Nice ride out in the Highlands of Scotland in March 2014

[africajim]

Hi all, I didn't post up last weekend, too much drink! LOL! BUT,,,,,!

This weekend I took the old Africa twin out for a bit of a test ride! I bought a radiator from Ebay this week to replace the one holed last season, so with it fitted, I thought it best to give it a bit of a test ride! (Steve T, I'll be able to give you back your Transalp radiator now that I borrowed last year!)
I decided to have a run south for a change, down to Grantown on Spey, met a woman on a Harley (Rutland chapter patch on her back?) who I passed then she passed me,,, then corners loomed this side of Aviemore,,,, I took the lead again!;)

I then rode my favourite road in the whole of Scotland, Aviemore to Spean bridge. There were a few damp spots but nothing passed me on the way down!
I popped in past the Aonach Mor ski centre (Nevis range)just for a change from Cairngorm and the Lecht! Then onwards to Fort William to refuel.
Interesting fuel prices down there, as usual, forget Gleaner - 131.9p/litre, BP- 129.9p/litre, most surprising was Morrisons at 129.9p/litre, winner, by far was Esso at 127.9p/litre. Gleaners at InverGarry was 134.9p/litre, that's £1.60 difference per fill to me! Damn!!
My return route was the A82 up past the Commando monument and on to Fort Augustus. The road was surprisingly quiet, I love the A82 at this time of the year! A quick photo stop then I took the back road towards Foyers, a stunning road with splendid views, then cut across through Farr to Daviot on the A9 and the back road to Cawdor then home.

Around 250 miles, mixed roads, mostly dry but a few damp patches. There's some salt and grit on them but nothing like last year, I had no hairy moments today on all A and B roads. Temps varied form 6 deg c to 11 deg c, fine for March with some snow still lying on the hills. Still recommend the Spean Bridge to Newtonmore road as one of the finest in Scotland, the mix of twisties, sweepers, straights and a view in between to die for are second to none!
Here's a few pics from today, not too much, just enough to whet your appetite!

The Nevis range ski resort

AonachMor.jpg (171.73 KiB) Viewed 1568 times

Angry skies over Ben Nevis

AngryskiesonBenNevis.jpg (131 KiB) Viewed 1568 times

The Commando monument we all know and love!

Commandomonument.jpg (164.43 KiB) Viewed 1568 times

Looking North on to Loch Ness from south of Fort Augustus

LochNessfromsouth.jpg (167.79 KiB) Viewed 1568 times

Enjoy folks! Hope to see some of you soon, season begins next week!

[beddowsm]

Great stuff jim. Hope I can make it to Scotland on the bike this year.

[Paul-S]

Nice one Jim

See you at Takoda for the Boil?

[africajim]

Hi Mike, be good to see you mate, give me a heads up when you find the time to come up, I'll make a point of meeting up with you mate.
Paul S, yes, Fiona and myself will sober up long enough to come down to the boil!
Both Crosstourer and the Ickle GS going on the road next week so we'll be sorting out our boxes in prep for the boil rally! BRING IT ON!!!!!

[Dark Knight]

Surprised that there is no snow about.

[sprintster]

Sounds like a good run,Jim.I agree about the the Newtonmore to Spean Bridge road.For people who think you've got to hug the west coast of Scotland for great roads and scenery,you don't know what your missing!
That was a scary thought when they were talking about putting average speed cameras along it a few years back! :whistle:
I must admit though,I did get beaten down it by some chav in a hot hatch last summer when I was there.....but I was only hanging back to avoid the carnage at the next blind corner!!! hmy:

[africajim]

Ha ha! I've had sport with boy racers on that road in the past! The Crosstourer's the bike for that! Drop a couple of gears at 120 and pass them on the back wheel! LOL!

But seriously, take in the views at 60mph on the long straight bits and the long sweeping corners, and enjoy the technical bits at your best pace! Some of the corners coming up loch Laggan and the one at Ardverikie estate office are probably 40 to 50 mph corners! I'd love to hear everyone's comments on the road! I've never found better!
I've ridden it on everything from Blades to Blackbirds, Africa twins to Tigers, even a KLR 650 Tengai! It's a lovely road! Enjoy!

[TDMTAM]

H Some of the corners coming up loch Laggan and the one at Ardverikie estate office are probably 40 to 50 mph corners! I'd love to hear everyone's comments on the road! I've never found better!
Enjoy!

I love that road to stunning views all along it. (thumbs)
TAM