Edinburgh to Troon (Non Motorway)

[Boris]

For those of you wishing to avoid the Motorway I took a run down the A71 to Troon today. I followed this route. The route itself is pretty simple ans once you reach point B on the map you are on the A71 and you simply stay on the road pretty much all the way to Troon. Once you near Troon the ferry terminal is well signposted. Point C on the map is Morrisons supermarket where there is both a petrol station and a cafe so it could make a good place to regroup as the ferry terminal is only another 100 or so yards up the road. Total time for the run was 1 hour 50 and that was taking it was taking it easy and (pretty much) sticking to the speed limits so I can't see it making much difference time wise compared to the Motorway.

For anyone with TomTom GPS I have also made an itinerary file and this can be found here.

[Snaphappy]

Hi Boris Thats more or less what is planned
I just had the petrol station logged as Safeway

[Boris]

Safeways are now Morrisons so you have the right place. The ferry terminal has moved however and the entrance is now where I placed it on my link as opposed to where Google shows it.

I've been overseas for a few weeks so not been frequenting the forums. Have the M8 and M77 motorways been abandoned completely in favour of the A71?

[Snaphappy]

Yep

took your advice to heart

[Doctor Big]

That`s brilliant, thanks for that.
A small but possibly important point; requesting people to fill up by the ferry terminal is an excellent idea, however...............
There have been many documented cases in the past year of Morrisons selling petrol polluted with diesel resulting in numerous breakdowns. It`s twice happened to me on a DR 800 and throwing away 29 litres of fuel is not cheap, neither is it convenient breaking down in the middle of nowhere. I think it`s due to the tankers at the refinery not being cleaned etc; after all 0.01% diesel is enough to cause a breakdown by contaminating the plugs. I now fill up with Shell super if possible as there haven`t been any reported problems with that.
Still meet at the Morrisons garage of course. I just thought I`d issue the warning as the memory of standing five hours in the dark in sub zero temperatures waiting for the RAC is not one I`d wish to repeat.

[Snaphappy]

To get to Morrisons we pass a Shell and a BP
no one has to fill up where they dont want to, supermarket petrol stations have had a bad name for long enough some people prefer the cheaper option but only use their local that they trust.

Its probably the cheaper option to meet up just for the coffee or drinks sarnies instead of paying the ferry prices

[Doctor Big]

Sounds good

[greigypeggy]

the a71 route takes us past ma hoose , and i think the wife and weans are going to make a good luck banner for us as we drive past

[Paul-S]

the a71 route takes us past ma hoose , and i think the wife and weans are going to make a good luck banner for us as we drive past

Thanks Greigypeggy

[royster]

i hope you have good neighbours as 50 bikes going past sounding their horns might upset them lol