summer tour of northern uk

hi Dr Hockey here,
I live in Hertfordshire, near WGC, and am planning to take a very leisurely tour of the northern UK, beginning early in August. Primarily it would be riding/camping tour for two to three weeks if possible. I'm sure that I would use a B&B at some point, maybe once or twice, but mainly from campsite to campsite. I would like some other SW riders to join me if the idea of this tour appeals to you.
The plan is, that there is no plan, just point the bike left to wales and hug the costal roads until I get up to Scotland, hit the top of the land, and head down the other side, avoiding all motorways and A roads if possible, I am not racing, its the journey, not just getting there which is the most fun. England, Wales and Scotland have some beautiful scenery, so why rush and miss it all?.

Again if this sort of holiday appeals to you, and you want to join me, email me and maybe we can meet up to discuss the trip further; my email is g.angel@btinternet.com.
If you want to know more about me, check out my facebook page Geoff Angel. I am a Universtity lecturer and still working at 66.
my other motor bike is a vintage BSA 1967 barracuda that spends more time off the road than on it, and like it, I should be in a museum too.
Looking to forward to hearing from you, if you are a biker (any make I am not a snob),and want a SW riding camping holiday, join me this August.
regards
Dr Hockey
AKA Geoff

Sounds like an interesting trip, hope you find so Swings to join you. Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like a good idea that would appeal to me if I was single,I'm currently away oop north in Yorkshire in caravan lol.The SW is an ideal bike to do this sort of trip I wish you well and hope few others join you

Post your dates when your in various ares, any excuse for ride and meet :-)
I can recommend high laning at dent, cumbria border near hawes. Good campsite, nice little village, 2 good pubs doing food and local ales.
Perhaps we should do a sw weekend there?

I used to go to MZ Riders Club winter camping weekends at High Laning campsite at Dent, then I wised up and started booking a room at the nearby Sun Inn pub instead.

Meldrew wrote:

I used to go to MZ Riders Club winter camping weekends at High Laning campsite at Dent, then I wised up and started booking a room at the nearby Sun Inn pub instead.

I've not stayed in the Sun but did stayed in the George last year when I was over with SWMBO who won't camp no more. All very nice but I do prefer camping.
Did you risk the old tupp ale (otherwise known as evil, evil bowel basher for obvious reasons)?

steve_h80 wrote:

Did you risk the old tupp ale (otherwise known as evil, evil bowel basher for obvious reasons)?

I remember being warned off drinking T'Owd Tup ale by one of my mates the first time I camped at Dent. But others over indulged and suffered accordingly.

If i lived close, I would so do this.

Are you going to photograph, video or share any of this online? I would loooove to see the gorgeous countryside!

Hi fellow riders, thanks for the comments, as to the dates that I am leaving for the trip, not yet finalised, and where I will be at any time is even less sure. The main thing that I want, is not to have to book in advance and know that I have to be at this or that place at certain times. Thats why camping appeals to me because it affords me the freedom and less constraints in my roaming.
I was hoping to take my head cam to video and of course a camera for the stills. I will post them when I can , but due to space I am not taking my laptop.
Just in case anyone else is planning a prolonged camping trip on their SWings, here is the main camping equipment that I am taking with me that is the most compact for any motor bike or scooter.
Tent ; Slumit Cub 2, easy 10 sec erect take and down and most importantly, when folded no wider than the SW handlebars. it says its a 2 man tent, but only if your two men are only 5 ft !.
A Go-Kot camp bed from the USA, again folds very small, looks like a very good product, awaiting delivery, again 65cm long within the 75cm handlebar width. An amazing Helinox Chair one folding chair, it won a design award and i can see why!. A Nevica Extra Large Sport Ski holdall 72 cm long x 40x 46cm. Again within the handlebar width of the bike. Not tried it yet, but this should fit across the pillion seat up against the top box. This holdall will take my tent, sleeping bag, go-kot  bed and chair and is wheeled if I need to leave the SW somewhere unsafe, I could take it with me.
I will need to modify the bag to attach another external waterproof holdall for clothes and other stuff. The main thing is to ensure that everything is in a watertight bags and not to trust the manufacturers claims to being water proof. As I am planning to move from campsite to campsite and not to stay more than one day in any place, I am just taking enough equipment to ensure a roof over my head , a bed and chair. I might buy a small alchohol stove to heat some water for a packet of soup or something and thats about it, travel as light as possible and not compromise the SW narrow width with panniers.
If anyone has any suggestions on what else I should be taking please reply.
I might be leaving earlier in second week of July if I can, the roads may be a little less crowded.
best regards to everyone
Dr Hockey

Dr Hockey wrote:

If anyone has any suggestions on what else I should be taking please reply.
I might be leaving earlier in second week of July if I can, the roads may be a little less crowded.
best regards to everyone
Dr Hockey

A fully charged cellphone and a non fully charged credit card. :lol!:

Half the clothes twice the money

After many years of motorcycle camping I would add the following:
1. Avon skin so soft to repel the midges.
2. Head torch.
3. Can of tyreweld / squirty foam stuff.
4. Hip flask of whisky.
5. Suicide clothes. All old socks, duds and t—shirts have one last wear in them before been jettisoned. I've left a trail of these across Europe. Hopefully the chamber maids are on danger money for dealing with such contaminated waste.

I use a Sealine Dry bag to store my stuff. They come in various sizes and styles, but I like the back pack style.At times I have to go some distance from the bike at night. and a pack style is sure easier than a bag you have to carry by hand. After a few years one of the straps started to come loose from the bag, and Sealine sent me a whole new bag, no questions asked- . I just bungee it to the seat behind me and even fully loaded it is narrower than the handlebars. I have ridden through very heavy rains for long periods of time and can attest to its water proofing. I think if it is folded properly, it could be fully submerged for long periods and would keep everything dry.