fozbiker
Registered user
I'm starting to plan a trip for June, it's a little ambitious, but I hope I can pull it off.
The back story- I was supposed to be going on a month long trip to Alaska, but got a work offer (that was too good to refuse) to go for a week to Prague in the middle of June. Right in the middle of my previously planned trip.
I've been doing some family history research and at some point figured I would head to the border country to visit places my father knew, and where my grandfather and his ancestors were born. I'm now trying to combine the trips. The plan so far is to fly my bike over to London with Air Canada, spend at least 10 days in the border country, head to Prague for the week long conference, and then back to London to fly home. I'll have between 3 weeks and a month for the trip. Air Canada has been running a deal on motorcycle transport, and I've figured the break even vs renting is about 15-21 days. The bonus is I'll be on my own familiar, well maintained and provisioned bike (2015 R1200GS) , riding two up with my wife.
The only contact I've had was with a person helping me with the family tree, somewhere in Cumbria, who thought it was a bad idea "the roads up there are terrible, it will take three times longer than you plan". After looking on Google streetview the roads look pretty awesome to a flatlander like me!
I plan on spending the first couple of days at the records office in Carlisle, then heading through the backroads to Stapleton area, Penton, Nichol Forest parish, Kershopefoot and Newcastleton. Spending a few days or more near Newcastleton, exploring and photographing some old farms and cemeteries. Then, if possible, head on a Scottish route to Bamburgh Castle ( a famous Forster area) and come back via Northumberland and then the Keider forest? Or just head for the chunnel, get to Prague and back.
My wife thinks I'm possibly nuts, but looking at the distances it seems doable to me, and maybe a whole lot of fun!
I've just downloaded some OSM maps of the area and I'm just starting to plan. Do you locals have any advice on where to stay (Carlisle 2 days, Newcastleton area, possibly a week) that would be reasonably priced (probably won't bring the tent this trip, or should I?)? Any other advice on roads to travel or avoid? Pubs to visit, local sites not to be missed?Any info appreciated!
Cheers, foz
The back story- I was supposed to be going on a month long trip to Alaska, but got a work offer (that was too good to refuse) to go for a week to Prague in the middle of June. Right in the middle of my previously planned trip.
I've been doing some family history research and at some point figured I would head to the border country to visit places my father knew, and where my grandfather and his ancestors were born. I'm now trying to combine the trips. The plan so far is to fly my bike over to London with Air Canada, spend at least 10 days in the border country, head to Prague for the week long conference, and then back to London to fly home. I'll have between 3 weeks and a month for the trip. Air Canada has been running a deal on motorcycle transport, and I've figured the break even vs renting is about 15-21 days. The bonus is I'll be on my own familiar, well maintained and provisioned bike (2015 R1200GS) , riding two up with my wife.
The only contact I've had was with a person helping me with the family tree, somewhere in Cumbria, who thought it was a bad idea "the roads up there are terrible, it will take three times longer than you plan". After looking on Google streetview the roads look pretty awesome to a flatlander like me!
I plan on spending the first couple of days at the records office in Carlisle, then heading through the backroads to Stapleton area, Penton, Nichol Forest parish, Kershopefoot and Newcastleton. Spending a few days or more near Newcastleton, exploring and photographing some old farms and cemeteries. Then, if possible, head on a Scottish route to Bamburgh Castle ( a famous Forster area) and come back via Northumberland and then the Keider forest? Or just head for the chunnel, get to Prague and back.
My wife thinks I'm possibly nuts, but looking at the distances it seems doable to me, and maybe a whole lot of fun!
I've just downloaded some OSM maps of the area and I'm just starting to plan. Do you locals have any advice on where to stay (Carlisle 2 days, Newcastleton area, possibly a week) that would be reasonably priced (probably won't bring the tent this trip, or should I?)? Any other advice on roads to travel or avoid? Pubs to visit, local sites not to be missed?Any info appreciated!
Cheers, foz