Trip idea - Thruxton and Ulster GP - suggestions/comments?

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Dailaughing
Learner Driver
Posts: 370
Joined: Jul 4th, '14, 12:02
First Name: Martin
Location: Falmouth, Cornwall

Trip idea - Thruxton and Ulster GP - suggestions/comments?

Post by Dailaughing »

Just playing with an idea but wife and I both want this to happen.

As background she is new this year to pillions and I hadn't ridden for twenty plus years until early summer this year so our longest trip has been a couple of rideouts. I am old enough and unfit enough for anything over an hour and a half to be a struggle but that's down to a sedentary job and a back issue (now gone it seems). I have nine months to lose a bit of weight and get more flexible (or lower the pegs on my zz-r 600 I guess!) so it should be possible.

So, 1000 mile one week bike trip from Falmouth, Cornwall to Thruxton for the BSB Sun 2nd August 2015 (200 miles) and then up to Liverpool (230+miles) for the ferry to Belfast for the road race (Thurs) and Ulster GP (Sat) coming back the next day.

We have accommodation near Bristol on the way up and back and in Belfast so it is really just a night before and/or after Thruxton and maybe one or two in Liverpool (it is the international music festival that week so might be worth a stay for day). Doubt camping at Thruxton is an option as we will have to carry everything with us.

Any suggestions on routes (roads it might be worth detouring for) or events/accommodation? Any hard learned lessons?

Currently have a cheap-end Givi (the large one) which will hold enough to keep us clothed but not much more. Plus an Oxford tank bag which gets in the way a bit. There are no wingrack kits for my bike so only soft panniers would be an option and I'm not sure it would be worth it (either carrying them everywhere or leaving them to get nicked). Weather should be warm but could be wet.
_____________________________________________
Falmouth, Cornwall
Still a BMW F650CS but what lightweight tourer will I get when I need a new one?
Red5
Learner Driver
Posts: 2508
Joined: Jul 5th, '10, 21:10
First Name: Nick
Location: If there's a bright centre to the universe, it's the rock it's farthest from

Re: Trip idea - Thruxton and Ulster GP - suggestions/comment

Post by Red5 »

Sounds awesome... My honest hard learnt opinion and advice about this though is.... JUST DO IT :-bd
Not sure if I'll be able to come along as riding out to Nurburgring in September, then off to Portimao in October but will more than likely be off to see th BSB at Thruxton at least, if not joining you fir the whole trip.

Honestly, even if no one else choses to join you guys, just do it. My first "Big" trip was a real right of passage and a great feeling of satisfaction. Sounds like you have enough luggage as well already, so wouldn't panic about that.

Hope to catch you soon :D
Don't care who you are, how much you have, how powerful you are. You still sit on the toilet with your pants around your ankles. Yep, it's a level playing field..
Dailaughing
Learner Driver
Posts: 370
Joined: Jul 4th, '14, 12:02
First Name: Martin
Location: Falmouth, Cornwall

Re: Trip idea - Thruxton and Ulster GP - suggestions/comment

Post by Dailaughing »

I'm expecting it to be a solo ride as we are relying on relatives for most of the accommodation but obviously hoping we will meet up with people there for the day or doing other things before and after. We'll see.
_____________________________________________
Falmouth, Cornwall
Still a BMW F650CS but what lightweight tourer will I get when I need a new one?
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