Home via Heysham

 I had decided to do the ride back to the ferry in one hit rather than stay another night in Falkirk. Its a 6.5 hour ride so I had to be up for a 5am start. 

Cheryl my lovely host offered to make me bacon rolls before I set off but I declined.

I had loaded the bike up the night before, so as to hopefully not disturb other patrons too much.

It was just  before 5am  and dark when I set off, I was glad to see the sun-rising an hour later  as this is the first time i had ridden in the darkness for years

 I've learnt the bikes lights are not the best, if I keep the bike I'll invest in some spot lamps.

The Manxman

It was another boring ride , the same as the way up once I hit the motorway, I was glad to reach the terminal with only  50 mins before departure.

Sun setting over the IOM as we approach.

Applecross Pass

After a cooked breakfast at the hotel, I took the cover off  the bike and set of on what turned out to be an 8 hour long ride in the saddle. 

This was my last day in the highlands, my intention was to get a big chunk of the west coast ridden.

Applecross Pass is a mecca for touring motorcyclist, the pass is 20 miles long, it connects Shiedaig with Applecross. Its winding, narrow, with steep gradients and tight hairpin bends, the scenery is stunning (my photos do not do it justice).

Applecross Pass

Applecross Pass

Applecross pass

 

Good name for a Highland cafe

Funny man

I stopped for lunch at the Old Hall in Kinlochewe as well as a good pizza the owner insisted on giving me a free desert

After a long day in the saddle on the CB500X I was glad of a couple of beers in the bar with some other bikers who arrived to set up base.

John O'Groats

After a Scottish breakfast including haggis I set off inland (A836)for the north coast where i turned right onto the north coast at Tongue stopping at John O'Groats for the ubiquitous  bike and signpost photo.

JOG harbour.

Met a friend at JOG

Signpost ticked off of my to do list I came back to base through Wick on the east coast.

NC500

 The NC500 a road that runs around the coastal fringes of the Scottish Highlands is a tour I have been wanting to do for as long as i can remember. I picked a perfect week weather wise in April 2025 to do it.

 I set of on the early morning ferry to Heysham.

Ferry to Liverpool

 it was then a somewhat boring 3.5  hour ride up the motorway to Falkirk for a stop over at the Grange Manor Hotel. The evening meal was awful but the breakfast was very good.

Cromarty Bridge.

Caledonian Canal

Fort William

Loch Levan

I took a scenic route to Invershin that took in Loch Lomund, Loch Levan, Fort William and Loch Ness. (4hours)

Preamble

My name is Andy I hit 70 this year. This blog is my record of my experiences on and around two wheels(with an engine naturally). I intend to document journeys i've undertaken in photos and a few sentences. 

 

 Why I enjoy riding.

For the sheer joy it brings, freeing the mind of all accumulated clutter and stress while I focus on the road ahead. 

Experience.

My riding experience only really started some 30years ago apart from a few short teenage years on Lambretta and BSA Bantam. 

 I've had naked bikes, sports bikes, sport/touring bikes and now own a small adventure bike. I club raced a CBR600 for a few years after completing a Ron Haslam race school at Donnington Park aged 50. My first year in racing earned me a runners up trophy in the 600 championship.