Adventure Bike Rider

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This thread is for area info , suggested rideouts and general questions .




AREA INFO

I thought it would be helpful to put together a little info about Ullapool and what to expect,(if you have not visited before). I had writen this info below for the XRV Rally 2 years ago, but all the info is relevant.

Heading North into Ullapool...
There are quite a few, Parking Viewpoints along the shore, worth stopping for a picture or 2.

This next picture was taken from the last parking place before entering ullapool.



So we enter Ullapool, the first Landmark would be the Petrol Station on the Right, then to the Braes Junction.


To get to the Campsite ,follow the silver car (see Pic), along the sea front (Shore Street). Follow the Signs for campsite, past the ferry terminal.


Opposite the Pier, you will see the SEAFORTH, right on the corner..

Pub/cafe/takeaway, fish & chips. We had a couple of meals here and coffee.
Quite expensive but the food was no less than excellent.
I would highly recommend the place, the seafood (squid tapas was the best I have ever had)
See the website here, www.theseaforth.com/
There website is interesting read, especially all the awards they have won.

I for one will be visiting the Seaforth again in sept, its about 10 minute stroll from the campsite.

The village has quite a few gift shops, craft shops and bars, they are all mostly down beside the seafront and surrounding streets.

I have made a little map with some of the vitals that you might need.
Shops/Tesco/Camping Store/Chippys/ATM's/Petrol/Police?

(Note , The Petrol Station in Ullapool is NOT 24 hours, but maybe someone else can supply the opening hours.)


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If you fancy a short ride out there are a couple of nice things to see, fairly close by.

Trip to the White Sands of Gruinard & Corrieshalloch Gorge


Ullapool to Braemore Junction.
Corrieshalloch Gorge
5 min walk to view the gorge.


“This spectacular mile-long gorge, 61m (200 ft) deep, is one of the finest examples in Britain of a box canyon. The river which carved this channel through hard metamorphic rock plunges 46m (150 ft) over the Falls of Measach.

A suspension bridge a little way downstream from the falls was built by John Fowler (1817-98, joint designer of the Forth Railway Bridge. From here you can look down into this spectacular, steep-sided slot gorge. 

Meltwaters created Corrieshalloch Gorge shortly before glaciers left the area. Its 60m deep with near vertical walls and in places its very narrow, only 10m across at the lip. The inaccessible ravine supports a rich and varied Atlantic bryophyte flora. The River Droma flows through the gorge in a series of waterfalls, the largest of which is the 46m Falls of Measach. Further downstream, a viewing platform provides an excellent vantage point looking up towards the falls.”


Back on the road along towards Dundonnell & Little Loch Broom, the loch opens up in front of you, fantastic views. As you climb the hill at the end of the Loch there is a large car park with great views to be had.

Head over the hill, and back down to sea level. You can not really miss Gruinard Beach, white sands and a large car park on the left hand side of the road.
Cross the road and you will see this..






If you are in need of supplies , there is a petrol station at Laide they have a small store with a small range of food etc.

The road is good, if a bit lumpy but watch out for sheep.

Return to Ullapool, road time .. approx 2 hours (not including stopping for beach / gorge or photos), so would make a good afternoons gentle rideout.


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Ullapool / Lochinver Loop (Half Single Track)

Head north from Ullapool to Drumrunie , take the single track road on left.
(See Map) The first part of this road is quite technical, depending on road conditions. Quite good passing places but loads of sheep on the road, blind corners and tourists. Please be careful..


8 miles down this road, take the Lochinver turn off .. .. Again Single track all the way to Lochinver .. Lochinver has the usual Shops / Petrol .. return via A837 ..
Take the turn off at Ledmore head back along to A835 to Ullapool

Its about 60 -70 miles, but with the approx 18 miles of single track, takes quite a while. A good afternoon ride out with great scenery... Remember the camera. Make sure you have enough fuel for yourself and the bike...

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If you are not used to driving on single track roads , please take your time.
You get a mix of tourists (coming around the corner taking up all the road) / locals (Fast drivers) / sheep (No road sense) / deer ( jump out in front of you), so concentration is the name of the game..

Soak up the scenery and be aware if someone needs to overtake you.
Use Passing Places to let people overtake.

I hope that this info , will help everyone have a enjoyable stay at Ullapool..



Just a little info for the rally, feel free to post more info regarding the area , ride outs in this section ..

Some more pictures from the ABR 2010 rally

I have copied a thread from last year , with some routes and info .



Some people might want to do there own thing over the weekend thats fine , but for those people who want to be in a group we should make efforts to accommodate them.

Maybe some members have not ridden in a group before ! So ride leaders should have a very short discussion on there chosen style of group riding. Second Man drop off system or slow as slowest rider . But should not be much of a problem as the roads around the area are few a far between. But don't want people getting lost and end up going the wrong direction with low fuel. All riders should at least have a basic road map of the general area.
Might also be helpful for some if ride leaders could post riding styles (fast, bimble, etc)

As we are talking about Scotland then we can only speculate on the weather and some of the ride outs could be weather dependent so suggested that all leaders make there decision on route night before or even on the Saturday morning , get together your buddies and wait by your bikes in group for 5-10 minutes so other people can ask where you are heading etc. Leaders should decide on numbers in there group.

Of course all ride outs etc , are done at your own risk , usual stuff , keep your distance, watch your speed (police might know we are about), single track roads (watch for sheep / tourists). Drive for yourself, do not put yourself at risk trying to keep up with the guy in front if you are not comfortable. At stops know where you are headed for next (coffee, lunch etc) so if you do drop out you can catch up at your own pace.

Oh crap I have broken down !! No signal on mobile .. If riding in a group wait for the someone to come and find you. If no one comes then panic .. No No .
have a sit down , drink some water , maybe a snack. The locals are helpful if you are in trouble someone will give you a lift to the nearest place to get a signal on your mobile Or landline ! Call for assistance AA etc .. or you call Me (I will not post my number here) but if anyone wants it I can give out at rally .

I can then see if we have someone who can help with the issue, as lots of people with experience / tools / spares etc.

I could be teaching people how to suck eggs, but I remember my first group meet/ride out and I had little idea what to expect.

Steve has asked me to post up some routes he has taken the time to put together for the weekend..

These are only suggestions ..

Route 1 - 182 miles

Ullapool – Ledmore Junction – Laxford Bridge – Durness (No fuel Sundays) – Tongue – Altnahara – Lairg 137 miles (fuel & Falls of Shin visitors centre) – Ledmore Junction – Ullapool

Route 2 - 175 miles

Ullapool – Ledmore Junction – Laxford Bridge – Durness (No fuel Sundays) – Loch Eriboll – Loch Hope - Altnahara– Lairg 130 miles (fuel & Falls of Shin visitors centre) – Ledmore Junction – Ullapool

Route 3 - 178 miles

Ullapool – Braemore Junction – Aultbae – Gairloch (WW2 fleet re-fueling set up at Loch Ewe) – Kinlochewe - Sheildaig – Loch Carron 110 miles (fuel) – Achnasheen – Garve – Ullapool

Route 4 - 206 miles

Ullapool – Braemore Junction – Aultbae – Gairloch - Kinlochewe – Sheildaig – - Applecross - Loch Carron 138 miles (fuel) – Achnashhen via Glen Torridon – Garve – Ullapool

Route 5 - 128 miles

Ullapool – Ledmore – Lairg (fuel & Falls of Shin visitors centre) – Bonar Bridge – Struie hill – Alness 75 miles (fuel & café Skiach services) – Dingwall via old road from Evanton – Strathpeffer – Contin – Garve (Rogie Falls) – Ullapool

Route 6 - 222 miles

Ullapool – Garve – Muir of Ord – Beauly – Cannich – Drumnadrochit (castle & Loch ness centre) – Invermorriston – Kyle of Lochalsh 139 miles (fuel & café & Skye Bridge) – Strathcarron – Achnasheen – Garve – Ullapool

Route 7 - 170 miles

Ullapool – Ledmore Junction – Lochinver via A837 – Drumbeg (goat track type road) – Laxford Bridge – Lairg 126 miles (fuel & Falls of Shin visitors centre) – Ullapool

Route 8 - 137 Miles (one way)

Ullapool – Garve – Achnasheen – Strathcarron – Kyle of Lochalsh – Broadford – Portree



Routes above are only suggestions to help people how have not been up in this part of the world before.


Hopefully this thread will help not only the group rides and newbies but also aid the smooth running of the weekend.

ANOTHER TOP TIP : FUEL UP afternoon or early evening, before ride outs in the morning..


MOST Importantly .. Have Fun ..

Quick update

Just some thoughts on driving around ullapool in the village and roads leading into the village.

Please be aware that Ullapool is a small village and the presence of 100's of bikers around will not go unnoticed for the weekend.

Common sense here.. Please be careful with your speed limits , especially when coming back from your days out back into ullapool . The police will no doubt know we are about.

The petrol station is very small and on the main road , plan your fill ups carefully , Try to be prepared for any rideout (fuel up day before or before the start of the ride out) , as stopping in past the petrol station with a group is not workable. Do not block the main road if 20 ABR's have taken over the petrol station, just go around or back later.

At the campsite , usual things , try to take care if you are driving on the grass, under the surface there is a peaty layer so if it has been wet it can be slippery so do take care of yourself and the campsites grass.
There are hardstanding areas in front of camp area where you can park your bike safely.

Last year, we had no real trouble

Lets make sure we are welcome back in 2013

I camped in Durness a few days ago and then went down to Ullapool. The views are stunning, the roads are great and mainly two way on the main routes (if you can call them that!) with short but wide single track sections.

Petrol can be an issue and I found most were 9-5 Monday to Saturday with shorter hours on a Sunday. You tend to fill up and pay in the shop. At Durness I was asked to remember how much I had put in and they trusted me to fill up and pay at the Spar across the road.

Here are the petrol stations on google

maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=petrol+station&...tion&t=m&z=8

and a view for you to savour!

Indian restaurant at the entrance to the camp site is good

Thanks Guys

I forgot to say , If anyone has any first hand info or advice for the general area !

Please feel free to post on this thread .

LWR

Feeling like a do your own thing with a friend or pillon. ??

You could head north from Ullapool and head for Durness . Some say could be one of the best biking roads in the UK .

On reaching Durness
Visit the www.cocoamountain.co.uk/ for a Coffee (Nice) and try an expensive chocolate.. Just one mind ..!!

No meals or snack really , so don't go expecting sandwiches , pies etc.

But worth it for a nice coffee

Just down the road in the *center* of Durness there is a pub (lunches) and a spar .


A little further you come across Smoo Cave , well worth the visit . www.smoocave.org/

Here are some Pictures from couple of weeks ago.











Inside the cave there is a waterfall.

I was up there last weekend funnily enough! The fish and chips for tea were excellent!

Even funnier, I had a visit from the legendary Steve T tonight and he asked if I'd lead a rideout at the rally. I told him I was planning to do the "wrong way round"! My run from last year, being recreated by James691 this year, but in reverse!
I'm hoping to ride a steady pace, within the limits, with a stop at Lairg for morning coffee or soup, then a further stop at Durness for a late lunch. 180 miles round trip, around 5hrs ride time so leaving around 10.00 returning around time to get ready for supper at 5.00pm.
So far Fiona and myself are doing his run, no limits to numbers so anyone interested in joining us, just look me up at the rally.

Great news jim ..

I will note your rideout on the main thread for you.


So were did you get the fish and chips !

LargeWayRound wrote:


Cheers Craig, we had our supper from the Seaforth Chippy.

Not much plans for the near future, on call this weekend coming,
We're off to the Midlands rally soon though, then next on our calendar will be Ullapool. Still hope to get a few trips in the weeks in between but we'll see what the weather brings. Speak soon mate.

Some more pictures from around Ullapool





















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very good info and area guide there
But You have you forgotten the main attraction? and reason for riding hundreds of miles oop north?
THE PIE SHOP AT LOCHINVER HHHHM M M M M M !!!!!!!! got to the best pies made anywhwere END OF !!!
My run out will have this as one of the points to visit, Expensive but (cos we are worth it )
www.piesbypost.co.uk/

Yip , I have blanked that out in my mind .. not because of the PIES but because of the cost of a sit down meal ..

I must admit the pies at the lochiver shop are spectacular

ah well hang the expense oi is going to visit ye pie establishment
simply can,t help meself (confirmed pieoholic)