NC500 Part 1, getting there!

The journey up to Dornoch for the NC500. Weather was terrible, but was nice once we got there and set up.

[@user-cx1di3ql1h]

Do you know what man you can see and hear how raw it is for you very sad, but you are doing it and that is all anyone can ask of you, Just keep those memories close and enjoy them, and make her proud. love what you are doing respect 👍

[@julierobinson9724]

Thanks again for sharing. You have great footage. Much of it brings back memories for me, wistful, thinking of times with my husband. As you say, it is still very early, maybe too soon … for you … but also for me. Thanks.

[@RideWith_Mee]

Just come across your channel and admire you for the honest approach on how you are grieving and getting through it. Keep doing what is best for you and enjoy every moment out on the bike.

[@RidingThroughGrief]

Thank you so much for the support 🙏

[@johncarmichael8367]

Feel for you man…be 6 yrs for me and everywhere I go I have fantastic memories but now find myself smiling more

[@RidingThroughGrief]

Thank you, nice to hear you're finding your smile again, it's always good to hear things like that. One day I hope to do the same, a proper smile rather than just putting a face on for folk :)

[@johncarmichael8367]

@@RidingThroughGrief best thing to do don’t put a face on for people they all know your trying your best

[@allanmason7544]

sorry for your loss looking forward to the next vid

[@dexrose8578]

3 and a half years for me. Dont be too hard on yourself 7 weeks probably was too soon but you’re out there trying which is far better than locking yourself away. I found grief to be a roller coaster. Good days then bad days Good memories and challenging memories Its not a linear path. Keep getting out there - she would want you to

[@RidingThroughGrief]

Thanks so much for the kind comments, going to try again on the 28th July, in the meantime try and find the motivation to get out even for a night or two :)

[@derekg6687]

Loved your videos, very emotional, keep going your lovely Sarah would be proud.

[@vampyr3ss972]

Oh how I miss Glencoe, favourite place to be. If only the weather hadn’t been so… y’know… Scottish for you most of the day! Great video, so many beautiful places to drive through ☺️

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Thanks for sharing the trip, and huge respect for sharing your grief, for which I offer my deepest sympathy. I absolutely love Scotland once you get north of Perth and my wife and I visit yearly in December to enjoy the snow-capped views and do a lot of walking. Ironically I should have been on a motorcycle riding tour beginning today (Saturday June the 23rd) based in Muir of Ord, with my brother. He runs a BMW F800ST, I run a Honda NC750X. Alas my wife's own poor health means I have had to cancel, but I fully intend to make the trip as soon as it is practical. Living in south Warwickshire we intend to trailer the two bikes up to make the journey there a tad easier on our butts...and it affords us more space for clothes etc. Regards, Bib.

[@RidingThroughGrief]

Thanks for the kind comments! I do hope your side is ok and her health picks up soon. I agree with you, north of Perth is stunning, I used to live just next to Pitlochry. The Honda NC looks like a cracking bike, I’ve been looking at lots of options but still stuck with the RT, not n a particular hurry to change it. I hope you make the trip soon, and bringing the bike up makes sense, it’s a long boring motorway journey I wouldn’t fancy myself. My mate is coming up from Portsmouth with his bike end of July, we aim to finish the NC500 then :) Thanks again and god speed with your wife’s health, take care, Craig.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@RidingThroughGrief Thanks for the prompt reply Craig. I won't go into details but I fear I will be in a similar position to yourself before the end of the year regarding my wife's health. The NC is indeed a fabulous bike for daily needs, and I suspect it is ideal for the twisty narrow lanes of the Highlands. It also has phenomenal fuel economy of over 100 mpg on a steady run. The downside is it does not set the heart racing... I also have the good fortune to own a ZZR1400 which although ideal for the long motorway stretches, would not be particularly suited to the twisty lanes once up there. One bike I have teetered towards on many occasions has been the K1600, especially as I am looking to ride to Morocco at some point in the future. I have now watched the three videos of the NC500, and I know exactly the railway crossing you used to cross to reach your old house. When we go each year we stay in Newtonmore right next to the railway line and have explored the area extensively over the last decade. Indeed we have talked on a few occasions about retiring up there, either Newtonmore or possibly Pitlochry. If it was down to me I would relocate to the Shetland's.....lol Regards, Bib

[@RidingThroughGrief]

@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne I sincerely hope you don’t end up in the same position 😔 Whatever is going on, you have my thoughts, dealing with illness is never easy. I used to have a Hayabusa, loved it until I got fed up commuting on it, bought the RT years ago and love it, my favourite bike ever (never thought I’d say that about an RT). Tried the K1600c amazing bike but love the boxer engine on the RT so stuck with that. Thinking of getting a little CFmoto MT800 explore for commuting, to give the Beemer a rest as I commute all year round. Will see what’s what :)

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@RidingThroughGrief Thanks, your kind words are appreciated.

[@timgibson2540]

Another one here in the same position as yourself ( coming up to two years soon). Sarah would be so proud of you & do what ever you can at your own pace. All the best for the future & many more rides with good memories. 👍🏻

[@barrypaton9726]

Come on you are amazing with what you have done so far. Sarah is watching over you, you know. Well done you. We are routing for you. Lovely views. Makes me miss Scotland. Xxhugs

[@matthewwagner9657]

I'm so proud of you. I'm sure Sarah would be too.

[@MsDenver2]

Just keep thinking how Sarah would want you to keep travelling and not to stop , it is difficult I know as I have not long lost my sister I have some Christian beliefs which help me and gives me understanding, so I bless you 👍

[@user-om5lm3en4b]

Sorry to hear that you have lost your wife, Sarah, mine of 42 years died on the 8th July 8 years ago. But things do get a bit better with time, at least thats what everyone tells me. Good luck with your journeys. It always seems to rain in Scotland.

[@RidingThroughGrief]

Hi there, and welcome. They do say time is a healer, but I think it's more like time helps you to learn to live a different life. The weather can be nice here, think it's just me lol.

[@user-om5lm3en4b]

@@RidingThroughGrief Back in 1975/6 I did a main drainage / flood alleviation scheme in Keswick in the Lake District and most times I visited southern Scotland it always seemed to rain. 🤣🤣🤣

[@RidingThroughGrief]

@@user-om5lm3en4b yeah that sounds about right, heading back up on the 29th July to try again, in between I’ve got a little camping trip to Galloway on Luce bay, that’s if it’s not peeing with rain again 😜

[@johnnymac26]

You do it at your own pace mate

[@PokerMuppet]

Your video popped up as a suggestion and I saw the Lone Rider tent and was going to ask you about that... but then I listened to your opening words without seeing the name of the channel and you got me... I was planning the do the NC 500 in April myself but after stopping work at the end of Feb due to mental health I was unable to face it. 2 weeks ago I got back from a small trip over to Wales and it was much needed... all I can say to you is I wish you all the best. If you don't know about them, I can recommend services such as the Mental Health Motorbike and Andy's Man Club... Look them up if you are unaware, they could be of help if you find yourself struggling. I will still ask my questions as I believe you would want me to... How long have you had the tent and how have you found using it? Any concerns or regrets about it?

[@RidingThroughGrief]

Hi there, thanks for the kind comments. I’ve not long owned the tent, wanted something I could stand on rather than sitting hunched over all the time. It’s a great tent, although the garage area misses a decent sewn-in ground sheet so allows air though so it cooler than my sisters standard type tent. I only parked the bike in the garage once so I could pack up with it in there while it was pouring with rain, that certainly helps, but otherwise I use that part more just for chilling. Honestly, if I were to buy again, I’d probably go for a decent Vango tent for half the price, the bike garage is a neat concept, but I really just want the space to stretch. And always happy to answer questions :)

[@PokerMuppet]

@@RidingThroughGrief Yeah... I wouldn't be using the garage area for the bike... It's space for me to 'live' in when it's raining, especially in the evenings. The issue I have with the Vango option is that most seem to suggest the Galaxy 300 and while there is space to stand up, it's only tall enough directly under the pole arch and certainly not to move around or to use as an open cooking/living space. Pack size and weight are negligible, price difference is £130 and I am hoping to keep an eye on the Lone Rider to see if it goes down in a sale like the Black Friday for example. So while I'll keep looking at alternatives I am leaning towards the LR. Thanks for the reply.

[@RidingThroughGrief]

To be honest with you, I use the garage is a living area, only put it in that night to see it the RT would fit ok, was curious more than anything. As a whole though, I’m happy with the gear, if a bit overpriced maybe 🤔 One thing for sure, setting up on your own is easy, and that makes the difference to me, so 10 out of 10 for practicality 👍

[@PokerMuppet]

@@RidingThroughGrief lol... only if you work out the 'system', I've seen a few videos that make a real meal out of putting it up but it doesn't look difficult as long as you start at the back and peg it out. How easy is the repacking? Not many videos cover the part of actually getting it back in the bag.

[@RidingThroughGrief]

Repacking is actually no bother, I thought it might be difficult but it’s easy, bag is a good size. If you’ve not bought one before, I’m going camping week of Friday 10th July to Monday 13th. I will record my setting up and stripping back down :)