Hi,
As a newbie I really do need some help! A couple of years ago I came across a YouTube of a couple of what must be mad men doing a Saddlesore ride and thought that looks good, a real challenge I can do that!!
Research and more research followed, I have been riding for many years but decided more skills were needed so I signed up and late lastyear passed my IAM Advanced Rider. My Triumph Scrambler (2006) is great but not ideal for motorway work, say no more, I sourced a bike to do the Saddlesore on, a VStrom DL650, not as big a bike as I would have liked but finances dictated. I have been riding the bike putting a few miles under my belt, fettling it and bringing it up to tip top order. It has a top box so that's good and decent wind protection plus added engine bars are good. Fuel economy is also excellent so technically minimal stops achievable. I have read ride reports and everything available on the forum. I have a programme of practice runs leading up to the day. On a recent 300 miler a few more lessons were learnt and more practice needed.
To put a slight spanner in the works my young nephew decides he wants to join me, he has a newish Bonneville T100- that’s knackered my 200 miles between stops as he is lucky to get near 150 miles before fuelling. We have got him a decent screen and it’s a comfortable bike so all is OK. That is other than the route.
I have spent a fair few (enjoyable) hours looking at the maps and am having difficulty in deciding on a route. An easy option would be to do the RBLR 1000 run but I have other commitments on the day so an independent run is on the cards. Living close to Ringwood on the South Coast reduces the options, I would have liked to have done a little off the motorway network but know we are substantially reliant on it. Below is our initial thoughts on a route any comments/suggestions/recommendations appreciated.
We were looking at a 3 to 4am start. Picket Post Ringwood (BH24 3HN) A31, M27, M3, M25 to South Mimms (EN6 3QQ) A1(M) to BP Newark (NG23 6JE) to Scotch Corner (DL10 6PQ) A66across to Penrith, M6 & M74 Annadale Water services (DG11 1HD) to Hamilton Services (ML3 6JW) back down M74 & M6 to Tebay Services (CA10 3SB) to Keele Services (ST5 5HG) M5 to Michaelwood Services (GL11 6DD) to Exeter Services(EX2 7LQ) and back along A30, A35,A31 to Picket Post . About 1039 miles.
The route from Exeter to Picket Post finish is not ideal as it would be in darkness, it is a route I know well but wonder if a finish alonga motorway would be better.
Any advice including alternative routes welcomed. Thanks in anticipation of your help. Martin
As a newbie I really do need some help! A couple of years ago I came across a YouTube of a couple of what must be mad men doing a Saddlesore ride and thought that looks good, a real challenge I can do that!!
Research and more research followed, I have been riding for many years but decided more skills were needed so I signed up and late lastyear passed my IAM Advanced Rider. My Triumph Scrambler (2006) is great but not ideal for motorway work, say no more, I sourced a bike to do the Saddlesore on, a VStrom DL650, not as big a bike as I would have liked but finances dictated. I have been riding the bike putting a few miles under my belt, fettling it and bringing it up to tip top order. It has a top box so that's good and decent wind protection plus added engine bars are good. Fuel economy is also excellent so technically minimal stops achievable. I have read ride reports and everything available on the forum. I have a programme of practice runs leading up to the day. On a recent 300 miler a few more lessons were learnt and more practice needed.
To put a slight spanner in the works my young nephew decides he wants to join me, he has a newish Bonneville T100- that’s knackered my 200 miles between stops as he is lucky to get near 150 miles before fuelling. We have got him a decent screen and it’s a comfortable bike so all is OK. That is other than the route.
I have spent a fair few (enjoyable) hours looking at the maps and am having difficulty in deciding on a route. An easy option would be to do the RBLR 1000 run but I have other commitments on the day so an independent run is on the cards. Living close to Ringwood on the South Coast reduces the options, I would have liked to have done a little off the motorway network but know we are substantially reliant on it. Below is our initial thoughts on a route any comments/suggestions/recommendations appreciated.
We were looking at a 3 to 4am start. Picket Post Ringwood (BH24 3HN) A31, M27, M3, M25 to South Mimms (EN6 3QQ) A1(M) to BP Newark (NG23 6JE) to Scotch Corner (DL10 6PQ) A66across to Penrith, M6 & M74 Annadale Water services (DG11 1HD) to Hamilton Services (ML3 6JW) back down M74 & M6 to Tebay Services (CA10 3SB) to Keele Services (ST5 5HG) M5 to Michaelwood Services (GL11 6DD) to Exeter Services(EX2 7LQ) and back along A30, A35,A31 to Picket Post . About 1039 miles.
The route from Exeter to Picket Post finish is not ideal as it would be in darkness, it is a route I know well but wonder if a finish alonga motorway would be better.
Any advice including alternative routes welcomed. Thanks in anticipation of your help. Martin