Garbage Run riders guide
A RIDING GUIDE
- Page 2: WELCOME Hello and welcome to the Ga
- Page 6: PACKING A BIKE The key thing is not
- Page 10: SLEEPING MATT - You can pay a lot f
- Page 14: A TYPICAL DAY ON THE RUN We’ll ge
- Page 18: THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WEATHER If we
- Page 22: there’s not much else open. There
- Page 26: already. You’ll be ready to get t
A RIDING GUIDE
WELCOME<br />
Hello and welcome to the <strong>Garbage</strong><br />
<strong>Run</strong> and other assorted adventures.<br />
This is a simple information booklet to<br />
help you prepare for the trip and get<br />
the most out of the rides. It is by no<br />
means definitive and as always if you<br />
have any questions just get in touch.<br />
Most of all a big welcome to the<br />
adventure and see you on the road in<br />
the not too distant future.<br />
THE FIRST RULE OF GARBAGE RUN<br />
- We’re all in it together.<br />
SECOND RULE OF GARBAGE RUN<br />
- No one gets left behind.<br />
THIRD RULE OF GARBAGE RUN<br />
- Ride Safe. Have fun.<br />
Nathan Millward
BIKE CHOICE AND SERVICING<br />
I know it’s called the <strong>Garbage</strong> <strong>Run</strong> but your bike doesn’t have to be garbage.<br />
In fact, the less garbage the better! Due to the nature of the runs then any bike<br />
is sufficient for the trip – new or old, big engine or small – all it needs to be is<br />
road legal, with MOT, insurance and tax, as well as being serviced and ready<br />
to the best of your ability. So far we’ve had everything from C90s to Triumph<br />
Explorer 1200s on the trip, all riding together as the nature of the trip allows<br />
people to find their own pace. The benefit of a 125cc bike is that it’s perfectly<br />
swift enough for the run itself, you just have the slight chore of getting down to<br />
the start and back from the end at a slower pace. The benefit of a big bike is that<br />
it’s a bit overkill on the trip itself but perfect for getting back down. So there is<br />
no right bike, there is no wrong bike. There’s just the bike that you enjoy riding.<br />
In terms of preparation, things to consider before coming on the trip revolve<br />
mainly around wear and tear items such as chain and sprockets and tyres, as<br />
well as basic servicing items such as oil and filter. By the end of the full trip<br />
from Land’s End to John o’Groats you will have ridden just short of 2500 miles.<br />
That’s 1450 miles on the run itself, plus the distance to get down to Land’s End<br />
and back from John o’Groats at the end. So service items as listed above need to<br />
have enough life in them to cover those of distances. Replace them beforehand<br />
if they won’t. If you’ve bought a bike especially for the trip, or it’s a new bike<br />
to you, then try and do a few miles beforehand, just to iron out any teething<br />
problems. Regardless of bike, breakdown cover is handy to have, with policies<br />
offered by the likes of the RAC and AA, but before taking any out, check that it<br />
isn’t already included as part of your insurance policy.<br />
Chain tension - Is it too tight or too loose? Does it need some adjustment? Part<br />
of your basic tool kit should ideally include the tools needed to nip up your<br />
chain if need be.<br />
Luggage for loose straps and securement - One of the hazards of travelling with<br />
luggage is loose straps and bungees which at worse could either catch in the<br />
wheel or on the exhaust, burning your luggage (I know that one from personal<br />
experience!). Before setting off make sure everything’s tied down and secure.<br />
Oil and fluid levels - Oil level is most crucial, especially on the smaller cc bikes<br />
that can use a good drop or two when held at a steady cruising pace for long<br />
periods of time. Check your levels daily and ideally bring a litre of fresh oil for<br />
top up if your bike does typically get through some.<br />
A general walk around - You’re looking for anything obvious; bolts that might<br />
need tightening, bulbs not working. Are you brakes OK? Does the steering feel<br />
loose? Are your panniers secure? Okay, ready to go.<br />
This will only take 5 minutes but it’s a good way of spotting problems early<br />
and making sure the bike’s fit for the day’s ride ahead!<br />
BIKE CHECKS<br />
Throughout the run a daily bike check is to be encouraged, something that<br />
should happen on any bike trip. Each morning before setting off you should be<br />
looking to check:<br />
Tyres and pressures - What’s the tread looking like, are there any nails or<br />
thorns in the tyre? How’s the pressure, does it need some air?
PACKING A BIKE<br />
The key thing is not to over-pack and not to bring more than you need. As with<br />
any bike trip, the less weight on the bike the better. So take the essentials, but<br />
leave the kitchen sink at home. The second key thing when packing is to pack<br />
the heaviest items at the lowest point you can. So tools and fluids at the bottom<br />
of the pannier; clothes and other light items at the top. This keeps the centre of<br />
gravity as low as possible which helps the bike remain stable and manageable,<br />
particularly at low speed when most topples happen.<br />
When packing a bike, consider what you might need to hand – such as phone,<br />
wallet, camera – and make sure they’re handy and within easy reach. A tank<br />
bag I find is useful for these sorts of things and if you get one big enough then<br />
you can also stuff toiletries and clothes in there as well. Another good tip is to<br />
divide your things up into ‘rooms’, so bedroom, kitchen, lounge. That means<br />
try and get all your camping gear together, and your cooking equipment and<br />
then your clothes. Packing on a bike is about packing smartly rather than<br />
increasing the amount of actual space you have available. Think where items<br />
can be reduced in size or slipped inside something else. Most of all, don’t be<br />
afraid to not bring something you think you might need, because chances are<br />
you won’t need it and if you do need it we can always pick one up on route. It’s<br />
better to do that than fill half your panniers with things you’re unlikely to need<br />
but are afraid to leave behind. Let go. This is just a bike trip in the UK.<br />
LUGGAGE<br />
How you decide to carry your gear is a personal choice and also dependant on<br />
the bike you’re bringing. If you have an adventure style bike with mounted<br />
aluminium panniers then you’re laughing (but again, you’re going away for a<br />
week in the UK, not a year around the world. You shouldn’t need panniers, top<br />
box, tank bank and a dry bag. Just because you have the space doesn’t mean<br />
that you have to use it!).<br />
If you’re on a C90 or sportsbike then you might have bigger issues, but nothing<br />
is impossible. Cheap throw-over saddle bags from the likes of Oxford are a<br />
good option, just make sure they don’t rest on the exhaust as this can easily set<br />
them ablaze.<br />
For those who are struggling with their machines and worrying how to<br />
pack everything then the easiest and cheapest way is to get a good dry bag,<br />
somewhere in the region of 60-litres. Aldi often do them for a tenner, and are<br />
perfectly good enough for this job. There’s a Scottish company called Lomo that<br />
also do sturdy and affordable dry bags. Rok Straps are a good way of strapping<br />
things to your bike and aren’t expensive. Available online. Click here<br />
In your dry bag I would look to put your tent, sleeping bag and other camping<br />
equipment. That way it keeps it all nicely together and if you get a large enough<br />
dry bag then you should be able to get most of your clothes in there as well.<br />
Combine that with a sizeable tank bag and you’re about there for carrying<br />
space for a week away on the bike. You’ll have to limit what you pack, and keep<br />
the same pants on for a few days, but you’ll survive quite easily. I would advise<br />
against rucksacks as these can cause rider fatigue over time.<br />
PACKING LIST<br />
This is the proposed packing list of June rider Bob Coleman, which is a great<br />
starter for ten. I’ve left my comments in black:<br />
Pants - up to you how many pairs. You can manage with 3 or 4 pairs and wash<br />
out on an evening.<br />
Socks - ditto.<br />
Tee shirts - four t-shirts should about cover it, but up to you.<br />
Fleece - good idea to have in case you need layer up.<br />
Towel - a weight saving tip is to use yesterday’s t-shirt, but each to their own<br />
Trunks - It’s unlikely we’ll be swimming but it could rain a lot.<br />
Riding jeans - definitely, with knee pads preferable.<br />
Riding boots - Some protective boots are advised, waterproof even better.<br />
Riding jacket - elbow and shoulder protection advised, waterproof ideal.<br />
Waterproofs - essential, don’t leave home without them.<br />
2 pairs of gloves - good idea for when one pair get wet.<br />
Trainers - or lighter sandals/flip flops for on the camp site. If you have<br />
waterproof boots you could manage without.<br />
Armoured vest - either a separate vest or armour in the jacket.<br />
Medication - bring what you need for the duration.
Midge repellent - a good idea for up in Scotland. Can be bought locally.<br />
Midge head net - as above.<br />
Razor ++ - or grow an adventure beard.<br />
Specs - yep, for certain, and I would bring specs even if you also use contacts.<br />
Phone - yep, and put my number in your phone 07562729672.<br />
Camera - bring whatever you need.<br />
Satnav - the route will be messaged out as a GPX file prior to run so is handy but<br />
not essential, especially if you have a smart phone.<br />
Road atlas - a miniature one will be provided.<br />
Toilet roll - not essential. Toilets en route.<br />
Cereal bars - good to have snacks to nibble on. Easy to pick up at petrol stations.<br />
Bin liners - a few would be handy, or carrier bags picked up on route.<br />
Pen and note book - yes if you want to keep notes.<br />
Headlight bulb - not a bad idea, although we don’t ride at night and we do pass<br />
various Halfords/bike shops etc<br />
Tail light bulb - as above<br />
Exhaust gasket - as long as it’s okay when you leave it should be ok<br />
Puncture repair kit - if you have tubeless tyres bring a plug kit. If tubed tyres and<br />
you don’t know how to repair, get breakdown cover<br />
Tools - basic tools handy, but don’t bring more than you know how to use<br />
5 litre petrol can - unnecessary but bring if it gives you peace of mind<br />
Tent - a minimum two man tent is advised<br />
Sleeping bag - a three season bag should do it<br />
Self inflating mattress - essential for a good night’s sleep<br />
Torch - handy in an evening, unless your phone has a torch<br />
Cooker and fuel - useful but not essential, depending on budget<br />
Matches - see above<br />
Water bottle - a litre bottle is handy<br />
Swiss army knife - certainly handy if you have one<br />
Mug/bowl/plate/KFS - only necessary if planning on cooking<br />
Head torch - one torch should do it<br />
RAC card - it’s not a bad idea to have breakdown cover<br />
Cash/cards - plenty of cash machines on route<br />
CAMPING GEAR<br />
Part of the <strong>Garbage</strong> <strong>Run</strong> is the camping element. Camping is something<br />
not everyone does, certainly not the act of carrying your camping gear<br />
on a motorbike trip, but it does two things: It reduces the cost of the<br />
trip, and it increases the sense and feeling of being on an ‘adventure’.<br />
Sometimes it’s wet, sometimes you’d rather be in a hotel, but the feeling<br />
of being on a bike and having everything you need on the bike to survive<br />
is one of the great joys of motorcycle travel (at least to my mind). Here’s<br />
what you need:<br />
TENT - The most essential item for this trip. I would advise going no<br />
smaller than a two man, and one weighing no much more than 6 kilos.<br />
A porch area is handy, especially if it’s raining as you can dump all your<br />
wet gear in it; saves bringing it into the actual tent. As with anything,<br />
prices vary. The more you pay the lighter and more compact the tent and<br />
the overall quality increases. But for around £60, even less, you should<br />
be able to get something that will last a good few trips. You’re looking for<br />
something with two layers; the inner and the outer. This just helps keep<br />
the rain out.<br />
A dome tent – which generally have a square footprint and forming a<br />
dome in the middle – are the easiest to put up and often the cheapest<br />
option. Tunnel tents offer more room but can be more time consuming<br />
to put up. If you really want to go all out then you can even get tents big<br />
enough to run your bike into – such as the Lone Rider and the Redverz<br />
– but they’ll run into £400-£500 and the pack size is fairly big. But they<br />
do give you a lot of room. It’s basically the compromise between pack<br />
size, the weight of the tent, the size of the tent and the cost of the tent.<br />
Don’t agonise too much; it’s just a tent, as long as it keeps you dry then<br />
that’s all that matters. Personally, I just wouldn’t buy one weighing more<br />
than six kilos, as they’re just a bit cumbersome to mount on a bike.<br />
SLEEPING BAG – A three season sleeping bag should do it quite nicely.<br />
It might get a bit chilly up in the Scottish Highlands but we can all<br />
snuggle in together if it gets too chilly.
SLEEPING MATT – You can pay a lot for these (up to £100) and<br />
essentially what you’re paying for is the pack size and weight. The more<br />
you pay the lighter it is. TwistMoto - a bike travel supplier - currently<br />
offer a decent one for less than £30.<br />
COOKING GEAR – A basic gas burner is the easiest and cheapest<br />
solution. Less than £20 and a gas bong for a fiver. Job done. A couple of<br />
pans, or just one, a fork and spoon out of the kitchen draw and some<br />
Pasta n’Sauce and you’re away. Cooking gear is down to the individual.<br />
Everywhere we stay there are facilities for buying a hot meal and<br />
generally a hot breakfast. If you don’t take a stove then you won’t starve,<br />
and it can save you a lot of space and weight if you don’t pack any, but<br />
obviously it’s going to cost you more to eat in the nearby pubs or other<br />
facilities. The choice on that one is yours.<br />
ANCILLARIES: Torch, pillow (scrunched up jumper?), matches, toilet<br />
paper (though not wholly necessary), medication, toiletries, towel (or<br />
yesterday’s t-shit).<br />
The tent to the right is a dome tent with a<br />
porch. These have the same footprint as a<br />
regular dome tent, but with an extra sheet<br />
of fabric, sometimes supported by a third<br />
pole, just to give you somewhere to keep<br />
your gear dry during the night. They tend<br />
to be a touch more expensive but not a lot.<br />
To the left is a a Vango Beat 300. It’s a 3<br />
man tent, they do do it in a 2 man format<br />
but if you have the space, go for a 3 man. It<br />
weighs a relatively lightweigh 3.5 kilos and<br />
the beauty of a dome tent like this is how<br />
easy they are to put up. This one is £22 in<br />
the sale. Bargain.<br />
A tunnel tent like this Vango Omega<br />
350 (£200) tends to cost more than<br />
a dome tent, but is more spacious<br />
with a decent sized porch area for<br />
cooking and gear storage. For an<br />
extended time away they are more<br />
‘enjoyable’ than a smaller dome tent.<br />
Their downsides are that they’re a<br />
touch heavier and take a bit more<br />
time to put up and take down.<br />
The final option is something like the Redverz Atacama tent or the equivalently<br />
sized Lone Rider. These are the King Don of tents, with space for the bike to go<br />
inside but cost in the region of £400-£500. They’re surprisingly stable in high<br />
winds and tall enough to stand up in. A few brought them on the last run. I think<br />
everyone was secretely jealous, but they are a bit overkill.<br />
Then you just need a sleeping matt and<br />
sleeping bag. Personally, I ‘d go for an<br />
inflatable air mattress, one of the compact<br />
ones that roll down small. They’re<br />
more comfortable and warmer than the<br />
traditional foam style, with a Multimatt<br />
Adventure about £25 and well worth it.<br />
As for a sleeping bag I’d just go for a<br />
reasonably priced 3 season sleeping bag<br />
from the likes of Vango, or see what you’re<br />
local Blacks has on sale. You’re just looking<br />
for something at the right price, which<br />
isn’t hugely bulky, and which will be warm<br />
enough for Spring time weather.
RIDING GEAR<br />
HELMET – Obviously you want a road legal helmet, with eye<br />
protection, be it in the way of goggles or visor. A neck tube such as a<br />
Buff is also handy for keeping the chill off your chin.<br />
JACKET and TROUSERS – It’s obviously advised that you come with<br />
some protective gear but I won’t be tapping on your elbows and knees to<br />
check for it. It’s up to you what gear you bring. The main thing is to be<br />
comfortable in what you’re wearing as you’re going to be spending a lot<br />
of time in it.<br />
BOOTS – Given the rain we’re likely to have at some points throughout<br />
the run it’s perhaps advisable you wear waterproof boots. Nothing worse<br />
than soggy boots to put on in a morning. If you don’t have waterproof<br />
boots and want to save a penny or two then waterproof socks are a good<br />
option and will at least keep your feet warm and dry, though your boot<br />
is going to be a bit squelchy in the morning. Let me know if you’re<br />
looking for boots and I’ll try and point you in the right direction.<br />
WATERPROOFS – These are a must and invaluable for when the<br />
weather turns. A one piece suit is probably the most effective if not<br />
always the most practical. You don’t have to spend a fortune. An<br />
army surplus store is often the best place to pick up an effective and<br />
affordable set of two-piece waterproofs, though not necessarily the most<br />
fashionable. Try and look for a jacket that has a bit of length in the waist<br />
in order to give good coverage over the top of your trousers. A nice high<br />
neck collar is also welcome to keep the cold and wet out. But let’s hope<br />
for sunshine.<br />
Hi-VIS clothing – There’s no mandatory requirement here. If you want<br />
to wear it do so, if you don’t then you don’t have to. It’s a personal choice.<br />
GLOVES – I would advise you bring two sets of gloves. There’s nothing<br />
worse than a long bout of rain and having to put wet gloves on after it. A<br />
second pair allows time for the others to dry. It could be nippy up in the<br />
north so maybe a pair of thick winter gloves wouldn’t go amiss.<br />
CASUAL CLOTHING<br />
It’s fair to say that we’re going to be spending most of the days on the<br />
bike in our riding gear. You can in theory get away without bringing any<br />
casual clothes if you’ve got good waterproofs. A pair of trousers under<br />
your riding gear can be stripped down to at night, your boots – if<br />
waterproof – can be worn and a jumper under your jacket will do for the<br />
pub. That’s the bear minimum, though in practicality it’s probably worth<br />
bringing a pair of joggers or casual jeans, some lightweight footwear and<br />
a spare jumper. On most evenings, if we’re camping, then we’ll be on the<br />
campsite, so you’re not really going to need to get dressed up, although<br />
we do on occasion frequent the local pub but shabby chique is currently<br />
en vogue.<br />
Pants and socks, well that’s down to your own tolerance of self odour,<br />
but being on the road all day for 8 days tends to make you care less than<br />
usual, so stretching out the undergarment change for a day or two is<br />
all part of it. If you are going for a daily change, a good tip is to bundle<br />
a set of socks, pants and top together for each day; either rolling them<br />
together into daily ‘parcels’. It just helps you to keep organised.<br />
EAR PLUGS – Always a good thing to wear even if a bit weird at the<br />
beginning. Consecutive days of riding can lead to temporary ringing<br />
and tinnitus, and especially for the long ride back down it’s best to have<br />
something in your ears to cut out wind blast. Even the cheap foam ones<br />
are better than nothing, with cheap options available from hardware<br />
stores and DIY outlets, or eBay.
A TYPICAL DAY ON THE RUN<br />
We’ll generally stir at around 7am, aiming to be ready and packed for<br />
around 8pm. We’ll do a quick brief - covering the route ahead and dealing<br />
with any concerns/queries - then a quick check of the bikes and plan on<br />
being on the road by 8.30am at the latest. By being on the road early it<br />
means that we’ll get good ground covered before lunch and therefore arrive<br />
at camp on an evening ideally no later than 5.30-6pm.<br />
We’ll probably be in the saddle around 5 hours a day, with a fair bit of stopstarting,<br />
for fuel and lunch and what not, with an average day of around 190<br />
miles. That doesn’t sound too many but the nature of the route we take –<br />
mainly B roads – then pace is generally steady as an average. But that’s okay.<br />
We’re in no rush.<br />
Again, people have a choice in how they ride the route, so if you want<br />
another hour in bed, or be on the road earlier, then you can do. You will all<br />
know the route and the direction the group is heading, so don’t be afraid<br />
to do your own thing. Each day will have a designated meeting point for<br />
lunch, allowing us to re-group if people have got broken up or gone at their<br />
own pace.<br />
We’ll ride until around 12noon, at which point we’ll reach our lunch stop.<br />
We’ll take about an hour and be back on the road sometime around 1pm.<br />
But a lot depends on where we are and how progress is going, and how<br />
people are feeling. If people want a longer lunch then that’s what we’ll<br />
do. There is no rigid schedule to any of this. We travel at a pace that is<br />
comfortable<br />
The aim is to reach the evening destination by around 5.30-6, which, if<br />
we’re camping allows plenty of time for us to get the tents up and sort out<br />
food. Food facilities are either nearby or on-site for those who don’t want to<br />
cook their own food. Food is not included in the price, but there might be<br />
the odd surprise.<br />
On an evening we’ll deal with any issues with bikes or people, and if<br />
anyone’s got any problems or worries then we’ll go through them.<br />
In terms of alcohol on an evening, it would probably be advised not to get<br />
too carried away. The days can be long, with early starts and we want people<br />
and alert and safe enough to ride. So have fun, but know your limits and try<br />
and get a good night’s sleep where possible.<br />
WHAT IF YOU BREAK DOWN?<br />
If you have a break down the chances are you’ll be with other <strong>riders</strong> who<br />
are expected to stop and see what can be done to rectify the problem.<br />
Assess the problem, see if you can fix it by the roadside, or is it a job for a<br />
professional or the breakdown truck? If I’m not there contact me on my<br />
mobile phone number to let me know, and depending on locality we’ll<br />
head back to help. The key thing is that no one is going to get left behind.<br />
We’ll solve problems and we’ll get people back riding. Worst case – if<br />
the problem’s terminal – you’ll have to get your bike recovered, but we’ll<br />
cross that bridge if and when we get to. The nature of every breakdown is<br />
different, but we’ll deal with it.<br />
WHAT IF I GET LOST OR LOSE THE GROUP?<br />
Don’t panic is the main thing. Pull over, take your helmet off and refer to<br />
the map and the next stop marked on route. That could be a lunch stop or<br />
the final destination for that day. Drop me a message to let me know you’re<br />
alright and once composed make your way to where we’re heading. Again,<br />
no one will be left behind and we’ll deal with people getting lost on a case<br />
by case basis, but essentially it’s nothing to worry about and all part of the<br />
adventure. Some of the best times people have had on the previous runs is<br />
when a few of them, or one rider on their own, has lost the group and made<br />
their own way to where we’re going. They always arrive talking about the<br />
new things they’ve seen and it’s made them feel more confident. So again,<br />
don’t panic. It’s the UK, everyone speaks English, apart from in the north.<br />
WHAT IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT?<br />
Deal with it as you would any incident on the road. Assess the damage. Do<br />
you need an ambulance? Call 999. I’ll carry first aid equipment to patch<br />
up anything minor and if anyone’s more seriously injured then we’ll deal<br />
with that as we go. If I’m not there, contact me immediately if there is an<br />
incident. But if everyone rides within their limits then there’s no reason for<br />
this to be an issue.
WHAT’S EXPECTED OF YOU<br />
I’m going to do everything I can to get up to the top in safety and with good<br />
fun along the way. I want you to have a good trip. I want you to learn a lot<br />
and feel more confident as a rider, and as a traveller by the end. It is a tough<br />
trip. We cover some ground over the 8 days, the conditions can be poor and<br />
it takes more effort moving as a group than riding solo. What I ask of you<br />
is that you come with expectation of that challenge and an acceptance that<br />
sometimes you could be cold and wet and still have some miles to cover.<br />
You also have to accept that things might go wrong, that we might have<br />
breakdowns or other mishaps and that motorcycling is an inherently<br />
dangerous past time and that sometimes things do go wrong and people do<br />
have accidents. Once again, the main thing is getting everyone to the top in<br />
one piece, and that’s helped by everyone looking out for each other. No one<br />
rides past a stricken rider. No one puts anyone else in danger through their<br />
riding or their actions. I also expect people to bring their brain with them,<br />
to think for themselves and make their own decisions. If you want to stop<br />
for a picture of the scenery then stop, if you want eat somewhere different<br />
to the group because you’re sick of fast food then do so. Don’t follow<br />
blindly, think, and make it the adventure that you wish to have.<br />
HOW IT TENDS TO WORK<br />
We start as about 25, and throughout the week the main group shrinks and<br />
reforms as people go off at their own pace, or mini groups form as people<br />
make friendship groups and decide to ride together. It’s all part of the<br />
experience and encouraged, not deterred, with the flow of the group very<br />
organic and responsive to the people on that particular run. If you want to<br />
go ahead of the group, go ahead, if you want to go slower, then go slower.<br />
The main thing always is that you ride at a pace comfortable to you and<br />
by having the route to hand the idea is that you can and will be able to self<br />
navigate if wanting or needing to. Or just stick with me.<br />
GROUP RIDING TIPS<br />
When riding as a group, the main thing is to give yourself plenty of space<br />
and never ride closer to the man in front that you feel comfortable. Some of<br />
you will be aware of the staggered group positioning, which is particularly<br />
effective when we enter congested areas such as towns and villages,<br />
reducing the length of Tarmac we take up. See the diagram below and look<br />
for the lead of the rider in front so position yourself properly; one to the<br />
outer of the lane, the following rider to the inner of the lane, then outer,<br />
then inner. It just makes for easier, swifter progress.<br />
WHERE’S DOROTHY?<br />
Rather than a formal drop-man system which can work for some groups<br />
but is quite structured and arguably too regimented for this type of trip,<br />
I rely on a more informal approach, which I’m going to call the ‘Where’s<br />
Dorothy?’ approach. It basically means that you’re responsible for the<br />
person behind you. They are Dorothy. This means that if the group makes<br />
a turn then it is your responsibility to make sure the rider behind has seen<br />
the group make that turn, and if they aren’t behind you then you wait on<br />
the corner for them. This then relies on the person in front of you to keep<br />
an eye on their ‘Dorothy’ and make sure they don’t make a turn without<br />
you. It relies on everyone looking out for one another and using their<br />
mirrors.<br />
Obviously, common sense applies, so if you’re pulling over to wait for<br />
someone make sure you pull off the road, safe from traffic, and be careful<br />
when pulling away. Common rules of safe riding apply. And if you lose the<br />
rider behind you on more than 3 occassions you will be forced to wear the<br />
dunce’s cap.<br />
COURTESY<br />
We’re a big group, we take up a lot of space on the road. We’re also very visible<br />
as ‘motorcyclists’, so I urge everyone to show courtesy and good manners to<br />
other traffic. If a car waves us though, I encourage everyone to give them a<br />
wave of gratitude, not just the rider at the front. It’s just good manners.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT<br />
WEATHER<br />
If we don’t get rain it’ll be a miracle. In rain the best thing to do is slow your<br />
pace and increase the gap to the rider in front. Take your time, don’t rush. And<br />
if need be pull in and let the rain pass. Once again, good waterproof clothing is<br />
essential!<br />
NAVIGATION<br />
For navigation you’ll all be given a A5 road atlas which we’ll go through the route<br />
with each morning. Details of the final destinations for each day will be provided<br />
in advance, as will details of where we’ll aim on stopping for lunch. The latter can<br />
all vary depending on pace, weather and preference, so last minute changes are<br />
always possible. If you want to bring a GPS then they can be handy to have, just<br />
remember that you’ll need a 12v charger on your bike to power it; also handy for<br />
charging your phone.<br />
LEADING<br />
These are semi-<strong>guide</strong>d trips. You are not expected to sit behind me from<br />
Land’s End to John o’Groats. You will all have the route and the destinations. In<br />
principle everyone should be self sufficient and if need be be able to navigate<br />
their way to where we’re going. Equally, I might not always ride at the front. If<br />
someone wants to take the lead or they have the route to follow and are feeling<br />
confident then other members of the group will be asked if they want to take<br />
the lead. Certainly no one will be forced to.<br />
FOOD & COOKING<br />
Between Land’s End and John o’Groats there are a thousand places to pick up<br />
food. One rider on the last run took with him 30 packets of instant noodles. He<br />
took all of them back home with him! A lot boils down to budget. If you want<br />
to do it on the cheap then take a stove and a pan and maybe some dried food<br />
and something for breakfast. Easy and cheap. Alternatively, in the main we<br />
camp at places that either have facilities to buy food, or have pubs or takeaways<br />
nearby. You can manage on this trip without cooking equipment if you want<br />
to. For lunch we tend to stop at either local cafés, or on a few occasions<br />
McDonald’s, sometimes if only for a cup of tea, simply because it’s quick and<br />
easy for a big group to get served.<br />
CAMPING<br />
In the main we camp, with one night at a hostel or bunkhouse. The campsites<br />
all have the full facilities and usually a place to shelter and re-group. All<br />
accommodation costs are included. Some campsites have camping pods or<br />
caravans which some people in the past have dived in, especially when it’s raining.<br />
Where practical, if someone wants to upgrade then you’re free to do so. Where<br />
money hasn’t already been paid for the campspot - or where it can be re-directed -<br />
I’ll contribute the cost of the camp-spot to the upgrade... if that makes sense.<br />
BUDGET<br />
Budgets vary with bike choice and taste. Calculate the cost of 2400 miles based<br />
on your bikes MPG. Add that to say £30 per day for food and drink. Less or<br />
more depending on your taste and budget. On an economical bike a £200<br />
budget could do it.<br />
PACE<br />
Ride to your own pace. Don’t push beyond your comfort zone. Let the rider<br />
in front go. If you’re riding behind a slower rider and the road opens up and<br />
you want to come past then conduct a safe and considerate overtake. It’s more<br />
dangerous to have a number of bikes bunching up behind a slower bike than<br />
it is for that those faster <strong>riders</strong> to overtake. The slower rider needn’t worry, for<br />
we’ll be waiting for them at the end.<br />
FUEL<br />
As long as your bike has a range of 100 miles you’ll be fine. We tend to do<br />
plenty of stops and if you do have a small tank then take the opportunity to top<br />
up the tank whenever you can. You should not need to bring along a jerry can.<br />
ROUTE<br />
The route is all legal highway and paved. We avoid towns and main roads<br />
wherever possible. There is no motorway work so the route is entirely L plate<br />
friendly. There are some more challenging bits, just where it’s narrow lanes and<br />
tighter corners. Take it at your own pace, and remember, there is always another<br />
way of getting to where we’re going. No one will be forced to ride where they<br />
don’t wish to ride so speak up (or stop) if you don’t like the look of something.<br />
Also, please show caution when pulling into our accommodation stops on an<br />
evening as these might sometimes be accessed by gravel or grass driveways,<br />
which might be wet and uneven. If in doubt, feet down and paddle. Or worst still,<br />
put the stand down and leave the bike at the gate.
Just be careful on the driveway into the farm. There’s a drainage ditch down<br />
the middle which is best avoided and area can be a bit sludgy – it is a working<br />
farm. Paddle your feet if necessary and ask someone to give you a hand if need<br />
be. No extra points – or pudding – for bravery.<br />
This first day is a bit tricky in the sense there are a few turns and to make and<br />
small villages to navigate. Keep an eye on the person behind you and make sure<br />
they’ve made that turn. The rest of the time enjoy the scenery!<br />
DAY TWO<br />
The first half of this second day is some of the best riding this country has to<br />
offer. All the way from Combe Martin to Bridgwater is one long endless coastal<br />
road. There are some steep hills in parts so be mindful of those, and we do turn<br />
off to explore the very narrow lanes down by the cliffs which can be a bit slippy<br />
down the centre, so just be careful, take your time, don’t rush and try to go easy<br />
on that front brake. Engine braking is your friend. Beautiful scenery along here<br />
though, with a quick stop in Lynton to take in the harbour.<br />
DAY ONE<br />
This is the day when it all begins. We will arrange to meet at the Land’s End<br />
Visitor centre at 8am, with aim to hit the road by between 8.45am and 9.00am.<br />
We’ll have a short introduction and brief, take a load of pictures, make our<br />
introductions and hit the road! The Adventure Begin!<br />
The road to Bridgwater continues. Ride it at your own pace. You can’t get lost.<br />
In Bridgwater we’re aiming for the Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s retail park.<br />
There’s a café in Sainsbury’s or McDonald’s over the road. Being a Sunday<br />
From Land’s End we take a left just out of Sennen (past the airporT) and follow<br />
the coastal road all the way to St. Ives. Great road this. Look for the ruins of old<br />
mine shafts and just enjoy the scenery. In St. Ives we look down at the harbour<br />
before heading out to Hayle where we’ll stop for a bit of brekkie and some fuel.<br />
From there we continue to follow the coast to St Agnes and Perranporth,<br />
followed by Newquay and on to Padstow. There’s some great riding along here,<br />
all coastal roads so it’s a steady speed all the way. We take lunch in Perranporth,<br />
parking up down by the sea front for some fish and chips or whatever you<br />
fancy. Plenty of options nearby. From Padstow we head up to Widemouth Bay<br />
and Bude, and then to miss that busy stretch of A39 we head into Holsworthy<br />
and upto Bideford and Barnstaple. That night we tend to stay on a farm in the<br />
small village of Berrynarbor/ (subject to change), where food will be provided,<br />
breakfast the next morning as well.
there’s not much else open. There is a Halfords over the road for anyone<br />
needing it. Lunch here. Fuel up.<br />
From there we carry on, aiming for the Midlands with a night’s stop at the<br />
famous, (or is that infamous?) Dom’s Bike Stop near Leominster. There’s a bit of<br />
good riding this second day afternoon, especially as being a Sunday the roads<br />
tend to be quiet and we’re pressing on for a good night’s sleep.<br />
DAY THREE<br />
Up into the Peak District, with some of the best riding roads of the route. We<br />
head up to Matlock Bath for lunch, a popular place for bikers and a very pretty<br />
spot to regroup. There’s a good selection of cafes and fish and chip shops here,<br />
with the afternoon taking us up past Chatsworth House, which we usually<br />
drop down to see up close. We continue to wind north from there, to Baslow<br />
and up towards Castleton, staying as far away from any busy roads as possible.<br />
You’ll know that we’re on Winnats Pass when the road starts to climb outside of<br />
Castleton. It’s a nice windy road up through the cut in hill - a bit like Cheddar<br />
Gorge but without the traffic - before we come out at the top and keep winding<br />
north alongside the reservoirs of Torside and Woodhead, crossing the second<br />
and heading up and over Holme Moss - one of the highest peak in the Peak<br />
District - before looking down on Holmfirth, where Last of the Summer Wine<br />
was set. We’ll camp somewhere in the Peaks, where, to be confirmed - before<br />
weaving through the lanes, under the frantic M62 and down into Hebden<br />
Bridge, the back way.<br />
DAY FOUR<br />
Day four we finally break free of the Peak District and head for the Yorkshire<br />
Dales and glorious Pennines. There’s some great riding here, just needing to get<br />
north of Skipton - a little bit of dual carriageway - before branching off at Settle<br />
and aiming for the Ribblehead Viaduct, which will hopefully be backed with a<br />
bit of nice weather, fingers and toes crossed. The road to Hawes is great, and if<br />
you want you can even visit the Wensleydale Creamery for a bit of cheese. The<br />
town also has plenty of options for lunch, as well as fuel.<br />
A good lunch puts you in good stead for the climb up Buttertubs Pass, weather<br />
permitting. This is a lovely little run over the moors, along a narrow road, past<br />
remote hamlets and villages. The oldest pub in Britain - The Tan Hill Inn - isn’t<br />
far from here, and time permitting we might stop by for a bag of Scampi Fries<br />
or two, before onwards to Kirby Stephen and a likely night at the Haggs Bank<br />
Bunkhouse with host and owner Danny. It’s all good riding around here, with<br />
glimpses of the old lead mines around these parts. Haggs Bank itself was once<br />
the tool house of one such mine and now a great place to dry any wet gear and<br />
enjoy just our mid-way point.
DAY FIVE<br />
Today we head for the border, cutting upwards to Brampton and then onto<br />
Gretna Green if anyone wants to get married on route. A bit of a slog west<br />
along an A-road takes us to Dumfries, before we shoot off at a right angle,<br />
riding across country in the direction of Ayr on the coast. This is probably my<br />
favourite stretch of road, simple because it goes on for about 70 miles with only<br />
one junction along it and barely any built up areas. You’re just riding through<br />
forests and open ground, and the pace is just flowing.<br />
We skirt around Ayr - rather than venture into it - on a rather bland stretch<br />
of double carriageway, but it is worth the effort as all of a sudden the road<br />
descends on the shores of the Firth of Clyde and the monotony of the 20 miles<br />
of dual carriageway is long forgotten. We now ride north along the shore,<br />
heading for Greenock, where we catch the short ferry to Dunoon. It costs<br />
about £5 per bike, depending on the group price we negotiate at the time<br />
(not included in the price). Before that we might stop for an ice-cream at the<br />
famous parlour at Largs and pick up a disposable BBQ for anyone who didn’t<br />
bring a stove as that night’s camping is at the remote site of Glendaruel, which<br />
is picturesque, and follows a great run through a freshly paved woodland route.<br />
DAY SIX<br />
That’s it, we’re in the Scottish Highlands, heading north to pick up the North<br />
Coast 500 coastal road. We stop at Inveraray for pictures, and breakfast,<br />
before winding up to the famous biker cafe the Green Welly (for brunch)<br />
before making our way through the magical Glen Coe. It can get a bit busy<br />
with tourist traffic through here but it’s still a stunning stretch of scenery<br />
that propels you all the way into Glencoe village, then onto Fort William. We<br />
generally have lunch at Fort William, with something for every budget and<br />
taste. Don’t follow me to McDonald’s if you don’t want to!<br />
The route is easy to follow now. Don’t be afraid to stop for photo opportunities<br />
as no doubt you’ll catch the rest of the group up at the next vantage point.<br />
We’re aiming for Applecross and the magnificent Pass of the Cattle. This one<br />
is a bit dependent on mood and weather. It can get a bit wet and blustery up<br />
there but hopefully we’ll get good weather as the run over the top is one of the<br />
best. You just have to take your time. There are a few tight turns and the road<br />
is narrow. The choice is yours to do it. There is another way around (a long<br />
way around admittedly) but we’ll see how it is on the day. We generally camp<br />
at Applecross, but there might be a change for this year. You’ll just have to wait<br />
and see.
already. You’ll be ready to get there. It will feel like you’ve ridden a lot further but it’ll<br />
have been worth it once you get along that top coastal road, sights set on John o’Groats<br />
(fingers crossed for the weather).<br />
Some grumble about the facilities at John o’Groats but it’s alright. It is what it is, and<br />
what usually happens is that a million photographs get taken before people begin<br />
figuring out what they’re going to do. Some need to get straight back down, some aren’t<br />
sure now. The plan will be to find a base, likely to be in Wick, in which to have a drink,<br />
as well as providing a base for people who want to stay the night, have a meal and set<br />
off the next morning back down. People usually ride in groups on the way back down,<br />
friends now with the people they started off as strangers with eight days prior. And<br />
you’ll be amazed at how easily you’ll zip out the miles now you’ve got 1450 under your<br />
belt.<br />
DAY SEVEN<br />
Applecross around about as far as Durness today. We’re covering ground but<br />
not at a fast pace, and nor do we need to. The roads are generally single track<br />
with passing places along this west coast along here. Take your time and what<br />
I tend to do is break the group down into smaller numbers in order to make<br />
it more manageable for these narrow stretches, as 20 odd bikes all trying to<br />
squeeze into one short passing place just doesn’t go! And the locals get annoyed<br />
as well...<br />
So that’s about, hope this booklet provided a bit of information and advice, as well as<br />
insight into what you’re getting involved in. As I’ve always said, this isn’t a <strong>guide</strong>d tour.<br />
This is your adventure. We’re in it together and there’s freedom for each group to form<br />
differently, and be its own unique trip. Most of all just come along with an open mind<br />
(and preferably a reliable bike!) and I’ll see you at the start line!<br />
Great riding though and the small towns and villages of Gairloch and Ullapool,<br />
as well as many smaller ones, make for a relaxed pace and plenty of places to<br />
get fuel. The best riding however has to be that stretch around the peninsula<br />
from Applecross. Such a lovely bit of up and down and round and round,<br />
following the coast on a winding rural lane. For lunch we usually stop in<br />
Ullapool and sometimes we camp there that night, it all depends on progress<br />
as this last stretch can be a bit unpredictable depending on the weather and the<br />
pace of the road.<br />
DAY EIGHT<br />
And that’s it, the final day, after what will have been about 1300 miles on the road
THE NIGHT BEFORE - LAND’S END<br />
So the trip commences on the Saturday morning, meaning that ideally you<br />
need to be down in Land’s End the night before, on the Friday. This night is<br />
not ‘part’ of the tour so in a sense you’re left to your own devices. Some book<br />
into B&Bs, whilst the youth hostel near Land’s End (Google Land’s End YHA)<br />
is very good and very cheap if you want a bunk, and they also do camping as<br />
well. Alternatively, the tradition has been for those who want to, to camp at the<br />
SeaView campsite only about a mile from Land’s End. It’s not the highest rated<br />
site, nor the cheapest at about £15 per tent pitch, but it’s right beside the First<br />
and Last Inn; a nice little pub that services food until 8pm, therefore handy<br />
for giving a place for everyone to get together on that Friday evening. I tend to<br />
make a group booking so contact me if you would like that doing. Pay at the<br />
site when you get there. Nearer the time we’ll also look to see who’s coming<br />
down from where in case it’s convenient for people to meet up on route and<br />
ride down in convoy.<br />
PLEASE NOTE: Please fill up with fuel as you come through Penzance. There’s<br />
a variety of supermarket fuel stations as you come into the outskirts of town<br />
AT THE END - JOHN o’GROATS<br />
We’ll aim to reach John o’Groats by around 1pm the following Saturday all<br />
being well, but that’s dependent on weather and pace etc, but it’ll certainly<br />
be no later than 3pm. People will no doubt need to make progress south at<br />
different rates. A good suggestion if you plan on heading South straight away<br />
is to aim for Inverness, and then continue on the Sunday. For those in less of a<br />
hurry there is a campsite at John o’Groats (this night is not covered in the cost).<br />
Alternatively, it’s going to be suggested that for anyone who wants to that we<br />
have a night in the nearby towns of either Wick or Thurso (to be confirmed).<br />
Stay in a B&B, camp, whatever you please and we’ll have drinks and a meal on<br />
that Saturday evening.<br />
Some ask about renting a van, or having bikes picked up. A courier could pick<br />
your bike up from Inverness airport and take it back down, but costs could<br />
be high. Another option is to get together and rent a one way rental van from<br />
Inverness. Being completely honest, the easiest way of getting back down is<br />
just to get on the bike and ride. No doubt by the end of the trip you’ll have<br />
found people to ride back down with.