Glencoe, Skye and Applecross. 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th June 2013.

[mabawza]

i was talking to davy when he left the campsite on sunday morning he was heading for skye with a big smile on his face.

[David Morton]

hi all

just got in through the door.
I will start with a great big thsnk you to everybody on the run and thank you for haveing me along, and making the only irish man feel very welcome and its very humbleing to be able to make new friends that iam sure i will see again either in ireland or the uk.
I had a fantastic time with some brillant riding roads and also great crack was had through out the day and of course a good old boogie on saturday night.

Also a thank you to Gavin Derriman for the room at the travel lodge on thursday night
Gavin could you please send me on address and name of charity that you want the cheque made out to.

Yes i headed on to sky on sunday morning just about got there with a bit of a hangover
from the night befor. enjoyed a days riding around sky on sunday took in some of the sights its been about ten years since i have been there stay in Portree on sunday night.

on monday headed over to Inverness to see some friends visited a couple of the local drinking holes again just to make sure the beer was still up to scratch.

tuseday had quite a spin, went to john O groats took a couple of pictures met three guys
that iam sure are in there early sixtys that had peddled there bicycles from lands end to john o groats they done it in eleven days.
from headed up west over to Durness again some more fantastis that were empty most of the way. from durness then to ullapool sometimes i think the road just keep getting better
these where mainly single track with more awsome views.
Got into ullapool about 7 oclock had the mandate fish and chips and since i was still in rideing mode kept going south untill i hit sky agin stay there on tuseday night dont think i would ever get tired of sky and lough cerren ended up going over this road four times through the week.

wedensday morning up early for the start on the homeward journey.
quick run down to fortwilliam stop for a bit of breackfast wondering if i will to Malig
and then to oben and spend another day there or head on home common sence prevailed and started on the road home down south took the rest and be thankfull road again where i met
i guy from Austraila who shipped his moto guzzi millie GT to grease and started his adventure there.
after this headed down lough lomand over the big bridge heding south keeping to the coast road to troon where as luck was haveing it the ferry was waiting for me with just five minutes to spare i promise i didnt even phone for a booking just turned up

hope you all enjoy my short ride report will post some pictures when i get some more time

cheers davy

[jimmyshin]

Landed back in Bolton a few hours ago, had a great time and already looking forward to next years trip. Cheers Nick for organizing, and Si for his knowledge of the roads up there

When we left Applecross we (Me, Kev and Big John) headed over to Skye, and stopped the night in Uig. All in all, after hearing people ambivalence about Skye, I wasn't sure what to expect really but it was pretty good, a bit more barren than the previous couple of days maybe but still good fun. I think if Skye came before Applecross then I think it would have seemed much better. Still, good enjoyable ride and a nice warm bar at the end of the trip - can't argue really.

From there it was down to the south of the island, ferry over to Mallaig and followed the coast road down to Lochailort before turning south down towards Salen. An hour or so down a pretty grotty single track with some random stretches of perfect tarmac in spurious places saw us on the second ferry of the day, a tiny little thing from Kilchoan to Tobermory where we stopped at a midge infested campsite about two miles from town.

The next day was a quicker than expected ride round the island, turning up at Craignure to find a ferry with a door that wouldn't open. Listening to the radio chatter was quite amusing, ranging from 'does anyone know where the crowbar is' to 'just hit it' to 'it's just worn out' always fills you with confidence just before getting on. Don't know what the fix was in the end, but as it was the door for unloading the folks coming over to the island, and we were using the other door at the other end it didn't really matter :woohoo: Followed the road down to Lochgilphead and back up the A83 coast road before splitting off and heading down towards Kilmun for a camp in a grotty little caravan park just behind the petrol station on 'that' bend.

Wednesday morning saw us pack up and a quick run down to the hunters quay ferry over to Gourock, quick spin down to Largs for a dirty big breakfast then followed the alternative day 1 route, with John leaving us just before the A75 run into Gretna. Short run down the M6 before coming off at Penrith, down towards Ullswater and Kirkstone pass before making our way through to Grizedale for a last night under canvas


Again, thanks to those who planned routes, campsites etc, had a great time from beginning to end, couldn't have asked for better weather ad definitely will be heading up there again.

pics to follow....

[jimmyshin]

Setting off


Heading over The Skaithe out of Slaidburn


Count the bikes

Stop off at Largs for ice cream




Crossing a random bridge - anyone put this place on the map for me?




View from tent at Kingshead


Good morning!!


Eilann Donan shot


Applecross


John coming up the pass




John & Kev at Uig




Somewhere on the south road in Skye


Waiting for the ferry at Armadale


Arisaig


The A861 - better than it sounds


Tobermory


Somewhere along Loch Na Keal


On the ferry to Oban


Camping in Grizedale




1,229 miles later

[Carleton2k13]

Wow awesome piccys! especially the one at Eilann Donan! nice one, ride safe.

[LargeWayRound]

Crossing a random bridge - anyone put this place on the map for me?

Yip , I know my Scottish Bridge's

http://goo.gl/maps/VYKWe

[Gavinskii]

Also a thank you to Gavin for the room at the travel lodge on thursday night
Gavin could you please send me on address and name of charity that you want the cheque made out to.

Hi Davy,

Pleased you had such a great time, you can make a donation via www.curryaid.weebly.com

Or cheques to Curry-Aid
Takoda
Kirkby stephen
Cumbria
CA17 4AP

Cheers
Gav

[Brads]

Hello chaps

Was good to meet you all on the Friday night,, great wee ride up to Rannoch moor, and a great Craic in the bar.
I expect I will catch up with one or two of you again, and I hope you all enjoyed the rest of the weekend, the ride home was cracking as well.

See yeh`s later, and Billy, mind ma stickers ! lol :laugh:

[andyruss]

It looks (and reads) like you guys had a fantastic few days. I'm hoping to be touring round Scotland for a few days either last week July or 1st week August. After seeing those pictures it can't come soon enough!