Damn. If I knew you guys were heading to St Marys loch, we could have met up for a blast. I head down that way regularly.
It was very last minute thing - up at Hartside and found we both ride at a very similar pace / style - I suggested nipping up to Simmy Ling place, and St. Mary's loch added a decent place for a brew before heading south. Long day - but stunning!
Here goes - starting reply.. adding pictures as I know you lot like pictures. Met Steve at 08:45 Sunday - had been heavy drizzel / light rain for both of us, but.... it was getting brighter. Stopped for fuel in Settle Saw these out on a run By now it was getting drying but roads still wet / deep puddles in places - headed up to Hawes and I was leading but bottled out of 'that jump' due to wet roads At Hawes had a brew and bacon roll to set up for the day and the sun was now out and clouds rapidly lifting Steve led a cracking route via Shap / Tebay to Penrith and upto Hartside (where he was pretty dam quick) - I had involuntary toe slider / poss. knee down on a sharp L.Hander but stayed on my side of the road. Up at Hawes and its now scorching and about 12:30 - bang on time. Heard we were not meeting Bororich and had a brew - it was such good weather and Firebloke mentioned he liked travel / seeing new places that I suggested the Tibetan Temple / monestry in the borders - did quick map check and headed off about 1:15 REally good ride down to ALston, then Brampton and suddenly - we're in Scotland! At this point I removed lid as had felt something in my hair above eyes for a few mins moving around and found this
Part 2 Cracked on to Longtown for fuel then in Langholm took a left to Eskdalemuir and arrived here (think Steve was gobsmacked!) Steve took loads with his phone and will add some I am sure. Scorpion and a few bugs on a Blade We could have stayed and waited for a service by the Monks but I suggested we head to St. Marys Loch for a break as its a stunning place.
Part 3 Another 30 mins and we arrived here Bit of a Panorama to give an idea of the view we had while drinking coffee and the other way and back Only felt right for some more pictures after our coffee (and cake) Firebloke getting all arty! Steve's blade Final scenic shot of the Loch
Part 4 We them checked with cafe about a road closure - had planned to head for Moffet and old A74 to head south (quick road that I know well) but it was closed just past the Loch, detour was 11 mile single track, then A road into Moffet which we decided to take - little did we know it would be an epic diversion! More art photography being captured Love this shot with whole 'setting' captured Art shot suggested by Steve with the Thistle - well we were in Scotland! Final view of this reservoir Then cracked on - made good progress on this road and swear Firebloke never put a brake light on - really smooth / forward planning At another point another 'to die for view'
Part 5 (final part) Time for more arty / bike shots We got to the main A road towards Moffet which again turned out to be an absolute cracker - stunning and really good steady progress - not daft 3 figure speeds even on arrow straight sections with no turnings and no traffic - end of day we both need our licences for work. At Moffet I took lead down old A74 which runs next to M74 - it was almost empty and made really good progress. Off at Jnc 42 for fuel, then down A6 to Penrith and Shap and into Kendal. Steve took lead and suggested going to Devils bridge to split and the route via Sedburgh (that I had not done) as interesting route. Got to Devils bridge and fatigue started to hit me so rather than A65 to Long Preston and back to Manchester via M65 I followed Steve to M6 near Lancaster and had a steady run home. Final pic at Devils Bridge Given day was planned at midnight with quick post and phone call and weather started off lousy it was stunning day. No way could a big group have covered the distance (not sure of total) and many would not want / be able to Steve and I both ride at a similar pace - and also quite happy to stop for photos - something which others absolutely hate so that worked out well. The Borders really were stunning - you don't need to go to Highlands for great roads. An awesome day out - think I have sunburn!
Great write up mate. The borders roads are my favourite stomping grounds. The road from St Marys loch to Moffat can get a little bumpy in places but it is well worth it with the views. There's a nice waterfall called the Grey Mares Tail along the way to Moffat that worth a climb up. If u take the road north from Moffat you will be rewarded with what I class as my favourite road. Great combination of views, twisties and general outdoor wonder.
new blade not on road yet - insurance hassles with having 2 bikes - had short term cover to collect it. going away on old one in 2 weeks so cannot swap over yet.
That was the part of the route (St Marys to Moffat) which was closed - you should take the single track road from just past St Marys towards Tweedsdalemuir and into Moffat - think that road (which say is your favourite) was also Steve's top road today - but we had a huge variety today with everything.
Fantastic write up, Al and Steve's great adventure The diversion you spoke of, I too traveled that road towards Moffat last year, Amazing views narrow with grass growing in the middle. But well worth it. Thanks for sharing. An inspiration to those who do not travel that far. Look forwards to meeting you all again on Sunday.
Tweedsdalemuir to Moffat is the road I'm talking about. Good grip and at one point the road just opens up in a valley, so that you can get a good tramp on
This is the route we did Sunday Epic Route to Scotland Will edit that and insert the photos where they were taken as lots of interest in it As you can see was also a long day - prob 400 miles + with getting to / from the start and end points. Did not drink enough water - carried half a litre and had a few teas and coffee but no substitute for water.
Well, what a fabulous job Alblade has done in showing what a great day we had! All this was organised at 12.10am by phone the night before! Bit of a damp start but slowly turned into the perfect biking weather, I was glad we'd set off at 8.00am that morning because by the time it started to dry out we were already up at Hawes. "Fancy taking a look at a Tibetan Monastery?" Al says "It's not that far from here" as we share a coffee up at Hartside.........400+ miles later as I arrive home at 8.30 in the evening my body tells me different! I don't regret a single minute of it, in fact it turned out to be one of those epic rides that you remember for the rest of your life. Perfect weather (eventually), perfect roads and as we soon found out, we had a lot more in common than just owning a blade. How refreshing to ride with someone who not only was on the pace but also enjoyed culture, ( Tibetan style ) and scenic beauty. After regretting leaving my Nikon compact at home to save space I took a few snaps with my iphone but couldn't capture the beauty and scale of bonnie Scotland so here's just a few of the better ones.
Think the only thing I would have changed apart from drinking water would have been to cut onto the M6 at Kendal / Jnc 36 on way home as for me its under an hour from there and I'd have been home prob. 7:30 in daylight - was not really able to enjoy the twisty bits at the end of the day. What it has shown me, is with a reverse of that route I can be in Moffat in less than 3 hours via some decent routes (other than first hour on M6), visit the borders and just about get home at sane o'clock - adding a hotel with food / drink if you do it over 2 days prob. doubles the cost or more - but does make it more enjoyable with the time presure. Getting a good early start and limiting group size to say 4 / 6 max is only way you could do that distance. Breakfast in Kendal at 09:00 anyone some time?
