Mini tour. Wales or Scotland?
Discussion
I have 3 days next week free and the weather looks ok. I'm considering going on the bike for a couple of nights but not sure which way to head. Im up in the NE England and considering either going to Wales or up to Scotland. I've done a few trips in Scotland up the West Coast but not sure if 3 days is going to be enough to get up there and into the Highlands and the West Coast, or whether to explore Wales which I've done little of.
It's about 3hrs to Llangollen by the quickest route, Loch Lomond is about 3 1/2 hours. I don't mind doing longer days but I hate long stretches of Motorway so it's a trade off to whether I spend more time getting there but enjoying the ride all the way or just getting the miles in first.
Interested in any route recommendations from those who are well experienced in the area and potential overnight places to stay. Happy to do anything from a fast sweeping A road to the filthiest bit of single-track. I'd ask ChatGPT but figure there's enough on here who must know the best places to go including those which might be off the beaten track.
It's about 3hrs to Llangollen by the quickest route, Loch Lomond is about 3 1/2 hours. I don't mind doing longer days but I hate long stretches of Motorway so it's a trade off to whether I spend more time getting there but enjoying the ride all the way or just getting the miles in first.
Interested in any route recommendations from those who are well experienced in the area and potential overnight places to stay. Happy to do anything from a fast sweeping A road to the filthiest bit of single-track. I'd ask ChatGPT but figure there's enough on here who must know the best places to go including those which might be off the beaten track.
Edited by Chicken Chaser on Tuesday 2nd September 18:50
OutInTheShed said:
For 3 days riding, I might be tempted to go up to the borders, across vaguely Hadrian's Wall and then north Lake District, back across.
This time of year, evenings are getting shorter, so the perfect plan would be to have some evening entertainment.
Any bike meets, gigs or anything?
I've done most of Yorkshire, Pennines, Lakes and a fair bit of the Borders in day rides so was hoping to stretch my legs. I was thinking of bashing across to the area id be looking at then going from there. It would mean the middle day being dedicated to picking out a full route around the area. This time of year, evenings are getting shorter, so the perfect plan would be to have some evening entertainment.
Any bike meets, gigs or anything?
My left field choice was Dumfries and Galloway but I don't think there are many roads up that way (some are gravel) and the north of the area isn't particularly pretty!
Chicken Chaser said:
I've done most of Yorkshire, Pennines, Lakes and a fair bit of the Borders in day rides so was hoping to stretch my legs. I was thinking of bashing across to the area id be looking at then going from there. It would mean the middle day being dedicated to picking out a full route around the area.
My left field choice was Dumfries and Galloway but I don't think there are many roads up that way (some are gravel) and the north of the area isn't particularly pretty!
The road surfaces are not very good in D&G, especially the minor roads.My left field choice was Dumfries and Galloway but I don't think there are many roads up that way (some are gravel) and the north of the area isn't particularly pretty!
Depends how much time you want to spend pounding in the miles. I'm just outside Glasgow and can do Mallaig and back in a day without to much fuss. If you can get to Loch Lomond in 3.5hrs, should be able to push pretty far up.
Big fan of the road from Fort William to Mallaig (A830), just snakes along in front of you. Silver sands of Morar are beautiful along that road too.
Inverary to Dalmally (A819) is a nice road. Not very long, but nice to squeeze it into any route.
Big fan of the road from Fort William to Mallaig (A830), just snakes along in front of you. Silver sands of Morar are beautiful along that road too.
Inverary to Dalmally (A819) is a nice road. Not very long, but nice to squeeze it into any route.
Time4another said:
Big fan of the road from Fort William to Mallaig (A830), just snakes along in front of you. Silver sands of Morar are beautiful along that road too.
I was up that way last Monday, section of roadworks and queues of campers heading to Mallaig weren't fun.Silver sands was good to chill for a while though! First time there.
I'm north east based too - I would say Scotland is the best option as you don't even have to hit a single motorway to get and you can ride some good roads there. Wales means at least 150 mile of motorway
We have done west & north coast Scotland in 3 days before (normall do it in 4), just expect long riding days to make it in 3 days. If I was trying to cover the whole of the North trip in 3 days without motorways, I would say go up the A68 then Through Kielder, Carluke and borders etc across the Erskine bridge then ride north of Loch Lomond and maybe stay closer to Ft William on your 1st night. This gives you the following day to head further North over to the West via Spean bridge and Invergarry then up to Lochcarron and north western areas . you could probably manage to get to Durness if you really want to make the north then head back south via Tongue and then cut across East of Inverness to cairn then south through the Cairngorms or Trossachs for the return trip home (we normally stay around Callander / Stirling area for the return day home)
If you don't fancy that kind of mileage, just miss off the very northern parts of Scotland and go up the West to say Oban, then cut back across to Glencoe/Tyndrum then have a day around the Cairngorms or Trossachs - there's some brilliant roads around Brig O turk and braemar/glenshee etc.
We have done west & north coast Scotland in 3 days before (normall do it in 4), just expect long riding days to make it in 3 days. If I was trying to cover the whole of the North trip in 3 days without motorways, I would say go up the A68 then Through Kielder, Carluke and borders etc across the Erskine bridge then ride north of Loch Lomond and maybe stay closer to Ft William on your 1st night. This gives you the following day to head further North over to the West via Spean bridge and Invergarry then up to Lochcarron and north western areas . you could probably manage to get to Durness if you really want to make the north then head back south via Tongue and then cut across East of Inverness to cairn then south through the Cairngorms or Trossachs for the return trip home (we normally stay around Callander / Stirling area for the return day home)
If you don't fancy that kind of mileage, just miss off the very northern parts of Scotland and go up the West to say Oban, then cut back across to Glencoe/Tyndrum then have a day around the Cairngorms or Trossachs - there's some brilliant roads around Brig O turk and braemar/glenshee etc.
Chicken Chaser said:
I've done most of Yorkshire, Pennines, Lakes and a fair bit of the Borders in day rides so was hoping to stretch my legs. I was thinking of bashing across to the area id be looking at then going from there. It would mean the middle day being dedicated to picking out a full route around the area.
My left field choice was Dumfries and Galloway but I don't think there are many roads up that way (some are gravel) and the north of the area isn't particularly pretty!
There's some great roads in Dumfries and Galloway. Up the A6 / A75 to Dumfries, up then to Moniaive, down to St. John's Town of Dalry, across to Newton Stewart and up to Girvan. Then A719 to Ayr. All tarmac. My left field choice was Dumfries and Galloway but I don't think there are many roads up that way (some are gravel) and the north of the area isn't particularly pretty!
Depending where you're starting from - assuming from your description somewhere around the M62 corridor - that should be a good day.
Next day - Ayr - A719 up to Fenwick - Stewarton - Lochwinnoch - Bridge of Weir - Erskine Bridge - Milngavie - Milton of Campsie - Fintry - Kippen - Aberfoyle - Dukes Pass - Callander - Lochearnhead - Crieff - Perth. That should be a decent day.
Day 3 - Perth - Crieff - Braco - Gleneagles - Yetts o'Muckhart - Dunfermline - Dolphinton - A701 - B7076 at Moffat - back south.
I've got a similar plan in the next couple of weeks, but only have the Friday night, sat and sun to go somewhere and get home from the Midlands. Thinking I will get to Yorkshire Dales on the first night, camp, and then have a day to go through Kielder Forest and end up near Moffat, then have a nice day around there before heading home. Maybe York Moors on the way back, I've never been there.
I'm going to wait to see the forecast the day before though before booking anything.
I did a short trip in North England/Borders last year, there's a bit of a blog, the Galloway Forest bit might be useful.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm going to wait to see the forecast the day before though before booking anything.
I did a short trip in North England/Borders last year, there's a bit of a blog, the Galloway Forest bit might be useful.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Wales (North and Mid) is great, but it's on my doorstep so am biased.
I went out on Bank Holiday morning (last week) and also on a Sunday the week before doing 250 miles ish both days. It was blazing hot weather both days, but there are still lots of excellent deserted roads, despite the honeypot locations being mad busy.
If you go, try some of these:
B4396 and then the B4391 from Llynclys (off the A483 South of Oswestry). This runs through and over the Tanat Valley into Bala. It was Harry Metcalfe's 'secret' back road to Bala, but it's a bit more popular now. Got my photo taken on the hairpin on the Bala side by Road Runner pics the other week.
B4391 (off the A4212 just after Llyn Celyn resorvoir) heading to Ffestiniog
Turning off the above (albeit it's worth doing the full road to Ffestiniog) the B4407 to Ysbyty Ifan which then joins the A5 after Betws-Y-Coed and was deserted when I went over. It's the middle of nowhere sort of road!
A543 over Denbigh Moor is good, has average speed cameras but it's national speed limit not a 50mph. I was taking pictures in the middle of the road mid-Sunday afternoon the other week, it was amazingly quiet!
Hirnant Pass from Lake Vrywry to Bala is brilliant, but it is single track
A470 out of Blaenau Ffestiniog was good last week too, very quiet when I went through, goes past Zip World in the old Slate Quarry. Excellent views across to the Pen-Y-Pass and back end of Snowdon range etc.
I went out on Bank Holiday morning (last week) and also on a Sunday the week before doing 250 miles ish both days. It was blazing hot weather both days, but there are still lots of excellent deserted roads, despite the honeypot locations being mad busy.
If you go, try some of these:
B4396 and then the B4391 from Llynclys (off the A483 South of Oswestry). This runs through and over the Tanat Valley into Bala. It was Harry Metcalfe's 'secret' back road to Bala, but it's a bit more popular now. Got my photo taken on the hairpin on the Bala side by Road Runner pics the other week.
B4391 (off the A4212 just after Llyn Celyn resorvoir) heading to Ffestiniog
Turning off the above (albeit it's worth doing the full road to Ffestiniog) the B4407 to Ysbyty Ifan which then joins the A5 after Betws-Y-Coed and was deserted when I went over. It's the middle of nowhere sort of road!
A543 over Denbigh Moor is good, has average speed cameras but it's national speed limit not a 50mph. I was taking pictures in the middle of the road mid-Sunday afternoon the other week, it was amazingly quiet!
Hirnant Pass from Lake Vrywry to Bala is brilliant, but it is single track
A470 out of Blaenau Ffestiniog was good last week too, very quiet when I went through, goes past Zip World in the old Slate Quarry. Excellent views across to the Pen-Y-Pass and back end of Snowdon range etc.
Wow just what I was looking for! Im near Darlington so I'm not far off the A68 which would be my preferred route of interest, whereas the A66 to M6 would be the quickest route. I know how impressive Scotland is, been up there twice this year on trips but not on the bike whereas I've done little in Wales yet everyone says it's great. Agree on the motorways to get into Wales though, if I didn't take the route through the Dales into the North West.
A quick forecast check doesn't look that favourable in either direction unfortunately. I'll plan a route either way I think and just see how it is by the weekend.
A quick forecast check doesn't look that favourable in either direction unfortunately. I'll plan a route either way I think and just see how it is by the weekend.
Edited by Chicken Chaser on Wednesday 3rd September 12:37
towser44 said:
Wales (North and Mid) is great, but it's on my doorstep so am biased.
I went out on Bank Holiday morning (last week) and also on a Sunday the week before doing 250 miles ish both days. It was blazing hot weather both days, but there are still lots of excellent deserted roads, despite the honeypot locations being mad busy.
If you go, try some of these:
B4396 and then the B4391 from Llynclys (off the A483 South of Oswestry). This runs through and over the Tanat Valley into Bala. It was Harry Metcalfe's 'secret' back road to Bala, but it's a bit more popular now. Got my photo taken on the hairpin on the Bala side by Road Runner pics the other week.
B4391 (off the A4212 just after Llyn Celyn resorvoir) heading to Ffestiniog
Turning off the above (albeit it's worth doing the full road to Ffestiniog) the B4407 to Ysbyty Ifan which then joins the A5 after Betws-Y-Coed and was deserted when I went over. It's the middle of nowhere sort of road!
A543 over Denbigh Moor is good, has average speed cameras but it's national speed limit not a 50mph. I was taking pictures in the middle of the road mid-Sunday afternoon the other week, it was amazingly quiet!
Hirnant Pass from Lake Vrywry to Bala is brilliant, but it is single track
A470 out of Blaenau Ffestiniog was good last week too, very quiet when I went through, goes past Zip World in the old Slate Quarry. Excellent views across to the Pen-Y-Pass and back end of Snowdon range etc.
All good suggestions can't argue with much, Bwlch-y-Groes is far better than Hirnant Pass but unfortunatly right now it is closed from the Lake. Also the road round the south side of Lake Vrywry is closed for the forseeable future, all due to a massive storm a couple of years ago.I went out on Bank Holiday morning (last week) and also on a Sunday the week before doing 250 miles ish both days. It was blazing hot weather both days, but there are still lots of excellent deserted roads, despite the honeypot locations being mad busy.
If you go, try some of these:
B4396 and then the B4391 from Llynclys (off the A483 South of Oswestry). This runs through and over the Tanat Valley into Bala. It was Harry Metcalfe's 'secret' back road to Bala, but it's a bit more popular now. Got my photo taken on the hairpin on the Bala side by Road Runner pics the other week.
B4391 (off the A4212 just after Llyn Celyn resorvoir) heading to Ffestiniog
Turning off the above (albeit it's worth doing the full road to Ffestiniog) the B4407 to Ysbyty Ifan which then joins the A5 after Betws-Y-Coed and was deserted when I went over. It's the middle of nowhere sort of road!
A543 over Denbigh Moor is good, has average speed cameras but it's national speed limit not a 50mph. I was taking pictures in the middle of the road mid-Sunday afternoon the other week, it was amazingly quiet!
Hirnant Pass from Lake Vrywry to Bala is brilliant, but it is single track
A470 out of Blaenau Ffestiniog was good last week too, very quiet when I went through, goes past Zip World in the old Slate Quarry. Excellent views across to the Pen-Y-Pass and back end of Snowdon range etc.
To save confusion from Llynclys (which is the worst junction you will come across) its the A495 for a couple of miles till the B4396. I can see it from my Conservatory, so be quiet when driving past.
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