Over the sea to Skye

[The Dieselinator]

Over ther bank holiday we travelled up to Skye with some other guys. We stayed at sites that have Wigwams. They have the benefit of being dry, warm and cheapish. £10 to £13 pppn.

Set off on Friday and covered 400 miles to our first stop at Tyndrum. Having a meal outside the Drovers that night a red748/916/996 thundered past. Next day went through GlenCoe, where one of our party got done for speeding, and up to Mallaig for the ferry to Skye. Quick lunch stop then back to the main land via the bridge. Two nights were booked at Applecross which we travelled to via the mountain road. There was a bike event on at the camp site, co-incidental to our trip but amongst the more mundane bikes was an Irish registered 998s.

Next day we set off up to Ullapool via the coast road. Another of our party got a puncture which tyreweld didn't fix but a plug later inserted did. Unfortunately the same guy then had a low speed tumble later that day neccesitating recovery home.

Following day, all luggaged up, we headed back down to Tyndrum, stopping at a castle somewhere to say goodbye to our Skye dwelling friends. Stopped briefly at the Commando Monument but as it was still lashing down we didn't tarry and headed back through GlenCoe to the sanctuary of our warm Wigwam.

The bike had been fine but at the site I noticed the discs covered in a slurry type substance which had filled all the cooling holes on the discs. Quick poke with a screwdriver cleared those but when I pulled the pads out they were all on the limit with one down to the backing plate.Next day I tried to find Ducati Glasgow as fitting new pads is a job of minutes but gave up and rode the 400 miles back without using the front brakes. On checking when I had put the pads in I found they have done under 5k miles. The pistons all pushed in easily by hand so don't think they are binding, just very soft material presumably.

The bike covered 1430 miles and never missed a beat even though it rained almost continuously for 4 days and nights.

Very short vid of us leaving the castle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy2orUIq6aw

Irish 998s



Parked outside the wigwam at Strathfillan.



On the Skye ferry.






It's a puncture!



Combat and Wendy



Scenic stuff!





















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[brave dave]

Good to see Ducatis in Skye!!!! A stunning place if anyone's never been. I worked there over several years but only once took a bike and rarely saw a ducati on the island. If anyone's thinking of going... the midges are a real problem from June - spring bank is a good time to go. Route? My fav is a two day trek (from Sheffield / Leeds / M1) Day 1:Take in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Dumfries and Galloway, ferry to the isle if Arran from Ardrossan (nr. Ayr), overnight stop. Day 2: Take the small ferry from Lochranza in the nortn of the island to the mainland, follow the west coast through Oban to Fort William, Mallaig ferry. Enjoy!!!

Roy

[Kev Moz]

Great thread Dieselinator. A mate of mine has a flat up there and I plan to get up there this year and explore. I've never been to Scotland so planned the west cost first.

I'll make sure I miss the midges.

Kev

[Lissa]

This is what you need to solve the midge problem. I kid you not!

[Projectimola004]

You should have said, you passed within spitting distance of my gaff, shame. Looks like you had fun though.

[Ducati Girl]

Pete & Lissa - there is the midgie masher run on DuN if you're up for it?


August Bank Holiday weekend, Lissa what's with that cream stuff?

[The Dieselinator]

Originally Posted by Ducati Girl

Pete & Lissa - there is the midgie masher run on DuN if you're up for it?


August Bank Holiday weekend, Lissa what's with that cream stuff?

We are up to Glencoe next month Karen, not sure we can manage another trip after that. We'll keep an eye on it though.

Skin So Soft in the bluey/green bottle is very good as midge repellant. All the petrol stations sell it and rumour has it even the Marines use it. It's about a fiver from the fuel stations but only about £1.50 off of Ebay.

[rockjock620]

Originally Posted by Ducati Girl

Pete & Lissa - there is the midgie masher run on DuN if you're up for it?


August Bank Holiday weekend, Lissa what's with that cream stuff?

It's the only stuff that really works - forget the "deet" filled sprays and lotions, they just melt things like your plastic watch strap, buttons, skin etc.

Even then you need to sometimes wear a headnet, long sleeves, trousers and long socks - they are ferocious little buggers, you won't appreciate them until it's too late! You want the best headnet it's made by Lifesystems and is ultra fine mesh, about £7 IIRC. My local outdoor shop sells them (they have an outlet in Scotland too) and they know what they are talking about.

[moto748]

I ache looking at those pix!

Chances of a Highlands trip for me this year are looking a bit bleak.

Re the midges: I generally find they don't bother me too much whilst I'm up there, but I start to itch a couple of days after I've got home.

[Ducati Girl]

Originally Posted by rockjock620

It's the only stuff that really works - forget the "deet" filled sprays and lotions, they just melt things like your plastic watch strap, buttons, skin etc.

Even then you need to sometimes wear a headnet, long sleeves, trousers and long socks - they are ferocious little buggers, you won't appreciate them until it's too late! You want the best headnet it's made by Lifesystems and is ultra fine mesh, about £7 IIRC. My local outdoor shop sells them (they have an outlet in Scotland too) and they know what they are talking about.

Pete, get me one!
I've seen the pics of you in one!

[rockjock620]

Originally Posted by The Dieselinator

Two nights were booked at Applecross which we travelled to via the mountain road.

stopping at a castle somewhere to say goodbye to our Skye dwelling friends.

Next day I tried to find Ducati Glasgow
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The mountain road being the "Bealach Na Ba" or "Pass of the Cattle", the highest pass in the British Isles? Brill eh?

The castle will be Eilean Donan at Dornie, the most photographed castle in scotland they reckon.

Too late now, but DG is easily located off the M8 Junction 17, less than half a mile up the old A82. Martin (the boss) would have sorted you out no question - they're a great team in there.

[rockjock620]

Originally Posted by Ducati Girl

Pete, get me one!
I've seen the pics of you in one!

sexy, isn't it?

[Ducati Girl]

Did it for me Pete

[rockjock620]

my god, we must be of the same easy persuasion.........

[Ducati Girl]

Pete!

Tut!