i 'm leaving to do this 10 day - 2800 km - around scotland tour on the multi 1200 next thursday... we'll be arriving in Newcastle on tyne to make it across to Brodick on Aran 2 up with the misses weather seems to be going from bad to worse butt we're really looking forward to it! we already did some 4 day trips this year in appaling conditions so let's see if we make the grade... i'm glad i slapped on some new Z8's and am banking on there fierce wet sitckyness reputation We didn't book any rooms to add some spice... days have been set up to keep the distance at around 260 km / day... being pritty small roads , this should be enough.. Any tips are welcome. grtz Koen ps : the map below is the Garmin Base Camp map
Hey if you pass a white multi and a white GS give us a wave, we are off up next monday for a 4 day trip Day 1 (1st Sept) upto Fort William Day 2 to Inverness via applecross Day 3 to Edinburgh Day 4 Home just over 1000 miles in total, really looking forward to it apart from a 360 mile day 1 !
I doubt if we will come acorss each other... but i will def keep an eye out! kno what : i'll just wave to you wherever you are! enjoy and take care! grtz
Take a spare bit of fuel just in case, we filled up almost every time we went past a garage and still nearly got stuck.......great route choice....those roads are made for the multi. good idea to have the new treads on ....you won't regret it
Include the Bealach na Ba, which is the highest continuous climb in the UK, and goes from Lochcarron via Applecross to Shieldaig - a must do road but it does involve some steep tight bends. Take a look on Google Earth. From Ullapool continue north to Durness and then cut across the top to JoG. Good advice above about keeping topped up on fuel. Enjoy.
Inverness via Applecross sounds a bit like Truro via Colwyn Bay Nick:biggrin: Hope you get decent weather and have a ball.
Have a great trip. I did a very similar one a few years ago on my 999. I was very much aware that the Multistrada would have been the right tool for the job, especially on some of the sheep tracks that pass for roads in the far north.
Well yes,I am being a bit tongue in cheek, just such a shame to head back to Inverness rather than headingfurther up to Wester Ross.:wink:
Yes doing the A87, Eyore, I could plan about 2 weeks of riding around here but not enough holidays left to do it, so had to leave something for next time !
Have planned on max if 160 mile full ups, but my mate I am going with has a GS tanker, so with his 33l tank I am not bothered about running out , lol ! Once sorted i did suggest a route sharing thread, will post up my routes for info and future trips,
At the top end I would definitely take the A836 up past the left side of Loch Loyal and up to Tongue. Once there just have a wander across the 'Bridge' A838 to the other side and back again. Honestly, the scenery and beaches up there are stunning. Check out the little google map man in the middle of that bridge and have a look see around. The beaches and road towards Bettyhill are also stunning. Thats it, you got me you bugger, gonna start planning the Scotty trip right away!!
TX , i changed the route on day six... it even kept me within my 260 km /Day limit... planning is half the fun isn't it! enjoy! Koen
If the weather is good it would be a shame to miss the Applecross loop, the road over the pass is stunning and the coastal route back to the A896 is breathtaking.
many tx... i did consider the loop but , and now i'm sure we should have , i'm lacking 2/3 days to do it all/all/all.... adding the loop will add another 50 km to the day to around 300 km... with a ferry crossing to be had... i'll have to decline, much to my regret! tx Koen
Unless your staying on Arran I wouldn't bother with the hassle of the double ferry crossing, just over an hour to get from Ardrossan to Brodick, twenty minutes Brodick to Lochranza and just under an hour to get from Lochranza to Claonaig and the road from there to Campelltown is awful on a bike,though the A83 on the way back is OK. As an alternative I'd recommend going a bit further north to Gourock and get the Western ferry to Dunoon ( a single 40 minute crossing), up the A815 around to Inverary and rejoin your planned route at Lochgilphead, much nicer bike roads and one of my favourite 'day out' routes. Your route seems to follow Loch Awe up onto the A85, I'd also suggest staying on the A816 from Lochgilphead all the way to Oban as its one of the best bike roads in the whole of Europe, you can easily rejoin the A85 Oban toward Tyndrum which is also a fantastic bike road.
Envious of your trip Koen, sounds/looks great, hopefully the weather won't be too unkind to you.....have a good safe trip - look forward to the trip report/photos on your return ;-)
Whichever way you choose I hope the weather is fine as it makes all the difference to the quality of the ride. Our paths may cross as I am heading North from Newcastle on the 7th Sept, anti clockwise, Aberdeen - John O Groats - Durness - Applecross - Newcastle. Fingers crossed for dry weather. regards Jimmy