Off the beaten track

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Mon May 19, 2014 9:22 pm

Hey folks, I'm thinking of a run from East Lothian to Southampton, it's actually for work in June but I'm hoping for some time off down there. I'm planning on using the motorways for the main haul but want to avoid the service stations for their mundanity and fuel prices.
Any of you got favourite not motorway stops that are not too far off the beaten track, decent grub, cheap(er) fuel and bike friendly?

It'll be my first ride of this size so I don't intend to kick the arse out of it but am planning on 9hrs for the 7.5hr journey.

Maybe meet some folks along the way?

Cheers folks.

P. S. Anyone got any favourite touring screens? So many to choose from!

JamesL · Post by **JamesL** » Tue May 20, 2014 12:57 pm

Round my neck of the woods, if you take the M69 from Leicester to Coventry and then A46 down to the M40 it's easier traffic and our preferred route down from Yorkshire. Doing that you could call in at Warwick, or get off the M40 at Banbury and take the A4260 / A4095 / A44 (ie avoiding Kidlington) to rejoin the A34 at the Peartree interchange (Oxford).

Or pick up the A423 from Coventry and cut the corner completely via Southam down to Banbury.

I have no idea specifically where you'd stop, but there are some scenic villages on the 4260, which is otherwise a pretty fast road so you won't lose too much time.

I can't say 7 1/2 hours of Armco & trucks sounds too appealing... I suppose you're doing the return trip too?

James

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Tue May 20, 2014 1:12 pm

Cheers James. All input greatly appreciated. I'll not be returning for about four weeks and will have more time on the return leg, may even fit in an over night. I'm usually stuck in a car for 6 hrs + so it can't be any more boring than that.. I am looking at some of the 'as the crow flys' routes, old Roman roads etc but traffic's traffic so on the way down I think I'll just get off the motorway for the stops when I can.

Britisherspy · Post by **Britisherspy** » Wed May 21, 2014 11:41 am

http://www.offmotorway.com/

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Wed May 21, 2014 12:38 pm

Ha, just found that last night. Cheers!

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 2:24 pm

Pretty much got my route sorted and while itll look like I'm doing a short tour of Shell garages, (which I kinda am, but their peppered steak bakes are nice) it's actually not off the beaten track that much, I'll save that for the return journey.
Prestonpans to Kendal (A720,702 M6,A66), Kendal to Cannock (A65,M6, A5 stop about half way). Cannock onwards to the A34 and Southampton. No one leg is longer that 150miles so even with full luggage at motorway speeds I should be well in range of the tank for each stop.

Still waiting on the telfrizer mount and Givi items appearing, the mount got sent back due to my address being wrong and the Givi arms were out of stock so it'll mean an expectant mail check and trip to the post office on Monday morning. Are the Givi arms hard to fit? I hope to find out on Monday morning!

I'll be in Southampton for about 3 weeks and plans to get some riding done when I can, any favourite routes appreciated!

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:50 pm

The A34 is a horrible road. I hate it when I head home to Gosport to visit my parents.

Loads to see and do around the Southampton area.

If you have 3 weeks then head over to Portsmouth. Take in the views over Portsdown Hill, visit HMS Victory etc, head across to Gosport, HMS Alliance and submarine museum, check out some of the forts as well.

The New Forest has some pleasant places to eat. Head over to the Isle of Wight for a day and do a loop of the Island. Roads are not particularly memorable, but the island is a lovely place to visit.

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:54 pm

Cheers Herb, I figured, if nothing else it'd break up the hours of motorway I'll have just done. On the cards is stonehenge, Blandford Forum etc.. Cheers for the places to visit. Noted.

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 3:19 pm

Done! And if it wasn't for Southampton's pesky roads and roadworks I would have been in on time. Not much in the way of pictures but I'll add a couple for the helluvit.

Bike was faultless although I'm sure the rider could do with a brush up.

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:58 am

Return leg today. Southampton to East Lothian. Apart from a tiny bit of M3 it A & B roads all the

Trumpetdude · Post by **Trumpetdude** » Sun Jun 29, 2014 9:29 pm

.. All the way... Well not quite. Had to jump on the M6 after Penrith. Just taking too long! Next time, there'll be an over night.

12 hours in the saddle!