Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Events/Meetings/Rideouts => Topic started by: steveD on August 10, 2009, 07:33:09 PM
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I have been in discussion with our esteemed leader and as he had been interested in my previous trips to the borders area I intend to get there again later on in the year to further explore. I know full well that it may be colder but the pub is very friendly, has a fire and serves good food. We can have an open fire camping alongside the Loch. Facilities pretty basic (at least they were when I was last there) but the roads in the area are fantastic for biking.
Hope this will attract some of our more Northern brethren, and possibly someone in the area that has local knowledge. ;)
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I'm about 50 miles from the Tibbie Shiels and know the roads around there pretty well as I often use them for day rides. The cafe across the road from the Tibbie Shiels is quite often used as an end-point on rides I do.
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Does this mean that you will attend? and if so will you be able to organise a rideout or at least give us a clue as to a good circuitous route?
Will also be good to meet new faces.
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I'm planning to be there :)
Andy
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I'm planning to be there :)
Andy
Likewise 8)
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I'm also planning to go along.
Simon
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My pistol's packed and my dog comes with me...
(ten virtual forum points if you can name the band).
Er... what I'm saying is I'll be there. :D
GC
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Does this mean that you will attend?
I should be there. Given it's November there is a chance I'll wimp out and turn up in my motorhome rather than with a bike & tent though...
and if so will you be able to organise a rideout or at least give us a clue as to a good circuitous route?
Won't be a problem. I know the roads in that area pretty well as it's where I go for shorter runs - evenings etc. Smudge and I did a run down there, including a visit to the Tibbie Shiels, a couple of months back. One of my very favourite bits of road starts about a mile or so away from there and lends itself to a nice 100 mile or so circuit:
A708 Tibbie Shiels to Cappercleuch
Talla/Megget reservoir road to Tweedsmuir
A701 to Moffat then Beattock
B7020/B7076 to Lockerbie
B7068 to Langholm
B709/A708 to Tibbie Shiels
Some great roads in there, although I would have to mention that the last time I led a rideout using the B7068 (which is a fantastic road) one of the group managed to high-side his BMW tourer...
The A708 from Moffat to Tibbe Shiels is also a very nice road, but I expect a lot of folks will probably have ridden that on the way there already as it's the shortest route from the motorway.
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If I've recovered my Nerves enough that I'm still riding and if the XBR doesn't turn to stone by then I'll probably have a wander up and say Hello to a few of you.
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To give you an idea, this is the sort of roads very close to the Tibbie Shiels, taken when Smudge and I did an evening reccie at the end of May:
(http://www.pbase.com/niblue/image/113114471/original.jpg)
(http://www.pbase.com/niblue/image/113114489/original.jpg)
(http://www.pbase.com/niblue/image/112348164/original.jpg)
This one is from a trip myself (but with the same total cylinder count!) and is pretty much beside the entrance to the Tibbie Shiels
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Nice one Niblue, hope that whets a few appetites and we get a few more comimg. I'll get in touch with the place closer to the date and arrange a couple of wheelbarrows of logs (£5 each at my last conversation) ;D
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I've written this one in the diary in ink, but that's not to say wifey's new job won't come along and p155 on my chips though.
For now I can dream of floating along those beautiful highland roads. ;D
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For now I can dream of floating along those beautiful highland roads. ;D
Lowland, but still beautiful!
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For now I can dream of floating along those beautiful highland roads. ;D
If you want beautiful Highland roads you'll need to rack up a few more miles, probably at a better time of year than November, but by cracky it's well worth it!
Here's a little taster of what you won't be getting in the soft southern bits of Scotland, cobbled together by the admin of the Dundee Bikers Forum earlier this year: Clicky Linky Thing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO5JRj0t-NM).
Me? Dunno if I can make it that far south for a weekend, but I may be able to shake off SWMBO long enough for a day trip, we'll see.
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Oh Pat knows, we had a couple of nice days running up North via the good roads ;-)
Nothing wrong with the Borders roads though, there are some crackers there as well ;D
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Tae those going on a wee jaunt, you may find this of interest!
Tibbie Shiel article (http://www.flickr.com/photos/themoudie/sets/72157622087743048/)
I apologies for the quality of reproduction and I am wrestling with the nuances of Flikr. Thought about a pdf but haven't worked out how to attach, send, embed or load onto TC site! ::) Numpty at controls.
Cheery bye, Bill.
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Oi, Bill why don't you come down and read it to us? It would be good to meet up again. Last time was at Paterborough if I remember correctly Aye?
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Aye Steve,
Peterborough?????????????????????????? Nah! Not I or us in the pikey camp! :-X The BMF clone festival never did appeal.
Stafford 'Bike Shed' show winners, was 'when and where' we met and the mirthfull discussion over 'guy ropes' the following day! ;D I shall say nae mair as this lot will probably impersonate canaries! ::) Here's mud in yur eye!
Making no promises as rebuilds, work, 1st holiday of 2009 and Dad visitations could all throw large spanners in the works. If I/we were to come, it would be for a days run, probably. Used to bide down the road near Selkirk for a couple of years, when the Megget was being built. That old road was a sheep track! ;D
All the best and go safe, Bill.
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Sadly, the tipex bottle has had to come out! :'( Double booked by wifey for that weekend so I'm a 'no show'.
Boydyboy sorry but plan 'A' is off I'm afraid.
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Its too far for me to travel so I can't come. It does, however, inspire me to move much further North as I have been to Scotland and would very much like to return and ride my bike there. :D
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I'm looking forward to this run. Any of the locals know of a the best route from the south to the site to give me a bit of good riding for the last 30 miles or so?
Cheers
GC
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Well I'n not an expert (or indeed a local!) to the south of Tibbie Shiels but I reckon there are two obvious choices:
If the weather is fine, I prefer the A6 to the M6 then just before carlisle drop onto the M6/M74 (forget which it is at that point) and then join the A7 and head up towards Selkirk (lovely, lovely road, and not infested by distracting gatso cameras like the A68 either!) a slight turn back onto yourself and down the A708 to the site.
If however the weather is horrible and you just want to get there... I'd still consider the A6 because it's sometimes not as scary as dicing with reps/artics on the motorway, but I'd go up the motorway stretch to Jct 15 and turn towards Moffat then follow the A708 up towards the site.
There may be better routes, but I'm sure the weather will be glorious and you'll enjoy the A7 ;) in fact in the unlikely event you slope of work early just do the whole A7 to Edinburgh give me a shout and I'll meet up and you can stop here for a night and warm up (and let your tyres cool off lol) ;) :D
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Cheers for that Smudge. As for getting off work early... hmmm... it's not like I have a boss to ask or anything ;)
GC
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Cheers for that Smudge. As for getting off work early... hmmm... it's not like I have a boss to ask or anything ;)
GC
Where is Mrs GC?
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LOL! ;D Aha! Rumbled!
Yes indeed, I do have a boss and she's a strict 'un! ;)
GC
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Aye GC,
As per 'The Instructor's' directions. ;)
Just beware of dairy cattle deposits at the southern end of the A7 and in the immediate Moffat area. Also timber lorries, on both roads! Whilst artics are still favoured, the new rigs being preferred are 6 legger units with a 6 legger dual wheeled trailer on the rear! Less wear and tear on the roads and cheaper to run up forest roads.
Wandering sheep on the A708 and standing water after rain, with stane dykes in close proximity, sometimes on the road. Bit like Mid Wales really, as is the geology. The similarity ends there! ;D
The two alternatives off the A7 at Langholm and just afore Hawick are grand if you haven't slogged halfway up the country and need to be somewhere by a set time. They go through an awful lot of timber, single track road and wandering sheep. But if your up for it! ;D
Go canny, Bill.
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The B709 from Langholm to the A708 is a long-time favourite of mine so I'd recommend that as long as the weather is reasonably ok.
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Thanks for your route tips guys.
Cheers
GC
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If you up for going West from site, I can also recommend Dalveen Pass (Elvanfoot to Thornhill) or Mennock Pass (next rd North, running E-W ish, thru Wanlockhead). Thornhill has lovely Italian cafe you can park outside on pavement.
Most roads near site are good.
There is a bizarre Buddhist Cafe at Samye Ling, near Eskdalemuir, possibly one of the most surreal places you will find. Drive past giant gold statues etc in middle of nowhere. Cool about bikers (think Borders IAM Bike Group have it on their cafe list)
But I have to say that the chosen Talla road to Tweedsmuir is STUNNING, one of best views in Scotland!!
(Be careful, there has been at least one bike accident on it from folk going fast and not expecting vans etc.)
And after getting all excited about this weekend, I just looked at 'the calendar' (a simple device to prevent divorce!!) and see I'm going to Strontian that weekend. Bugger and double bugger.
Have a lovely weekend folks!
B
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That's a good point, I think you'd enjoy a visit to Samye Ling for a brew stop. In fact we could do it as a run out sometime over the weekend probably.... Hmmmmm
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So many places to see, so little time :D
I predict that I will be glad to just sit and chat to fellow TCers around a campfire (or pub fire). However, a little Tibbie rideout would be good if the weather is with us.
GC
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Anyone else riding up to this from down south? Simon83, Furry John and i want to meet up somewhere so that we can ride up together. At the minute it's looking like we will be setting off together from Cardiff.
GC
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So!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What will Simon be coming up on then? ???
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I know, he's been a bit lax about posting the details himself, but I'd feel bad if I blabbed before he got the chance to tell all. Let's just say it's blue and new.
GC
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Mums the word ;)
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Hmmm sounds interesting!
Can I take it Mr Morgan will be undertaking this mission on a secret new wonder weapon?!
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hi all, just wanted to clarify the time scales for this? is it just fri to sat or till sunday? what time are we meeting at sheilds and are there any rules for the camping??? im new to the forum and was wondering if anyones going down passed edinburgh? or if there is anyone comeing from up north and need an over nighter to take the strain of the trip i have a warm camp bed?
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hi all, just wanted to clarify the time scales for this? is it just fri to sat or till sunday? what time are we meeting at sheilds and are there any rules for the camping??? im new to the forum and was wondering if anyones going down passed edinburgh? or if there is anyone comeing from up north and need an over nighter to take the strain of the trip i have a warm camp bed?
Some of us will be trying to get there for the Friday evening and leaving Sunday possibly Monday. No rules for camping except the loudest snorer buys all the beer!!!!!! ;D
Don't advertise that you have a 'warm camp bed' it gives the wrong impression! :-\
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Yer fair play, point seen!!! but thanks for the info. was wondering what the camping costs are £££.???
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Dunno what it costs though I've heard it's cheap/reasonable...
You could give them a call if you have time then let me know ;) (rushing out tonight!)
http://www.tibbieshiels.com/
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no answer, will try later!
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Dunno what it costs though I've heard it's cheap/reasonable...
Sooo.. as it's you saying this Smudge, can we assume they're paying us to stay there?? ;D ;)
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Dunno what it costs though I've heard it's cheap/reasonable...
Sooo.. as it's you saying this Smudge, can we assume they're paying us to stay there?? ;D ;)
Hi Pat,
Are you wiping of your tippex and joining us then or is this just an aside?
John
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Well, well! I have just now been in touch with Alistair and he now knows that we are coming up, I said about 10 of us and he informed me that they have a BAND playing on the Saturday evening Bonus!
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Yer fair play, point seen!!! but thanks for the info. was wondering what the camping costs are £££.???
From my recollection it's about £4 per night and the beer is good, not expensive. (Well it was last time I was there!)
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I will be there along with a non TC'er, who will be taking his Royal Enfield Meteor Minor.
See you there.
Tony
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Dunno what it costs though I've heard it's cheap/reasonable...
Sooo.. as it's you saying this Smudge, can we assume they're paying us to stay there?? ;D ;)
Hi Pat,
Are you wiping of your tippex and joining us then or is this just an aside?
John
Sadly no :'( The sentence just read better.
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My brother Gareth and his partner Liz are thinking of riding up too. Bandit 1200 and ER-5 mounted, but at least they're coming. Bugger, I forgot, I'll be on a twin too ::)
GC
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Splitter! :P ;)
I shall be travelling down past Edinburgh at some point on the Friday I imagine, no idea what time though... :)
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you should pop into mine for a coffee? (broxburn) i will also be bringing at leased one on a gsxr750(girlfriend) my other mates will cry off i think!!! too cold!!!! pus*ys ha ha!!! i should be on my Srx250 now this is gonna be funny as im 6'5 125kg.......
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Bumped into Furry in the pub last night and he says he's off to Llanthoney that weekend instead. Simon Morgan is provisionally booked into Castle Carrick for the Thursday night and we will be riding up on Friday morning, possibly with Silverfox and his partner Liz.
GC
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Pray for dry weather!!
I shall maybe see if I can wangle a Friday off to prep/cruise down..... :)
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Oi Bill, will we be seeing you at the meet, be good to catch up with you and have a blether! ;D
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Just had a scan through the older posts and it looks like there will be a minimum of 10 turning up as a few on the XT660 site have said they will attend. Should be a good doooooo ;D
In fact knowing some of the guys who posted I wouldn't be surprised at 20!
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Might be there as well, even if it's only a day trip. Need to go and see if I can get the XBR start otherwise I'll be on a 4-cylinder bike (or in my motorhome!).
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Well the XBR did start (how could I have doubted it!) but I don't think it's MOT'd so if I'm down it'll still most likely be on the CBF.
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Oi Bill, will we be seeing you at the meet, be good to catch up with you and have a blether! ;D
Not on a single! :o Preparations are not going well and I've been working away.
Probably a Saturday job, with flotation collar if forecast is to be believed. I wish you well, all whom are coming over Shap on Friday. Riding side saddle will not be an effete affair, as you heel into the westerly zephyrs!
Thank you for your enquiry Steve.
My regards, Bill.
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For possibly the first time in living memory I have more or less packed, two days in advance. Weather forecast looks pants, but I'm not too bothered, that's the nice thing about having done some German winter runs, a bit of British wind and rain doesn't strike me as too worrying in comparison.
I'll be sloping off to the garage to check over the CB500 later tonight, but it all seems ticketyboo.
Simon Morgan is due at my place late tomorrow afternoon and we have press-ganged him into joining a family curry night in honour of my brother's birthday. If he's lucky he might get to see my mum drunk. We'll aim to set off for Scotland after a restorative breakfast in my dad's caff on Friday morning.
Simon tells me he has GPS'd a route and it takes into accoutn some of the suggestions made here so the last leg of the trip should be blinding.
As an aside, my brother rang the pub at Tibbie Shieles to ask if they do food and they said yes, from midday on.
GC
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..................and the last time we were there they did quite a nice breakfast if that's your thing!
Alistair, the pub landlord is biker friendly and will help out all that he can. They have a marquee at the rear of the pub which we will be able to use and there is also the bonus of the small eaterie over on the main road.
PS Just about managed to fit outrigger floats and outboard motor to the Ten! ;D
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Use this link to keep an eye on developements! ;)
Borders weather (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/dg/eskdalemuir_latest_wind.html)
Smudge take the tanks! ;)
Regards, Bill.
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Blimey Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will there be anything left up there? Do you recon the site will be flooded. The last time I was there the site was only about 5 feet above the Loch level! :'(
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Well, with a severe weather warning in place for South West Scotland we've certainly managed to wring some adventure out of this trip ;)
GC
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PS Just about managed to fit outrigger floats and outboard motor to the Ten! ;D
(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/one.pot/waterbike-motorcycle-fishing-boat-713692.jpg)
Looks good Steve! :D :D :D :D
GC
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Here's a St Mary's Loch webcam (http://www.glencafe.co.uk/webcam.shtml)
GC
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Well am now comeing on the srx4 and not the srx250. the pickup coil was on its way out so i ordered one, should be here next week.....problem.... she used to just stutter when hot but now she conks out!!! let her cool and she starts again but the heat up time is getting less and less so im now stripping and fixing my srx4 that i picked up yesterday!!! some idiot has put this together. Fork yokes not tightened up, front wheel spindle not tight, wrong spark plug, he's used 2 fork seals on one leg instead of a dust seal and they still weep. ignition lock loose!!! the list keeps going but ill be there. Girlfriends not comeing though, friends have bottled it too.
Smudge i think your heading passed me on the way down on friday.do you want to meet up????could meet you just over the forth road bridge if it suits at the shell garage? will be a bit boreing traveling down on my own if it's pi**ing it down. still really looking forward to this trip though,the sheilds is one place ive not managed to make yet.
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Ach calm down everyone, it can't be wetter than my last trip to the Dragon!! :o
The weather forecast varies depending which one you watch/read, we can only hope that the front pushes through tomorrow and we get a decent day on Friday. Certainly here we've been having generally good days and heavy showers through the night, but then I do live on the glorious (sunny) east coast ;D
Came home from work about half an hour ago and despite wet roads and light drizzle on and off it was actually a nice ride, roads were pretty clean, the temp was surprisingly mild and I generally enjoyed myself :)
I've booked friday off so I just need to manage a leisurely breakfast, pack my gear, then wave a multimeter at the bike to try to work out why my indicator fuse keeps blowing ( ???) and I'm good to go! Chris, no worries about a meet up, I'm hoping to head down early afternoon, drop me an email or a PM and we can sort out times/phone numbers/location.
My plan is to get down there in daylight, nab the best camping place ( ;)) then retire to the bar with a good book (iirc they have a proper fire, so that's where I'll be if I'm right!) and await the invading hordes ;D
Should be a cracking weekend I'm thinking ;D
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All set except for fuelling up. I reccon I'll be there about 3-4 depending on the usual stuff.
Andy
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Andy, I'll bring that little stove for you. I have no idea of our eta, but we're aiming to be there in daylight (best laid plans and all that eh?) ::)
My only real gripe is that I have completely de-winterised the CB: no windscreen, no legshields, no heated grips :( This is because the day that I get back from Scotland the bike is going on Ebay and I'm guessing my little mods wouldn't be to everyone's taste :D
GC
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Here's a St Mary's Loch webcam (http://www.glencafe.co.uk/webcam.shtml)
GC
Well spotted GC. I am really looking forward to this one. Alistair has a few out buildings I recon we can comandeer one and make a drying room. I'll bring one of my chacoal burners and some charcoal.
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I drove back from Liverpool yesterday and the rain was torrential in the borders area. It's still pissing down in Edinburgh today so it'll be interesting to see what the state of the place is over the weekend!
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Just been pondering my luggage and remembered that Boyd still has my cargo net... doh! ::)
There's always something you're missing isn't there?
GC
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...There's always something you're missing isn't there?
GC
You mean *apart* from a screen and legshields.... :P I thought all bikers had various bungee cords littering the house/garage/loft etc, or is that just me? :-[
Never mind mate, at least it's not too cold! The forecast for Friday looks quite promising as well 8) (we wont mention the rest of the weekend lol :o
ps. Chris, got your pm but supposed to be cooking tea just now(!) I'll reply later on :)
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Just want to wish all who attend the Borders meet a safe and enjoyable weekend,have a wet and wild ride :D
no doubt on your return there will be plenty of ride reports and also full photographic coverage of the event and events that take place,have fun guys!!
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Just want to wish all who attend the Borders meet a safe and enjoyable weekend,have a wet and wild ride :D
no doubt on your return there will be plenty of ride reports and also full photographic coverage of the event and events that take place,have fun guys!!
Many thanks for that Jules, I hope your meet down at Llanthony is similarly enjoyable. We can compare notes and pics when we all get back and dry! :o
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Pah! Green with envy for the lot of you >:(
Seriously, have a larf guys, both in the borders and Llanthony. I just wish I could get to either :'(
I think my little plan to sneak off to Llanthony isn't going to happen as I've got to fix the VX with what time I've got left.
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Latest update, I have spoken to Alistair at Tibbie Shiels and they are cut off by the flooding. I will post on other sites that this location is cancelled and I personally will try for Llanthony.
All of the roads around there are flooded and more rain is expected tonight. :'(
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Aye SteveD,
Precipitation not stopped here all day and all the fields, even those on a slope, are like burns. Not had the wind here, but suspect Smudge has on the Forth and I was speaking to a friend in Ae, who said some of the gusts were interesting! All the low lying agricultural ground is under water in the Nith catchment.
Suspect the Megget spillways will be at full bore.
May go for a daylight donda on Saturday, but won't disturb the inn, as they may be bailing hard! ???
Thank you for your planning and co-ordination effort towards this meeting and I trust you have a safe expedition to the Llanthony 'Piddle in a Puddle' meet. ;D
My regards, Bill.
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b****r :'( :'(
I was looking forward to that!
Ahh well, maybe later in the year/next year... (I keep trying to convince you lot to come up here in the summer! ::) ;))
Like Bill said, thanks for your efforts Steve, I'm sure it will all come to fruition soon, just not to be this weekend, and when it does happen it will be good!!
Suppose that means I have to do the housework tomorrow now :o :o :-\
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Dear Mrs Mop,
Thought you might be doing your 'Free diving' breathing exercises! The puddles will be deep enough! ;)
Just seen on the BBC1 Ten O'clock weather, 276mm of rain in the past 24hrs up to 22:00 tonight at Seathwaite, Cumbria. Shap not far behind and Eskdalemuir about 3rd or 4th on the list with a 100+mm.
Digging holes on an ex-opencast coal mine site tomorrow ;D ;D ;D ;D Up to the oxters in gutters and glar. Oh deep joy!
Safe travelling, Bill.
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Thanks for the organising, was really looking forward to this. i just spent 22hours on the srx400 fixing it. well at leased its done and ready for the next trip!!! Smudge where abouts are you as i could do with a test run?
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Don't worry, I should have said postponed not cancelled! Roll on some good weather and we will try again! ;D
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Just been out for a wee run!!!!! ;D
Left Perth at 09:00 and arrived at Tibbie at 11:00. Took a photo, dined with plain car occupants in the Glen Cafe, then rode home via Megget, Talla, Tweedsmuir, Broughton (water in the petrol! ???), the Edinburgh by-pass (car park ::) ) and the canal from South Queensferry to Perth. In the door, bike away, wet gear off, mug of tea in hand by 14:15. The Wee Bros was a good'un. Will post images later (only 3!).
Tara, Bill.
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Sounds like a wet one Bill!
I took the chance to nip down that way while I was on a car errand yesterday and got as far as Innerliethen where I could go no further due to the road being flooded out.
Certainly a lot of water in all the lower valleys and undoubtedly the right decision to postpone the camping.
I trust the water in petrol prob has been resolved?
Just recovering from the Scotland match here, I think my neighbours may have guessed I was watching by the shouts cheers and groans they could probably hear :o :-[
I have to feel sorry for the Aussie kicker but what an incredible bit of work by the Scots, :o ;D Think I need to go for a wee lie down now!!
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Sounds like a wet one Bill!
I took the chance to nip down that way while I was on a car errand yesterday and got as far as Innerliethen where I could go no further due to the road being flooded out.
Certainly a lot of water in all the lower valleys and undoubtedly the right decision to postpone the camping.
I trust the water in petrol prob has been resolved?
Just recovering from the Scotland match here, I think my neighbours may have guessed I was watching by the shouts cheers and groans they could probably hear :o :-[
I have to feel sorry for the Aussie kicker but what an incredible bit of work by the Scots, :o ;D Think I need to go for a wee lie down now!!
Aye Smudge,
Did we go to the same place? ??? Into Innerleithen and turn right. No problem apart from a shower of 'Hoorays' and 'Ruperts' brandishing 12 bores and wrestling dogs, whilst trying to throw something at birds sitting tight in a Sitka spruce plantation on a 40 degree slope. The Bros is so quiet they were all jumping off the road at the last minute or being spun by their dogs on leads, as the dogs took fright! One good old Lab, just stopped on the grass and the 'Rupert' fell over him! ;D
There was also a VERY disconsolate policeman, sitting in a marked up van at the top cattle grid on the watershed afore the descent to Mount Benger, I eased the throttle, waved, nodded and carried on into the mist.
As for the rugby, Matt the moustachiode Gringo was obviously out of sorts and as I was drinking Marston's brown ale, whilst demolishing venison sausages, smoked back bacon, an egg, tomatoes and tatty scones the leaping about was muted and the verbals muffled! ;D However, I was finding it difficult to keep the grub in, as the grin split the fizog from ear to ear and the OZ team member in the studio looked pretty crocked by it all. Still a couple of 'tinnies' of XXXX and a couple of 'Leap Frogs' should see them hammer the Welsh in 'The Millenium'! Am I bovered??????????????????? Nah! ;)
Cheery, cheery and get a good sleep, Bill.
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I think we do mean the same one... yesterday the road was closed and the river filled the valley, the rugby pitch in the next village was underwater :o
Ok, images seem not to work tonight for some reason, have a shufti here and you'll hopefully see what I mean..
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/4122631579_bd0c973259.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/4122628707_c72f1d0226.jpg)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69593709@N00/?saved=1
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I think we do mean the same one... yesterday the road was closed and the river filled the valley, the rugby pitch in the next village was underwater :o
Ok, images seem not to work tonight for some reason, have a shufti here and you'll hopefully see what I mean..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/69593709@N00/?saved=1
Aye Smudge,
Had the shufti! Yep, the car park on the left in the flooded road picture was full of Lycra clad mountain people, in various states of undress and clartiness. Water all receded, but the fencing in poor repair! Below St Mary's Loch there was a large animal feeder looking lost and lonely and all the fences were in ropey condition with lots of debris hanging from them. Mercifully, the peeps appear to have avoided large losses if any. :)
My regards, Bill.
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As it happens we managed to locate several flooded roads on our weekend camp at Llanthony Priory, I will leave it to SteveD to describe my insanely over-fast 'wade' through one of them as he had the ringside seat and all I could see was water.
We got soaked to the skin yesterday on our ride-out... and that was before I did a launch-of-the-lifeboat impression.
GC
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I'm all for a bit of wading, it's the landrover driver in me ;) but the stuff in the valleys here was moving far too fast to chance it. For once the Polis weren't joking when they said the road was closed :o
Still, got the bike washed yesterday, caught up with some bits and bobs and had a bimble over to Cramond Island today with swmbo so not a bad weekend overall :)
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So... if this is merely postponed, when do we try again? ;)
GC
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When are you free???im up for a pre christmas meet?
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Awkward pre-chrimbo. Simon83 is planning to move on the 18th and I've promised him I will bring my van to help him move, so that's one weekend gone :( I think the weekend after might be a bit unlikely too ;)
Also, I've used up my pass and also been rumbled about buying a £100 sleeping bag. I'd best be keeping my head down for a month or two.
GC
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You'd want chains on the outfit just now anyway, and with the car temp reading -10 this morning* (while taking swmbo to work) I'm not sure I fancy camping for sport in the UK when I have a nice warm bed available ;)
I'm going to propose something really radical here... why don't we re-schedule this one for late spring/early autumn next year and try for some warm weather riding?
I understand you probably don't have the kit for it and are unfamiliar with the extra techniques required for riding and camping out in dry or hot weather, indeed the first time you are able to lean a bike over in a corner without falling over and landing on ice / snow can be an alarming experience, but I must urge you to have a try.. ;) :P :P ;D
*Must've been a lot colder overnight mind you as the nozzle on our manual de-icer bottle had frozen up and after a couple of feeble squirts of de-icer clogged up completely :o had to use the spare I keep in the house for such eventualities 8)
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why don't we re-schedule this one for late spring/early autumn next year and try for some warm weather riding?
It's only -2 then. ;D
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Good idea Smudge.
When is someone going to propose a ride down the South of France in spring??
Like I could ever get away :'(