The 2010 Whirlwind Tour of the U.K

After leaving Turkey on the 29th of April I flew to London to start my lap of the United Kingdom.

I had hired a motorbike from a place called Raceway Rentals in Shephards Bush in London. I must say the guys there are top notch, know their stuff and the bikes are well maintained. Price wise they were the best in London for a week hire. I know alot of people have been asking about hiring a bike for the main run in 2015 and this was one reason for the ride. Details will still need to be fleshed out about hiring a bike for the main run so we can leave it at that for the moment. Phillo dropped me off at the shop where I was kitted out with a jacket and I stupidly turned down the pants, much to my later detriment when the temperature dropped and the rain hit further up north.

I headed off on day one trying to make it to Leeds for the night. The weather was a bit dark and the cold soon started to seep in forcing pit stops every 45 minutes or so to warm up. I headed first up the M1 motor way then off towards Nottingham to see Sherwood Forest and the home of Robin Hood. After taking the back roads for a while I finally made it to Sherwood Forest which was beautiful indeed. This was my first encounter with the infamous British signage that would soon lead me on a few wild goose chases. However a wild goose chase in the beautiful country side isn't so bad as far as getting lost goes.

After making it to York on the first night and encountering a bit of the cold and rain it was time to head for Edinburgh in Scotland where I wanted to really spend some time. On the way I stopped at Alwyn Castle where the Harry Potter movies were filmed. This is an amazing castle and one that is still used as a residence for the current Duke. It was good to see how the other half lived. The coast run from Newcastle to Edinburgh was one of the most beautiful rides I have ever taken. The weather was perfect and the ocean on one side and the rolling county side on the other made it as good a run as the Great Ocean Road. When I got to Edinburgh though there was no accommodation due to the Rugby Sevens and the annual marathon being on. Topped with it being the Bank Holiday weekend it was tight so after a few calls it was off to Stirling for the night where I was able to grab the last room in the town. This was my biggest day by far and I was definitely feeling the saddle once I bunked down. A warm shower never felt so good.

Day three saw me take a look around Stirling Castle and Wallace's monument before a leisurely run to Glasgow. Wallace's Monument was a climb and a half but it was well worth it. The 15 minute walk up the hill then the 200 odd steps to the top was my quota of exercise for the month. After this it was off past the Falkirk Wheel then Glasgow. I was checking my map at a service station when I woman asked if I was lost. When I told her I was heading for Glasgow she proceeded to tell me how she had lived there as a Police woman for 20 years and had moved away after being rolled by Gypsy's for her wallet and watch. She gave me a few pointers of where to go and when not ot. With this new found information I headed to Glasgow where I made camp for the night.

Day 4 saw me heading back south for Carlisle. I spent the morning walking around Glasgow and doing a bit of shopping before taking the Clyde Valley Route south instead of the motor way. I saw a sign to Drumlanrig Castle which turned out to be 32 miles of curves through hills and valley's. I would recommend this run to anyone heading through Scotland. I made it to Carlisle late in the afternoon and setup camp for the night.

Day 5 I headed south from Carlisle to Leicester. First stop was Kendal for a Photo for my daughter Kendall and then a detour across country to Barnsley to visit my Aunty Betty. I passed through some beautiful towns along the way like Kirkby Lonsdale and Shipley. It was great to see all the old townships and the relaxed way of life these people had compared to the rat race most of us battle on a daily basis. At one of the service points I got talking to a nice Irish fellow by the name of Joseph who told me about the National Motorbike Museum in Birmingham so I thought I'd swing past there the next day. The day had me finish off in Leicester for a good kip.

Day 6 started off with me getting a bit lost trying to find the National Motorcycle Museum but a couple of helpful policemen pointed me in the right direction. The museum was a definate highlight with halls and halls of classic, vintage and veteran motobikes. They had a 1939 Brough Superior Dream that was the only one of it's kind. It was made for a show before the war and when World War 2 broke out they never went into production and after the war they never reopened. You wouldn't get much change out of 1,000,000 GBP. From here it was off to Warwick Castle for a bit of a look see then down the Stratford Upon Avon to see where William Shakespeare was born, very nice. Now it was time for a jump down to Cardiff in Wales. It was an awesome ride into Wales and the country side was incredible. Made it to Cardiff with no fuss at all using my primative Sat Nav, (directions written on back of hand).

Day 7 saw me start at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff and head for Bristol then Bath. Bath is one of the nicest and oldest looking towns I have seen yet. The Roman Baths were awesome and well worth the ride. From here it was down the back roads to Stonehenge where I sat and wondered what it was all for, ancient religious ceremonies or just a bunch of drunk poms having a good laugh, you be the judge. From here I aimed for Southampton which was my last stop on the tour.

Day 8 and it was off to Windsor Castle. The Queen was there handing out awards and half the castle was closed down. I asked when the Queen would be free to have a cuppa with me but I don't think they are over the whole Paul Keating arm around the Queen scandal. Was promptly told to p*** off which I did. I got the bike back by 2:30 pm with heaps of time to spare then headed out for a beer with Phillo.

The whirlwind tour was at an end. Too short, maybe, too long, no way. One thing I did know was that it was one hell of a ride. Next year maybe France.

Cheers

Dougy