Have wanted to have a bit of a blat in the Borders for a while and spoken with ColinBR in the past about catching up, but now he is Mr Big in Aberdeenshire he suggested giving Craig aka Shineysideup a bell. Vague plan hatched to meet at Moffat Sunday morning. I had stuff to do Sat am but worked out plan to overnight 'wild camping' at St.Mary's loch (not that wild, its got a pub 2 mins walk away and public toilets 2 over the road. Got on the road around 2pm Saturday. Did my regular Scotland via intersting roads route - Manchester -> Settle (fuel and lunch) -> Hawes (water stop and did get air on the way) -> Kirkby Stephen where on the way I hit a torrential rainstorm for 15 mins, of course no waterproofs etc. and just had to ride it out, then bright sunshine again but not before water sloshing in boots AGAIN... Kirkby Stephen -> Middleton in Teesdale -> Alston -> Harside Cafe for a brew Dropped back down to Alston and onto Brampton, re-fuel in Longtown then A7 into Scotland to the B709 at Lanholm - Stopped here for photo and drink: Lots of flies on-route at this point At this junction 3 cars asked where nearest fuel was - told the first Langholm, he thought he range to get there. 2nd car is a Civic, ask him what his range is '2 miles' - tell him to switch off A/C and go steady - I wished him good luck. It really is a remote spot Soon cover the remaining distance to St.Mary's loch - on arrival before putting tent up its straight into Loch for a swim - forward thinking = bathers under leathers (top tip from Bike Magazine) Tent soon up and this is my hotel view: Dinner at local hotel when I learn midges are in overrdive - no wind = heaven for them so swift return to tent where I slept well. Another swim first thing before dropping tent and heading to Moffat to meet Craig at 10:00 Part 2 with ride out details to follow..
Rolled into Moffat bang on 10:00 - Craig had sorted a route to take about 3 hours leaving me time to get back south OK i'll try and post up a full route but I was honestly blown away by the roads we covered - lots of hidden / easily missed gems and even a trip to a local Aldi (which was a failure) One notable comedy moment after a pit stop was 'Craig, quick there is tractor coming, lets get going' but we were in large dual white line area so good to get away ahead. The A road from Biggar to Moffat (which is a regular of Craig and Colin's) is simply epic, with a few 'fully airborn' moments, but also stunning views and for the time of day (13:30) really light traffic - great progress made and 3 Hyabussas dispatched. Info Moffat for a drink and chat before splitting - for a short planned run out worked really well and big thanks to Craig for leading me round it. Headed back with a good chunk of motorway to get to Penrith in good time, then stop at Pooley Bridge and over Kirkstone Pass to get to Kendal and onto Kirkby Lonsdale - turns out I only missed Firebloke and GaryB by 30 mins! There is no way I could have done that route from Manchester in one day and with the weather we had tent was no problem - there were prob. 8 tents on the land opp. St Mary's Loch so pretty commonly used spot. The pub is trying hard to turn a profit but finding it tough - could be a goldmine but lacking something at present, wish them well as they are trying some new ideas to help. Made me realise there are a huge amount of stunning roads in a relatively untouched and quiet area which while not 'on my door step' is quite achievable with a little planning.
Sorry I couldn't make it this time Al. Next time your up this way we can make it a proper border tour. Don't get me wrong you would need the full day with another overnight to take it all in. By the looks n sounds of things you had a blast along some of my favourite roads.
Sorry we missed you Al, we left Devils at 5pm, we was conscious that Thefirebloke hadn't got his medication with him and we needed to get him sedated ASAP. Looks like you proven once again, that it isn't always about the length of time you have with the bike, it's how you use that time. Big balls stopping out on St Mary's loch what with all those winged beasties knocking on the canvas. Top effort mate
This was the route on Sunday (well think it is roughly it - could go a bit wrong at the top and just past Biggar) http://goo.gl/maps/TEOd1 Just under 150 miles - highlights for me were: The section down to point B from near the motorway (which was avoided) - amazing views, empty road and great cross views to get a good lick on C to D for just good open main road - top speed not daft but enjoyable all the same E to F - new tarmac, fun, flowing and again almost zero traffic I to J is simply awesome - I can only imagine on a warm evening when traffic has dropped (not that its busy) you can really enjoy the road, and get some pretty big air too If you were heading to / from Scotland adding either side of this loop is a good option rather than the M74 Moffat was a busy little town on the Sunday - lots of folk about, plenty of places to get a bite to eat, petrol etc.
Hey Al, Good write up on your mini tour, hope it made some sort of a menz for the bad weather and run of luck on your recent euro excursion. H to I is a lil off as the route went from Carluke thru Lanark and up into Biggar. Was good catching up and spending a few hours blatting about on the bikes!
Gary, I heard a rumour that your had been told Al was makin his way down and you decided to bolt before he showed up in case he took all your sour plooms off you!
We did this run on Sunday although we went right down to Dumfries and across to Moffat, St Marys Loch, Peebles and finally back up to Glasgow, so probably past you was at St Mary's Loch at around 1:00pm
I love that Dalveen Pass road from Thornhill to Elvanfoot, especially the bit round the side of the hills. I also regularly do the Strathaven to Muirkirk to Douglas to Rigside to Lanark and back round to Hamilton. A nice wee 70 odd mile circuit. Sometimes go a wee bit further to Biggar for a chippy tea. And as the missus is from just outside Jedburgh, am down that way a wee bit, sadly not as often on the bike as I would like though. Good wee read though, cheers for sharing.
Friend and neighbour of mine regularly heads off from here (Newcastle) to st Mary's loch for a ride out he keeps suggesting that I join him, not done so yet.. Time and work etc getting in the way
Found a couple of pics on my phone from the run out with Al and thought I would post em up. Mostly the usual pics of parked up bikes. Al getting rid of some excess water! And lastly Al getting ready to head off home after being fed n watered again at the local cafe! (this pic almost seen the bike on its side as Al had a fight with the drain cover and almost dropped hur!
