Scotland - Worth it in August?

[ujio]

I have an expat work colleague who desperately wants to do the NC500 before he returns back home in early September.

He has asked me to come with him and the 'kinda' plan is to take 4 days off and fly from London to Edinburgh and hire bikes up there. I have never even been to Scotland before, so I'm thinking, why not.

However, I was speaking to someone the other day who lives in Edinburgh (a non-biker) who said now is probably not the best time of year given the midges and the on and off rain, which is diametrically opposite to what's happening down here in the South. So, are the midges or rain likely to make is a miserable experience or is the riding/scenery worth this potential shortfall?

I was thinking another option would be to go to Wales and I can ride my bike there, but finding a rental for him is a lot tougher v. Scotland. Also, the ruggedness of Scotland will probably take the edge.

I know peak summer time is not the best of time to explore the UK, but would love your thoughts on this!

Edited by ujio on Monday 3rd August 11:09

[ujio]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Might be worth it then if we just go with an open mind and expect the crap weather.

Thought to fly to Edinburgh to hire these bikes https://bikerbnb.com/motorcycle-rental/ .
However, I am all ears if there are other better options which are closer to the roads. Yes, ideally we don't want to encounter all the zillions of tourists on the roads (irony being we are also them), so if there are better quieter options other than the NC500, we are not set in stone. He mentioned he really wants to get to the Isle of Skye if possible! Will also look at hostel options if everything is booked up.

Thanks for the feedback once again!

Re: Wales, would be super convenient, it's mainly getting hold of a rental bike for him that would be an issue. Also looked at flyrides to Spain Portugal but may be too super hot to enjoy (can't have it either way, eh). Having said that Hertz do high spec rental bikes in the region very reasonably compared to the highlands!

Edited by ujio on Tuesday 4th August 13:15

Edited by ujio on Tuesday 4th August 14:53

[ujio]

Greatly appreciate all the feedback everyone.

Looks like I will be off from tomorrow to.... Wales! Was a bit too last minute for Scotland and just thought the weather would suck a bit there.
Taken a few days off work to take advantage of the good weather and will stitch together a route tonight (using the Wales Dragon Loop thread in Roads forum). Also planning to check out Mach Loop and RAF Cosford along the way.

Unfortunately, my colleague will now head back this week (couldn't find a suitable rental for him in Wales), so it will be just be on my lonesome. I've barely ridden further than 100 miles from my home past 3 years (which accounts for the pitiful annual mileage) so this will be interesting.

Hopefully won't encounter throngs of traffic, so will need to venture off-route a bit!

Edited by ujio on Tuesday 11th August 10:08

[ujio]

UPDATE. Thanks for all your comments and I thought I better update you all!

I ended up going solo to Wales in the end. I was taking advantage of the fact my partner and kiddo are away for a few weeks and thought, if not now...when?

It was a significant trip for me and I decided that if I didn't get anything out of it I would probably just sell the bike as I have barely done a thousand miles over the past couple of years and felt I've fallen out of love with riding/ just got bored of it. I have also taken up another interest that competes with biking during limited free time during summer (good weather).

Anyway, I left last Weds and rode up from Surrey to Hay-on-Wye via the twisty route. In retrospect, I should have take the motorway up and not killed much time as the time spent on the roads in Wales was far more worthwhile. However, I did a pit stop at Cotswold Airport which I loved (I'm an aviation geek), to grab lunch. I was winging it along the way booking accommodation as I went. It was 30degs + so was thankful to be wearing a mesh jacket, just wish it was white and not black! First night was memorable as I got to view the eclipse from a sleepy village on the borders. Ended up in a hostel on the first night which was interesting as I was thankfully the only one in the dorm!

Day 2 was a great start. Headed out to Brecon Beacons for my first taste of the Black Mountain and epic roads away from SE England. It was dead quiet being midweek so enjoyed winding up the Brynamman pass. In the first photo here you can see the wildfire in the distance in Brecon Beacons. I then blasted up the backroads to the Mach Loop via Tregaron. Wow, now I was experiencing the valleys in all their glory. Granted there was a bit of traffic given the August holidays but I still enjoyed it. I also lucked out in Mach loop when a giant A400 and then a Hawk screamed overhead.
I found the key to making a trip here is to do it mid-week and get started as early as possible, the roads then became utterly sublime when you could string a few miles without being stuck behind a line of cars/ motorhomes which you cant really overtake. However, in 'traffic' I tried to kick back and enjoy the scenery more rather than the next corner.
Day 2 ended up in Bala for the night.

Day 3 was a 8am start and I thought I would head over Ffestiniog to Conwyn via Betws-y-Coed. Big mistake going over that mountain pass! Soon I was shivering and soaking and couldn't see more than 50m due to the low cloud and mist. Soaked to the bone, these wonderous mountain pass roads now felt like a bit of a death trap as I precariously made my way at 25mph over the top keeping an eye out for errant sheep. However, this was more than made up for when I descended down to the main road leading to Betwys. I had my heated grips on full blast with my summer gloves on!
Dropped into Conwyn motorcycle, then to Llanberis and then over to Anglesey. I have to say I let the sat nav take full control over this bit and ended up on some single track gravelly roads for mile after mile which I certainly didn't get much out of. Likewise I went over to Pwllhelli but this time on a road which just relentlessly went through 20mpp larger towns which was a waste of time. Ended up pitching up in Caernarfon for the night.

Day 4 was a 715am start but in hindsight should have been out even earlier! This was the long journey back home, but the first half was the best of the entire trip. I think this was due to the fact I had the roads to myself for the first few hours hours and only had a handful of overtakes to do. I headed via Beddgelert back through Ffestiniog (no horrid low cloud this time!) and then to Bala and past Lake Vynwy. This was truly magical and it felt like I was travelling through a Fairytale or Hogwort country. Ended up going up a pretty precarious pass at one point but experienced a whole mixture of roads. Sometimes it was a welcome relief to me back amongst other cars and life for a bit so I could just chill and go on autopilot for a bit.

At the end of the trip I realised that this is what I need to do more of to enjoy Biking again. Not the mundane circuits around Surrey/Sussex amongst traffic, where I would find more excuses not to ride than to ride!

I also realised that I need to build up my tolerance to doing long miles on a bike. My arse/lower back was killing after a 100mile stint (even with a comfy seat on). Also, getting used to not listening to anything for hours at a time and just enjoying the moment rather than listening to music/podcasts in the car.

Overall, loved it and I hope to have another adventure further afield this year! Thanks for all the ideas and tips for the trip!

EDIT: can't seem to upload the photos here.

Edited by ujio on Monday 17th August 11:27

Edited by ujio on Monday 17th August 12:02

[ujio]

Redline88 said:

The MT07 definitely isn t the comfiest for long miles. I ve just changed mine to a comfort seat but even at that after 100 miles you need to get off for a bit. How many miles did you end up doing in total?

Also, off topic but it looks like you ve got Road 5/6 tyres there? I was considering these for my MT07. How do you find them?

Hi Mate. I did just shy of 1,000 miles over the 4 days (incl hoofing it up and back from Surrey). The tyres are Michelin Pilot Powers that have been on since I got the bike 3 years ago which had decent road holding and are lasting well.

I also have Maxton shock and reworked front forks which I think might make a difference v. original set-up.
Best thing has to be the top-box, not sure how I can go back to a sports bike now!

The bike is remarkably peppy on the back roads despite only having 70bhp. Front wheel flies in the air if you ping the clutch in 3rd 40-50mph! I was in 3rd and 4th for most the trip.
However, just to light things on fire a bit I would like to try an KTM 890 SMT or a triple next. I've ridden an MT09 and really enjoyed that and all the gadgetry. My MT07 doesn't even have ABS!