Posted by Sunday 15th June 2025 was a special day — my first long solo ride since passing my motorcycle test, and a great excuse to get some miles in. With Father’s Day here, I decided to make the trip from Annan down to Sheffield to visit my son.
The Route
This one was very much about covering distance rather than scenic stops, but it still gave me valuable time in the saddle.
- M6 southbound from Annan.
- Quick fuel stop at Penrith — good place to stretch the legs and grab a coffee.
- Then onto the A66, cutting across to the A1(M).
- From there, a smooth run down to the M1, straight into Sheffield.
All in all, a pretty simple route, with the majority of it being motorway miles. Not the most exciting footage for the camera, but great practice for managing steady speeds, overtakes, long stretches, and keeping sharp for several hours at a time.
Warm Weather Riding
The weather was very warm for most of the day — great for riding but something to keep an eye on when you’re wrapped up in full bike gear for several hours. I made sure to stay well-hydrated, and the airflow through my jacket did its job well enough to stay comfortable. Although I was dripping when I arrived.
Building Experience
As a beginner, long motorway rides like this help build a different kind of confidence. You’re not flicking through twisty country lanes, but you’re managing higher speeds, long overtakes, changing traffic conditions, and staying focused over a longer ride.
The warm weather combined with steady traffic made it a fairly smooth trip, and the bike performed perfectly — couldn’t have asked for better conditions for a first long solo ride.
A Quick Word on Gear
For this ride, I made sure to layer up properly and wear my summer gloves to help with the heat. One thing I learned, though, was just how important good ear protection is on long motorway stretches.
I had bought a cheap set of “moto” earplugs off eBay thinking they’d do the job — and while they did block out a lot of wind noise, they ended up blocking too much sound. I found it difficult to hear important things like traffic around me, engine noise, and even my own thoughts at times! It felt a bit isolating, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to stay aware and alert.
Next time I’ll definitely be looking into a better set of earplugs — something that reduces the harsh wind noise but still allows me to hear enough of the bike and my surroundings. It’s one of those bits of kit that you only really appreciate (or notice!) once you’ve done a few longer rides.
Wrapping Up
While the footage might not make for the most thrilling video, this ride was a milestone for me personally. Getting comfortable on long motorway runs is all part of the journey, and being able to combine that with a Father’s Day visit made it even better.
If you’re a beginner like me, don’t be afraid of longer motorway stretches — just plan your stops, dress for the weather, stay alert, and enjoy racking up those miles.