I'm not participating in the usual summer event next year, that's kept me busy since I was 16; and a recent visit to friends in Germany revealed the answer to my "what to do next summer" dilema. My friend (who has requested I call him Baaastard for old times sake) and I hatched a cunning plan. Both keen to try motorcycle touring, both with the cash to burn and the desire to go. One based in Leipzig, one based in London. Him on a Honda Revere (or NTV, or Bros depending on where you live)
We rallied ideas between us, such as a round trip of Europe, with me riding to meet him in Leipzig, then heading off. This was scrubbed when we decided that for the first one we'd want to go somewhere where we could both speak the language and know that a petrol station would always be just around the corner in case anything went wrong.
A plan was born, and we named it the lap.
We decided to do a 2200 mile lap of Britain over ten days. An afternoon was swiftly consumed whilst we poured over maps, distances, timings, Youth hostel and camping websites, kit lists and budgets. It was seemingly all organised already. Perfect Planning Avoids Piss Poor Performance, or something.
See the attached map for a rough guide of where we're heading, it's not accurate as I knocked it up in "paint" in about 10 mins, but it's good as a rough guide.
The Plan
August 13 – 22, 2008
day 1 13th August: London to Kinross
To give Baaastard a chance to catch up with a few friends over here before we leave, we'll be leaving from South London, early in the day so we can cover the 440 miles before nightfall. This is a very long day, and we're torn between camping for cheapness, or hostelling, for cleanliness. We're guessing it'll take
day 2 14th August: John O’Groats
This is going to be one of my highlights, as a Brit, hitting the top of the country. It's 260 miles from Kinross, and nice Twisty A and B roads all the way, we reckon 6 hours. Camping if it kills us.
day 3 15th: Fort William
day 4 16th :
day 5 17th:
Our shortest day yet, just over 4 hours and 160 miles to Snowdon in Wales, unmissable and definite camping.
day 6 18th: via
day 7 19th: Lands End via
day 8 20th:Kingsbridge, Devon
day 9 21st: Beaulieu via Dorset
We're drawing to a close now, this will feel like the home leg. Along the South Coast from Devon to Beaulieu in the New Forest. Dear to my heart as an old haunt when I was at Uni in Southampton. We'll get a chance to visit the Motor Museum and Camp in some of the prettiest scenery in the UK. We'll try not to run over any wild ponies. This leg's about 150miles, maybe 3 and a half hours.
day 10 22nd: South London. Home.
Baaastard will have a few extra days riding time, he's giving himself 2 days to travel each way between Leipzig and London. That's as far as we've got. If anyone has experience of those routes, tips for the journey, must see's, luggage ideas, must miss places or any comments we'd be glad to hear them. It's 13 months away and already I'm too excited
2 comments:
This seems like a cracking plan, I'm jealous. Some ambitious riding there, no rest days? Little time for stopping and seeing? But should be great. Suggest a hostel or even hotel at Kinross, youll not feel like camping after 440 mile ride.
We should have a fair bit of time to stop off during the days, it's only the first day when we wont have any time to stop and admire things.
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