently only go round hills clockwise and are very vicious, so best to take a ten bore shotgun with you.

That's what the locals in the pub told me anyway. 

[Nanook]

 midges are tiny, but the wee timorous beastie's have a bite and keep biting there's so many of them and they can get through most mossie nets.

Watch out for giant caterpillars on the road too, there were many when I was up there on the moors some years ago.  They look a bit like sheep as well!

 

Haggis hunting season could still be on though.    No it's finished now as they hibernate during the better weather.

Six legs, big teeth apparently only go round hills clockwise and are very vicious, so best to take a ten bore shotgun with you.  A 100mm howitzer is the only answer to the little buggers IMHO!

That's what the locals in the pub told me anyway. 

 

Midges are tiny but they congregate in CLOUDS of em in warm, still, damp weather.  

 

Are the midges as big as our mosquitoes?

 

Looks a bit girly mate!

[masterbrewer]

 midges are tiny, but the wee timorous beastie's have a bite and keep biting there's so many of them and they can get through most mossie nets.

Watch out for giant caterpillars on the road too, there were many when I was up there on the moors some years ago.

 

Haggis hunting season could still be on though. 

Six legs, big teeth apparently only go round hills clockwise and are very vicious, so best to take a ten bore shotgun with you.

That's what the locals in the pub told me anyway. 

 

We have those locals in our pubs too  

[sidestand]

Insurance sorted Kym 

 

Have sent you an e-mail, as they need a bit of info from you

[hvass]

Sidestand would be interested to know you got insrance sorted.. tried myself in past similar scenario and had to give up

[Studley Ramrod]

Hvass, I think Sidestand means he's sorted the insurance for Masterbrewer.

[masterbrewer]

Sidestand would be interested to know you got insrance sorted.. tried myself in past similar scenario and had to give up

 

G'day hvass 

 

I may be able to elaborate on all the hassles I've/we've had obtaining what, I must admit, was previously told to me as "an impossible task, don't even bother" when I started looking for insurance back in October 2013.

 

In the end, it was the determination and local assistance given by ;

 

Steve (Stephanie) Roberts
Secretary, Ulysses Club GB
mobile: 079 5635 2487
email: secretary@ulyssesclubgb.org
web: www.ulyssesclubgb.org

 

Personally contacting over a dozen insurance companies, she finally got a positive result and eventually secured a "written quote" for me from Bikesure in February this year.

 

With  sidestand's generous loan bike offer, I was happy to pay his 12 months insurance premium for him, however I could see no point in paying two insurance policies on the one bike. 

 

Sidestand consequently made enquiries with his existing insurance company looking to add me as an additional rider and was confidently told "no problems we can do that".

 

But as usual with my experience with insurance companies ..................."if it isn't in writing, we never said that."

 

Which, when push came to shove came true again .................... "Oh! .. sorry Mr sidestand, we really love all the bikes you insure with us, but we still won't help you"

 

Luckily after I sent over my original written quote dated February, Bikesure were more than happy to help, although ink hasn't quite been applied to paper.

 

But with the clout of the Ulysses Club membership numbers around the world and the amount of new business opportunities for them, I feel comfortable everything will come through.  

 

Thanks to Stephanie 

 

Cheers

 

Now to get down to the nitty gritty, tyres on the road stuff.    

 ...  with a bit of this   ... and a bit of that   ...not to mention some of this 

 

Oh! .... I nearly forgot ... riding some fabulous roads    

 

 

Arriving June 30th (12.15pm Heathrow terminal 3)

Departing July 31st (2.15pm Heathrow terminal 3)

Edited by masterbrewer, 03 May 2014 - 11:39 pm.

[RSRocket]

Nice one Kym, Bloody ins companies eh, So only a month to fit in as much as possible ! always a bed here for ya, will pm a contact number and hope to see you soon.
Rob n Angie

Edited by RSRocket, 04 May 2014 - 03:48 am.

[dapleb]

Please keep us updated with yer rooty tooty

[dablik]

A whole month Kym, N Wales needs to be on your route squire, will try and hook up, all work dependant..

[masterbrewer]

A whole month Kym, N Wales needs to be on your route squire, will try and hook up, all work dependant..

 

I wanted to dablik, but when you add in cake eating time, I woulda got plenty of speedin' fines to cover Scotland as well.

 

Here's half then route and still planning 

 

https://maps.google....,7,9,10&t=h&z=7

Edited by masterbrewer, 04 May 2014 - 11:54 am.

[dablik]

Planning was never my forte, i normally just go and head in the direction i want to end up at, always been good so far  if you do want to change i guess you could always come up through Wales and ferry from Liverpool to the IOM and then cover Yorkshire on the home bound leg..the only issue is if the ferry for IOM ineeds to be pre-booked !!

[Manx1200]

Usually not a problem to get on the ferry to IOM with a bike (outside of TT/MGP/Southern100), but best to give them a ring first. Also it will be cheaper if you book it more than a couple of days in advance.Night sailings are cheaper than daytime, and usually not as busy so you can stretch out on the bench seats and get some kip.

[masterbrewer]

Usually not a problem to get on the ferry to IOM with a bike (outside of TT/MGP/Southern100), but best to give them a ring first. Also it will be cheaper if you book it more than a couple of days in advance.Night sailings are cheaper than daytime, and usually not as busy so you can stretch out on the bench seats and get some kip.

Thanks for the tip Manx1200

How long does the ferry take from Heysham?

Where would you recommend I try to bed down on arrival?

Thanks