Originally published in the January 2026 issue of Scootering, this “Send Us a Postcard” feature brought together two very different scooter adventures — Rob Darling’s LEJOG journey and the Wasps of London Ride of Remembrance.
Every month, we love to share your adventures, both big and small. Whether it’s a local rideout, a rally at the rugby club or something more adventurous, send Dan your pics with a short account of what happened, and we’ll do the rest. [email protected]
Rob does LEJOG
I have always fancied doing the LEJOG and have mentioned it to a few mates, but never had any takers. So, as I have been doing the LCGB championship this year, the Woolacombe National was one of the trips, and it was the furthest at just under 500 miles, going via the shortest route. So, my thinking was to take it step by step, as my 1958 series one has had a hard season this year, doing all the designated rallies on the list. It’s taken a toll on me as my rotator cuff has reappeared, and I have developed carpal tunnel (the joys of being 63).
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With Woolacombe being the 18th and penultimate event, with a service engine rebuild the night before the LCGB C2C run four days earlier, I was looking forward to this one with a certain amount of trepidation. I set off at 1.30pm, after a granddaughter babysitting session, thinking I could get 200 miles in before it got dark. So, off I popped… heading for a stopover at Rotherham, and the forecast for the weekend ahead wasn’t looking great. The ride was hard going, with a brutal headwind all the way. As I was chaining the scooter to a signpost in the hotel carpark, the owner shouted, “They will hacksaw through that post, put it in my function room”. Excellent.
I left early, heading for Bodmin, roughly the same distance from Woolacombe and Land’s End, and if there were any issues, I was within striking distance. The old girl was running great, and my body was holding up; that was another tough day in the saddle with a strong headwind for most of the 310 miles. It remained dry (except for 30 wet miles near Birmingham) with the sun getting out, happy days… so as the scooter and I were both OK, I left Bodmin for Land’s End. It was a decent ride down the A30 to Land’s End, where it was very busy. I went straight to the famous signpost for the obligatory photo, fantastico. That’s another tick off the bucket list. The scooter got loads of attention from curious onlookers. Off I went up the A39 Atlantic Highway to my B&B in Ilfracombe, to attend the Woolacombe Rally the next day.
Saturday was a very wet day; I was lucky to ride three miles between showers. I signed on, had a rake around the stalls and the custom show, and met up with mates. I made arrangements to meet up and have a few beers later on, so a good night was had.
I did a quick check, making sure nothing was about to drop off the scooter before leaving and heading for Preston, 290 miles up the M5/M6. The first few miles were slow going through the twisty turns and country lanes, lots of standing water, wet leaves and gravel wash from the deluge the day before. It took 2.5 hours to do the 65 miles to Taunton; the rest of the day went well. The approach to the River Avon was like a wind tunnel. Still, the sun was out, and it got rather pleasant at Glouster and beyond to Preston. I was up early for a 7am departure, as the plan was to give me time to get up to Fort William. If, by the time I reached Carlisle, either I or the scooter had any issues, then I could head east to my home in the Scottish Borders, six miles outside Berwick.
It was bloody cold at just two degrees above. I had to filter through early-morning traffic for a few miles as I approached Carlisle. She was still running great, my shoulder and wrist were uncomfortable, but OK, so the decision was made to go for it! Weather still pleasant, heavy traffic at Glasgow again, but what a relief to get off the motorway over the Erskine Bridge for the more sedate A-roads up the side of Loch Lomond over the fantastico Rannoch Moor to Glen Coe and then Fort William. I treated myself to a steak supper.
With just short of 200 miles to John o’ Groats, but slower riding, I set off early again. I had great weather all the way, even getting a mouthful of midge just before wick… yuck! I did the obligatory photo at JOG, and with the LEJOG completed, it was another tick off my bucket list.
A quick cuppa in the cafe, and then, upon my return to my scooter, I was told by the growing crowd that had gathered around it, that petrol was leaking from it… bugger! So, off I went to Thurso, where I had booked a room, as I was still contemplating how I was going to get home the next day. It was just over 300 miles direct or… I could carry on and complete the rest of the NC500!
I then got a call from a mate to say that a good friend had suddenly died. He was a pal I’d done a fair bit of riding with, and a lot of it up the west coast of Scotland… so that made my mind up: I was going to do the extra miles in Terry’s memory. RIP mate.
I had a look for accommodation and booked in Gairloch, 200-ish miles away, then Tyndrum, just under 200. Leaving 150-ish miles to get home from there. I have ridden the NC500 a few times now and never tire of it. When the weather’s good, there’s no better place to be on a scooter, the roads and the scenery (especially down the west coast) are spectacular. Someone was looking after me in that regard, the weather, maybe it was you, Terry. It was spot-on for the next three days, bringing out the best in the vistas. You could literally stop around every bend. What a superb way to finish off a trip that I have wanted to do for such a long time. It was 2057 miles from door to door. The old girl did well. What a journey.
Words and photos: Rob Darling
