Applecross and the Isle of Skye

Reach for your bucket list and write North Coast 500. I don’t care how you do it, just do it. Clearly the best way is by motorcycle … that’s a given. But if you can’t do it by motorcycle then a small car or camper (if you want to save money on accommodation). Just don’t…

North West Scotland … the start of narrow roads

We left Thurso under grey and drizzly skys this morning. While it was damp, it wasn’t wet enough to put on the wets. But it was wet (and cold) enough to use added caution when riding as the surface looked slippery. They tell me the roads get narrower from here on in, and by Betty Hill, they sure did.

Top of Scotland, then turn left.

I have to confess, I like the ‘Long Way …’ Round, Down, and Up series’ that Charlie and Ewan did all those years ago. I know the hard core adventure guys out there tisk tisk them, but what they did was open the eyes of many to the possibility. For me, they just fed my need for adventure, venturing out further, and going longer.

Around Inverness

Today we had an extra day in Inverness to be able to explore a few things further, such as the Cullodin battlefields and a ride around Loch Ness.

To Inverness via Charlie’s Country Cabin

Today’s destination is Inverness, only 200km via the old military road. So we have heaps of time to stop and look around.

Hello Scotland

The plan was to continue up the A1, skirt around Edinburgh and onto Perth where we are meeting up with Alain and Monica who are joining us on our ride.

While the motorway is a great way to get from A to B but we devised an alternative plan with more country roads and small towns.

Nearly Walking to Scotland

Well, that’s embarrassing. Both my debit and credit cards were declined when sorting out the rental insurance for the motorcycle this morning. In the end, Harry’s other grandad came to my rescue … it was looking like we were going to be walking 500 miles and maybe 500 more.

Camping with the Folks

Camping at Shoalhaven Heads with my parents was a great chance to just hang out. However it wasn’t all smooth sailing with us holding our tent up on Saturday night.! Literally holding it up so it wouldn’t come down on top of us as it buckled under the force of gale force winds and driving rain. The joys of camping.!

One Last Ride for 22

On Tuesday Deb said why don’t you go for a ride for a couple of days as I won’t be able to get away. With the statement still hanging in the air I was already planning where to go and like a cartoon all that remained of me was a dust outline, and I was outta here.

The plan was simple – drop in on a mate in Wagga who has recently just got out of hospital and then head west to check out a few more painted grain silos in west Victoria, find somewhere to camp overnight, and head home the next day.

The Gathering

It’s been awhile since I’ve got together with my people, my long distance riding community. And Nambucca Heads was where it all started for me, it was the destination of my first 1,000km day. Here I found a community of like-minded people who enjoy the open road and doing big miles. Where a couple of days can see you anywhere in the country.