Scottish run hits trouble

Used Bikes Editor Angus Farquhar and five MCN colleagues are making their way from Peterborough to Fort William and back on Monday and Tuesday (Sep 19-20).

Check out the pics, video and phoned-in updates from their journey below.

They set off at 6.45am on Monday on a selection of sports and hypersports bikes. See link right for more about the test.

And the test team planned to be in Fort William on Monday evening ready to meet you at the The Crofter Bar (7 High Street, Fort William) after 9pm. Follow the related topic link, right.

However later communications changed all that…

Latest, Tuesday 11pm: Everyone has made it back. 450 miles with only stops for fuel and a quick stop for food on the A1(M) was hard work. The crashed Blade handled itself admirably, keeping up with the other bikes without a problem despite the lack of half a fairing. Angus on the other hand was taking ti a bit easier after his off road excursion.

Everyone agreed that the sports bikes are more fun and the preformance is better, but if you want comfort, want to take a lot of luggage or you’re going two up then the bigger bikes are the better bet.

Tuesday 3pm: Everyone has tucked into a late fish and chip lunch at the Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum. They’ll now head back to Peterborough in one go, following the A68, A7 and A1. The journey is expected to take about 5-6 hours.

Meanwhile the Blade is handling better. Mainly because all the loose parts of the fairing have now been dislodged to save on weight.

Tuesday 1pm: The team have stopped near Glencoe on the A82 to take some photos on the lovely twisty roads. The weather is being favourable as it’s dry, with just a few clouds.

The Blade is still running, following a few modifications. Looseing off the forks and twisting them back into shape means it’s rideable, although apparently “It feels like it’s got a flat tyre. And it’s missing half a fairing on the left-hand side.” It looks like it’ll be a late night as the bikes and riders are expected back at Peterborough for around 10pm tonight.

Tuesday 10.15am: Images and video of the damage to the Blade arrives. Download the ‘sorry’ video below to see for yourself. Some users may find it best to ‘right click’ and ‘save target as’ to their own pc to play this back.

Tuesday 9.30am: Angus calls in to explain last night’s mishap and to apologise to anyone who had been hoping to hook up with the MCN crew at The Crofter.

“We’re still in Fort William at the moment, assessing the damage. The Blade has got a mashed fairing – but nothing’s broken – it’s all still attached. The forks may be twisted or bent – it rides, but not properly.” says Angus. Looks like that one will need to come home in a van, then.

He explained: “It was raining and the roads were very wet. I came around a right hander and hit tar banding in just the wrong place. It was just enough to make the front slide a little – which meant I ran wide and hit the grass bank at the side of the road.”

Angus was properly kitted up in armoured leather, back protector and all encased in waterproofs. He got away with a hefty bruised on his hip and a small one on his elbow.”

The subsequent delay meant no meet at The Crofters – sorry about that but we hope to see you all at Butlins in October!

Monday 9.10pm: A text arrives from Angus. It says simply this: “Bugger! I crashed the blade 40 miles from Fort William. Feeling a little bruised…” More as we get it!

Monday 4.15pm: Angus checks in and we update him on the venue for the Monday night meet (see above). He’s just north of Jedburgh on the A68 having stopped for a photo session. Now the team is on its way north past Melrose and Edinburgh. Angus isn’t sure which route the’ll take to Fort William, but we suspect the A82 is going to be involved at some point…

Angus has so far ridden the ZX-10R, the GSX-R1000 and the ZX-12R. His favourite so far? “The GSX-R1000, by a mile. The ZX-10 is a good bike but the GSX-R is so much easier to ride.”

The Hayabusa has had a pit-stop to adjust its chain – the only mechanical interference so far.

Monday 3pm: Angus sends in some update images which suggest he’s on the A68 near Jedburgh – but we’re waiting confirmation.

Monday: 11am: Angus calls in. The weather is much improved and the team is making the most of the sunshine to stop for a photoshoot. He’s at a cross roads close to York – 4 miles from Hovingham and 2 and a half miles from Dalby. More photo shoots follow on surrounding roads. Hoik, Loch Lomond and the A82 beckon.

Monday: 8.30am: The team catch up with MCN road tester Chad at the services at the M62/A1 near Pontefract and breakfast is had. Angus is still on the bike he started off on – a Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Monday: 6.45am: Angus and co leave Peterborough in the drizzle with a long day’s ride ahead.

Keep checking back for more updates.

See links right for other epic rides by our staff and users.

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