I know we have been talking about a weekend trip around the ring etc, but how about a long weekend over to wales/ scotland & have a two island meet with the boys from GB? Just a thought (the adventurous irish eccentrics)

GMcQ

A worthwhile suggestion G and something I have been contemplating. I know a few have done the Welsh mountains - Brecon Beacons to Snowdonia or vice versa which gives a nice hookup to the ferry terminals at Roslare/Fishguard and Dublin/Hollyhead. The Scottish roads too ex Belfast are, I'm told, amongst the best in the world for biking but may be a bit far for some in the UK. I'm game.
88

I would love this one for a camping trip in summer. I have spent a lot of time in Wales having grown up within 3 miles of the ferry terminal at Dun Laoghaire...Welsh mountains and roads are great fun. I am also however contemplating Bikerboy's offer of camping down near to Bordeaux as I have a passion for south west France. When is a good time for this one?

92, a trip to france would be a minimum of a week, permission from the Minister for Foreign Travell would not be got I think, also eats into holiday time with said minister. ComberJohn did mention Bikerboys offer when I was chatting to him last week, he could maybe be up for it. My wife and I went to france on the bike in 2009, r1150rs, travelled around the north and down as far as St Albert but it was quite a hike, two up with all the camping gear.

I was thinking a long weekend. The only one we share up here and down there that maybe ok weather wise is May Day, leave on the friday & back monday, but open to suggestions. As pointed out by Will, go in by fishguard & back by holyhead or visa versa. My wife and I where once in wales on the r1150rt around by snowdonia but only stayed 1 night, was only part of a bigger trip but was beautiful.

Anyone else interested before plans are made?

gmcq wrote:I know we have been talking about a weekend trip around the ring etc, but how about a long weekend over to wales/ scotland & have a two island meet with the boys from GB? Just a thought (the adventurous irish eccentrics)

GMcQ

We should be renamed the "The Irish Adventurics"

May weekend not a bad suggestion G. France would be lovely but I can't see it happening for me this year.

I'm an Hour from both Dun Laoighre and Rosslare and have an acre paddock for camping if it helped anyone complete the loop and save on accomodation/camping costs. (e.g Travelers form North and Dublin camp here Friday or Sat night and depart Rosslare next morning ferry. Return to Dublin Monday afternoon for the run home). Just thinking out loud!

88

I sense a plan taking shape

G

This seems like a very workable plan indeed. I know I can lose a weekends camping gear in the K.....Wales is rather nice at that time of year too.....Bodnant Garden near Conwy is probably a must.....Laburnum arch in bloom is not to be missed...Same with some of the steam trains.....

A link up in Wales is a thought.....

Having ridden some of Scotlands roads and having once briefly holidayed in Wales as a small child there can be no question in my mind that based on the body of evidence available Scotland has the better roads and should be your destination of choice . Nuff said

mmm Somebody up in Aberdeenshire is lonely and seeking visitors...I have also seen a lot of Scotland and it sure is loverly......so what do we do?

My uncle was based in Lossiemouth for years, not so far from Elgin, Balmoral and some wonderful places.....We are spoilt for choices.....

88KE you have festered and idea in my head for a midsomer barbecue where K riders descend upon some location laden with bbqs and steaks and tents. I sure wish I had a bigger place now.

How about Stonehenge with a modern day druid get together...and piss up.

make great photos to celebrate the 3oth Anniversary?? or maybe Edinburgh Castle?...at least you could get the whole countries K100's together at one time.

just a thought...

I'm actually taking a week for a UK tour in April or May so if it coincides a meet up anywhere in the UK would be fine
Cheers
Dave

We seem to have an interesting thread here....Edinburgh Castle.....Arthur's Chair is reserved for 88KE? All jokes aside there is a very good idea in that. A tour of the Western Isles many years back as well as a visit to the Edinburgh Festival does confirm some great roads in Scotland....

Airfares to the UK are very reasonable at the moment........just saying

Tiz a pity bricks don't float.

Bricks do float. The Irish Eccentrics have a floating brick.

Over to you Hover K100.......Not one but two Bricks that float.... Video is courtesy of HoverK100

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byfSjxwZ7HQ&list=UUdSsRETBAowjOBxiKVMATag&index=13&feature=plcp

a fleet of hovering K100's....its a bit like Dr Who and the Darleks....

Quite happy to leave the offer of the paddock and BBQ open to another weekend. So wales or Scotland has to be the first decision in drawing up a plan. Answer on a post(card).......

88

I'm up for "The Irish Eccentrics Abroad"

G

Just catching up after an extended bout with a bug.

South of France: I have a biking brother and sister-in-law offering camping accommodation near Treignac (Limoges area), so keen on this one.

Wales and/or Scotland camping tour weekend: probably more feasible for most Eccentrics. Definitely count me in.

Long Island West Cork: mention made somewhere of overnight/weekend-touring-centre here 5 min by ferry (a 1 min hover?) from mainland near Schull. Half a dozen beds available and floor/camping space for more. A good centre for exploring W. Cork peninsulas and Kerry, but no pub/shop etc on island and problem of storage of K's on mainland safe from local and marauding messers would have to be solved.

As a pensioner time is both less and more important - I can usually fit in with other's preferences (subject to the usual ministerial approval/veto).

Role on the next meeting.

Just had a squint online at ferry prices €55 each way rider'n'bike, Belfast/Cairnryan, €62 Dublin/Hollyhead or Roslare Fishguard for the May Bank Holiday.

88

Anyone anymore thoughts on Wales/ Scotland, seems to be a slow uptake on this idea.
GMcQ

So far 88KE, SGMayhew and myself have shown interest in a trip to Wales. I have done some research and come up with a route, map below, plagiarized from a tour guide. Takes in the Breacon Becons in the south, through forest drives, villages, castles etc to Snowdonia in the north. In by Fishguard, out by Holyhead, one nights camping in the south, two in the north roughly. Hopefully drum up some interest.

I have travelled that route many times, by car and also hang gliding!!! Never by bike but its unmissable. If finances permit I would love to do it too. I would suggest one amendment though, head east as far as Colwyn Bay but on the old A5 and then south, take in Bodnant Garden, its spectacular and has a most wonderful curved Victorian laburnum arch that will be in bloom. When you stand in the middle you see only yellow because you cant see the ends. Tea under the bridge in Betys y Coed is also unmissable.....Splendid route.

Excellent, route open to suggestions.

GMcQ

Only just found this thread.
The forum has become a victim of its success and means more postings disappear down the list so quickly now.
Strangely enough, I had a trip to Wales in mind this year. Been to Scotland and while it has terrific roads, Highlands, etc. you need a minimum of 4 or 5 days to get the benefit.
Weekender to Wales sounds good though.

Fair play on the route planning G. I would be in agreement with 92KK on the suggestion to include Colwyn Bay which leaves the option of a quick Blat back up the A55 to the Menai Bridge back to Hollyhead. Is 3 nights a bit too long on the Welsh side?

The paddock at the side of my place is available for a meet up leaving less than an hour to the roslare ferry port on the outward leg. ie meet here at our leisure for a BBQ'd burger (Non equine ) and beer friday night then set off about 7.15am in time for the 9.00am Sat morning ferry.

Any dates in mind GMcQ? Ferry prices Roslare-fisguard returning Hollyhead to Dublin €62 each way bike and rider holding steady. If we go for the Bank holiday weekend I will probably not do the Mournes weekend10th-12th May in the other thread (can't see me getting two in a row past mission control!)

88

88KE

I was thinking about the Mournes weekend......am sure two wekeends in a row would be a permanent permit on a one way ticket for all of us. I have a bit of head scratching to do as I would love both. I cant make plans for Wales yet but I did book for the Mournes. We are spoilt for choice.

88KE, was thinking the Bank Holiday May weekend as its the only one we share, down there and up here. As for the route and time away I'm easy, just want a good run. Nothing like putting your bike on the ferry, makes it feel like a big adventure

GMcQ

As mentioned on the other thread, I'm planning on doing the ABR (Mournes) rally in mid-May.

But you might also be interested to know that there is an ABR rally in Wales in mid-June and it is being held on the route posted above. See: http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum/98-june-2013-abr-welsh-rally-rhayader-14th-15th-16th.html

Food for thought for those who might not be able to get away twice in the same month. And, of course, there seems to be a bit of cross over between these two forums - so you'll likely meet up with forum fellows (like me!).

Also, there is another ABR bash in Scotland at the end of September: http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum/101-september-2013-abr-highlands-rally-ullapool-27th-28th-29th.html

I'm planning on doing all three - the Celtic Trio - so we'll see how that goes... but not 100% sure on what bike as yet (I'm off off-roading until doc gives my neck the thumbs up). So the Ireland and Wales meets likely to be on the K100.

Cheers
Pat

I was reading this thread again and seems a lot of research was done for a May weekend trip. How about it? Sat am ferry out, Mon pm Ferry back? Camp trip?

if we are clever we could find 2 nights shared hotel if we book advance. Map is done!