NorthCoast 500 - A few thoughts

[Ian Comerford]

Something I forgot to add earlier.  We reflected on how good our cars were on the roads we covered in terms of compactness on narrower roads and also comfort.  I know that Les considered his car a little harsh at times on the, sometimes, poor surfaces but we agreed that the profiles of our tyres gave much needed comfort on these surfaces.  I would not have liked to have taken a more modern car with 30 profile tyres over some of the roads.  Another win for old 911s in the best touring and sports car on the planet competition!

[70sThrowback]

its a good point Ian. I think this frequently whenever I am tempted to go for more sporty suspension, rather than my standard Boge set up. I then drive a pot-holed b road and think no, only if I move to Europe.

[MarkJ]

On 26/09/2024 at 21:59, Ian Comerford said:

Thanks Mark, it was worth doing but I’m glad I bought the Curves book and used it to modify what we did by going off the NC500 route.  The Curves book contains a useful map detailing the routes they did and not all are in the north west.  Well worth the £20

i've got a couple of those lovely 'curves' books, one for the Swiss mountain passes and another for southern Germany. Well worth getting if you like road trips and finding/using exciting roads.

[70sThrowback]

I find Calimoto and Motorcycles Diaries are very good for finding roads. Especially Germany and the Alps as thats where they ride a lot.

[MarkJ]

Yes I have Calimoto too (being a biker)  an article in Octane alerted me to it a while back. 

[Fire3500]

Great thread, and hopefully some helpful information for anyone heading to Caithness. Gleaner standard unleaded fuel is obliged to be labelled as E10 but does not currently contain ethanol. Their E5 is the same. 

Poor old Thurso gets a bad rap on this thread, it’s actually a friendly little town. We live between Thurso and Lincolnshire and are very fond of the place. Caithness and Sutherland have a quiet beauty to them, many folk pass through in their haste to get to the beautiful west coast. IMO the A9 north of Brora takes on a little of the PCH up as far as Latheron, it’s a great driving road with wonderful coastal views. 

John O Groats has a signpost, many miss the chance to take in Duncansby Stacks just around the corner… 

Caithness is lovely

[Lesworth]

Maybe we caught Thurso on a bad day. It was dead and quite drab. We also were probably influenced by a really poor B&B experience there. People were certainly friendly - that was in no doubt.

[SurlySurdi]

On the back of this thread ive just ordered the Scotland and Norway editions. Summer 25 me and SWMBO are planning to tour Scandinavia. 

SS

[anglophone1]

Curves books are invaluable- not just for planning but inspiration.

II’ve done Grande Alpes, Pyrenees , Majorca, Scotland and USA using them.

next year looking at Corsica and Sardinia( both just come out)

NC500 - IMO the best hotel on the route,Summer Isles at Achtibultie has been sold and will be closed until 2026.

c

 

 

[70sThrowback]

23 hours ago, SurlySurdi said:

On the back of this thread ive just ordered the Scotland and Norway editions. Summer 25 me and SWMBO are planning to tour Scandinavia. 

SS

did the same, bought the Norway curves book for my planned road trip with the better half. Not following the book exactly but using it for inspiration. I have mapped all my routes into google maps, so happy to send on if you want to use as a starting point.

[SurlySurdi]

2 hours ago, 70sThrowback said:

did the same, bought the Norway curves book for my planned road trip with the better half. Not following the book exactly but using it for inspiration. I have mapped all my routes into google maps, so happy to send on if you want to use as a starting point.

Very generous of you sir, I would appreciate that very muchly! 😀

SS

[SurlySurdi]

9 minutes ago, SurlySurdi said:

Very generous of you sir, I would appreciate that very muchly! 😀

 

I've PM'd you, thanks.

SS

[Fire3500]

On 28/12/2024 at 19:28, Lesworth said:

Maybe we caught Thurso on a bad day. It was dead and quite drab. We also were probably influenced by a really poor B&B experience there. People were certainly friendly - that was in no doubt.

Worth giving it a second go, if you’re up in the area come for a pint and enjoy some of the (quietly) beautiful sights of Caithness!

If anyone needs a decent hotel in the Thurso area I usually point them toward Forss House Hotel, it’s just the ticket.