End of season solar trailer tour

[matthewslack]

A properly blue sky, all day, allowed breakfast charging to almost full, a couple of short charging and meal breaks, and an almost full battery after 90 miles. Tomorrow looks much the same.

The first 20 or so miles had headwind, but not as bad as yesterday, which became a tailwind as soon as I turned north over today's main milestone, the Kessock bridge.

Tain was further than I remembered, but having got there with 60 miles already covered by 3pm, I relaxed as much as the A9 allows(!) and ended up just north of Brora. Only 65 miles now to Dunnet Head, or 80 if I go via Duncansby Head and John O'Groats as well. Going to Ardnamurchan via the north and west coasts is looking feasible.

Charging at first light.



Ready to roll away from Nairn.



The Kessock bridge.



...and looking inland from the cycle path.



Looking out through the Cromarty Firth towards the Moray coast.



View out to sea from the Dornoch Firth crossing.



The A9 broch, just South of Brora. Great view to Tarbet Ness and the the other side of the Moray Firth.





Steps that could have been made yesterday.

 

[matthewslack]

A very long day, despite the blue sky only lasting a couple of hours. 110 miles, via Helmsdale, Lybster and Wick to John O'Groats, Duncansby Head, Dunnet Head and onward through Castletown and Thurso to a nice piece of grass beside an open public toilet, overlooking a small bay, a beach and an ex fast breeder reactor.

It didn't seem particularly windy, although there was a tail wind after Dunnet Head, but I was scorching along, frequently above cut-off speed, for no good reason I could see except main road surfaces and some of the time, the flatness of Caithness.

That made up for the lack of sun most of the day, and my battery ended the day at 38.5V. I charged at breakfast, again on the road side for half an hour just before entering the cloudy north east corner, and was favoured by a sunny interval whilst lunching at the famous signpost.

My original plan was to camp at Dunnet Head, but I was through there at 83 miles and.about 16:40, far too soon to stop. Being further on makes the subsequent days more flexible, and moves tomorrow's likely camp from Durness to Scourie.

The next two days are forecast blue sky again, but they may be repeats of today, so I will wait and see and deal with whatever turns up.

Breakfast charge.



Second breakfast charge, beside the A99.



The three significant points at the end of leg 3.

John O'Groats signpost.



Duncansby Head lighthouse.



Dunnet Head lighthouse.



Fickle weather at JOG.



Surf at West Dunnet bay.



Castletown harbour.



Looking towards Hoy and the west cliffs of Dunnet Head.



Dounreay.

 

[matthewslack]

Blue sky was the order of the day yesterday, so a stress free 91 miles from Reay to one of my favourite 'proper' camp sites at Scourie. The first part until Tongue is mainly about covering the distance, being more moorland than mountain but from there to Ullapool is my favourite part of Scotland. No route choices to think about, just a great ride through stunning scenery.

I charged before leaving, again for a quick break at the bridge over the Navar, then a longer stop for slightly early lunch on the Tongue causeway. Lots of chatty holidaying camper van folk, including a Northern Irish lady who had seen something on Facebook about a cyclist at John O'Groats yesterday.

The lunchtime charge in good sun was down to only 1 amp in the CV part of the charging process, so almost full.

I stopped in the high layby overlooking Loch Eriboll next to a Rabbies small coach whose driver came to show me the same Facebook post as the earlier lady. 66 comments apparently, content I left unknown to me!

Onwards to the beach by the turning for Respond with the zipwire for another short charge and long conversation with a German photography enthusiast who was collecting images for winter slide shows back home.

Then Durness where I didn't need anything and the final 25 miles over several hills to Scourie, running on battery mainly as sun so low in the sky after 5pm. The only serious midges so far encountered on this trip were during that last section. My Smidge protected arms were black with them!

This morning a good breeze, pretty good sun so far, and enough time in hand to enjoy a shorter day along my favourite road via my favourite pottery and pie shop to my favourite small place to find myself whenever something needs fixing, Ullapool.

Morning at Reay. Cloud behind, sun ahead.





Last look at Dounreay.



Beach at Betty hill.



Elevenses at the Navar bridge.



Busy lunchtime on the Tongue causeway.



Loch Eriboll.



The beach by Rispond turning.



Patterns in the late cut hay or silage at Durness.



Last light, Scourie.

 

[Oldie]

Wow! What a day to be cycling through Assynt. Pure magic.

 

[joelectric]

These mini ebike travel vlogs are fantastic matthewslack. Feel like we are going along for the ride (minus the hard work)

 

[matthewslack]

Wow! What a day to be cycling through Assynt. Pure magic.

Yes, I am feeling quite blessed! I am close enough to home now to ease off and allow holiday to take over from adventure, although there might be a late fly in the ointment as a ferry I was hoping to use might not be running when I need it!

Another forecast glorious day tomorrow, and then sunshine and showers to keep me on my toes.

Today's pies, after lunch view.

 

[matthewslack]

These mini ebike travel vlogs are fantastic matthewslack. Feel like we are going along for the ride (minus the hard work)

Helps me remember, and perhaps encourages others to have a go too. Everyone's a winner!

 

[saneagle]

That brought back many happy memories - catching gian mackerel from the harbour at John O'Groats. I hooked my biggest ever conger eel in Scrabster harbour, but I couldn't reel it in. It immediately retreated into a hole in the wall and wouldn't come out. The next day, a fisherman there told me that when the guy caught the Scottish record one from there, he had the same problem, which he solved by walking around the harbour onto the opposite wall, from where he was able to pull it out. I kicked myself when he told me that. The divers told me about absolutely massive ones sitting in the wall with their heads sticking out..

This was from a trip I did on my motorbike in 1978. You must have gone through Coldbackie:

 

[matthewslack]

That brought back many happy memories - catching gian mackerel from the harbour at John O'Groats. I hooked my biggest ever conger eel in Scrabster harbour, but I couldn't reel it in. It immediately retreated into a hole in the wall and wouldn't come out. The next day, a fisherman there told me that when the guy caught the Scottish record one from there, he had the same problem, which he solved by walking around the harbour onto the opposite wall, from where he was able to pull it out. I kicked myself when he told me that. The divers told me about absolutely massive ones sitting in the wall with their heads sticking out..

This was from a trip I did on my motorbike in 1978. You must have gone through Coldbackie:
View attachment 53859

I was focused on lunch at the causeway, and the beach I've never climbed down to visit, so missed the opportunity to act out the placename!

 

[matthewslack]

Day 14, Scourie to Ullapool via the mad little road and the pie shop. Probably the hilliest day yet, and a reminder of why 100 mile days live in the east!

Another beautiful sunny day so no energy issues, but the shortening of the days is becoming quite obvious. I walked out of Tesco in Ullapool at 19:20 and it almost seemed dark! Unlike the day from Perth when I rode until after 20:00.

There were more hills than I remembered in the 10 or so main road miles before the turnoff, and then some surprises as I rode the first part of the mad road towards Lochinver for the first time. The first severe down and up is marked 25% on the descent and had me wondering how I got up it back in June!

The remainder of this section was much as expected, with the worst hills early on, and Lochinver arrived just a little later than expected. I didn't need another mug, so bypassed the pottery this time and headed for Lochinver Larder and fine dining.

I was here in June on the hottest day of that early summer spell, and today was the hottest so far in September. I sat in the shade of the same trees with the trailer charging while I ate.

Part two of the mad little road was fairly quiet, but has some fantastic narrow twisty bits between passing places with short sight lines. I had to turn around twice to return to a passing place I had just passed to keep things moving. One of the drivers smiled at this, the other was too expensive.

Then the last 10 miles of main road, shopping and another proper camp site. Hot and hazy, washed out colours so few pictures in the late part of the day.

Today is forecast to be the last of the blue sky days, so my plan includes ending the day with a good state of charge to cover tomorrow's needs. There are also decisions to be made on route, balancing number of days left against extras I'd take if unconstrained. But the early part of the day is straightforward: 32 miles of A835, some of which I have not ridden this year so far, then another 16 down to the Achnasheen roundabout and a choice.

Early morning top up charge, using a slope to get an even steeper angle and so extra current.



Can't pass Kylesku bridge without stopping.



The biggest down before..



..and after.



Lots of blue looking north.



Orchard near Nedd.



Great view at Drumbeg viewpoint.



The water gauge near Inverkirkaig, which was off the bottom of the scale in June.



Outside the midge season, this is a place I could camp.



Late light at the Ardmair pebble beach before the last few hills into Ullapool.

 

[matthewslack]

Day 15, 84 miles of which 75 were main road. The weather forecast over the next two days demands that I put the primary objective of S, E, N and W most points, and getting back in time for not just work, but enough rest beforehand above adding desirable extra miles.

So Ullapool to Garve, right turn for Achnasheen where I finally visited the Midge Bite cafe. Really good food and value. I'll be stopping there again. I was pursued by a lightweight racy tourer leading up to the stop: on the levels and downs he gained, but when I used level 3 up a long moderate incline, there was only one winner.

More chat with him and two companions much further on. Day 1 of the NC500 for them, and they were already blown away by the scenery on the main road route from Inverness. They are in for a treat.

Also at the Midge Bite, father and daughter out on a mainly off-road day, he electric, she not. I've ridden most of the roads now, so I'll have to start looking at other routes.

From Achnasheen, left and left again for Strathcarron, then two demanding hills and finally a right turn off into the lanes to Kyle of Lochalsh.

A sting in the tail of the day: after an hour parked, soaking up the late afternoon sun for tomorrow, when I got up to go the rear tyre was flat. Rather than mend it and risk being overtaken by darkness, I pumped it up, rode swiftly, rinse and repeat a few times to get me to Co-op in Kyle, where it was bargain time in the dinner department. Then walked the bike to just before the bridge and a rather slopey camp.

I am just through 2,000km on the trip. The first 1,000 took 8.5 days, the second just 6.5. About 110 miles of riding left, plus three ferries, if they are running when I need them. Otherwise potentially another 30 to 50 miles. Another reason to push on today!

Tomorrow may be a slow start due to rain, and I may need to compromise my hoped for camp at Ardnamurchan lighthouse, or accept adding a day to the trip. We will see.

Not many pictures today, hurrying on main roads and too hot and hazy for good results.

Morning visitor.



First charging stop of the day. There is a dull tree surrounded car park, or a view of the water to choose from.





The Midge Bite.



Another later charging stop, looking across to Lochcarron.



All the twos.

 

[saneagle]

I've ridden most of the roads now, so I'll have to start looking at other routes.

Have you been over The Atlantic Bridge yet? It's just south of Oban.

 

[matthewslack]

Have you been over The Atlantic Bridge yet? It's just south of Oban.

Yes, but not on my bike. Very close to home. A very impressive arch, and I'm sure I read it has some rare flowering plant growing in the stonework.

 

[matthewslack]

Whilst Kent suffers a sixth successive 30C day, my sunshine has gone. I ground out 49 miles towards Ardnamurchan, but 39 remain, and a ferry I need for the short way home will not be running. That adds 40 miles or so: this may go down to the wire!

I rode the first section from the Skye bridge to the ferry at Armadale in unrestrained level 2 in the most continuous rain of the trip so far. Arrived in perfect time for the next departure, and landed in Mallaig just as the Jacobite steam train arrived.

The rest of the day was very slow, several long stops as battery getting rather low: under 36V for the first time, and at a level where I have to be very careful not to drain the Shimano battery. Just one brief sunny moment when I saw 3 amps for a few minutes, but a net loss of charge on the day.

Tomorrow and Monday don't look any better, but Tuesday, my final available day before back to work looks good. I'm hoping for better than forecast tomorrow, but we will see!

Rare bright moment first thing from the Skye bridge.



Colourful coastline and dull sky.



Ferry waiting for me in Armadale.



Another one passing the other way in the gloom.



Unusual house shapes just before Arisaig.





Road almost reaches beach in Arisaig.



Early concrete railway infrastructure on the Mallaig line.



Brief moment of light late on.

 

[matthewslack]

I'm enjoying that rarest of things on my trips, a rest! The most productive thing I can do right now is maximise charging from a low watery sun, and wait. I will probably move on in late afternoon when the main charging hours are over for the day.

The remaining miles to the lighthouse contain about 800m of climb and many miles of shade, no point just riding to a flat battery and a stop!

Nearly 2 amps!



There are worse places to wait.

 

[matthewslack]

I've just arrived at my fourth cardinal point, Ardnamurchan Point lighthouse.

Last night I camped in a double not spot, no signal on either of my mobile networks after the shortest day of my solar powered adventures, just 25 miles. It was a dull old day, and I waited until 2pm before setting off, with barely 36V showing, with a plan to get at least as far as Salen and the dead end turn towards here.

I went on hill by hill, riding as economically as I could, with level 2 only uphill and off downhill, and at each summit checking the remaining range at the Shimano battery. The moment that went down, it was time to stop, which happened at sea level just before the start of the major climb over to Kilchoan. My solar battery was down below 35V.

The forecast I saw earlier had rain then showers until about 2pm today, then bright blue and white skies. It did better than that with good bursts of sun between the showers from about 9:30, and when I set off just after 11:30, I judged there was enough in the solar battery to get going.

A mixture of strong sun and soaking heavy showers, with a stop in Kilchoan for more supplies saw me here in good shape.

Now charging at over 8 amps with voltage under charge up at 39V.

From here, I will wait for an announcement about the return of the ferry to Tobermory before deciding whether to stay here tonight or make my way towards Lochaline via the extra 30 miles.

The two days rest I wanted before going back to work I have effectively got from yesterday and today, so one way or another I am on track.

Stop press!

No ferry tomorrow, so the longer way home.


I'll be keeping a close eye on this!



Coast and forest of many colours along the road from Salen yesterday.







Morning charging today with hopeful signs in the sky.



View from the top of today's first little hill. Only 12 minutes from the camp, but not enough juice for it yesterday.



Of the four cardinal points, this is probably the best viewpoint. I'd forgotten I would see Eigg from here!



The lighthouse, and the impressive red foghorn.





Charging with a great view and sheltered from the cold wind.

 

[flecc]

the impressive red foghorn.

View attachment 53948

Just what you need to frighten those naughty overtakers!
.

 

[matthewslack]

Just what you need to frighten those naughty overtakers!
.

Shame they are no longer in use, must have been a hell of a sound!

 

[matthewslack]

Home successfully yesterday, in time for work today. A rather long, drawn out ending with those poor days of weather and then a missing ferry to contend with.

I charged until almost full at Ardnamurchan lighthouse, then rode almost to Salen to take 25 miles off the final day. A fine weather only camping spot on a couple of inches of soil on top of pebbles, just enough purchase for pegs.

Then a cold night and a minor drama as the cold Shimano battery would not switch on, so two miles with no assistance to the Salen shop and a quick 20 minutes of charge to bring it back to life. That's the first 'technical charge' I have needed since the larger solar battery was fitted.

Then riding a little against the clock another 30 hilly miles to catch the last Lochaline ferry to Mull before their lunch break. Made that with 20 minutes to spare, only to just miss the Craignure to Oban boat just after 13:00. Next boat 15:40...that was a bit annoying, especially as the two close passing cars and the down the middle motor bike made it!

No matter, plenty of water, fuel and milk for mugs of tea with a long lunch, safe in the knowledge that no further obstacles remained.

In the end, 2,258km/1,403 miles compared with my rough expectation of 2,000, and 19 days rather than 17. Other than the trailer axle, a rear wheel puncture and an earlier trailer puncture, no issues.

I was favoured by the weather far more than looked likely when I set off, with only the two days after the Skye bridge causing significant delay. The contrast between my longest day at 110 miles and the total of 160 for the last four is quite something!

What next? Well, back to my Scorpion project, a lighter and tilting trailer and maybe a trip around some northern national parks.

The Small Isles from the road a few miles back from Ardnamurchan lighthouse.



More Ardnamurchan coastal scenery



Termites?



Final camp spot in the morning





My back door route is also unavailable.



Missed that one.



Views crossing from Mull back to Oban.

 

[Oldie]

Well done. That's a remarkable trip and superbly documented. I've enjoyed reading every one of your posts and glad that you got a decent amount of Autumn sunshine.