A cold adventure with my “wee” brother (152 miles)
Or – Saggy Breeks rides again
Bill and I decided to have a last desperate try at going on a motorcycle trip. The weather is getting colder and there is not much daylight. We planned on Drumbeg in the west of Sutherland. We arranged to meet at 11.30 at Bonar Bridge across from the post office, so we met at 11.40. I had filled with petrol at the Skiach and then come across the Struie to Bonar. The roads were wet but the forecast was good. When Bill arrived he confirmed the temperature to be 7°C and it felt it. So we headed west by the Lairg Road. I have a 31 year old Yamaha XS650 and Bill has a 1 year old Hyosung Aquila 250.
At Invershin we took the left fork to Lochinver. We followed the single track road by Rosehall and Oykel Bridge till we reached Loch Craggie. Here you get the first hint of the dramatic views to the west with Suilven’s double summit showing and to the left Cul Mor (in the cloud).
And a little further on at Loch Borralan.
And at the end of Loch Awe the perspective is different – Canisp is to the right and the tiny hump is Suilven.
Then it was onto Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle.
We pushed on and got to Lochinver after 1.00. We went to the harbour.
And then back to the car park where we had our picnic lunch. Still very cold 9°C. But we are hardy men. Quite a view for a lunch stop.
I picked up petrol as the XS has a poor range. I had done 70 miles since the Skiach. Then we hit the Drumbeg road outside Lochinver. This is just a couple of miles along the road. Cul Mor, Suilven and Canisp.
Then we moved on through Clachtoll and Stoer to Clashnessie and stopped to go onto the beach. Lovely and quiet this time of year.
A little further on we had to answer nature’s call and the views are still stunning.
And a little further on this view of Quinag. We pass right round it on this road.
And then the target of the day, Drumbeg. It is a lovely place. The temperature here was 13°C and we were comfortable.
And getting near Loch Nedd another view of Quinag.
That was the most amazing road. I just loved driving it. Near Kylsku you join the north road. It is twin track and you can pick up speed. The roads were drying now. The junction is quite well signposted!!
We tanked along to Loch Assynt and back onto the road we came on but now we head east. We stopped again at Loch Borralan. And had a wee experiment of taking pictures with both Saggy Breeks and the “wee” brother.
We are getting old!
I’m just so ashamed of these breeks!! But they keep me warm.
We really picked up speed with good dry roads but back down to 7°C! We got near Bonar Bridge stopping across from Carbisdale Castle – some youth hostel! At 7°C and approaching 60 nature was calling!
We went on through Bonar, Ardgay and up onto the Struie road stopping together for the last time just before Altnamain at the entrance to the Beinn Tharsuinn windfarm. I’d better not complain again about windfarms! But here we parted company, Bill heading to Ederton and home, me to Ardross and home.
I reached home about 5.30. All in all another great day. Again, all the best, Saggy Breeks.