241 replies to this topic

[masterbrewer]

Our Carpe Family has been wonderful support to me during my recent crisis and I thank you guys very much  
 
My late wife, Iryna was such a big personality of inspiration, integrity & humour, that unless I keep my brain occupied, I can see an emotional "Grand Canyon" looming in the very near future.
 
 
The 83 year old mother-in-law has lost both her husband (married for over 60 years) & her young 55 year old daughter within the past 18 months and is keen to visit remaining family in Northampton. I think she would really appreciate a chaperone to travel "home to the UK" for say 5 weeks in June 2014. Basically I'd drop her off & pick her up 5 weeks later for the trip back to Australia.
 
Consequently I am thinking about the following & was curious as to whether you think it is at all possible & where should I be looking for answers/help.
 
The Plan: Riding UK's "B", "C" & "D" etc roads in summer and enjoy cake. 
 
Initial thoughts:
 
Acquire/hire a van & touring motorcycle in the back and drive to various base locations, then  ................................... Ride !   
 
I already have Family/Friend contacts in
 
(a) Northampton
(b) Hereford:                                             to ride the Welch roads
© Over Kellet:                                         to ride The Lakes District & Yorkshire Dales
(d) Northern Scotland:                             to ride the Scottish Highlands
 
http://goo.gl/maps/bd9B6

Update: June 2014 Time will only allow me to ride northern UK/Scotland https://maps.google....,7,9,10&t=h&z=7

 
 

 
Many thanks in advance.
 

Edited by masterbrewer, 21 June 2014 - 10:21 pm.

[Matt101]

Forget the van and just ride!

Applecross, Oban, Fort William in fact anywhere along the west coast of jockland. Tomintoul to Ballater over the Lecht is an absolute hoot. So much so you'll turn around and have another go just for sport! Bigboat of this parish is your man for over that way.

Let us know when you're coming and it may end up as a rideout!

Edited by Matt101, 14 September 2013 - 09:14 pm.

[dablik]

No need for a Van MB, lots of riding in the UK and 5 weeks is long enough for lots of it.... sure some of us would be happy to meet up....crikey you even have time for Ireland fella 

[Pict]

Great prospect born out of sad circumstances.

Northampton is an hour max from here. Would be good to meet and ride along for a bit.

[RSRocket]

Not sure if I understand correctly. Drop off your 83 mother in law and her pillion f 5 week? Que?

[masterbrewer]

 Gee! that was quick

 

OK it's AA Confession Time.    

 

"My name is Kym & I am a woosy. 

I don't like getting wet or dirty.

I Photoshop my ride reports" 

 

Actually my thinking was that if the weather turned bad in any particular area, I could drive in the shitty weather to another location & when it clears up ...... go riding 

 

That way I would be maximising my riding all over the UK so I can catch up to as many as you lot as possible.

 

TonyDevil (a Carpe member) offered me one of his bikes to hire, a few years ago, but I don't know where he's at these days.

 

Looking to contact your recommended bike shops, so a Name & web address would be helpful.

 

Cheers

Not sure if I understand correctly. Drop off your 83 mother in law and her pillion f 5 week? Que?

 

 

Been on the piss tonight, hey? Rob

Edited by masterbrewer, 15 September 2013 - 09:01 pm.

[Pict]

Would you base your plans on hiring out of (or near) Northampton? Google search looks potentially fruitful.

[masterbrewer]

Would you base your plans on hiring out of (or near) Northampton? Google search looks potentially fruitful.

 

Probably if the price is right, as I assume her sister in Northampton would collect us from the airport.

[sidestand]

Don't worry too much about hiring MB -  I'm sure I could find you something in me garage to borrow for a few weeks as long as you can get some insurance 

[masterbrewer]

Don't worry too much about hiring MB -  I'm sure I could find you something in me garage to borrow for a few weeks as long as you can get some insurance 

Is that the van or the bike?

 

In any case you are most generous & I can't thank you enough.          

 

Maybe at the very least, liquid remuneration &/or cake would be in order.   

Edited by masterbrewer, 16 September 2013 - 05:32 am.

[Rallyist]

Kym if you want to ride roads you would not normally venture as a tourist why not have a go at the round Britain Rally? have a word with Buzzo, Steve for an unbiased Aussie reaction sure we can arrange a few rides with this involvement.

[ChrisG]

Wales, Scotland, Lake district and Yorkshire dales all have fantastic roads. Northampton less so.

You can get between any of those areas in a day on a bike (2 days to northern Scotland if you want to avoid the boring roads) so personally I wouldn't bother with the van unless you're hauling a lot of luggage between base locations.

Edited by ChrisG, 16 September 2013 - 08:23 am.

[masterbrewer]

Kym if you want to ride roads you would not normally venture as a tourist why not have a go at the round Britain Rally? have a word with Buzzo, Steve for an unbiased Aussie reaction sure we can arrange a few rides with this involvement.

 

 

[TDMTAM]

Our Carpe Family has been wonderful support to me during my recent crisis and I thank you guys very much  

 

My late wife, Iryna was such a big personality of inspiration, integrity & humour, that unless I keep my brain occupied, I can see an emotional "Grand Canyon" looming in the very near future.

 

(d) Northern Scotland:                             to ride the Scottish Highlands

 

http://goo.gl/maps/bd9B6

 

 

 

Many thanks in advance.

http://goo.gl/maps/yKlXJ

if your going to that neck of the woods I'd go with these roads, the old fire station in Tomintul has good cakes and a whisky shop. Tomatin has a distilary. Point F is were you can usually see dolphins if you time it right. If need anymore Scottish roads let me know.

TAM

Edited by TDMTAM, 17 September 2013 - 08:55 pm.

[masterbrewer]

Thanks for your suggestion Tam 

 

The destinations on my map indicate family & friends I plan to see, getting between them is another story altogether.  

I'll expect to be spending more time though, with my mate in Scotland who lives opposite the Benrinnes distillery

 

 

May have to vary my name on the trip from;

MB = many bakeries to 

MB = many breweries to  

 

MD = many distilleries   

 

I'll be on

 

 

[Pict]

 
Probably if the price is right, as I assume her sister in Northampton would collect us from the airport.

We live en route between the two, so could probably help out if there's a problem

[NZTDMGUY]

As the others have said, you won't need the van.  It will just be another vehicle to insure and possibly repair, unless you want it for budget accommodation.  Distances are short, compared to your recent efforts, and the accommodations are pleasing so if the weather turns, stop and enjoy the locals 

 

Another option is to buy the bike in Europe, claim back the VAT, ride it and ship it home.  Can be a good deal if you keep the bike in OZ.

 

Cheers from NZ

 

(Although having a month in Thailand at present)

[sidestand]

Is that the van or the bike?

 

In any case you are most generous & I can't thank you enough.          

 

Maybe at the very least, liquid remuneration &/or cake would be in order.   

Bike only mate - haven't got a van ! - might even have a Mk2 TDM - if it's in the country 

[bigboat0]

Let me know if you are planning on coming up to North East Scotland.

[masterbrewer]

As the others have said, you won't need the van.  It will just be another vehicle to insure and possibly repair, unless you want it for budget accommodation.  Distances are short, compared to your recent efforts, and the accommodations are pleasing so if the weather turns, stop and enjoy the locals 

 

Another option is to buy the bike in Europe, claim back the VAT, ride it and ship it home.  Can be a good deal if you keep the bike in OZ.

 

Cheers from NZ

 

(Although having a month in Thailand at present)

 

Bike only mate - haven't got a van ! - might even have a Mk2 TDM - if it's in the country