Postie bikes in the UK

The original plan was to leave the bikes in Perth and a little later return with another group to ride back across the Outback to Brisbane. However, with the two injuries sustained on this first trip, not to mention the fatalities of the other group, it was deemed a bad idea, so instead the bikes were all loaded in a crate and sea freighted to the UK,where they've been cleaned up and registered with UK plates for trail riding and camping tours in terrain a little more forgiving than the Outback. If you want to take a ride on one head to www.thegarbagerun.com and click on Postie Bike Adventures.

On a sunny day - which probably negates the majority of the year, we all understand that - the place to ride is the north coast of Scotland in general, and the North Coast 500 from John O'Groats to Ullapool in particular.

Riding in Scotland is something very special, especially the north coast road. I was lucky enough to do it a few years ago when the weather was glorious, and in certain parts of it the vistas are something out of the Caribbean - it's white sand and blue water, you wouldn't believe it!

The roads are pretty empty depending where you go and what time of the year it is. The road surface is stupendous, and the bends are wide and predictable. I look back at that ride across the north and then down to Ullapool as one of the finest rides that the UK can offer.

Even in rain Scotland is great for riding. There's not much traffic so you don't get sprayed by 18-wheelers, and the weather has almost an atmospheric, ethereal vibe to it.

Also the people are fantastic, and accommodation is often very affordable.

- established1962