North Scotland -NC500- do's and don't -Applecross Pass / yes or no?

[bazza950]

so Rob & I  on CTs ,both DCT,ventured north last week and back unscathed with about 2k covered.I will keeo it short-PM me specific questions if you wish.
We set off for a meet in Wetherby,north of Leeds,and from there to Berwick on Tweed was the wettest ride ever! Honda 1- Shoei visor 0 - it has lost its seal along the top edge so rain inside,outside and on glasses made a visor up ride interesting! Bike never missed a beat and next few days via Grantown-on Spey -the pretty way through Braemar- Inverness - to Portree on Skye were lovely,dry and great riding.I then left Rob who had to return south-and had the "nerve wracking " single track road over the Highest Pass in Scotland to Applecross.The DCT was great at 10mph 180o bends up the mountain -just as well as a misplaced foot would have you off.Only problem were Motorhomes- more numerous than midges and no spray to lose them! Ulllapool next - so wild west that you cant buy a paper on Saturday afternoon.So much for a quiet read in the sun by the harbour.Then to Lochinver via the "Road to the Summer Isles" -well single passing places road that is-more track and motorhomes!
thats as far north as I went -been to J o Groats etc and down the east coast so nothing to prove.
Stops were in pre booked hotels -camping not my thing- the BEST being the Balmoral Hotel in Moffat -  a double bed ,suite with kitchenette,fridge,2 TVs and room for all that gear for under £90. Pub grub but so what? The worst -Caledonian Hotel in Ullapool -cheap but you can't even get a beer before 5pm on a hot Saturday!
the bike was averaging 45mpg -best being down the M5 in D cruising at "about" the legal limit (+10% speedo error) giving 55mpg but even taking it easy that's Scotland to North Shropshire in 4 hours inc stops.
the new Palmer Products adjustable screen mount for post 16 bikes -allowing high level gps or phone -worked well!

sea lily's - I thought a bit unusual!

[andyrob]

Sounds like a good do. How was the Spittal to Braemar road condition? Heading up there on Saturday. 

[bazza950]

the road you mention was lovely - the sun shone and anythings better than the A9.
the only hiccup if you dont know it is the 150 yards of zig zag hill on the Old Military road after Tomintoul heading north - nearly caught my mate out as camber is all wrong and he was in manual - stick to DCT!
incidentally I bought a pair of halfords padded cylist knickers-black silky material (stop it) which made a 300 mile day possible .Extraordinary - about 1cm of padding made the ride far more confortable for a tenner.Give them a try.
baz
photo overlooking Ullapool

[andyrob]

Oh aye, Bridge of Brown (Trousers)  Always a wee wake up call that one.

[DE65Y]

This was my trip over Applecros on the BIRD.

[maccduff]

can i ask what are the sizing of the shorts i`m a 36 inch waists ?

[Steeplechasing]

Nice report Bazza - thanks. Would you mind saying a bit more about that Palmer windscreen extender? Has it made a significant difference?

Joe

[bazza950]

thanks.Well I am maybe not the best person to talk about screens as I dont have a problem and have never changed one because of buffeting.At 6ft I just ride and the only time I get annoyed is at about 40 mph following an artic -it doesnt happen for long! The Palmer stainless brackets come pre assembled and sits in place the the post 2016 screen mounts ,moving the screen forward a couple of inches.You can use the 5mm bolts that come in the kit but i suggested they should be 6mm -a bit more substantial,The existing slider /lever stays in place and still works but you have additional raise and tilt -if wanted- .I got mine as I really like my phone - gps mounted above the speeedo and this is ideal,They offer a 15mm or 22mm accessory bar to mount on ( as an extra) but I think they were talking about £60 for the kit -and so it saves you buying another screen.
I have posted photos in the gallery so have a look there,]
baz