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John O groats to Land End

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 6, 2022, 10:01 pm

Anyone here ever done the trip on a motorcycle?

Something I have been contemplating for years, but never got around to.

Might leave it until post retirement, but one thing for sure, no rush, and no motorways.

Any thoughts?

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by Brickboy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Brickboy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 6, 2022, 10:19 pm, in reply to "John O groats to Land End"

Yes, I did it in 1994 on a Yam XJ650 two up and camping/B&B. No motorways, plenty of interesting roads.

My advice: don't bother. Do something which does not require a need to 'complete' it to feel you've done it. A FTFW tour would be a lot more fun.

If you want a focus there are lots of treasure hunt type rides available. Do the waypoints on those and enjoy a ride. For us the Jogle became a slog. Even all these years later it isn't a pleasant memory whereas leisurely touring of Scotland later, on an FJ1200, was a real joy.

In fact, I often ponder foci for trips: graves of particular people, castles and churches are my favourite waypoints.

Simon

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 6, 2022, 10:42 pm, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

Remember Normski on here. he tried to do it in 24 hours on his long term 1971 TR6, it broke down in Devon so he changed bikes and used a new one. I think he got there just a little late. Raising money for a charity supporting his Daughters illness.
His plan was using A type roads where he could and would have needed to keep around 60 mph most of the time. I would love to do it but having done 400 mile in a day when much younger, i would never do it now.

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 9:58 am, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

I did an organised rally in September 2020 which started at the Lizard and finished at Dunnet Head - the most southerly and northerly points of the UK. There were two or three checkpoints every day and overnight camping in bell tents which were ready erected with your luggage moved between locations. The rally was seven nights and six days riding. Plus I had to get to the Lizard from Surrey and home again from the Castle of Mey again after the last night. That added another three nights.

You got the route card the night before the days riding. This contained the checkpoint locations for the next day and where you were going to be staying at the end of it.

To advertise here, please call...

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by Beezabryan <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Beezabryan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 6, 2022, 11:38 pm, in reply to "John O groats to Land End"

It was on my bucket list, now it's on my f**k it
list. Left it too late

Did a coast to coast, sort of. Home - Cleethorpes Meridian Marker to Clevedon on the Severn Estuary, visit my daughter was good enough for me.
Back home via Cheddar to get cheese & scrump for my supper.

BeezaBryan

He knows not where he's going, For the ocean will decide,
Its not the destination, It's the glory of the ride (Edward Monkton, Zen Dog)

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 9:04 am, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

Graham my son has done Saltash Cornwall to Altenmarkt in Austria in l6 hours thats over 900 miles .in a 1957 Porsche 356...

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 10:12 am, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by divie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=divie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 9:10 am, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

Iv'e done Brum to Western Highlands, Malaig/Skye on the Diversion and enjoyed it apart from a damp bed in the hotel at Glencoe. Years ago I did Brum/John O Groats/Lands end/Brum in a little NSU Sport's Prince car very uncomfortable and left me wondering why.

Sloper runs again.

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by Al Urquhar <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Al+Urquhar' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 11:03 am, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

"Iv'e done Brum to Western Highlands, Malaig/Skye on the Diversion and enjoyed it apart from a damp bed in the hotel at Glencoe."

Yes- incontinence can be a real problem, especially amongst those of us who are now getting on a bit.

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 9:26 am, in reply to "John O groats to Land End"

I have been to both places by motorcycle, but not as a single trip or on the same bike.

Neither place is anything special IMO - worth popping in if you are in the area, but not worth a special trip - but unless you have something to prove to yourself I don't see the attraction of trying to do it in one hit.

A similar distance from the Channel ports gets you to some far more interesting places.

Nigel B.

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by Beezabryan <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Beezabryan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 10:39 am, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

Throughout my life I've had a tendency to go my way, not what others tell me to do.

Has got me in bother now & then but I've got to do & see things way off the beaten path

BeezaBryan

He knows not where he's going, For the ocean will decide,
Its not the destination, It's the glory of the ride (Edward Monkton, Zen Dog)

Re: John O groats to Land End

Posted by spriddler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=spriddler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 11:54 am, in reply to "Re: John O groats to Land End"

<<<A similar distance from the Channel ports gets you to some far more interesting places. >>>

Couldn't agree more - biker friendly France, wonderful uncluttered roads, generally warmer weather, great scenery and 000's of camp sites without needing to book.
France (well the Newhaven - Dieppe ferry) is only 20 miles from my house so it's easy enough.
I did survive riding my Honda CBF 125 around 900 miles to Pamplona (one-handed) pre-pandemic just for the hell of it but much prefer dawdling South 'over there' on the Matchless.

Thanks.

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 2:10 pm, in reply to "John O groats to Land End"

Plan would be to give myself a good week to do it, no plans to be any place at a particular time - just amble along.

I have friends located in Scotland just over the border, Manchester and Worcester so would plan to sop over in those locations along with any other place I need to stop.

No particular reason to do it other than just doing it.

Back in my youff I did it in Vauxhall Chevette - albeit over the course of 2 years - John O one year, Lands end the next.

If I am going to do it, I dont want to leave it too late.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Thanks.

Posted by wittsend <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=wittsend' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 7, 2022, 2:51 pm, in reply to "Thanks."

Wimps,,my old mate pushbiked it and Botham walked it !

Re: Thanks.

Mark Ormeriod did LEJOG for charity lost both legs and an arm .also swam from Plymouth sound to Drakes Island..thats commitment

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Thanks.

Back in my youff I did it in Vauxhall Chevette

Probably felt twice as far then ?

Nigel B.

Re: Thanks.

Dont remind me.

I had different engines in the same car for each visit.

The original started burning oil like no ones business so me and Dad fitted a "new" one from a scrapper for the second journey.

Who needs a signature anyway......

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