|
|
23 Dec 2007
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 28
|
|
Been there...... just about everywhere
In 3o years of travelling for work, I have been there...probably.
lakes ok, west coast above there even better,s/west scotland nice and quiet, glen coe fantastic, anywhere north is the best in UK if the weather is OK. Cairngorms Westmoorland, N Yorks whitby (great), West Yorks dales brill. Don't forget Wales but watch out they have a mad chief constable who is a bikeomaniac who wants bikes banned 100%.
We all should do UK, but even better try the Pico's, N Spain, Portugal, all the best of the UK with sun...... sticky side down.
|
18 Jan 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Saintfield N Ireland
Posts: 148
|
|
Bit late i know but thought i would give my 2 pennies. Doing the coast route sounds great. About 2 years ago me my dad and mum did scotland but mostly stayed around the mountain areas, and to say the least they are amazing. Not too much traffic, lovely winding roads, quiet, out in the open. Was very nice some great views in there and some very friendly locals. We travelled all over scotland that time and just took it easy no big mileages, top speed normally around 50mph if that untill we got on motorways which we tried to avoid.
|
19 Jan 2008
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leicester, UK
Posts: 102
|
|
Just found this thread and the various links so I thought I'd add a few comments if anyone's interested.
Re: accommodation: Youth hostels are a good option if you don't mind somebody snoring half the night. As a walker, I gave up on hostels a few years ago when I couldn't get into Lulworth Cove one night because it was full of weekending townies who'd bombed down from London in their GTi's and obviously couldn't afford a B&B after paying for the petrol to get there.
Wild camping is certainly possible, especially in the Highlands. Also, if you book a month or so in advance, Travelodge do rooms all over the UK for around £29 or less (some are £9 if you book six months in advance). There are also loads of independent hostels in Scotland (there's a map available from somewhere) which can sometimes work out cheaper than a posh campsite (esp. if you're solo).
Scotland: Have to agree with what others have said - fantastic. I went up to Scotland last April (admittedly in my beat-up old Micra) and broke the back of the journey by bombing up to Kilmarnock Travelodge, then took the CalMac ferries across to the Kintyre and Cowal penisulars and on to Mull and Skye, nicer in my view than sticking to the main Glencoe - Fort William route (loads of photos on Flickr if you're interested). CalMac are great if you phone them for advice about a combined island hopping ticket.
Nearer to home, if I need to travel from Leicester down towards Bath or Bournemouth, I avoid the M-ways and take the B4455 Fosse Way through to Circencester or the A361 to Devizes - both great, generally uncluttered, cross-country routes.
If you're coming up this way, the B6047 Market Harborough to Melton Mowbray got voted best biking road in the country a few years ago by Ride magazine, but take care as it can surprise the unwary. Personally, I preper the B664 up to the Harley dealer in Uppingham, then on to Oakham.
And down sarf, there's a great square of biking country from Salisbury - Shaftesbury - Blandford Forum - Ringwood.
Enjoy.
Indoors.
|
20 Jan 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sunderland, UK
Posts: 280
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Indoors
Youth hostels are a good option if you don't mind somebody snoring half the night.
|
Other people are the downside to hostels. Last one I stayed in, I was woken at 6am by some disabled German lad having a thomas the tank in the bunk below. Not nice.
|
22 Jan 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 204
|
|
I often wondered what made hostel duvets rigid!
|
28 Jan 2008
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Thatcham, England
Posts: 18
|
|
Ahhh, this post is starting to make amusing reading
Thanks for the continuing ideas, suggestions and offers. We're doing that great winter biker activity of getting all the maps and books out and scouring the internet for beautiful, unusual and exciting places to visit on our UK tour.
I'll be sure to post our planned route and a follow up with where we actually ended up, what was great and what was pants.
Here's hoping I've not booked my three weeks to coincide with our indian summer
Keep up the great tips/ideas...and while I think of it, I know (from experience) that Scotland has a bit of a midge problem during the summer. Is this equally bad on both coasts? And the Western Isles (Isle of Lewis, etc)?
__________________
greencat
|
29 Jan 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by greencat
I'll be sure to post our planned route and a follow up with where we actually ended up, what was great and what was pants.
|
Hi greencat,
You might be interested in this topic in that case:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...od-stuff-30852
__________________
Dave
|
29 Jan 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 204
|
|
Quote:
Scotland has a bit of a midge problem
|
A great understatement. The west coast is the worst for the little sods, who wait until you set up camp and as the sun dips below the horizon rise from the ground to make your life hell! Hard accommodation helps to keep man and midge apart.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|