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Last Saturday I set off for a weekend trip to Dundee on the Falco (about 425 miles each way). I decided on the bike so I could filter through the inevitable holiday traffic jams. All went well until about 150 miles in when I hit the first log jam. Filtered through that at about 15-20 and got to the head and off again. A few more miles and another jam but by now it was drizzling with rain.

I filtered through that one, by which time the rain was pretty heavy with very dark clouds ahead. A bit slower in the heavy rain and spray but still progress. Traffic jam number three and at least three accidents passed so far, the rain and spray making it almost impossible to see. Even the waterproofs were begining to let me down, with water running down the back of my neck. I thought " this is a nightmare I need to be out of". I'm cold wet, miserable and feeling vulnarable.

So at that, I left the motorway into slightly better weather and headed home. By the time I got home late afternoon, I was dry and had managed a few miles on twisties in sunshine.

Through it all, the Falco did not miss a beat. I saw 30,000 miles come and go on the clock. It behaved brilliantly as always, and a quick wash when I got home and she looks as good as ever (unlike me). What a fantastic bike (touch wood)...

Sounds more of an ordeal than a fun trip, but an achievement.

Maybe I misread it but sounds like you set off got there and decided that Scotland ... well Dundee in the rain was not the place to be and turned round and headed south to the sun straight away

Something I have been saying to my other half for years

Good job you didn't park up St Martins road in Dundee, hill starts on there are an experience!

Nope, still in England! The north end of England I admit, but didn't make it to the borders. My brother did confirm it was pretty grim weather in Dundee too.

My missus uses weather & cold as the reason to not live in Scotland. However, she still manages to suggest Scotland for one of our annual holidays each year, and we always have a great time. Then I have to drag back down to the over-crowded South East, where I understand it's sinking under the weight of humanity

There are a few hills I wouldn't want to park on in Dundee. My driving instructor used to make me do hill starts on some horrors.

I just remember standing by the weir for 2 hours waiting to see a bloody fish jump

flatlander wrote:I just remember standing by the weir for 2 hours waiting to see a bloody fish jump

I think I'd head back dahn sarf as well if that was all that was waiting in Dundee...

mangocrazy wrote:

flatlander wrote:I just remember standing by the weir for 2 hours waiting to see a bloody fish jump

I think I'd head back dahn sarf as well if that was all that was waiting in Dundee...

its all I saw well not even that the blurry fish never showed up not eveb in a wrapper !!


Still loovely area though went over to see the 3 /4/5 kingdoms but then I once went to fort william for the day !

Nice drive past Stirling on the way to Peterhead, wouldn't mind doing that on the Falco

Does anyone recall the road and the cafe mentioned in one of Stuart machine"s books, pies and prejudice I think, up by the Borders ?
Good book by the way :)

Good account of your travels F-J.
..... the "trial by water" is normal when it comes to Falco journeys ..... especially when more than one Falco is making the trip. I'm surprised Aprilia didn't sell full scuba kit as an official accessory.

Just like to point out that when Noah, from Coventry, does not turn up, the weather is good....