Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Hi everbody!

The scene is set for a great summer holiday on the two-wheeled for my girlfriend and
I as we're in the planning stages of taking a trip round the U.K.
And this is where we need a bit of help from you guys as we're coming from Denmark
and need some insiders on your fantastic kingdom

The route is roughly planned like this:
We'll be taking the way round south through Holland and Belgium and jumping on the
ferry (or tunnel??) to Dover.
Then we'll head west and see what the hub bub is about at Stongehenge.
On to Wales either through Brecon Beacons National Park up to Porthmadog or by the
southern coast line to Fishguard and on to Snowdonia National Park to Porthmadog.
From Wales then more or less on to Lake District National Park along the western
region of the country.
Crossing the border into Scotland we would like to have a glance at Hadrian's Wall.
Loch Lomond on to Loch Ness / Inverness and down south again through Cairngorms
National Park on to York.
From York basically pretty straight forward down to Brandon (close to Thetford)
where we'll be meeting some people.
On to the ferry in Harwich and back home hopefully with a heap of good memories.

Our priority is riding the highways and keeping off the motorways but apart from
that we're open for all suggestions. If we're running behind schedule we won't mind
burning some rubber on the motorway though. The route described is merely a thought
and can be changed many times to get the most out of our trip.

We will be bringing along a tent to cover our sleeping needs (is it ok to camp
quitely, unseen and undisturbed in the woods??) along with the basic camping
equipment. IF rain does set in we're most likely to head for a B and B. Other
suggestions?

We're setting out from Denmark on Monday the 22nd of June and have to be on the
ferry in Harwich on sunday the 28th of June.

I'll be riding on a 1200GS but my girlfriend has a Fireblade (still trying to
convince her of lending something a tad more touring friendly) so we're thinking of
around 500-600 kilometers per day.

So please feel free to comment. We'll be looking forward to your input on route, scenery, touristy things, what to see, what to do and what not to do when travelling in your country!

Thanks in advance guys!

The route sounds good, I am in the Midlands if you get stuck for a bed. There are plenty of campsites about and one of the forum members has a good campsite near the Borders up north good place to base yourself whilst doing the lakes and Hadrians wall.

have a great trip cheers spud

With regards to Wales, I wouldn't do the south coast to Fishguard (it's dual carriageway all the way from the motorway). What I would do is to head into Wales via the Cotswolds, Brecon Beacons, Rhayader, Elan Valley, Devil's Bridge, Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, Dinas Mawddwy, Bwlch-y-Groes, Bala, Horseshoe Pass into Snowdonia (Llanberis Pass is a must) The Mach Loop (Dinas Mawddwy) will be good if it is an RAF Tactical Low Flying day:

Sounds like you have a grear trip planed. Ref the 'camping in woods' bit, this could be a probem as England is a crowded little island and every square inch belongs to someone - who will not b happy about you pitching a tent! However there are plenty of campsites around. Some hippy traveler types stay on the byways ie dirt roads with legal access but i'd stick to proper campsites.

If you can, you should try and include a night at Applecross, West Scotland, great place to wild camp, And a great pub and restaurant.

On your way to York from Scotland head through the borders via Northumberland, The A68 is a great route taking you all the way to Darlington, you pass through some of the wildest, remotest areas of England, and the road has some amazing big blind crests and dips. Just be aware in the Scottish half of the A68 there are loads of gatso speed cameras.
Actually in Scotland, your much better off on the A7 Via Galashiels, Selkirk, and hawick before joining the A68 at Carter Bar viewpoint. . belter of a road, very twisty, and no speed cameras.

PaulinBont wrote:With regards to Wales, I wouldn't do the south coast to Fishguard (it's dual carriageway all the way from the motorway).

What I would do is to head into Wales via the Cotswolds, Brecon Beacons, Rhayader, Elan Valley, Devil's Bridge, Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, Dinas Mawddwy, Bwlch-y-Groes, Bala, Horseshoe Pass into Snowdonia (Llanberis Pass is a must)

The Mach Loop (Dinas Mawddwy) will be good if it is an RAF Tactical Low Flying day:

Excellent!
Thank you very much on your input - it seems like valuable info! Duely noted on both pieces of advice

redbikejohn wrote:Sounds like you have a grear trip planed. Ref the 'camping in woods' bit, this could be a probem as England is a crowded little island and every square inch belongs to someone - who will not b happy about you pitching a tent! However there are plenty of campsites around. Some hippy traveler types stay on the byways ie dirt roads with legal access but i'd stick to proper campsites.

Thank you. Duely noted. What would the situation be if we stumbled upon government land? Would it be ok to pitch a tent (ninja fashion)?

I've had good experience travelling through Europe asking the local farmers if it's ok to pitch a tent on their land / forrest for the night - what's the general feel on that do you reckon?

Flintlock wrote:If you can, you should try and include a night at Applecross, West Scotland, great place to wild camp, And a great pub and restaurant.

Great! That's noted - thanks.
Applecross - is that due west from Inverness on the west cost?

Milshy wrote:On your way to York from Scotland head through the borders via Northumberland, The A68 is a great route taking you all the way to Darlington, you pass through some of the wildest, remotest areas of England, and the road has some amazing big blind crests and dips. Just be aware in the Scottish half of the A68 there are loads of gatso speed cameras.

Excellent - thanks.
But don't the speed traps merely take pictures from the front? Then it's not that big a deal riding a bike - or?? :huh: