[Rochdale Pioneers]

With my 520d a decreasing number of weeks away I took the opportunity today to go on a little 380 mile yomp across some of my favourite thrash roads:

For those of you with a map I did Stockton - A66 - B6279 Darlington - A68 - B6279 Staindrop - B6278 Stanhope - unclassed - Blanchland - B6306 Hexham - A695 - A69 - A6079 Chollerford - B6318 Langholm - A7 - B709 - B7009 Selkirk - A7 Galashiels (lunch stop) - B7060 - A709 - A708 Moffat - A701 - M6 - A689 Alston - B6277 Barnard Castle - A66 - Stockton

The beemer remains imperious on back roads, gripping gripping gripping and even accepting a stab on the brakes mid corner () without grumbling too much. Conditions were damp in places but dry through most of southern Scotland as the sun tried to break through. But for summer it was a scary 8 degrees in Stanhope this morning in the drizzle!

I know there are hugely bigger engines available, but I don't know how I would keep the thing on the road. As long as you drop the cog (with the obligatory throttle blip of course) before the corner there is as much traction as most of these roads can handle. I hope my incoming 520d is as much fun....

[JJD]

Sounds like a great trip! I have a little bit of experience on the Scottish parts of your route, a great area for a blast!

[zltm089]

thanks for sharing! ;-)