Getting into Adventure Green

THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
CHEAP BIKE. CHEAP TRIP. MIKEY SUNTER SHARES HIS AND BERNARD SMITH’S
SHORT JAUNT AROUND THE HIGHLANDS ON A PAIR OF HONDA C90s.
PACK YOUR RAIN COAT AND GO
Tell us about the trip.
The trip was to Applecross
in the highlands of Scotland,
which is along the North Coast
500 coastal route. It was going to 3
nights and 4 days. It can easily be
done a lot faster, but we planned on
covering around 150 miles a day.
At an average of 40mph and with
lots of stops then 150 miles a day is
plenty!
Who was with you on the trip?
My partner in crime was none
other than Bernard Smith (coauthor
of Touching the World). I’d
met Bernard when he was heading
to Orkney shortly after his wife
passed away. I went to meet him
when I was still riding with L plates
and then met him again at a rally
on the west coast of Scotland where
I really got chatting with him. We
have been friends ever since.
Why did you guys choose the C90s
for the trip?
Well, the question is really why not?
They are just good fun machines
that allow you to slow down and see
more of the places you are passing
through. Plus, everyone smiles and
waves when you’re on the humble
C90. I do have other bikes; a
Yamaha Tenere 660, an Innova 125
and a SR125, but out of them all I
just like riding the 90 the most.
What equipment did you take?
We took what we had to hand. My
tent was a Vango Pulsar 200. I took
some cooking stuff, but we hardly
used them as we would just stop
in villages along the way for coffee
and food. Bernard took some fairy
lights for his tent. Also, a top tip for
kit from Bernard is an umbrella;
it’s perfect for all weathers and was
certainly perfect for Scotland!
How far did you plan ahead?
I had spoken to Bernard a couple
The famous sign of John O’ Groats
of months before the trip, when
he was passing through Thurso,
and he seemed keen for the idea.
In fact, he called me a few weeks
later to tell me had bought a C90
and that was that. So not much
planning really; just jump on the
bikes and set off.
What did you enjoy most about
the trip?
For me it just meeting people.
Everyone wants to chat with you.
For instance, we were sat in a cafe
in Ullapool and we had couple of
big bikers come in to find us and
chat about our little bikes. They
just loved the fact that we where
on C90s. Other than the amazing
roads and views it was definitely
meeting different people.
Mikey and Bernard at the start of Applecross
What did I enjoy the least?
The rain and the midges, but living
in Scotland I am used to it. But if
you are planning any motorcycle
trip in Scotland, do pack your
waterproofs!
What do you get out of a trip like
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