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In Inverness now having ridden ncn7 today.
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You didn't fancy the Garbole road then?
No. Too many memories and it would have been climbing into the wind
Today i rode from Inverness to Drumnadrochit. Unexpected horrid climb on the great glen way but also a fabulous unexpected single track descent that was great if a wee bit butt clechinly scary in places. Best days riding for a long time
0
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Fantastic tj!
Keep us updated and it's great you had an epic ride today.
Camped up beside loch Oich. Tough headwinds today but the first day with less than a thousand fet of climbing. Fort William tomorrow
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Ace looking camp spot.
Fort William tonight where the lovely Jojo (occasionally of this place) is looking after me
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Likes. Likes a lot. North Bucks twixt Milton Keynes and Buckingham if you’re ever in the area.
Getting the Camusnagaul ferry from FW in a bit. Gentle potter down to the Corran ferry and back across. Ballachulish or kinlochleven tonight. Hoping to meet some folk for beers
Can we have a kit list? How are you charging your phone?
Phone charging has been a pain. I do have a pwer pack so can go 3 days. Charged it all at jojos last night but have also had to use plugs in toilet blocks
Kit list blooming heck. Ill take a photo when i camp up tonight
You want a solar charger, that's what you want. Bit heavy though.
Something like this - you flip out the panels, stick it on top of your trailer and it charges its own battery during the day. Then you plug in at night and recharge.
In Scotland?
Probably better with a dynamo 🤣
Or if you want reliability, there's an Anker folding panel only that you can plug into your own battery. Just done a calculation on the efficiency.
It says it's 70x34cm unfolded, less a bit for borders. Assuming 20% efficiency and you're at 50N ish, that'd give a peak of about 40W on a sunny day. If you integrate for the angle of the sun from 0-180 degrees over say 12hrs (it's more than that in summer obvs) I make that about 80Wh of power that you could generate, in Scotland, in the sunshine. Li-ion batteries charge at near 100% (apparently) so I'm going to say 80Wh of available power in to the battery, which is about 6,600 mAh. Plenty for a phone, on a sunny day (which is about 3,000 mAh ish, and that's a conservative estimate since you have more than 12h of light - much more, in Scotland. As you move south later in the year there'd be less daylight but more chance of sun and higher intensity. And even if it's not enough on dull days, you can still get some, and it'd make your power bank last longer. You might only need to charge it every 10 days instead of 3.
Yes, he'd be way better off with a dynamo but he's already on his way, so that might be harder to organise 🙂
EDIT someone check my maths I have forgotten how to integrate
First time i have relied on elektrickery for navigation.
Not seen much sun this trip
Surely for Scotland, a waterwheel would be better than a sun collector 🙂
I think I have ballsed up this maths a lot so ignore those numbers.
Not sure if it works for you TJ, but as an avid reader, more than poster for the ohhhhhh....18 years or so I have been hanging around here would be really happy to share a few beers with you, have a chat in person and offer you somewhere to stay and a wee ride. Based in the Chartreuse mountains. Between Grenoble and Chambery.
Mugsey beware i might turn up
Au top!
I think this might be how horror stories start. Tartanscarf has invited me to stay in his bothy in the woods. He and the great ape promise me "a good time" tonight. Is that banjos i hear?
Its actually a really nice bunkhouse. Well recommended. Glencoe independent hostel
I think i will be safe
Is that banjos i hear?
Don’t worry, the sound of the feral dogs will soon drown that out.
ha ha excellent.
@tjagain: sent you a message
The great ape and tartan scarf. Bought me beer nice chaps
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Nice to meet you in person after all these years. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Ta
Enjoyed that last night, sorry I had to cut it short! Great to meet you, might see you this morning if you're not away bright and early in the drizzle :0
Ta. Slow start for me today. Its foul out there
Nice to meet you guys and have a bleather and the bunkhouse is very nice
Not decided yet. Brudge of orchy ish or oban ish deoending if i can face glencoe
This is an inspiring thread. A great personal adventure and the kindness of strangers.
If you are passing near Stony Stratford (Milton Keynes, North Bucks, South Northants) please call in. B&B&Beer available. Let me know when you're Netherlands bound as we've got family and regularly there. Blaricum just east of Amsterdam. They can also provide accommodation - luxurious accommodation and beer! I'd be happy to join you for a poodle from the ferries if you are going in that direction.
Keep posting this is wonderful!
Thanks for that wingnuts.
I was wondering if i was boring you all or if this would be seen just as an ego stroking thread.
Ill carry on updating if folk are still interested
Well you're not so keep doing the job!
Oban direction has the advantage of NCN78. Cafe at Benderloch.
I guess it depends on where you're headed next 😃
Don't worry about boring us, but some nice pics wouldn't go amiss.
I was wondering if i was boring you all or if this would be seen just as an ego stroking thread.
No it's good. The ego stroking ones are the pages of existential verbiage. This just feels like keeping up with what you're up to, it's about right. We need to show you how to get photos on the thread though.
We need to show you how to get photos on the thread though.
But only after we've solved the phone recharging issue 😂
I can do photos. Are the not showing?
The ben with its head in the clouds
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Generic view
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Working for me.
Shame you aren't heading north when you hit the mainland, there appears to be a handful of us round and about in Scandinavia too.
But only after we’ve solved the phone recharging issue
Which relies on my dodgy maths.
A little soul bearing then.
The last year has been a struggle and morivation is hard to find. This trip is in many ways a teast run for me. I have never camped on my own before now. I need to find out if I can cope with touring on my own. I need to get off my arse. I have pushed myself fairly hard with 4000m ish of climbing in the first week.
Over the last few days i can feel a real uplift in my mood. The kindness of folk and the exercise seems to help. My troubles are not constantly in the forefront of my mind any longer.
I am feeling positve about touring for longer now and the idea of riding to the Mediterranean seems feasble.
Shite weather tho. Bollox
Glencoe it is today but on the road not the devils staircase
Looks like a full waterproofs all day sort of day
I feel the same way about doing outdoor stuff. When I'm out in the hills or riding, that's all I focus on - the ride, the walk, where to camp, what to do the next day, what I need to get, what I need to adjust etc. I don't think about any other life issues, I really do leave it all behind.
I hope you can keep it up. One reason we're interested is that the long distance tour is a dream so many of us have.
tj - an inspiring thread, please do keep it going ! Pictures are good too !
Look out for runaway campervans...
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/tourists-warned-over-handbrakes-after-27041378
Effing scary enough with inexperienced drivers in hired vans
Murky Glencoe
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Road then whw was the right call. Devils staircase can wait for another day
Nice, doesn't look too busy.
Missed your original post TJ, gutted for you and hope you're doing alright. If you're passing through the Alps on your way south, hit us up for any help / advice we can offer. Your brake pads will only last one day though.
@tjagain - like many on here, I'm following you with great interest and enjoying it (without getting soaked and knackered).
keep up the good work !
@tjagain what are your plans for the next couple of days? I'm off and not due back into work until Friday evening.
Do you have a plan for Ireland yet? Mrs Mowgli and I are going from Belfast > Giants Causeway and then around the coast to Limerick over about 2 weeks starting on Monday. I'll look out for your flag!
Jealous!
Seeing your Bob trailer reminds me of riding London - Munich with mine in tow back in 2003...
Guessing/hoping to leave Munich soon and don't think it's on your route. However, if I see you out on the roads of Europe I'll stop and say hello!
Squirrlking
Hopfully bridge of orchy or tyndrm tonigh then crianlachic killin glen ogle next couple of days
Still a fair bit away then, probably be my week off before you get close!
TJ, after Killin/Glen Ogle, are you heading towards Stirling area?
Who knows? Plans are vague at best
Sustenance at the bridge of Orchy hotel. Much needed on a grim day but Telford s parliamentary road was as good as ever
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Dude, if you come anywhere near Stirling, give us a shout. A whole team rideout could be organised with the number of forumites locally...
And it is a shite day for weather - I hope this wind is at your back.
It has been fortunately.
I mustbe getting soft. Under 40 miles todsy and only 1700 foot of climb. Less than half the miles offroad but got myself a hobbit hut in Tyndrum for the night. I lost my flag today boooooo
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Decision made. Weather has been shite. Im tired and my kit all stinks so I am going to go home for a bit before leg 2
It will ake 3 or 4 days. Im in Tyndrm.
Gentle pootle diwn to the trossachs and tben home
Ill update as it would be fun to meet the stirling posse
The west coasters can beathe breathe safely. It will be a week or two before i am over that way
Not tempted for a last minute entry in the HT550??!
Nope. They might find my pace a little slow
I have done chunks of it already
I am buckled. Strathyre tonight. Callender then probably head stirling way especially if anyone knows a decent route from callender.
Lunch in callander anyone?
Keep going fella, almost done the first bit!
Does that mean Stirling on Saturday TJ? No idea about Callander lunch spots, and only know taht the main road from Callendar-Stirling is a bad idea on a bike. Not sure of routes, but someone must know, there's stacks of gravel. I know a quite way back once you get to Doune though.
Superb mate. Absolutely superb
Im heading for stirling tomorrow which i think is friday and getting a lift back home from there cos i am buckled
Mhor Fish is good for fish and chips in Callander. Mhor Bread does great pie and cakes, might still be takeaway only though. Enjoy!
Good going fellah!
Greetings from Wales Tj! If you decide to head down to visit molgrips you are more than welcome to come and visit/ stay here with us. We are near to Ammanford, right at the western end of the Beacons.
Home! Bikepawl kindly picked me up in Stirling and took a broken old man home.
Where do I go next? confuzzeled
rest, recuperate, get everything dry and fettled
make a list of what worked well and what didn't
Start planning the Europe trip.
😎
🙂
Rest, refine kit, ride somewhere else in the UK for a bit longer.
TBH an extended tour requires a lot of technique, and it's not something you can be told by other people - you have to figure out what'll work for you and the only way to do that is to do smaller trips. You solve each problem as it turns up and that becomes your style.
Its not my first rodeo. Ive been refining this for years
Kit list
Its molgrips fault. He thought you would be interested.
*some weights may not be exact* can't be arsed weighing everything I have in the past
Im an old man. I need my comfort. This is what I took north but I also took more than I would for just two weeks as its a trial run. Everything is geared for an indefinite trip
Tent – trekkertent stealth 1.5 with mesh inner. 950 g inc pegs
for going south I think I'll take the Drift 2 which adds 300 g
Foam underlay. Some kind of underlay is essential 350 g (lightest material one I can get it 150g IIRC)
Sleeping bag with silk liner inc bag and compression strap 1kg. Its rated to below zero barely enough at times.
Pillow 60 g
mattress – 600 g ( temporary one – lighter one on its way)
Kitchen.
Now this will be controversial but I have tried many ways over many years but the speed and convenience is worth the imo small weight penalty
Jetboil zip. 700G? Inc one can of gas flint and cafetière attachment
Second jetboil pan – a bigger wider one 400 g iirc. This includes lids that double as plates /bowls
Its economical. I was using 25 g of gas a day for 2 or 3 cups of coffee and a pasta dinner
Its so bloody convenient. Nothing needs to be handled carefully, you can leave stuff to cook without it falling over and stuff stays warm I can get my first cup in the morning within 2 mins of waking without getting up and the put stays warm
For an indefinite trip I need to be able to cook normal food and a healthy balanced diet
Cup – pint enamel mug with clip on lid,. Again I have tried everything available. Nothing else is anything like is nice to drink from. Beer, coffee whisky
Litre sigg bottle for whisky
Swiss army knife
50ml biodegradable washing up liquid
100 ml olive oil oil (refills is the issue here – you cant rarely buy a smaller bottle)
2 x100g gas cans spare and refill gadget. 450 g total
Drybag that holds a bag of ground coffee
Half a green pan scourer
TI spork
Folding spatula
2 litre water carrier ( 150g)
Shitshovel, bog paper and hand sanitiser
Chair! ( 200g)
Personal kit:
Phone,
Kindle, spare emergency phone both in protective sleeves of closed cell foam, headtorch midge hood, toothbrush, nail clippers, toothpaste (25 g tube) sunscreen ( not bloody needed this trip) shaving brush( handle removed 🙂 ), one disposable razor, reading glasses ( bah!) ¼ bar of soap, microfibre flannel, microfibre towel, usb charger, powerbank, 2 leads, smidge, moskito coils (¼ pack) camp sandals ( very!) 400g. (I ride in SPDs) compass whistle
clothes (includes what I was wearing)
3x base layer / cycling shorts / socks
goretex socks ( wont take them south)
long johns
2xpair of pants
fleece
light insulated jacket
jumper(dunno why I took this really - smart for pubs? Who cares?)
shorts
softshell trousers
softshell riding jacket
Liner gloves (wont go south)
riding gloves
Sunglasses
Waterproofs ( almost a kilo of robust ones – I'll take lighter south)
Bike stuff
pump
small pliers ( didnae want to take them but had to because of the tubeless valves )
Multitool
spare tube and trailer tube
puncture kit
m5 and m6 nut and bolt with washers
6 cable ties
4 chain links 2 quick links
gaffer tape and tenacious tape
( Ill get a seal kit as well just in case)
Spare qr and pin for trailer
tire gauge ( just a few g but again not going south)
Padlock and cable 700 g( just weighed it!)
Bungy net
Loads of the lightest drybags I can find to put stuff in including 2 for food
Thats it I think
The trailer bag and contents minus phone, left over food, clothes I was wearing, sunnies and gloves but including some mud andwater 🙂 weigh 13 kilos which I think is not bad at all for all that
trailer is a 5 kg weight penalty but thats a different arguement
Do your worst!
Remembered after the 15 mins
first aid kit inc a decent range of dressings painkillers and a little tub of suedocrem
Buff
small tube seamsealer in the repair kit