Local knowledge needed - two Danes travelling through the UK this summer

[El Dudeness]

You are still welcome at Takoda, Kirkby Stephen if you travels take you South into Cumbria.

Paul

Thank you once again Paul

The way I've planned it in Map Source it looks like we won't have a chance to stay the night at your lovely camping grounds BUT it's probably going to fit perfectly for a lunch on Saturday the 27th - how does that sound? I'm targeting York for the overnighter to Sunday but let's see how the cards are delt once we're in it.

I'll save the number you listed earlier so we can keep in contact en route to see how things are looking out

[El Dudeness]

Ok. Sounds like St Andrews and the golf course is a 'must see' - as does castles, Isle of Skye and the Talisker Distillery. Is there a particular reason for visiting Peterhead, do you need 'to do' Edinburgh Castle ?

Is there any others on a list of 'must sees' that should be factored into any suggested routes ?

You arrive in Newcastle, leave via Harwich and have 5 days in between - correct ?

If so, the way it looks at the moment is you can spend 3 days in Scotland on a flying visit, Stop with Paul and Maria in Kirkby Stephen on the third night. Have a day going down through the Dales and Peaks and get far enough south on the forth night to be within striking distance of Harwich on day five.

Mr. Strom B) - St. Andrews is a must see yes I must say though Edinburgh Castle isn't absolutely a must see although I've heard it should be a really great place to visit - also maybe do a bit of a stroll on The Mile but if the majority in this thread should vote against it to gather time for the rest of the adventure, then no worries. We could skip it.

Isle of Skye is def a must do and see and sure, Talisker while we're there. Also contemplating either Ardbeg or Oban on the way down so to take a coastal route further south or more inland - suggestions?

Other must sees is of course Loch Ness (we're gonna bring bread crums to lure 'im out).
Paul & Marias is going to be a must do as well but apart from the above mentioned we're quite open.

We're specially thinking of also being pretty open to see what comes along so no route is more strict than it can be altered to favour anything that comes along

Yes we arrive in Newcastle tuesday morning and leave by Harwich Sunday late afternoon - correct.

I've actually made a prelimenary route I think I'll upload - anybody else work in Map Spource or should I Google Map it?

[El Dudeness]

The ferry from Harwich goes late afternoon doesn't it? You can easily get from Kirkby Stephen to Harwich in 6 hours if you cut across and through the Dales then go straight down the A1 or if you want to see a bit of the Peak District add another hour but my suggestion would be to see more of the Dales and drop the Peak District unless there's something you particularly want to see.

The important thing is to have alternative plans so if the weather is crap anywhere you can still find somewhere else you want to see and make that ferry. I'll probably get a few people telling me I'm wrong but in my opinion there's nothing south of Derbyshire worth worrying about if you're leaving from Harwich and apart from a few limited parts there isn't much for the road rider in the Peaks.

Indeed - the ferry does't set sail until 17:30 I believe. Up until now it's looking like we'll be spending the night from Saturday to Sunday in York and then heading south from there to meet up with a bunch of friends in Brandon in East Anglia before we trot down to the ferry. There should be enough time to make things happen.

Where exactly is The Dales area located? Can you point it out on Google Maps?

I agree on having a plan B if the weather gets crappy! :whistle:

[El Dudeness]

See if this works

google map

I added the ferry ride to Malaig. South of that there are a few good camp sites. Skye can be dreadful for midges, Arisaig less so. The ride to Fort William from there is all single track and runs close to the railway line used for the Hogwarts express. You could make it from there, round the lake district and to Takoda in a day.

edit. Just has a look at the Arisaig-Fort William road on street view. They've driven a new road through! Shame, I liked the old one.

Thanks for the link. That's pretty much spot on to what I've created in Map Source although I've add a loop on the peninsula of Skye.

Cool with the Hogwarts Express! Is there any place that has a touristy thingy dedicated to this on the way?

[El Dudeness]

Just make sure you pack the camera for plenty of pics in your ride report - I'm really looking forward to reading what you thought of the UK roads and culture.

Will do

[El Dudeness]

In the same way, I wouldn't advocate skipping the lakes to visit my own stomping ground, the Eden Valley, which is beautiful and quiet

If you have the time you should do it all. IMO

Where exactly is Eden Valley located? Can you show me in Google Maps please?

[Paul]

You are still welcome at Takoda, Kirkby Stephen if you travels take you South into Cumbria.

Paul

Thank you once again Paul

The way I've planned it in Map Source it looks like we won't have a chance to stay the night at your lovely camping grounds BUT it's probably going to fit perfectly for a lunch on Saturday the 27th - how does that sound? I'm targeting York for the overnighter to Sunday but let's see how the cards are delt once we're in it.

I'll save the number you listed earlier so we can keep in contact en route to see how things are looking out

You are of course welcome anytime either just for a cuppa or to stay the night, see how things go. Our site is located between the Yorkshire Dales, the North Pennines and the Lake district so if you do find time Maria and I will show you around.

[PeterT]

Two suggestions for the lakes

This one if you've got all morning, ie you're camping at or near Carlisle.

Four hour + route

And this if you're on a tighter schedule:

Two hour + route

The eden valley is the area to the right of the route between the two mountainous patches. Takoda is at Kirkby Stephen which is the Upper Eden Valley.

Here's your best Dales route IMO

Two hour + route

Bear in mind these are largely what I would think of as adventure bike roads, all paved but narrow twisty and quiet, with a few more "sporty" surfaces. There are less lumpy roads for your partner's bike but you'd be mixing it with the cages.

Hogwarts Express..... there's no big sign or anything, you'll just know it's there

[El Dudeness]

Two suggestions for the lakes

This one if you've got all morning, ie you're camping at or near Carlisle.

Four hour + route

And this if you're on a tighter schedule:

Two hour + route

The eden valley is the area to the right of the route between the two mountainous patches. Takoda is at Kirkby Stephen which is the Upper Eden Valley.

Here's your best Dales route IMO

Two hour + route

Bear in mind these are largely what I would think of as adventure bike roads, all paved but narrow twisty and quiet, with a few more "sporty" surfaces. There are less lumpy roads for your partner's bike but you'd be mixing it with the cages.

Hogwarts Express..... there's no big sign or anything, you'll just
know it's there

Thank you so much for the information. It is indeed impressive that you have taken the time and energy to put this much effort in helping us. I am deeply thankfull

I'll be saving these waypoints on to my sat nav and make the decision on which route(s) to take when we get there!

Luckily I've convinced my girlfriend to take my 1200GS (after she'd borrowed it for a weekend of gravel in Sweden) and all I need now is to find a bike for myself to ride. We're having a huge garden party this upcoming Saturday and I'll be doing a bit of lobbying there

[El Dudeness]

You are of course welcome anytime either just for a cuppa or to stay the night, see how things go. Our site is located between the Yorkshire Dales, the North Pennines and the Lake district so if you do find time Maria and I will show you around.

Excellent - I'll get texting you guys (the number you listed is that a cell phone?) when we get closer to the dates.

Once again thanks for your hospitality.