In September 2024 Bill Butler drove his BSA Gold Star Legacy and Watsonian Grand Prix Sidecar from the far North of Scotland to the Southern tip of England, with a group of friends from the VMCC. He kindly agreed to share his story with us so sit back and enjoy the ride!
Day 1 – Wick to Inverness – The Run Begins
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we loaded up our bikes, ready for the short ride from Wick to John O’ Groats, the official starting point of our End-to-End journey. My eagerness on the damp hotel exit road resulted in a brief slide, a reminder that caution was needed. Leaving Wick, we were met with thick fog, forcing me to ride the 13 miles to John O’ Groats with my visor open, constantly wiping my glasses.
Thankfully, the fog soon cleared, and sunshine revealed sandy beaches and coves, as well as the Dounreay Nuclear power station. My first stop was the Coastline Coffee Shop in Melvich, where I enjoyed a delicious blueberry scone.
The route then took me towards Tongue, where I encountered some navigational challenges and a hunt for fuel. Eventually, I got back on track, riding the A836 towards Lairg – a single-track ‘A’ road that demanded concentration.
Another stop in Bonar Bridge for a break, before setting the sat-nav for the Leonardo Hotel in Inverness. A longer day than planned, but the journey was underway.
[The mileage for that day should have been about 167 miles. I covered just under 200 miles]
Day 2 – Inverness to Rhu
Day two began with a search for fuel, finding it at Ken’s Garage in Inverness. The ride along the A82 took me past Loch Ness and through Glen Coe, which was unusually clear of mist. A memorable encounter with a motorcyclist and his dog occurred near Tyndrum.
The journey continued via the A82, passing Loch Lomond, and then Loch Long, before turning onto the A814, which runs past the Faslane Naval Base. Navigational confusion led to a detour, but eventually, I arrived at the Rosslea Hotel in Rhu. The hotel provided a warm welcome, with specially printed menus for the Vintage Motorcycle Club.
Day 3 – Rhu to Kendal
The day started with a “Full Scottish” breakfast, before heading off in search of fuel, which I found near Dumbarton. The route continued through Beith, Dairy & Kilwinning, and Dumfries, with another fuel stop required. Gretna Green was a landmark, but my destination was further south.
A chance encounter in Longtown with a fellow Norton and BSA/Watsonian sidecar owner, Kevin Wood, provided a delightful interlude. Despite the offer of a detour to see a Vulcan Bomber, I pressed on to Kendal, arriving tired but satisfied after some sat-nav induced extra laps of the town.
Day 4 – Rest Day in Kendal
Tuesday was a designated rest day. After checking the outfit, my main task was to find Kendal Mint Cake. This proved more challenging than expected, with a successful purchase made at a small newsagent.
A chance meeting with Philip Smith on the walk back to the hotel, and the discovery that Kendal Mint Cake was also sold at the reception. The afternoon was spent relaxing, including a swim at the hotel. Meanwhile, Jim Gaisford had to deal with mechanical issues on his 1936 BSA, requiring a trip back to Wiltshire to swap bikes.
Day 5 – Kendal to Acton Trussell
Wednesday proved to be a challenging day. Jim Gaisford had to work on his replacement bike, and another rider, Marc, had to leave the run due to illness. My own challenge appeared when I discovered a flat sidecar tyre.
A local motorcycle shop, G.S. Motorcycle Services in Kendal, provided outstanding service, quickly replacing the tube. With the tyre repaired, I set off, an hour and a half behind the others. The journey included a fuel stop and a detour for a toilet break, highlighting the challenges of touring!
Navigational difficulties and heavy rain added to the day’s adventure, but my riding gear kept me dry. Opting for a more direct route, I eventually arrived at The Moat House Hotel near Stafford, where I was surprised to find several other riders had also arrived.
Day 6 – Acton Trussell to North Petherton
For this stage, I chose a straightforward route, as I was familiar with the roads. Avoiding Wolverhampton, I refueled and continued through Kidderminster, Worcester, and Upton on Severn.
A stop at The Cross Keys Services outside Gloucester provided a break, and a bit of roadside entertainment!
The journey continued to Bristol, where I joined up with fellow riders, and then on to the Walnut Tree Hotel near Taunton.
Day 7 – North Petherton to Land’s End – The Finish Line
The final day! Setting the sat-nav for Holsworthy, I encountered a slight detour, requiring an unscheduled fuel stop. Arriving in Holsworthy, I parked in the town centre and took a break.
The last leg took me towards Bude, then onto Camelford, and finally to a meeting point at Geevor Tin Mine. The ride down through Cornwall on the A30 was notable for the increased presence of tractors.
The final ride into Land’s End was a memorable experience, with a fellow rider allowing me to cross the line first. My wife Ann was there to greet me, along with other friends and family, making it a wonderful end to the journey.
