Ken's Stag Trip - Day 2 (North 500)
We were up at 8:30, a little hazy from Ken making us drink too much.
When we were out last night a few of the locals asked if were doing the 'North 500' The roads have been there for ages, they commented, but now the route has a name everyone is doing it.
The day started at an odd bakery run by a camp German fella. His baking skills were fine, but his architecture was a bit Hansel and Gretel.
Once we'd fed on bread and the midges had fed on me we were ready to depart. I'd already booked the hotel for tonight whilst in bed this morning. So we knew where we going, but it some distance to cover from Dornie to Thurso. (the bit between the yellow dots)
The was holding as was still glorious as we hit the road.
The scottish higlands were awash with lush green flora punctuated by busts of colour from the heather and flowers or the vast blue ribbons of Lochs. There are so many Lochs of varying sizes some even found at altitudes.
Will slowly boiling in his bag.
Many of the roads at the start of the day were great. 'A' roads of well laid tarmac, smoothly hugging the hills. As demonstrated by Paul B on his 'new to him' Sprint 900. As we moved north they deteriorated and the good roads gave way to these nagery little B roads with designated space to pass. Pot holes, gravel and 30mph were the standard for many miles
Strike a pose.
When we were out last night a few of the locals asked if were doing the 'North 500' The roads have been there for ages, they commented, but now the route has a name everyone is doing it.
The day started at an odd bakery run by a camp German fella. His baking skills were fine, but his architecture was a bit Hansel and Gretel.
Once we'd fed on bread and the midges had fed on me we were ready to depart. I'd already booked the hotel for tonight whilst in bed this morning. So we knew where we going, but it some distance to cover from Dornie to Thurso. (the bit between the yellow dots)
The was holding as was still glorious as we hit the road.
Will slowly boiling in his bag.
Many of the roads at the start of the day were great. 'A' roads of well laid tarmac, smoothly hugging the hills. As demonstrated by Paul B on his 'new to him' Sprint 900. As we moved north they deteriorated and the good roads gave way to these nagery little B roads with designated space to pass. Pot holes, gravel and 30mph were the standard for many miles
Strike a pose.
The north 500 clings to the cost for the majority of it length, but some sections more in land. In this heat the cool coast air is welcoming as the in land sections are notably warmer. Look at it, beautiful.
We've all done a fair few road miles in the UK and so feel qualified to comment, Scotland is easily the best place to go biking by a mile. If you own a motorbike, come here.
Ken getting his leg over (only time this trip)
Something else the stands out is the quality of the beeches. I guess they're almost always empty as Scotland is generally misserable (weather wise) I would not have believed it had i been told, but maldive style white sand beeches with saphire bLue crystal clear waters can be found clinging to this northern coast line.
I should have taken more pics, but only have this one with a fat girl on crutches.
Found another.
Twice today we were running on fumes and pushing the tanks to the max millage. When we finally arrived in Thurso we had about 4miles of fuel.
Time to fuel ourselves too...
We're 230miles further north tonight and it's noticibley light again. I kid you not, but below is after a curry at 10:30pm!
..later still and those silhouettes are ken, will, Paul B and Paul M.
Throwing stones in the sea like boys...
A lot of hardware at our hotel carpark 'the station' at Thurso at 11:45pm
The GS' at the far end are massive uber barges, the aftrica twin was a bit more reasonable and the s1000r's at this end looked interesting. We all decided we prefered our bikes, I think tomorrow we'll swap rides for a while...
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