Ok, so once I’d let the traffic go I got a nice bit of the road to myself to enjoy the bends by the side of Loch Lomond. Next was the A83 leading to the A814 down the side of Loch Long. The road surface was a bit rutted to start with and it was up and down like a roller coaster, I reckon if I’d had Mrs YM on the back she’d have needed sea sick pills. But after a few miles the surface improved and the road was nice and twisty. It goes all the way down to Gareloch and passes Faslane, the naval base that used to house nuclear submarines, it may still do but its now sign posted as HMNB Clyde and has a massive security fence along the roadside so there wasn’t any chance of a photo, not that I could see anything significant moored up so I continued to Helensburgh for lunch, well a late breakfast actually cos I arrived at 11.30 and they were still on breakfast menu. Like the naval base there’s no pic of the food but this was the view, bottom of Gareloch where it meets the river Clyde , the Beachcomber cafe Bar. Then I kind of retraced the route I took northwards and went towards Kilmarnock, for not much more reason than to stay off the motorway and passed this place in Mauchline. The little white sign states the tower was built as a memorial to Robert Burns, the poet and the building is just so typically Scottish in its style. And that’s about it folks, not much else to say and no more pics. I’m breaking the journey up with an overnight stop in a hotel near Lockerbie. The highlight, well I’d say the run back from Skye on the A87 yesterday has to be it. I reckon it was one of the best days biking I’ve ever had, even putting the track day I did on Phillip Island into second place. Great road surface, fab weather, awesome scenery it just doesn’t get better than that. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my little tour as much as I’ve enjoyed riding it, I’ve been blessed with the weather and couldn’t have had it any better. Just a few miles back down through the lakes tomorrow and me own bed. So til the next time this has been the Missen, oh fuck, I did it again. Cheers, Andy the Yorkshireman
This is what you need for midges mate https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008PBY...l1?_encoding=UTF8&aod=1&qid=1458391033&sr=1-4
Having spent time in the jungle and many northern woodlines and open areas I would definitely say the Avon stuff is way better for any future trips up that way but if that works for you then all good
What a brilliant write-up and gorgeous photos, Yorkshireman. Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us in words and pictures.. I definitely enjoyed the thread. And it's great that you'd rank this tour as among the best biking days you've ever had!
That reminds me of a Johnny 7 toy gun I always wanted when I was a kid but never got one as they were quite expensive. A kid a few doors up from us had one and I often thought about nicking it! https://www.doyouremember.co.uk/memory/johnny-seven-gun
Good work Andy, looks like the weather held pretty good so the rest just follows. Glad you had a good trip.
Cheers Alan, I got really lucky with the weather, just a bit of very light drizzle between Ilkley and Skipton on the A65. Hoping to get another one in, maybe Wales next time.