Fat Bloke On A Moped Project Britain

Donations

The easiest way to donate is via the Charity Giving web site, Click on the picture to the left to take you straight to their donations page.

Charity Giving is a charity donations web site that ensures any monies you donate all go to their respective recipients. Indeed, if you are a UK tax payer, make sure you check the Gift Aid box on donating and Charity Giving will add the tax relief to the donation, so a donation of just £10 is worth £12.42 to Keeping Abreast.

Project Britain Overview

Project Britain is our main project for this year. The project in a nutshell should have the following format although precise timings once underway, dates, etc, could be subject to change;

Depart 25th June 2011
Allow 3 weeks to complete the trip
Two guys on mopeds, namely Kevin and myself
Mopeds/Scooters have to be no more than 125cc
Support vehicle containing 1 driver
Navigate around Scotland, Wales & England, hugging the coast road as much as is practical, avoiding motorways (on 'L' plates, we have no option)
Route is displayed further down this page and is broken down into a series of 'legs.' Anyone wanting to join in on a leg or two is more than welcome
Accommodation is via mixture of B&B's and friends that have been generously donated by the proprieters.
Arrive full circle on the afternoon of 16th July 2011. All bike riders welcome to join in this last day. See the Get Involved page for full details.

Discussion At Project Inception

I'm in no doubt this trip will take a lot of planning, so if you are reading this and think you have something to offer, please contact me.

So, does riding a scooter around the coastline of Britain constitute a challenge? To the uninitiated it may not, but now I've been riding for a little while now, although riding since June 2010 hardly qualifies me as an expert, the enormity of the task shouldn't be underestimated. For example

The Bikes. The power of the scooters we're using is not great. Yes they can get up to 60mph, but that is a top speed so overtaking slower moving traffic is not an easy task.
- Average speed of [say] 30 to 35mph, means 150miles is about 5 hours in the saddle.
- They are designed for short haul commuting, not long distance cruising (but admittedly, that is part of the appeal.)
Navigation. Motor bike sat navs are a bit dearer than car ones as they need to be water proof and be operated while using biking gloves. This means that purchasing a sat nav each is out of the question.
Communication. In helmet communication is also another expensive luxury we can't afford (unless of course you're generous enough to donate them.)
Accommodation. Camping doesn't seem to be as cheap as it used to be (i.e.: when I was a lad.) Organising 21 nights accommodation at different locations is no simple task. If we fall behind schedule and out of kilter with the plan, then it can only get worse.
Weather. As I'm typing this, it's absolutely lozzing it down outside and has been for the last 2 days. Riding in the wet isn't something I'm too worried about, but what does concern me is our inability to be able to dry anything afterward. (Although that has just given me the idea of buying one of those CB aerials and attaching my drying smalls to that as I ride along. A good plan unless your driving behind me!)

They are just a few points that are running through my head at the mo. The reality, as time marches on is of a far greater undertaking for all of the team to work through.

It's going to be awesome.

David
Written on August 26th 2010 - The last ever day of being 40.

I'm very proud to announce that after an appeal for accommodation, the good people of Scotland, Wales and England have rallied round and have came up trumps by offerring us a nights stay on every evening of our coastal trip around Britain.

The Project Britain Map & Timetable indicates where we're stopping every night of the trip, and the volunteers who are helping us that evening.

FUEL GAUGE

Below is my little Fuel Gauge. This is money from our sponsors to pay for the bikes fuel for the trip.

The team were looking for sponsorship from companies to help with the fuel cost of the project.
I'm very proud to announce, due to the generosity of our sponsors, we now have our fuel cost covered!

We're still on the lookout for corporate sponsors though, please contact me if you have a donation and would like to be added to our sponsor list.

Route & Navigation

The route is theoretically straight forward. We will be circumnavigating mainland Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) anticlockwise while sticking as close to the coastal roads as possible avoiding any/all motorways (as there is every chance both of us on bikes will still be on 'L' plates, we have no option but to avoid motorways.)

As for navigation, I personally have never had much problem with knowing where I want to go. In the past I've simply looked at a map and off I went. Riding a bike presents a problem in that you can't have a map open on the passenger seat beside you or, more recently, a sat nav to guide you. The original plan was for us to use one of the team's sat nav whereby we could input a pre-determined route that we'd worked out and follow that, however since the person who had the sat nav has had to pull out due to reasons beyond their control, we've had to rethink the navigation and route element of the project.

Therefore, navigation will be by the trusty old sign posts, paying special attention to keep the sea on our right hand side. If we loose the sea or it ends up on our left hand side then we're probably going in the wrong direction. I will however create some route cards for each day that I'll laminate so we can each have them attached to the bikes and at the very least we'll be able to see what road we should be on in order to get to the next town or way point. Seems simple enough to me :-)

Click on the map for a larger version

Map

The map to your left is the proposed approximate route that we'll be taking.

Starting from our home village of Southery (which is 25 miles north of Cambridge on the A10, 17 miles south of King's Lynn on the A10) we'll be travelling anti-clockwise around Britain.

The map illustrates our stop over points of our journey. These places are where we have secured accommodation and should be read in conjunction with the Journey Time Table below.

Our support vehicle is a Transit Connect and doesn't neccessarily have to follow the same route as the bikes as it can go straight from A to B without having to hit the intermediary points of C, D, E & F.

Journey Itinerary

The following time table is the plan of where we should be on each day and where we should be stoping. Naturally a journey and project of this magnitude will no doubt throw all sorts of spanners in the works, but as we can't plan for those sort of things we just have to carry on regardless. Assuming no issues, our daily mileage should be in the region of 160 miles and if we do fall behind due to mechanical issues, punctures, etc, then the amount of day light should hopefully be on our side to help make time up where we can.

The Day and Travel Date columns are pretty self explanatory.

The Route listed here will bethe route we have on our navigational route cards which will be laminated and held to my screen with high tech Bulldog clips (nothing but the best for us!). We can't afford a water proof bike sat nav where we can enter the route we want to travel, so along with the route cards, we'll be relying on sign posts and my 'homing pidgeon like' sense of direction. Yes I know, we're doomed.

Stopping At is our planned stop off point for the evening.

The Accommodation of the B&B's, Guest Houses and Hotels that have been kind enough to offer us lodging and breakfast. I'm still amazed at their generosity. Please check out their links and if you're stopping in that area yourself, be sure to give them preference when booking.

I'll add to the Stop Off Points as and when I get through the 4 series of Coast I'm watching as places of interest to visit. If you have something to suggest, by all means contact me and I'll pop the attraction in here.

Notes on the days ride will be placed in this column along with any local fund raising events for our project will be placed here.

The squares that are in GREEN are areas of the project I believe we've now sorted and are therefore finalised in planning. The route for instance, has had to adapt from its original rough calculation and is being finalised in the run up to the last few weeks before we leave.

Day

Travel Date

Route

Stopping At

Accommodation

Stop Off Points

Notes

Sat 25th Jun

Southery
King's Lynn
Boston
Skegness
Ingoldmells
Mablethorpe
Cleethorpes
Grimsby

Immingham

A private house in Immingham. Our thanks to Keith and Maz for volunteering their floor and shower for the night.

I'm sure we'll have a look round Skeggy

On our first day, we're departing at 2pm from the Old White Bell car park, so our total mileage will be lower. Due to the marsh land of the Wash and the Lincoln/Norfolk border, we don't really hit the coast proper until Skegness.

Sun 26th Jun

Immingham
Kingston upon Hull
Hedon
Withernsea
Hornsea
Bridlington
Scarbourough
Whitby
Middlesborough

Hartlepool

The Brafferton Guest House has donated the accommodation for the evening. Our heart felt thanks to Alistair & Julie for their kind and generous offer.

Spurn Head RLNI Centre. Britains only 'live in' RLNI station
Flamborough Head Lighthouse
Ravenscar
Robin Hoods Bay
Fish and chips at Whitby is the law
Staithes. Boyhood home of Captain Cook

A few photo opportunities today. It'll be the first day I have no clue of the route too, however I have been to Robin Hoods Bay before when Claire and I stopped at Staithes for a week a few years ago.

Mon 27th Jun

Hartlepool
The Tyne
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Alnwick
Bamburgh
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Edinburgh

Burntisland

The really generous Anne & Eddie have been very kind at squeezing us in at the 69 Cromwell Road B & B despite the Edinburgh Fringe festival being on during our vist. Our heart felt thanks to them both for their generosity.

Alnwick Castle
Bamburgh Castle
Holy Island
Berwick-upon-Tweed Fortifications & Ramparts
Forth Road & Rail Bridge

Quite a lot of A1 today. We'll duck off it where we can.

Tue 28th Jun

Kirkcaldy
Buckhave, Leven
St. Andrews
Dundee
Abroath
Montrose
Stonehaven
Aberdeen
Peterhead
Fraserburgh

New Pitsligo

Colin and Norman of The Pits Ligo Arms have very kindly donated a nights accommodation for us. Our heart felt thanks to them both for their kind offer.

Shakletons ship "Discovery" in Dundee

First full day of Scotland. Both Kevin and I admit this is the start of what we're really looking forward to.

Wed 29th Jun

New Pitsligo
Macduff/Banff
Elgin
Forres
Nairn
Inverness
Tain

Dornoch

The fabulous Eagle Hotel, Dornoch have donated the evening's accommodation and hospitality. A big thanks to Gawain for his generous offer.

Macduff's last shipyard in the UK to make commercial wooden ships

Thu 30th Jun

Dornoch
Brora
Whaligoe Steps
Wick
John o' Groats
Dunnet Head
Thursow
Tongue
Lairg (Durness)

Lairg (Durness)

Hillside B&B in Durness have very kindly donated a nights stay for us. Many thanks to Tony & Jill for thier very kind and generous offer.

Whaligoe Steps, an abandoned Port that's 365 steps down to get to (no wonder it was abandoned!)
John O'Groats. Well, it would be wrong not to.
Castle of Mey. The late Queen mothers Scotish Residence seems worth a look.
Dunnet Head is the mainlands most northerly point
The old nuclear reactor at Upper Dounreay.
Smoo Cave & waterfall

At somepoint on this day,somewhere around Wick, we're hoping to meet up with Chris who is walking around the coastline of Britain over 2 years. None of this mamby pamby using motorised transport for him! Check out his charity web site by clicking here

Fri 1st Jul

Durness
Laxford Bridge
Unapool
Drumbeg
Lochinver
Strathan
Ullapool
Dundonnell
Poolewe
Kinlochewe
Shieldaig
Strathcarron

Dornie

The ab fab Jim at Donan House is fully booked, but he's letting us pitch our tent in the garden and use the loo. If it's really lozzing it down, he's even letting us set up a bed in the garage!
(The view from Donan House is toward a very well known castle. Be sure to check it out!)

Corrieshalloch Gorge
Falls of Measach
Eilean Donan castle

This is quite a long days ride in hilly terrain, so we may have a long one.

Sat 2nd Jul

Dornie
Invergarry
Spean Bridge
Fort William
South Ballachulish
Connel
Oban
Kilninver
Lochgilphead

Tarbert

The very generous Donald & Alison are providing our accommodation for the night at Springside B&B, over looking the lovely Tarbert Harbour. Many thanks to you both and our best wishes are with Alison for a speedy recovery.

Dunallie Castle

Sun 3rd Jul

Tarbert (ferry) Portavadie
Kames
Glendaruel
Dunoon, Hunters Quay (ferry)
Gourock
Largs
Stevenston
Prestwick, Ayr
Turnberry

Stranraer

Balyett B&B and Guesthouse, Stranraer. A big thanks go to Pat for her kind and generous donation of accommodation for the night.

Ardeer, the site of Alfred Noble's (he of the peace prize fame) explosives factory site. Not sure if we can access the place. Wouldn't mind having a look though!

Our first ferry ride of the trip and two come along all at once.

Mon 4th Jul

Stranraer
West Cairgaan
Glenluce
Isle of Whithorn
Newton Stewart
Kirkcudbright
Dalbeattie
Dumfries
Annan
Gretna Green
Longtown
Brampton

Gilsland

The Very Wonderful Malcolm is able to put us up for the evening at the Bush Nook Guest House in Gilsland. Our heart felt thanks for this cracking offer.

The fog horns at the Mull of Galloway is something I fancy having a look at
Caerlaverock Castle is unusual in its triangular design
Our stop over point at the Bush Nook Guest House is on Hadrians Wall, so no doubt we'll have an explore there too

Navigational fun today. Could only just about fit the route on to my A4 route card

Tue 5th Jul

Carlisle (Gilsland)
Maryport
Barrow-In-Furness
Ulverston
Grange Over Sands
Morecambe
Thornton
Blackpool

Preston

My cousin Philip and his good lady wife will be putting up with us for the evening. I think we'll have many tales to catch up on.

There's quite an important Roman Fort at Maryport that's worth a look
Can't not call in at Sellafield Visitor Centre

Wed 6th Jul

Leyland
Southport
Crosby
Liverpool (tunnel) Birkenhead
Hoylake
Connah's Quay
Prestatyn
Rhyl
Abergele

Llandudno

Anna has very kindly donated the nights accommodation at the Soneleigh Guest House. Our heart felt thanks to Anna for this very kind offer.

Iron Men of Mersey on Crosby beach
The iconic Conway Castle. Apparently my mum took me there when I was a wee lad

Danny of Enoch's Fish & Chip Restaurant will be our host this evening, as he's very kindly donated a slap up feed for us. Cheers, Danny!

Thu 7th Jul

Llandudno
Bangor
Caernarfon
Porthmadog
Barmouth
Tywyn
Aberystwyth
Cardigan
Fishguard
St David's Head

Haverfordwest

A big thanks to Karen & Chris who has donated a room for us at Walkers Lodge Accommodation in Haverfordwest. Our thanks from the team for their generosity,

Menai Bridge and Britannia Bridge are engineering structures I've always wanted to see
Caernarfon Castle
Portmeirion village looks very interesting
Harlech Castle

Longer days ride (probably to make up for yesterday!)

Meeting up with Medwyn of the Aberyswyth & District Motorcycle Action Group at Aberyswyth promenade for a cuppa. Along with some of the MAG riders, we'll also be getting an escort for part of the trip. The top lads are also gathering some sponsorship too!

Looks like we've got a lot to do today as well as cover a greater than usual distance.

Fri 8th Jul

Haverfordwest
Milford Haven
Neyland
Tenby
Pendine
Carmathen
Port Talbot
Cardiff
Newport

Caerleon

The really hospitable Barbara and David have donated the evening's accommodation at the Radford House Bed & Breakfast in Newport. Our warmest thanks to them both for their generosity.

Pendine sands and the Museum of Speed
Cardiff. Last time I visited was to spectate at a rally super special stage where we saw both the late and great Colin McRae and Richard Burns. The city has been getting quite a bit of a makeover so would like to have a look round.

Looking at a map of South Wales, the valleys certainly squish to road infrastructure. Thankfully the A48 has come to our rescue and will be our companion for nearly the whole day.

Sat 9th Jul

Caerleon
Severn Bridge Crossing
Avonmouth
Bristol
Weston-Super-Mare
Bridgewater
Minehead
Ilfracombe
Barnstaple

Bude

The very kind Kim has been wonderful and donated our nights accommodation at the The Hotel Penarvor. Our thanks from all the team.

I've not seen the new Severn Crossing despite it being completed quite a while a go. Should be a good pic!
As a rule, seaside towns aren't really on our radar despite the nature of the trip, but Western-Super-Mare is a bit of a classic to visit.
Porlock Hill & Lynmouth (Google them to see why ;-)
Clovelly, possibly the most picturesque place in England

I'll admit the Severn crossing is a bit of a worry. We've been allowed by the company that owns the bridge to use the cyclepath to cross provided we don't exceed 15mph, however, it is at the discretion of the police. I've contacted the Avon & Somerset a couple of times but nobody has come back to me, so we're just going to have to wing it. If push comes to shove, we really will push and shove the bikes across as the detour to get round takes us up to Glouster, which would add 40miles on to the trip.

Sun 10th Jul

Tintagel
Port Isaac
Padstow
Newquay
St Agnes
St.Ives
Lands End
Penzance
Lizard Point

Falmouth

Tessa & Sean have very kindly offered their hospitality at the Trelawney Guest House in Falmouth. Our heart felt thanks to them both for such an excellent offer.

Furthest point West and furthest point south to encompass today
Tintagel Head Castle
Tin Mine Engine Houses at St Agnes Head
Porthcurno beach is the historic site of 14 cables that started a communication revolution
T he Minack outdoor theatre overlooking the sea
St Michaels Mount is a classic
Marconi Memorial and Goonhilly Satelite Earth Station are both sites of communications history

Another ride with lots to see today.

Mon 11th Jul

Falmouth
St Austell
Looe
Plymouth
Kingsbridge
Dartmouth
Paignton
Torquay
Teignmouth
Exeter
ExmouthSidmoouth
Budleigh Salterton
Lyme Regis

Bridport
West Bay

The marvelous Sue has offered us accommodation at the Beachcroft B&B. Many thanks from all the crew for this fabulous offer.

The picture postcard location that is Looe

Longer day travel today, will need to crack on.

Tue 12th Jul

Bridport
Weymouth
Wareham
Christchurch
Lymington
Hythe
Southhampton
Havant
Chichester
Bognor Regis
Brighton

Seaford

The really great Louise & Norman are kind enough to donate a nights accommodation for us at the Silverdale Guest House in Seaford. Our thanks to them both for this kind and generous offer,

I can't believe that in this 150 mile ride there is nothing worth seeing. Suggestions anyone?

Navigating through Southampton looks a bit of a nightmare, using a mixture of a map and Google Earth street view, the sign posts aren't always there. We'll use our tried and trusted method which is keep the sea on our right and keep going.

Wed 13th Jul

Seaford
Eastbourne
Hastings
Folkstone
Dover
Deal
Ramsgate
Margate
Faversham
Rochester
Gravesend
Dartford Crossing

Southend On Sea

The wonderful people at Pier View Guesthouse have been kind enough to donate the accommodation for the evening. Our warmest thanks to Ed, Barbera & The Team

I used to live in Stanford-Le-Hope, so assuming we're not too tired, I'd like to call in and see how it's changed.

If we get this far I'll have a sense of having almost made it as a lot of this area will look familiar to me, certainly when we over the Dartford crossing.

Thu 14th Jul

Southend On Sea
South Woodham Ferrers
Maldon
Colchester
Clacton on Sea
Harwich
Manningtree
Orford
Aldeburgh
Lowestoft

Gt. Yarmouth

The very lovelly Veronica & Richard have very kindly offered to put us up for both of our nights stay in Gt. Yarmouth at The Chimes Hotel. Our warmest thanks to them both for putting up with us over our last two nights.

Orford Castle

As a child my mother used to take myself and my brother to the Suffolk coast. Shingle beaches, the north sea, winds whistling down from the artic circle. Nice.

Fri 15th Jul

Gt. Yarmouth

We will be spending the day street collecting outside Britannia Pier with the bikes parked beside us.
This is also a contingency day, so with a bit of luck we shouldn't be using it and my little team of street collectors will be bolstered by Kevin, Roger and myself.

POOL Competition - To be held at the Prince Regent pub, 34 to 45 Regent Rd, Gt Yarmouth, Norfolk from 7pm. All welcome. Monies raised will be toward the main fund. My thanks to Sam at the Prince Regent for organising this for us as well as the gentleman who's gaining sponsorship to have his back waxed on the evening too.

Sat 16th Jul

Gt. Yarmouth
Hemsby
Horsey
Waxham
Bacton
Mundesley
Cromer
Sheringham
Hunstanton
King's Lynn

Southery

Home! :-)

Unless the wife has thrown me out, yes.

For the morning, we'll be street collecting on Gt Yarmouth sea front outside Britannia Pier.
At 1pm, the entourage of bikes will be leaving the sea front and be heading off on the last leg of the circumnavigation.
Contact me if it is your intention of joining in this epic ride (can't help thinking I should be using the word 'epic' in a bigger font.)

The route today is pretty much half of Project Norfolk from last year. We're hoping to be joined by quite a few bikers to do the last leg.

Sun 17th Jul

Contingency day

Our Sponsors

JD Signs 01366 377771

Pace Fuelcare
Estuary Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2HH

King's Lynn , 01553 614800

Stevenage, 01438 313251

Southery, 01366 377444

Salters Lode, 01366 386711

Yateley, Hampshire 01252 870900

Fletch Photography
Weddings on a budget, candids, celebrations & general Photography

Southery, 07919 902902

MACKIES
Cards, Stationery & Giftware
14 High Street, Downham Mkt, Norfolk, PE38 9DB

Downham Mkt, 01366 382198

Tottenhill, Norfolk, PE33 0RL


	Marshall Toyota King's Lynn are sponsoring the fuel for the bikes for the entire route around Britain

Click the pics below to see the sponsorship decals

...And a big thanks also go to:

(While not able to sponsor us, the following companies and individuals offered help in some way)

Alan Breeze: For embracing this project and handling the national journalistic duties of contacting the press and radio throughout the country.	JD Wetherspoon: Head office approval to rattle buckets for an hour at any/all JD Wetherspoon outlets while on our ride around Britain.	All the B&B's and guest houses who have so kindly offered us accommodation and breakfast and in some cases evening meals too! Click on our map to see all the places donated	Vancouver Quarter King's Lynn: For allowing us to bucket wave in the shopping centre at a zero cost.
Andy at Anglia Training Services for waiving the cost of Kevin renewing his CBT with them.