MOTOR home convoys (1 Viewer)

[Marvic]

On our hols we did part of the nth west 500. From LAID A838 LOCH ERIBOLL I HAD 5 OTHER MOTORHOMES BEHIND ME NOW MOST DRIVERS KNOW THIS ROAD (track) as singlelane l had to pull in pass way which only fitt 1 car 2 cars came on we was stuck due to the other 4 MOTORHOMES where still on the track. now the cars had right of way . It was very bad du the mud and grass verge?.



I was parked up looking at the scenery COLDBACKIE KYLE OF TONGUE A838 on the other side of the

road where 11 Italians MOTORHOMES 10 motorbikes all together bunched up going the other way .
You should have seen the backup of cars . I think this will get us a bad name.

 

[Northernraider]

On our hols we did part of the nth west 500. From LAID A838 LOCH ERIBOLL I HAD 5 OTHER MOTORHOMES BEHIND ME NOW MOST DRIVERS KNOW THIS ROAD (track) as singlelane l had to pull in pass way which only fitt 1 car 2 cars came on we was stuck due to the other 4 MOTORHOMES where still on the track. now the cars had right of way . It was very bad du the mud and grass verge?.



I was parked up looking at the scenery COLDBACKIE KYLE OF TONGUE A838 on the other side of the

road where 11 Italians MOTORHOMES 10 motorbikes all together bunched up going the other way .
You should have seen the backup of cars . I think this will get us a bad name.

Yep sadly a lot of tourists just don't get how the passing places in the north of Scotland work

 

[Alistair33]

"I'm sorry I'll feel that again"

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[CWH]

Italian motorhomers already have a bad name for travelling in convoy. It's a problem not just on single track roads, but also on two-way roads, due to the length of the convoys and the speed at which they travel, meaning that they can't be passed. Close-travelling convoys of 18 mohos have been known.
Also inconsiderate parking - eg a couple of weeks ago the Mountain Rescue services couldn't get down the Glen Brittle road on Skye to attempt a rescue due to parking on both sides of the road.

 

[PP Bear]

Just came back down to Fort William from Applecross. Saw a lot of foreign tourist cars, bikes and motorhomes. Lots of Italians.

They just think completely differently from us. I did many miles as we do, on single track A roads and pulled over whenever possible to let people pass from either direction, especially if they're locals, as I want to keep the motorhome good name.

I'm now parked up on the seafront in Fort William heading slowly South. 2 Italians just pulled in right next to me, quite close really. They get out, I smile and say hello and the four of them look at me like I'm something on their shoe.

Defo not a language thing, as a smile and nod is quite international I'd say.

 

[Northernraider]

Just came back down to Fort William from Applecross. Saw a lot of foreign tourist cars, bikes and motorhomes. Lots of Italians.

They just think completely differently from us. I did many miles as we do, on single track A roads and pulled over whenever possible to let people pass from either direction, especially if they're locals, as I want to keep the motorhome good name.

I'm now parked up on the seafront in Fort William heading slowly South. 2 Italians just pulled in right next to me, quite close really. They get out, I smile and say hello and the four of them look at me like I'm something on their shoe.

Defo not a language thing, as a smile and nod is quite international I'd say.

You have to grab them by the face one hand on each cheek and kiss the air either side of their ears

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[Northernraider]

It also pays not to mess with Italians that 11 vans could be the entire family

I've seen the godfather.... That's a deep Loch at fort William..... Concrete wellies aren't good for swimming

 

[Marvic]

Just came back down to Fort William from Applecross. Saw a lot of foreign tourist cars, bikes and motorhomes. Lots of Italians.

They just think completely differently from us. I did many miles as we do, on single track A roads and pulled over whenever possible to let people pass from either direction, especially if they're locals, as I want to keep the motorhome good name.

I'm now parked up on the seafront in Fort William heading slowly South. 2 Italians just pulled in right next to me, quite close really. They get out, I smile and say hello and the four of them look at me like I'm something on their shoe.

Defo not a language thing, as a smile and nod is quite international I'd say.

I heard radio program 're Applecross regarding the amount of motorhome traffic and the harm it was doing there .they said that the roads are not built for this amount of traffic.
Later I was walking in ULLAPOOL WHEN A LOCAL SPOKE TO ME LOOK MORE BLOODY MOTORHOMES PASSING US.

 

[The general]

Who started the phrase ' NC500 ' trouble is it's got so popular in a short time !

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[Northernraider]

Who started the phrase ' NC500 ' trouble is it's got so popular in a short time !

No idea but they have a lot to answer for

Next thing they will want to change all those lovely narrow twisty roads for dual carriage ways to cope with the traffic

 

[Ber090]

Many friends who live on the nc500 route are up in arms about the real negatives caused by the ever increasing issues being caused by Visitors on the route. Incidentally we were passed by11 Italian motorhome s on the A1 last week, all doing 70ish and little gap between them!

 

[The general]

No idea but they have a lot to answer for

Next thing they will want to change all those lovely narrow twisty roads for dual carriage ways to cope with the traffic

I know what you mean , there have been posts here and else where motorhomers complaining about potholes and state of roads ! I have been going to Scotland for a few years , and this year around early June for 4 wks I was shocked how many mh and bikers on road and it can only get worse ! There is no answer the locals ain't going to like it ! Convoys !

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[Kingham]

........
Also inconsiderate parking - eg a couple of weeks ago the Mountain Rescue services couldn't get down the Glen Brittle road on Skye to attempt a rescue due to parking on both sides of the road.

As horrible as this may sound, that is the time to bring out the emergency fork lift truck, or commandeer the nearest tractor and physically remove the offending vehicles in to the adjacent fields.

Once they have paid the bill for specialist recovery, they might think twice next time round

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm now parked up on the seafront in Fort William heading slowly South. 2 Italians just pulled in right next to me, quite close really. They get out, I smile and say hello and the four of them look at me like I'm something on their shoe.

Defo not a language thing, as a smile and nod is quite international I'd say.

What did you do to upset them? We have always found them very friendly, a couple of years ago met a group of them in the museum car park at Caen, we were leaving they would let us out of the car park insisted we joined their cheese and wine party a great evening.

 

[Feltwell]

I don't think nationality equates with friendliness at all - come on, we've all come across grumpy Brits! Keeping yourself to yourself and being private is one thing, being miserable and failing to even acknowledge anyone else when they say "Hello" to you is another.

The one that springs to my mind was a few years ago when we were in a trailer tent on a site on Devon, a big new tandem axle MH pulled in next to us, the owners and their 2 teenage sons then proceeded to build a vast enclave enclosed by windbreaks around their van. They then spent a week steadfastly refusing to acknowledge anyone and glaring at anyone who went past their pitch and dared to say hello.

It became a bit of a competition amongst the rest of us staying there of just how annoyingly cheerfully we could wish them Good Morning as we walked past! And yes, they were British.

Motorhome convoys - not good if it annoys the locals. I saw quite a few hire van convoys up on Skye in April, clearly groups of families/friends.

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[Northernraider]

I heard radio program 're Applecross regarding the amount of motorhome traffic and the harm it was doing there .they said that the roads are not built for this amount of traffic.
Later I was walking in ULLAPOOL WHEN A LOCAL SPOKE TO ME LOOK MORE BLOODY MOTORHOMES PASSING US.

Beautiful place Applecross and the road to it up the bealach na ba (pass of the cattle) is one of the best roads in Scotland
Sadly I dont think my new van will be able to get up it, the hairpin bends near the top aren't the most friendly to a 28ft tag I suspect

 

[PP Bear]

What did you do to upset them? We have always found them very friendly, a couple of years ago met a group of them in the museum car park at Caen, we were leaving they would let us out of the car park insisted we joined their cheese and wine party a great evening.

Not sure, probably because I was quietly minding my own business and tried to be polite.

I was totally fed up with them by the early hours as their radio was so loud it woke me up and kept me awake.

Took a lot of PP Bear patience to not go banging on their door!!!

To make it worse it was on at a sparrows fart and woke us all up!!!!

 

[Euphony]

Beautiful place Applecross and the road to it up the bealach na ba (pass of the cattle) is one of the best roads in Scotland
Sadly I dont think my new van will be able to get up it, the hairpin bends near the top aren't the most friendly to a 28ft tag I suspect

We did it in April in ours (27ft with bikes) and the hairpins weren't the problem, it's the wheelbase of the van being wider than the road at some points and lots of passing places being only about 3ft wide.
Did it once and NEVER again!

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[Northernraider]

Ach I don't think friendliness has anything to do with nationality either, even on package holidays I've discovered friendly folk and those who just want left alone.
I think perhaps I'm often too cheerful to strangers, I talk to everyone and my ex partner used to hate it, everytime I went to the bar in a hotel I was gone for ages as I always chatted to someone

Even on the train just now there's a lad Sat next to me with a rucksack that has a these sewn on patches/badges from all around the world..... I've been bending his ear a good half hour about his travels
Fascinating

 

[Northernraider]

I've done it many many times in the past I love the thrill, unfortunately bringing that road to a standstill would be a crime punished by death so I think I'll have to avoid it

 

[CWH]

As horrible as this may sound, that is the time to bring out the emergency fork lift truck, or commandeer the nearest tractor and physically remove the offending vehicles in to the adjacent fields.

I tend to agree, though I'm not sure of the legaility of it! Also it would take ages - we're talking a hundred or so vehicles (cars and motorhomes). But what Fun!!!

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[Northernraider]

I've done it many many times in the past I love the thrill, unfortunately bringing that road to a standstill would be a crime punished by death so I think I'll have to avoid it

 

[JJ]

Tourists of all kind are upsetting locals all over the world...

https://www.theguardian.com/comment...hates-tourists-with-good-reason-suzanne-moore

JJ

 

[2657]

I've been on most sections of that 'route' at various times and in different vehicles over the past 40+ years but I don't think I will be bothering again.

I think the whole concept, guided by the tourist board, to increase tourism and business in the Highlands seems to have backfired, attracting too many that do not want/need to spend.

I am in Beauly at the moment and planning a short trip to Dornoch and Golspie today.

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[2657]

Tourists of all kind are upsetting locals all over the world...

JJ

There's the rub, we are all tourists of a sort........it's all them others causing the problem

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
"We bring money to the area"..........And Grid Lock by the sound of it,funny old world.
Don't hold your breath waiting for a new dual road being put in,the only reason parts of Wales have escaped is because of poor access. "There's nice for you!" (And me)
Tea Bag

 

[Popeye]

Sadly I dont think my new van will be able to get up it, the hairpin bends near the top aren't the most friendly to a 28ft tag I suspect

I met a guy in the Falkirk wheel car park who had just travelled the NC500, he told me of the problems and pitfalls on the Applecross road and how he had JUST made it.

I looked at his fairly large Motorhome (7m+) and noticed it was a rental, (I assume he didn't care too much about any damage)

My van is just over 8.5 metres and 5 tonne and whilst we had a fairly hairy trip she got us round all the way.

By the way if I had even one motor-home behind me for any length of time I would pull in and let him pass just to avoid a convoy being created by the leader.

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[CWH]

By the way if I had even one motor-home behind me for any length of time I would pull in and let him pass just to avoid a convoy being created by the leader.

Accidental convoys are one thing, and I think most single vans would do as you do, it's only good manners to let someone who's travelling faster than you are to overtake. It's the organised convoys that are the worst, they seem attached by an umbilical cord and there is NO WAY they will let even a breath of fresh air between them.

 

[nicholsong]

By the way if I had even one motor-home behind me for any length of time I would pull in and let him pass just to avoid a convoy being created by the leader.

I do similar, for any vehicle that I might be holding up as I do not want the pressure of having to drive faster, particularly on a scenic route where I can glance at the view at slower speed.

On a M/way or dual carriageway, if I am content to sit in the slow lane with HGVs and or MHs, and not looking to overtake, to avoid a 'convoy' I keep a good distance back from the vehicle in front to allow anyone to overtake and pull in before he overtakes the next vehicle. Not so necessary for coaches as their limiters are set at 100kph, 10kph higher than HGVs, so they tend to overtake all at one shot.

Geoff

 

[irnbru]

We had 3 vans going around together but we always made sure there was at least one or two lay-bys between us.

The lay-bys are not built for any number of vans piling up trying to squeeze in. It just causes havoc, misery, short tempers not to mention locals trying to get around for their work or going about their everyday lives.

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