Ride out 'oop' North

Just returned from a week on Loch Katrine. There was loads of bikes out today despite the weather being a bit cool.

Too wet and foggy for me. Fair weather rider only at the weekend as I ride another bike all week in all weathers. Gutted as really wanted to get out today...

Now then



Had a good day. Mikkel didn't make it but I met a lad who we've just taken on at work, Jim, he's got an 08 Gixxer 1000 with sit up and beg, bar conversion on, giving him a more comfortable riding position and his Mate Jed on a FZ1.

I left home at 08:00 and the roads were quiet so I took advantage and made really good time arriving at our meeting point, The Smelters Arms car park in Castleside, in an hour.

























We set off about 10:10 and headed North in cool damp conditions.

Traffic was pretty heavy in places on the A68 but the weather got colder yet drier as we left Keilder. The traffic thinned a little and we could press on. We were all glad to pull into a little coffee shop as we entered Jedburgh and get a warming drink and homemade soup and sarnie.





























On leaving Jedburgh we took the A689 to Hawick. I've never rode this road and I must recommend it if you go near it, it's a gem with plenty of this way and that corners and a very good surface.

We rode through Hawick and were taken aback by one garage selling petrol at 130.9 p a litre, awesome. South on the Mega smooth and fast A7 we travelled. It was very quiet and we took advantage pushing on. As we arrived at Langholm there was a Jubilee parade starting and they had the road blocked, so, we turned around and went back to the Newcastleton turn off and headed for there. We had a quick stop on the East side of Newcastleton for a piss and a fag then ploughed on to Keilder where we stopped for a coffee next to the reservoir.



























We left Keilder and picked up the A68 again after some interesting quiet and dry b roads then prted company back at The Smelters Arms.

As soon as I climbed out of Castleside the mist returned which then turned into light rain at Tow Law. It didn't last thank goodness and it was dry when I left Darlington so had a good fast ride home from there.



cheers

Glad you had a good ride out mate. Was wet and misty all day here, so sounds like you avoided the worst of it. Will try and make the next one.

Now then Mikkel



Yeap, best move was to ride away from Consett area it was bloody cold hands until after 11:00 but it turned out a good days ride, 318 miles for me



See you next time

Don't know how you do those sort of miles on a sports bike. 150 miles tops and my right wrist is shot. Impressive

Yeah, I ache after a day like that but it's worth it