made it just...

[raymo]

well thats me back,, rode to Kingussie late yesterday good ride but a bit wet and the road well covered in crud... was going to stay in Aviemore but the place is full.. folk up for the snow.. shame.. most of it has gone

Over-night at the old Manse Colomba Hotel.. Warm and Dry and a nice selection of Caingorme beers

Was going to head up North but wind was horrendous!! dont mind a head wind or a side wind , but this evil stuff was gusting in the exposed and narrow sections of the A9 to Inverness.. thought I was a gonner a few times.. no fun.. very rare I hate a ride but that section was total pants .. white knuckles all the way.... So did some B road bashing B9090 B9010.. then stopped at my local for a beer to calm my nerves

bike hosed down.... beer and hot bath for me.. sod it beer and a dirty dive

will post some pics in the whisky trial thread as I bagged one

WIll check the wind and may be have a coastal run tommorrow

yeha totally unsupervised as the significant other is in Edinburgh.. more beer!!!

[largewayround]

Hi

Sounds like a nice run. The weather has definitely taken a turn for the better.

I was out today as well.. First proper bimble this year.

Up to newburgh, cruden bay, peterhead, up to st fergus then back down through minlaw.

Was very nice but quite a lot of crap on the roads and biggest potholes (and councils attempts to repair)

But as you said, the wind was quite bad in some places, but not to bad.

Sights from today (sorry no pictures)

Kestral, sparrow hawk, 5 youths on 125's wearing shell suits and trainers,
3 police cars doing speed checks, one delivery van crashed in field (plus police car)
Power station, early warning radar, oil refinery, ..... And a big smile on my face when I got home.

[Dominic_the_TA]

well thats me back,, rode to Kingussie late yesterday good ride but a bit wet and the road well covered in crud... was going to stay in Aviemore but the place is full.. folk up for the snow.. shame.. most of it has gone

If you ever go Aviemore way again, stay at http://www.cairngormguesthouse.com/

Peter and Gail are the owners and the place is great, breakfast is brill!

We've been quite a few times now and never been dissapointed. Worth a visit

[raymo]

Thanks, for the link could not find a thing... even the bunkhouse was full.. got the last room at the Colombas !! keep forgetting its ski country
and we have a loads of snow.. not any more

Two sneaky spead traps on the A9, but after a scarey gusty moment at 80+ spent most of the A9 at 50ish with a low profile.. flat to the tank


sights
a shiny Harley at the fuel station in Newton more.. guess it was the start of his ride.. must be still cleaning it!!

Loads of damaged trees from the heavy snow last week..

pleny of buzzards

and rather large eagle in Kingussie

Plenty of crud but the last 40 miles home was clean and dry.. helped get some confidence with the square TKC 80s the bike now has on vet different to slick metzlers

If you ever go Aviemore way again, stay at http://www.cairngormguesthouse.com/

Peter and Gail are the owners and the place is great, breakfast is brill!

We've been quite a few times now and never been dissapointed. Worth a visit

[Mervinh]

Is the cafe/truckstop/ bar still at the bottom end of newtonmore ?
had a few good nights and brekkies there
Merv

[africajim]

Aye aye Ray, good to see you out and about, was out myself today, just a run up the coast from Lossiemouth to Burghead, back round to Elgin to see Wullie Young. Was a nice first ride of this season. The wind was a bit gusty at times.

Oh well, decided to buy a new Varadero today so great start to the season!

[raymo]

Hi Jim,
that you changing the tigger?
Ride certainly got better as I got to the east, was a bit south of you,

XLV running well was hoping to get some miles in
300miles so not to bad
olny 50 of which were hairy!!

you going more road baised then

Aye aye Ray, good to see you out and about, was out myself today, just a run up the coast from Lossiemouth to Burghead, back round to Elgin to see Wullie Young. Was a nice first ride of this season. The wind was a bit gusty at times.

Oh well, decided to buy a new Varadero today so great start to the season!

[africajim]

Ha ha! I watched Robster go up the Stella with his Varadero, capable enough methinks! (agreed he said never again!)

Yes, changing the Tiger, it's been a great ride for three yrs now, can't fault the bike but wanted to keep up to date and lower miles. Triumph went the wrong way with the Tiger so the Vara's probably just as capable offroad as the 1050, I do a lot of touring two up all summer so the Vara's the best bike for it mate.

[raymo]

well it is amazing what can do the stela even a varadero

Its a while since I have been to Willie Youngs, will have to drop by..

Raymo