Upping my annual mileage
Discussion
For the past six or seven years largely due to work, I've noticed that my annual mileage on the bike has been woefully poor. At this years MoT it turns out last year I did only a little over 1000 miles. I worked pretty much through last years lockdown (due to the industry I worked in) and think I did most of those miles on two or three days between lockdowns and a few commuting journeys. But with no kids football or cricket yesterday I decided to start doing something about it.
Our short holiday last summer saw us travelling up to Braemar and I thought at the time it'd be a great road on the bike, so with fluid levels checked and waterproofs strapped into the bike, the alarm was set for an early start:
The weather was quite misty on leaving home and only got thicker as I headed North. Turning off the A1 I chose to follow the A697 towards Wooler and Coldstream. Luckily the mist cleared (but still pretty cool) around Thrunton. I didn't stop much early on other than to fill up, but riding north of Coldstream thought just how nice this area is.
Unfortunately going down to and around the Edinburgh bypass the weather closed in again and got very cold. I ended up at Queensferry when I turned off to get fuel.
Heading further North again, I'm pleased to say the weather cleared up beautifully.
Seeing the signposts for Knockhill I decided to take a short detour on route to Perth to visit. I've only been there once before 25+ years ago to watch a BSB race - the weather then certainly wasn't as nice as it was yesterday.
There was a trackday going on at the time with some quite tasty machines in the paddock. But things have certainly changed quite a bit since I was a trackday regular (did my last trackday around 2009 at Castle Coombe) - while I used to trailer my bike it seems nothing less than a campervan with covered trailer, generator powering the tyre blankets is the norm (I'm only jealous!). Unfortunately there were a couple of red flag incidents while I was there which I know from experience is frustrating when you're participating, so didn't stick around too long.
Leaving Knockhill I followed the minor roads to Perth (as opposed to following the satnav and motorway in the car) which led me to going through the centre of the town - what a lovely looking place it is, certainly somewhere I'd go back to for a more leisurely wander. Going through led in onto the A93 heading North to Braemar.
I took the opportunity in Perth to fill up, treating the old girl to Super unleaded nonetheless. Looking at the bike (I've owned her from new) I still think it's a great looking machine.
I remembered from last year that there was a fuel station at Braemar but needn't have worried really about fuel - as long as you've got 100+ miles from a tank you should be fine.
Showing my age here perhaps, but I remember when I was a kid reading or seeing something about the tallest hedge in Britain - could this be it?
This is just to the North of a traffic light controlled stone bridge and marks the start of a wonderful section of road up to Glenshee. So wonderful I had to stop and take a photo.
Now I'm not as young or as daft as I used to be, but being passed by big GS adventure type bikes on this stretch did get me thinking I was possibly past it. What did occur to me however was watching these bikes soak up the undulations and bumps and smooth out the road while I was being bucked around while still enjoying a trackday set up on the TL.
It was good to see a fair number of bikes out on the road (the weather helping no doubt) as the couple of trips I did last year up to Alston and the like did get me thinking biking looked to be in decline. The cafe at Glenshee had a fair few people there with the queue for a brew putting me off waiting.
I've recently seen this bit of road called the highest main road on mainland Britain - is that right?
Going down towards Braemar I stopped at the point where the old military road (built under General Wade's direction - love a bit of Military history) splits from the modern road. Running parallel with each other but on either side of the river, last year I drove down this single track road into Braemar - this year it has a police notice attached to the signpost preventing this.
I stopped for a bag of chips in Braemar (the shortest queue) and while I didn't stop too long it was good to have a quick chat with a couple of guys out on their bikes. The collection of bikes was quite interesting too - RD's, Suzuki GT's, slightly older Duc's etc. I guess my generation of biker is still going strong.
Both the paddock jacket and headover were discarded by this point and after filling up at the Braemar fuel stop I pushed on. With small patches of snow still on the highest points there really were some wonderful views to be seen on the way over to Tomintoul.
In this next photo, the light coloured track in the mid-distance is, I think, the other end of another old military road (non-metalled but still a public footpath). I'd love to come back to this area and walk these old routes.
The Lecht road was much quieter than Glenshee (only to be expected I suppose being more remote and all facilities closed) but still another great stretch of road.
Pushing on towards Aviemore, this was extremely busy such that I decided not to stop at the fuel station and push on. The return journey took me down the A9. While this is heavily covered with speed camera's this isn't in itself such a problem - the traffic was all moving along quite nicely at 60 and the views are pleasant enough, perhaps a more adventure ior sports-tourer style bike would be a better choice for this stretch - while my backside had well gone numb by Aviemore my knees were just about refusing to straighten by Pitlochry. This looked like another lovely little place I'd like to return to some time, with people enjoying a beer sitting outside the guesthouses and hotels on the main drag through the town.
The journey back was much the same as the way up, at least as far as the Edinburgh bypass - I carried on the A1 South past Berwick before following the coast road back home. Funny thing is - just North of Berwick I could see the sea fret just off the coast and the temperature really dropped. By the time I got to Bamburgh I had to stop to put some layers back on.
By the time I got home I'd covered more than half the previous years total mileage and fallen in love with proper bike trips again.
Would another bike be more suitable for a trip like this? Probably. As it is I think the 24 year old bike probably survived the trip better than the '24 years older' rider.
So - what trips (Covid permitting) would you suggest I do next?
Our short holiday last summer saw us travelling up to Braemar and I thought at the time it'd be a great road on the bike, so with fluid levels checked and waterproofs strapped into the bike, the alarm was set for an early start:
The weather was quite misty on leaving home and only got thicker as I headed North. Turning off the A1 I chose to follow the A697 towards Wooler and Coldstream. Luckily the mist cleared (but still pretty cool) around Thrunton. I didn't stop much early on other than to fill up, but riding north of Coldstream thought just how nice this area is.
Unfortunately going down to and around the Edinburgh bypass the weather closed in again and got very cold. I ended up at Queensferry when I turned off to get fuel.
Heading further North again, I'm pleased to say the weather cleared up beautifully.
Seeing the signposts for Knockhill I decided to take a short detour on route to Perth to visit. I've only been there once before 25+ years ago to watch a BSB race - the weather then certainly wasn't as nice as it was yesterday.
There was a trackday going on at the time with some quite tasty machines in the paddock. But things have certainly changed quite a bit since I was a trackday regular (did my last trackday around 2009 at Castle Coombe) - while I used to trailer my bike it seems nothing less than a campervan with covered trailer, generator powering the tyre blankets is the norm (I'm only jealous!). Unfortunately there were a couple of red flag incidents while I was there which I know from experience is frustrating when you're participating, so didn't stick around too long.
Leaving Knockhill I followed the minor roads to Perth (as opposed to following the satnav and motorway in the car) which led me to going through the centre of the town - what a lovely looking place it is, certainly somewhere I'd go back to for a more leisurely wander. Going through led in onto the A93 heading North to Braemar.
I took the opportunity in Perth to fill up, treating the old girl to Super unleaded nonetheless. Looking at the bike (I've owned her from new) I still think it's a great looking machine.
I remembered from last year that there was a fuel station at Braemar but needn't have worried really about fuel - as long as you've got 100+ miles from a tank you should be fine.
Showing my age here perhaps, but I remember when I was a kid reading or seeing something about the tallest hedge in Britain - could this be it?
This is just to the North of a traffic light controlled stone bridge and marks the start of a wonderful section of road up to Glenshee. So wonderful I had to stop and take a photo.
Now I'm not as young or as daft as I used to be, but being passed by big GS adventure type bikes on this stretch did get me thinking I was possibly past it. What did occur to me however was watching these bikes soak up the undulations and bumps and smooth out the road while I was being bucked around while still enjoying a trackday set up on the TL.
It was good to see a fair number of bikes out on the road (the weather helping no doubt) as the couple of trips I did last year up to Alston and the like did get me thinking biking looked to be in decline. The cafe at Glenshee had a fair few people there with the queue for a brew putting me off waiting.
I've recently seen this bit of road called the highest main road on mainland Britain - is that right?
Going down towards Braemar I stopped at the point where the old military road (built under General Wade's direction - love a bit of Military history) splits from the modern road. Running parallel with each other but on either side of the river, last year I drove down this single track road into Braemar - this year it has a police notice attached to the signpost preventing this.
I stopped for a bag of chips in Braemar (the shortest queue) and while I didn't stop too long it was good to have a quick chat with a couple of guys out on their bikes. The collection of bikes was quite interesting too - RD's, Suzuki GT's, slightly older Duc's etc. I guess my generation of biker is still going strong.
Both the paddock jacket and headover were discarded by this point and after filling up at the Braemar fuel stop I pushed on. With small patches of snow still on the highest points there really were some wonderful views to be seen on the way over to Tomintoul.
In this next photo, the light coloured track in the mid-distance is, I think, the other end of another old military road (non-metalled but still a public footpath). I'd love to come back to this area and walk these old routes.
The Lecht road was much quieter than Glenshee (only to be expected I suppose being more remote and all facilities closed) but still another great stretch of road.
Pushing on towards Aviemore, this was extremely busy such that I decided not to stop at the fuel station and push on. The return journey took me down the A9. While this is heavily covered with speed camera's this isn't in itself such a problem - the traffic was all moving along quite nicely at 60 and the views are pleasant enough, perhaps a more adventure ior sports-tourer style bike would be a better choice for this stretch - while my backside had well gone numb by Aviemore my knees were just about refusing to straighten by Pitlochry. This looked like another lovely little place I'd like to return to some time, with people enjoying a beer sitting outside the guesthouses and hotels on the main drag through the town.
The journey back was much the same as the way up, at least as far as the Edinburgh bypass - I carried on the A1 South past Berwick before following the coast road back home. Funny thing is - just North of Berwick I could see the sea fret just off the coast and the temperature really dropped. By the time I got to Bamburgh I had to stop to put some layers back on.
By the time I got home I'd covered more than half the previous years total mileage and fallen in love with proper bike trips again.
Would another bike be more suitable for a trip like this? Probably. As it is I think the 24 year old bike probably survived the trip better than the '24 years older' rider.
So - what trips (Covid permitting) would you suggest I do next?
If you’ve done that in one day that’s a proper ride!
If you’ve got enough room for a toothbrush, do an overnight or two. I’m guessing you’re Tyneside somewhere so:
Down the middle of the Penines, turn right at Derbyshire and go towards north Wales, stop in a hotel somewhere near Chester or Shrewsbury for two nights and do a loop of North/ central Wales in the in between day. Return by a different route up the Penines or do an extra day in the lakes maybe.
If you’ve got enough room for a toothbrush, do an overnight or two. I’m guessing you’re Tyneside somewhere so:
Down the middle of the Penines, turn right at Derbyshire and go towards north Wales, stop in a hotel somewhere near Chester or Shrewsbury for two nights and do a loop of North/ central Wales in the in between day. Return by a different route up the Penines or do an extra day in the lakes maybe.
Thanks all. Yes - this was one days ride. I'm just glad I wasn't crippled after a long day on the bike and really enjoyed the trip. Let's just hope for more of the same weather this summer! The purpose of this day trip was to cover miles which is why I didn't stop for too long at any one location, but with a hot bath as soon as I got back I really didn't feel bad at all the next day so am encouraged to do more day's out like this.
Talksthetorque, you're correct - I'm near Newcastle. Many years ago I would be going up to the cafe above Alston every weekend. I know there's plans for a new cafe up there and a burger van at weekends currently, but I'm travelling solo now I'm back up here and just enjoying thinking of going to see other places.
Looking at the map I'd quite like to go along the A82 (never done it I think) through Glen Coe. This might need to be a two day trip as there doesn't seem to be a convenient loop (unless anyone else knows better). Chance to do the Applecross pass too perhaps?
The lakes is another good option of course - I remember we used to go down to Penrith, along the A6 to Shap, to Devil's Bridge and back to the NE by another route in a day. It must be 25 years since I did that which from memory was around 300 miles.
We might, as a family, be going to North Wales this summer (although I've just heard on the radio today that Conwy might be experiencing an increase in Covid cases) which could be a recce for good roads down that way to return to on the bike.
And of course Yorkshire is a big place (down the Pennines into Derbyshire as you say TTT) and it'd be good to go back to Matlock too (I used to live in Nottingham).
So many options.
Talksthetorque, you're correct - I'm near Newcastle. Many years ago I would be going up to the cafe above Alston every weekend. I know there's plans for a new cafe up there and a burger van at weekends currently, but I'm travelling solo now I'm back up here and just enjoying thinking of going to see other places.
Looking at the map I'd quite like to go along the A82 (never done it I think) through Glen Coe. This might need to be a two day trip as there doesn't seem to be a convenient loop (unless anyone else knows better). Chance to do the Applecross pass too perhaps?
The lakes is another good option of course - I remember we used to go down to Penrith, along the A6 to Shap, to Devil's Bridge and back to the NE by another route in a day. It must be 25 years since I did that which from memory was around 300 miles.
We might, as a family, be going to North Wales this summer (although I've just heard on the radio today that Conwy might be experiencing an increase in Covid cases) which could be a recce for good roads down that way to return to on the bike.
And of course Yorkshire is a big place (down the Pennines into Derbyshire as you say TTT) and it'd be good to go back to Matlock too (I used to live in Nottingham).
So many options.
Edited by Cooper1999 on Wednesday 2nd June 17:25
Loved reading this as it seems ages since reading a good trip report.
Regarding routes you could always go back and do the NC500.
Or do the RBLR 1000 week after next
the route follows the a82. I'm going to do the challenge then go back and do it in slower time later this summer.
https://www.rblr1000.co.uk/pages/routea.html
Regarding routes you could always go back and do the NC500.
Or do the RBLR 1000 week after next
the route follows the a82. I'm going to do the challenge then go back and do it in slower time later this summer.https://www.rblr1000.co.uk/pages/routea.html
Cooper1999 said:
Looking at the map I'd quite like to go along the A82 (never done it I think) through Glen Coe. This might need to be a two day trip as there doesn't seem to be a convenient loop (unless anyone else knows better). Chance to do the Applecross pass too perhaps?
You could loop by going up to Ft William then south to Oban or north to Spean Bridge before heading back East, mixing up different routes in Highland Perthshire coming back, but it would be quite long and the return via M9/M90 back to Edinburgh would be dull.Edited by Cooper1999 on Wednesday 2nd June 17:25
There are also some very interesting riding roads the other side of the M74 and Elvanfoot (into Galloway) that you could do a looped route on.
s2kjock said:
Cooper1999 said:
Looking at the map I'd quite like to go along the A82 (never done it I think) through Glen Coe. This might need to be a two day trip as there doesn't seem to be a convenient loop (unless anyone else knows better). Chance to do the Applecross pass too perhaps?
You could loop by going up to Ft William then south to Oban or north to Spean Bridge before heading back East, mixing up different routes in Highland Perthshire coming back, but it would be quite long and the return via M9/M90 back to Edinburgh would be dull.Edited by Cooper1999 on Wednesday 2nd June 17:25
There are also some very interesting riding roads the other side of the M74 and Elvanfoot (into Galloway) that you could do a looped route on.
If you went from Newcastle up the A696/68 and back down the A697 or A1/coast you'd only really cross over yourself around Edinburgh.
Similar mileage to this with some great scenery and roads. I'd probably break it up with a night around Fort William and a play in the Cairngorms on the way back, picking up this route.
The short stretch of M90 is a price worth paying.
Great pics and that’s some ride especially given the lack of mileage in recent years.
You must be somewhere near me. I’m a Cramlington lad but lived in Whalton for the last 7 years until we moved to the Longhirst/Ulgham area.
I’m coming back to biking after 7 years off and was aching after barely 100 miles on Sunday so kudos for doing 550!
I’ve done all those Scotland routes but in the car. Great roads.
Again like yourself we’d do Hartside every Sunday when I was into it properly, 20 years ago. We’d do Hartside, Devils Bridge, Hawes then back and you’re right it was pretty much bang on 300 miles.
I’d definitely make any further Scotland ones an overnighter, takes the pressure off getting home and should you finish your day a bit early you can always add an extra loop on somewhere.
The road below is an awesome bit of tarmac. Basically en route to Applecross from Fort William.
You turn off the A82 from FW onto the A87 (yellow road at bottom of pic).
You then take a right onto the A890. This stretch here is fantastic. Smooth but with ups, downs, lefts, rights. Really good.
You end up at the T junction at New Kelso where you turn left onto the A896 and follow that until the turn off for Bealach Na Ba, Applecross.
It’s probably part of the NC500 but I’m hopeless at remembering what’s what up there.
It’s a big old stint from the North east though. Deffo an overnighter but even better to make a weekend of it.
Anyway sorry for the essay.
PS. Seen through Glass viewer I’m guessing, given the highest road comment?
You must be somewhere near me. I’m a Cramlington lad but lived in Whalton for the last 7 years until we moved to the Longhirst/Ulgham area.
I’m coming back to biking after 7 years off and was aching after barely 100 miles on Sunday so kudos for doing 550!
I’ve done all those Scotland routes but in the car. Great roads.
Again like yourself we’d do Hartside every Sunday when I was into it properly, 20 years ago. We’d do Hartside, Devils Bridge, Hawes then back and you’re right it was pretty much bang on 300 miles.
I’d definitely make any further Scotland ones an overnighter, takes the pressure off getting home and should you finish your day a bit early you can always add an extra loop on somewhere.
The road below is an awesome bit of tarmac. Basically en route to Applecross from Fort William.
You turn off the A82 from FW onto the A87 (yellow road at bottom of pic).
You then take a right onto the A890. This stretch here is fantastic. Smooth but with ups, downs, lefts, rights. Really good.
You end up at the T junction at New Kelso where you turn left onto the A896 and follow that until the turn off for Bealach Na Ba, Applecross.
It’s probably part of the NC500 but I’m hopeless at remembering what’s what up there.
It’s a big old stint from the North east though. Deffo an overnighter but even better to make a weekend of it.
Anyway sorry for the essay.
PS. Seen through Glass viewer I’m guessing, given the highest road comment?
HairyMaclary - that RBL event looks interesting. I might not be able to do the event 'on the day', but with the route being available (and around 500 mile mark too if split) that could be a good ride out anytime (no problem with making my own donation for a good cause either).
s2kjock - I'll have a look at your suggestion on a map (being old I prefer looking at maps). I'll plot it out.
Looking at where Applecross is that really would be pushing it for a one day ride! Much better to overnight and enjoy the views a bit more.
JuanCarlosFandango - Having come back down the A9 last Sunday I'd probably look to avoid that again in the very near future only because sitting at 60 on the TL puts an awful lot of weight on the old wrists. At least on the other roads I rode at the weekend, while speeds weren't high I was moving around on the bike.
I used the A697 on the way up last weekend (Thrunton, Wooler, Coldstream) then the A68. I had planned to come back via the A68 but missed the turn off as I passed a lorry. No hardship as the A1 then the coast road was lovely if very cold in the end.
Marky911 - It sounds like we were in the same places at the same time, back in the day. And I know Whalton - a family friend used to run the Beresford, and I'm not a million miles from you. (Did you write a restoration thread on PH, I think I read?)
The road you suggest leading from the A82 looks to be the kind of thing that I'm looking to do but I agree probably more than one day to complete this one (need to work on SWMBO for these overnight trips).
And yes re. STG. He comes across as having had too many blue smarties at times but is one of the more watchable efforts - I'm 'between jobs' at the minute and easily lose an hour at a time watching tat on YouTube.
s2kjock - I'll have a look at your suggestion on a map (being old I prefer looking at maps). I'll plot it out.
Looking at where Applecross is that really would be pushing it for a one day ride! Much better to overnight and enjoy the views a bit more.
JuanCarlosFandango - Having come back down the A9 last Sunday I'd probably look to avoid that again in the very near future only because sitting at 60 on the TL puts an awful lot of weight on the old wrists. At least on the other roads I rode at the weekend, while speeds weren't high I was moving around on the bike.
I used the A697 on the way up last weekend (Thrunton, Wooler, Coldstream) then the A68. I had planned to come back via the A68 but missed the turn off as I passed a lorry. No hardship as the A1 then the coast road was lovely if very cold in the end.
Marky911 - It sounds like we were in the same places at the same time, back in the day. And I know Whalton - a family friend used to run the Beresford, and I'm not a million miles from you. (Did you write a restoration thread on PH, I think I read?)
The road you suggest leading from the A82 looks to be the kind of thing that I'm looking to do but I agree probably more than one day to complete this one (need to work on SWMBO for these overnight trips).
And yes re. STG. He comes across as having had too many blue smarties at times but is one of the more watchable efforts - I'm 'between jobs' at the minute and easily lose an hour at a time watching tat on YouTube.
Edited by Cooper1999 on Friday 4th June 09:56
You can actually avoid a lot of the A9/M90, albeit it takes longer.
Going south, at Ballinluig you can head West to Aberfeldy and then south over the hill to Amulree and on into Crieff which is a great ride through the "sma glen". South from Crieff through Muthill you can drive past Gleneagles Hotel and across the A9, Glendevon, back past Knockhill and rejoin the M90 at Kelty.
Carrbridge to Dalwhinnie can also be done on the old A9 that runs (sort of) parallel, but you do have to fight your way through Aviemore, Kingussie, and Newtonmore.
I agree maps are much more fun to plan a route. When I was actively involved in a car club 15 odd years ago I had a couple of well leafed A3 sized road map books with highlighted favourite routes, notes etc. Not so handy on the bike though
Going south, at Ballinluig you can head West to Aberfeldy and then south over the hill to Amulree and on into Crieff which is a great ride through the "sma glen". South from Crieff through Muthill you can drive past Gleneagles Hotel and across the A9, Glendevon, back past Knockhill and rejoin the M90 at Kelty.
Carrbridge to Dalwhinnie can also be done on the old A9 that runs (sort of) parallel, but you do have to fight your way through Aviemore, Kingussie, and Newtonmore.
I agree maps are much more fun to plan a route. When I was actively involved in a car club 15 odd years ago I had a couple of well leafed A3 sized road map books with highlighted favourite routes, notes etc. Not so handy on the bike though
Love this thread, great contribution OP. A suggestion:
Day 1:
https://goo.gl/maps/EJrDYnDmH1Fdxx7Q9
Day 2:
https://goo.gl/maps/Yqh8fhKJ5KSpqCB86
Edited to avoid Carluke...
Day 1:
https://goo.gl/maps/EJrDYnDmH1Fdxx7Q9
Day 2:
https://goo.gl/maps/Yqh8fhKJ5KSpqCB86
Edited to avoid Carluke...
Edited by hiccy18 on Thursday 3rd June 20:42
Yeah the A9 Is a drag. I've always seen it as a necessary evil for the Highlands unless you go over to Loch Lomond. S2k's suggestion for avoiding it looks good though I suspect you could spend most of a day hooning around there.
For overnight trips I've found it helps not to plan too far in advance lest my wife thinks I'm having an affair and planning a romantic get away.
For overnight trips I've found it helps not to plan too far in advance lest my wife thinks I'm having an affair and planning a romantic get away.
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