I therefore decided to take the new bike on a decent run (as long as the weather wasn't too bad)
Decided on Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre as I've never been there before, only been as far as Inverary before,
After much hassle getting ready (lost bank card so had to search house and car, all jackets, trouser pockets and washing machine. with no luck had to withdraw cash from branch and cancel old card and order new card).
Eventually left home at 12:00, the run to Campeltown runs past Loch Lomond which has a heavy Traffic police presence so really held back on the throttle and just enjoyed the views of the surrounding mountains. as i reached the head of the loch the rain came down, the light drizzly stuff that obscures the visor and slowly gets you wet.
The next point of interest was the stretch of road known as the "Rest and be Thankful" (original road built in the 1700's by the english to assist movement of troops to quell the Jacobite rebellion) this road is biker heaven long straight stretches with clearly visible bends but again heavily policed
Photo taken at the vantage point Known as the "Rest and be Thankful"
Onwards to Inverary, Photo taken as you approach. Stopped here for food (steak pie and chips) town is busy with tourists and remnants of a festival that was held here in the last few days
As I left Inverary the rain started again and from here onwards it is all new territory for me so for these two reasons I just trundled along with the traffic.Plenty of roadworks slowing progress today. The next point of note is the small town of Lochgilphead as you leave the town you have a roundabout were you could head north to Oban or south to Campbeltown, this also were the Crinan canal comes to its easterly end. One of the problems with motorcycling in the highlands is "petrol stations" they are few and far between so its worthwhile keeping the tank topped up. As I enter Tarbert the petrol gauge is showing that I have maybe another 40 miles before I run out so as I've not seen a petrol station since before Loch lomond its time to play it safe and top-up, its one of those old style filling stations were the guy comes out and operates the pump (and so he should the price of fuel here is ott 99.9p per litre)
The sun has come out as I leave Tarbert and the road takes a turn and runs down the west coast this is good biking territory long stretches of road were all the bends are easy to see and barely a car on the road, Theres a few small villages and I pass a couple of rural schools that are just closing for the week plenty of warning signs flashing to inform you to slow down "twenty's plenty". the scenery is good with the sea view to the west and green hills to the east with a bit of woodland here and there.
Campeltown. small town with a sheltered harbour, theres a tourist information centre a few cafes and pub's and probably enough shops to keep the locals supplied with whatever they need. the town is bigger than I thought it would be.
The journey took just over 4 hours and after spending twenty minutes wandering about I decided to head home, which took just under 4 hours (quieter roads and less stops).
This has been the first distance run I've undertaken on a motorbike for a longtime and I found that I was getting sore, distance was around the 300 miles round trip, funny that as the crow flies its probably only 40 miles.
All in all its been a good day and I've notched off another place that I've not been before, and yes I would go again.
