Featured Touring Back Hame

Discussion in 'Rideouts, Trackdays, Touring & Spotted' started by MoreT, Jun 12, 2022.

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  1. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    Once more heading back north and homeward bound. Though I am regularly in Scotland (for work and family) via plane and automobile (trains I avoid), I haven't been back on 2 wheels since 2017.

    2017 when I got hit by the beast from the east and closed the journey in one leg from Alness to West London. Not the longest ride I have done in a day but probably the worst. I had planned a camp out on Skye, something I haven't done in decades, but saw the weather coming in on the news. So I thought I would try and beat it home.

    All was good down the A9 despite the new speed cameras. It was Leeds that got me. I knew I should have stopped in the Midlands and bagged a sofa at a friends but, ever the optimist, I thought I could ride out the other side of it. It just got worse and worse. In the end I was in pieces, threw away half my sodden gear, and swore off touring ever again.

    So in 2 weeks I will be heading back. I have some work for a couple of days in sunny Aberdeen, so have packed shirts and decent shoes so as to clean up nice.

    The camping gear is all stowed in a 65litre holdall to throw over the empty pillion. and I'm hoping I'll get the panniers fitted properly for all the other stuff. I have a new larger tent as I'm fed up of touching cloth at both ends and it's side entry so I don't have to do downward dog every time I enter and exit. Also for the first time I have the new fangled blackout liner so I won't be getting up with the sun.

    The weekend will be in Skye but the rest of the week, bar a couple of days work, I will look up some old friends and generally bimble. I will revisit the the Struie, one of the best wee roads in the Highlands, with a great view of Dornoch Firth, somehow missed off the North Coast 500.
     
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  2. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    Thought I would put up shots from 2017. Of course I have more recent ones but I wasn't on a bike, so doesn't count. :)

    Bike Camp.jpg

    Cairngorms.jpg

    River Dee.jpg
     
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  3. Glenn2926

    Glenn2926 Senior Member
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    Dec 21, 2021
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    I will revisit the the Struie, one of the best wee roads in the Highlands, with a great view of Dornoch Firth, somehow missed off the North Coast 500.

    All the better for the rest of us that this great little road has been missed off the NC500.
    It’s a great shame the NC500 was ever conceived.
     
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  4. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    I forgot I had put up a couple of vids from this trip.

     
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  5. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

    Mar 14, 2018
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    And Natalie MacMaster, Catharsis!
     
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  6. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    Ah there it is, thanks
     
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  7. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
    293
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    Sorting out kit, fettling the mounts and fitting new Dart Classic Screen. 11 hours of riding tomorrow. Early Start.

    20220621_122958.jpg
     
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  8. Dawsy

    Dawsy Cumbrian half-wit
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    Aug 24, 2018
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    Have a great trip :grinning:
     
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  9. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

    Mar 14, 2018
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    Have a great trip mate, stay safe!
     
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  10. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    Oct 28, 2020
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    Enjoy your trip!
     
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  11. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    Loaded up.
    Far too much gear because I was working several days. One side bag and the bag on top of my camping holdall. I did post post my laundry and work clothes home after work to lessen the load somewhat. Still I had all the laptop gear.

    IMG-20220622-WA0001.jpg
     
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  12. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    1st day and final day long rides. Then spent 3 days in Perth ride from and to Dyce. Once camping at Glenbrittle I had a few days to ride around the island. As usual I had to cut short the trip and return early. I had wanted to spread the journey and not spend a day riding in the rain. but them's the breaks.

    route.jpg
     
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  13. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    Posh camping in Perth as I was with family.

    IMG-20220624-WA0000.jpeg
     
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  14. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    Visited the Black Watch Museum in Perth.
    Busted camera so only have what I had on phone camera.

    20220629_191308.jpg

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    20220625_114423.jpg
     
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  15. Glenn2926

    Glenn2926 Senior Member
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    Dec 21, 2021
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    Thanks very much for the write up of your solo trip. I haven't done a solo trip yet but do fancy doing one.
     
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  16. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    Solo trips are great - no-one to hurry you or slow you down. And travelling alone always makes for great conversation where ever you stay.
     
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  17. Wattie

    Wattie Well-Known Member

    Feb 25, 2020
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    You're not kidding about first and last day being long rides, definitely too much distance for me these days, especially with no real wind protection, well done for making it. It gives me something to aim at....
    I looked at the speedmaster a while back ( and thought it was great) but hard luggage seemed limited, what are those you have? are they quick release? Thanks.
    I was in the black watch museum a couple of years back, the restaurant was good and the folks at the museum desk helped me find out info about my great uncle, I was really impressed with them.
     
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  18. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @MoreT: Thanks for the report and the great photos!
     
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  19. MoreT

    MoreT Senior Member

    Jun 12, 2022
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    I mostly travel solo.
    I have travelled on organised trips and with 2 or 3 other bikes.

    Though if arranging to travel with a small group I assume I am going solo until they turn up, as I have experienced many no shows.

    I usually find someone to talk to, if I don't have friends or family at the waypoints. I once travelled across the States through Eaglerider and met up with other riders I had been talking to on a Harley forum for a couple of years.
     
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