Featured North Coast 500 Sep 23

Todays route from Arbroath to Moffat


Corrected map below, shame I can’t delete the original above


Overcast when I left and stayed so till about 11:00 (as I jumped on the M90 South at Kinross). Called in on @Goofs in Dundee for a brew and a chat - was much appreciated and what a cracking fella

 

As requested a few shots from the day…


This isn’t how to keep a secret , it tickled me anyways. On the A92 just south of the bridge over the Tay.


looking south off the A91 a mile or two shy of Milnathort


dropped a clanger in that I took the wrong bridge but it’s lovely and quiet. Was worried there were cameras (bikes are supposed to be 125 or less) but a bridge security fella said no cameras, so no worries - just don’t do it again. In his opinion he’d rather see all bike traffic go this way - far safer for everyone.


No introduction required - an icon of engineering

 

Edinburgh castle

Then these three all taken on the A701 lay-by where the road bends right (about 7 miles short of Moffat) and if you don’t it’s a 500 foot drop. Locally known as the Beef Tubs harking back to cattle rustling in days gone by.

 

So the last leg completed mid afternoon today (Thursday 7th September)

I’ll post pictures from the route and compose a summary in the morning.

 

So, leaving Moffat it was an overcast grey day with hazy sunshine. Similar to previous, again warm and dry, but the cloud cover persisted until I got home mid afternoon.


Looking South East across Castle Loch on the B2020 at Lochmaben.


Self explanatory


Looking towards Skiddaw and Blencathra summits from a local road in the lakes between Caldbeck and Uldale

 

Derwent Water at Keswick


Looking toward Great Dodd and Helvellyn on the A591 just south of Keswick.


Scafell Pike from the A591 just north of Grasmere.

 

Spotted a guy taking photos (Furness bike pics) on the way in to Grasmere who took these

 

Looking south down Lake Windermere


And then back home


Covered in fly’s but thankful the screen took them more than me

 

In summary……. I left Wigan around 16:30 Friday 1st September and got back 14:30 Thursday 7th September.

According to the trip meter I covered a total of 1,432.4 miles riding for a total of 35 hours 43 minutes.

I used a total of 121 litres of fuel (mostly super unleaded) at a cost of £189.56
Returning 48.8 mpg at an average speed of 39.6 mph.

Accommodation for the 6 nights B&B totalled £499
Dunoon Ferry £11.40
Other than breakfast I took a flask of tea with me each morning and had brought cereal bars with me for lunch (just meant I could stop when and where I wanted in the day rather than when there was a cafe - good job too as many such were closed). I didn’t have an evening meal the first Friday as I’d had a late lunch. The 5 evening meals I had out cost me £126 only one a takeaway fish and chips in Arbroath (I don’t drink when I’m riding the next day, so I’m a cheap date).

I need to do a bit of rubbing down and painting on the engine bar where I forgot the side stand


And there are a few more marks on the left side pannier (but the luggage was far from perfect when I got the bike)


I’ve absolutely loved it and although going solo was never lonely - everywhere I went people were keen to chat and I have met some very interesting people. It was certainly made by the weather - I don’t think I would have taken so many longer routes between A & B on a daily basis if it was tipping down.

Did I miss my fireblade on some of those roads - definitely. Would I consider doing it again taking the fireblade - no way. The Tiger has been excellent and far more suitable (and as much fun, but in a different way). The ride was smooth as silk, but it has the Ktec fork internals and Nitron rear shock. I’ve never ridden a standard 1050 so can’t comment for the difference they have made but the previous owner said he’d ridden both and the difference is very noticeable. I certainly have no aches or pains and never felt thankful to see my accommodation. I got off feeling as comfortable as when I started.

I will do it again, hopefully with a pillion, but as was mentioned by the previous owner the luggage isn’t the biggest (which is why he changed it for a later model with explorer luggage).

However, I’m not sure I would want to do it with other bikes as a group. You need to concentrate and have your whits about you far more than normal riding I’m used to and additional bikes just add to the risk. Whenever I got caught by another rider/s I let them pass and dropped back. But that’s just me.

I picked up half a dozen midge bites and a very painful bee sting to the face on the run to Moffat. Broke out my first aid kit and put Anthisan on straight away so didn’t swell to bad and is hardly noticeable now. In fairness to the bee, I rear ended it at 60 mph so not his fault and he came off a lot worse

if anyone has any specific questions please feel free to message me or just ask here if you think it’s of use to the wider audience.

Thanks to all for reading / commenting.

EDIT - Just to clarify. I bought the bike from Staffordshire Triumph, but managed to get contact details for the previous owner from the DATATAG registration. So all my discussions with him were not tainted by any selling interest on his part.
A really nice guy and that contact/feedback gave a high degree in confidence for my purchase.

 

I’m happy people found my little blog of interest, as I certainly enjoyed both the trip and doing the posts. The scenery was amazing, the roads in great condition and the weather couldn’t have been much better.
Surprisingly everything (with one notable exception ) went to plan, which was rewarding as I’d only done a hundred miles or so on the tiger prior to setting off.
So, thanks all for reading and the many kind comments from @Goofs, @Bikerman, @learningtofly, @Wessa, @Sandi T, @andypandy, @Vulpes, @Dawsy, @Pedro1340 and apologies to anyone if I’ve missed them out.