Castles, Abbeys & Oil
September 20, 2010Robert L. Stevenson famously wrote “to travel hopefully is better than to arrive”. Although the reliability of his mode of transport may have had some influence on this quote. Modestine, his companion in the Cevennes, proved to be at the extreme end of the obstinate donkey spectrum.
However, modern motorcycles seldom fail to transport their rider to a required destination as long as basic maintenance schedules are observed and expensive fuel administered.
The variety of interesting destinations, particularly buildings of historical interest in Dumfries and Galloway is immense.
To the north east of Moffat the A708 route to Selkirk via the Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall and St. Mary’s Loch is widely regarded as one of the best biking roads in the United Kingdom and leads to the very historic 13th century Four Abbeys of the Border towns, designed by French Masons and Architects. Damaged and ravaged at different times by Edward I and Henry VIII of England, one still houses Robert the Bruce’s heart in its lead-lined casket after its return from the Holy Land Crusades. These are the Abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh (near St. Boswells), Jedburgh and Kelso.
Sweetheart Abbey at New Abbey
To the west of Moffat lie further medieval Abbeys and Castles galore. One sample route from Dumfries following the A710 Solway Coast Road would take in Sweetheart Abbey at New Abbey, then via the B711 Coastal Road from Dalbeattie to Dundrennan Abbey from where Mary Queen of Scots left Scottish shores for the last time to be imprisoned and eventually executed by Elizabeth I, onto 16th century MacLennans Castle in central Kirkcudbright Town and finally to the A75 near Gatehouse of Fleet to visit 15th century Cardoness Castle or detour back to Castle Douglas to nearby Threave Castle and Gardens.
A shorter trip from Dumfries via the Glencaple Road southwards on the east side of the River Nith takes you to impressive 13th century Caerlaverock Castle (Fort of the Skylark) a unique triangle or shield-shaped structure successfully besieged by Edward I in 1300 using stone-hurling catapults (trebuchets) an example of which is on display next to the Café and return by Lochmaben Seat of the Lords of Annandale – Robert the Bruce’s Family, although the castle once more suffered severely at the hands of the infamous Edward I (the ‘Hammer of the Scots’ as he was later titled).
Many alternatives to purely historic sites exist also – Scotland’s most southerly whisky distillery is sited at Bladnoch near Wigtown (Scotland’s Book Town) to the south of Newton Stewart and offers a very smooth rounded dram incorporated in the guided tour – or maybe best purchased for later consumption at leisure!
A fearsome example of the Border Keep still amazingly intact is Hermitage Castle in Liddesdale hard by the border with England. Owned by the Earl of Bothwell, Mary Queen of Scots husband and famed in Sir Walter Scott’s Border Novels. It lies to the east of Newcastleton just off the impressive B6399 route towards Hawick – multiple swooping bends all the way and a section of Steam Railway line to visit.
On the west coast of Galloway lies 16th century Dunskey Castle looking over to the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. Also near Stranraer is Glenluce Abbey.
Drumcoltran Tower near Beeswing on the A711 from Dumfries to Dalbeattie offers the following thought provoking advice to visitors, carved above the doorway:- “Conceal what is Secret, Speak Little, Be Truthful, Avoid Wine. Be Merciful, Remember Death”.
Like the threat of death a major increase in petrol prices concentrates the mind wonderfully and Governments are seldom merciful.
The recent tragic events in the Gulf of Mexico highlighted the hazards of deep ocean oil production when human failings bypass the fixed safety procedures and apparatus.
Does this give an emotive justification to the very recent announcement of a further 10% hike in fuel prices in the near future?
Extensive oil resources still exist on our globe but are becoming more expensive economically and environmentally to harvest. The politics of USA consumption levels which seem to be regarded almost as a civil right contrasts with the attitude to the environmental damage caused by the BP Well.
All of this impinges on us as users of two-wheeled transport. Many non-motorcycling car drivers innocently regard motorcycles as very fuel efficient, being superficially light, with small frontal area, small fuel tanks, one driven wheel and no scrubbing effects of steering while cornering. They are surprised when informed of real consumption figures.
So – why are motorcycles not fuel efficient when compared to a car weighing 4½ times more plus passengers.
A modern leanburn fuel injected Royal Enfield 500cc single cylinder (revving to 5-6,000 rpm) with a power output of 27bhp can attain an average of 87mpg cruising at about 60-65mph – broadly similar to a 1950’s British 500cc single of equivalent output but without noise and emission technologies in place and one fewer gear.
A modern Sports Bike often has a consumption figure in the low 30’s but with a power output of 120bhp plus and revving to 12-15,000rpm. High revving four cylinder engines have associated increased internal friction due to pumping losses and oil film shear. Maximum torque may be at relatively high revs e.g. 6-7,000 rpm. These power levels result in higher power to weight ratio and accelerative performance compared to a good performance car.
An average petrol engined saloon is rarely revved above 4,000 revs and is geared for cruising at about 2,500 revs with maximum torque at low revs.
Aerodynamically at motorway speeds and above a motorcycle does not compare well with an efficient car design due to ‘tail turbulence’ of the much shorter vehicle. Also the rolling resistance of motorcycle tyres tends to be higher as they are designed for maximum road grip.
New Scientist Magazine
Research reported by New Scientist Magazine discovered that exhaust system catalysts result in engines burning more fuel by depressing their efficiency, resulting in increased CO2 production. The research also showed that nitrous oxide levels produced by catalyst systems has doubled since their introduction. This gas contributes 7% of the greenhouse effect.
Also the global contribution of all road traffic worldwide was less than 0.5% of all CO2 production compared with over 3% from industry and much more from air travel.
Should we be buying motorcycles that are more fuel-efficient with less performance – who really needs or uses more than 80bhp consistently?
What matters in the real world is useable power i.e. torque at lowish revs over a wide power band to pull higher gears at smaller throttle openings and still have plentiful cornering fun and unrestricted exhaust systems so that pedestrians can hear your approach i.e. old British motorcycles minus oil leaks, vibration and Lucas (Prince of Darkness) electrics – oh no! In retrospect I may have gone too far – ok 1980’s bikes!
So – should we be influenced by race technology or by environmentalists?
Are we fashionistas or grime under the fingernail traditionalists?
What are the scientific facts relating to our value judgements? Is one bike ever enough?
These and other questions are best left to an evening in the pub with your mates.
Happy Bendswinging.
