C.C.C.E. 22nd June - 29th June 2013.

[mds141]

"Ricky"Citroën is an active member of the Scotish division and owns that lovely cream 16RE with leather and alloys and a BX enthusiast.

Blimey most of us just have a BX. It must cost a fair bit to own a BX enthusiast as well.

Lol! Perhaps he's his slave and polishes the car for the rally's!!

[Tim Leech]

behave boys please, calm down.

[Caffiend]

They are behaving, just badly.

Where can I get a BX enthusiast slave pls? WANT.

[Tim Leech]

They are behaving, just badly.

Where can I get a BX enthusiast slave pls? WANT.

Thailand normally....

[citsncycles]

(and maybe Ireland too?)

I love driving in Ireland - if you keep away from the cities there's some lovely quiet roads, and the smaller ones are technically fun too.
I would suggest making Ireland a separate trip of it's own though. My experience (visiting parents since they moved there) is that even with special offers the ferries are more expensive than going to France. I use Irish Ferries, who generally have cheaper fares on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so it may be worth planning a weeks trip over at some point in the future.

[Mike E (uk)]

Re Scottish Challenge,

I would suggest a Sunday morning start and a Friday or Sat evening finish, so it can be done with only 5 week days off work.

This gives Friday evening and Sat for travelling up, and at least a day for the return.

The start point would probably be on the Scottish borders, which is reachable from most parts of the England in a day, and all parts of UK in a day and an evening.

Places to visit: the Rest & be Thankful hillclimb site
and the Jim Clark Rally route

For a Future European Trip, I suggest a tour of Famous road Race tracks, such as Monte Carlo, Nurbergring, Klausen Pass, Mont Ventoux etc, all which you can drive and include great scenery.

Mike

[citsncycles]

A good start point may be Ecclefechan - easy to reach and both camp site and hotels there.

[mds141]

I was thinking of Gretna as a starting point. Plenty of photo opportunities, easy access off the M6 and petrol station with a good jet wash( Tim ). Re start and finishing days, I'll just throw it open to an open debate. Whatever suits the majority is probably the best option. Any feedback welcomed and valued. Should be a good mini adventure.

[Caffiend]

hokay, replacing the post that got eaten, with one that has less scintillating wit, but possibly more sense:

1. This time of year: agreed perfect
2. Must include Glencoe, Inner Hebrides (Islay, Skye, Mull) already noted, and west coast. Loch Ness, Aviemore and east coast a bonus.

Gretna Green: horrid. Although an also-eaten post of Mark's commented that this was only intended as a meeting point, it's still way too vile for first arrivals to spend any time there, I am going to campaign for Loch Lomond! - anyone who wants to wash their cars can still do so at Gretna on their way ....

[mat_fenwick]

Seconded for Loch Lomond - there's some nice car parks on the shoreline off the main road (A82?) Ullapool (as previously mentioned) is worth a visit, and I wouldn't mind going to Cape Wrath. Rather annoyingly I headed up there in April 2007, only to find the ferry across the estuary had not yet started for the season

[citsncycles]

3rded for Loch Lomond - in favour of Gretna anyway!

A few years back me and some mates rode butchers bikes (plus my bro on a penny farthing ) from Gretna to the the National Cycle Museum in Llandrindod Wells. Other than being a useful start place over the border so that we could claim to have ridden through 3 countries, my impression of the place was horribly touristy (I found 3 'Ye Olde Forge's ) with no redeeming features except possibly the huge car park!

I do have to warn you all though - each time I've been to Loch Lomond it rained

[Caffiend]

That would be because it's in Scotland Mike ;P

Seconded on Cape Wrath/Ullapool too! - think my eaten post suggested an ambitious and grandiosely vague 'small circle' (A82, across to Aviemore, A9) and 'large circle' (um, can't remember road nos for these, but islands, Oban/west coast, across the top incl John O'Groats, and Aberdeen/east coast). Not necessarily in that order.

[mat_fenwick]

Just to keep this in people's minds, I thought I'd jot out a possible route during my (wet!) lunch break, for discussion. Photos to get people in the mood...

Starting at Loch Lomond, follow A82 via Glencoe to Fort William.

Follow A82, turning onto the A87 at Invergarry and passing via Shiel Bridge





Possible diversion to Skye, otherwise follow the A890 north via Strome Ferry...



...and A896 through Lochcarron



Then across the Pass of the Cattle to Applecross





Back onto the A896 at Shieldeg



A896 to Kinlochewe, then A832 to Poolewe via Gairloch



Keep on the A832 to the junction with the A835 and Corrieshalloch Gorge/Falls of Messach



Then take the A835 to Ullapool



Take the A894 via Scourie to Durness



A trip to Cape Wrath might be worthwhile too (the picture isn't one of mine though )



I guess most people would want to head over the top of Scotland to John O' Groats...more to be suggested later but I hope the photos spark some interest...

[Philip Chidlow]

WOW! Some stunning scenery.

[mds141]

Sounds and looks like a good route to me. May next year? Mat have you been to Scrabster? Worth a visit?