Epic Trip!

[angus]

A clutch failure on the ZT-T (and a puncture on the same trip - that was a fun evening!)
means that we are going to have to use the van for a holiday next week!

Going up to the Great Glen in Scotland to stay with parents who are up there on holiday - 554 miles! Van has done the trip before, but years ago. Going to add a few hours to the journey, but I'm actually looking forward to it. It is a bit different from other long-mileage trips we have made in the van, in that we are not camping or 'stopping on the way' - we're only going for a week, so can't take too long getting there. Want to take the mountain bikes up there for a crack at the Fort William downhill course, so Caterham is out - despite the fantastic roads.

Just got to convince myself that I have got the timing correct, and more importantly, the van is running as economically as it can!! I'll take piccies obviously!

Leaving Saturday - very very early hours!

 

[Graham L]

Angus

Good luck with your 'road trip' and we definitely want to see the pics at the end.

Clutch going on the ZT-T didn't have anything to do with beating the chavs away from the lights did it :mrgreen:

 

[Araon]

good luck with the drive Angus....nice part of the world to be visiting.....

 

[angus]

Hi Graham - nope - drive the ZT-T like a granny due to fuel costs - wanted to sell it, but prices gone through the floor (big V6/Tax etc)
I'll try and get some nice 'scenary' pics!

It isn't really an 'epic trip' in terms of driving round Europe etc, more the fact that it will be in one go - the 'epic' bit will be staying awake :lol:

Certainly is Araon - TBH would like ot be taking the Caterham for those lovely roads, but need a bit more space for the bikes abd all the body armour I am going to have to wear if I try thr Fort William downhill course (not in the van.....although...... :shock: )

 

[angus]

Quick update from an Oban internet cafe!

Van made the trip in one go brilliantly.
We filled up and left at 4.30am Saturday morning, and arrived in the Great Glen about 11 hours later. Over 550 miles, and only 2 tanks of petrol (not sure what that is in mpg!) and an average speed of 50mph.
Van wanted to cruise at 55-60 the whole way (I didn't want to push it) but went really well, so fingers crossed for the return trip. Racking up those 'scenic' pictures for my return!

Had a slight issue halfway up, when I had a quick look underneath the van (just checking!) and thought 'um, I had better do those half-shaft bolts up a tad...' - oops - always do a spanner check a week after fixing something!

Amazingly, doesn't leave a single drop of oil, and it doesn't seem to have burnt any either!!
cheers all.

 

[Araon]

nice one angus enjoy your holiday....

 

[Benyon]

Excellent journey, and I'm finding places to break my Leeds-Newquay trip up and thats only 360 miles!!

Looking forward to seeing the pictures!

 

[angus]

HOME!
Pics to follow later (mainly just 'Scottish-view-with-Van' type of thing!)
1420 miles and van didn't miss a beat (or use ANY oil - which still surprises me!)
Came back last night - again, in one go. 50-60 the whole way - van often wanted to go faster, but last time it came back from Scotland (back in '91) it blew up whilst pushing 70mph past Birmingham on the M6, at about 2am (loud music, not watching etc etc!) so I keep it pegged at around 60 now.

Saw quite a few vans heading up the other way around Liverpool/Lakes. Caught up with one Luxembourg reg VW van near Glencoe - number plate: VW 1975

I'll post some pictures later, but for now, smiling happily at my reliable van, and pondering if I do actually need to change anything on my standard 1600 SP motor!

We filled up 5 times, at between £50 and £60 a go - not done the maths, but that seems like not a bad mpg - 30 plus?

 

[irish gerry]

fantastic!! glad to hear your van didn't miss a beat on it's trip.

i'm going touring up the north of Scotland going over to Skye etc in September, a bit nervous but i'm sure the van will sail along nicely..

looking forward to seeing some photos :wink: