From Dave Day to Land's End: Dale's 2,050 Mile Adventure on a Royal Enfield Bullet 350

Every now and then, a motorcycle adventure comes along that reminds us exactly why we ride.

Not because of the destination, the mileage or even the motorcycle itself, but because of the people we meet, the memories we make and the stories that stay with us long after the engine has fallen silent.

This is one of those journeys.

For Dale, the adventure began with Dave Day, the incredible motorcycle tribute held in memory of Dave Myers from the Hairy Bikers. Thousands of riders travelled from all over the country to take part in what would become the final official Dave Day ride, beginning at London's famous Ace Cafe before heading north to Barrow-in-Furness.

But while Dave Day was the reason for setting off, it was never the full plan.

From the very beginning, Dale had always intended to take what he called "the pretty way home". Rather than simply pointing the bike back towards Devon after the event, the route would continue north to John O'Groats before gradually making its way back down through Scotland and England, visiting Royal Enfield landmarks, calling in at the ABR Festival and eventually finishing ten days later at Land's End.

Everything in between? Well, that was left largely up to the road.

And accompanying him every mile of the way was his Royal Enfield Bullet 350.

Fully loaded with luggage, packed for ten days on the road and ready for whatever adventure lay ahead, the Bullet looked every bit the travelling companion.

Sometimes the simplest motorcycles end up telling the biggest stories.

Leaving Devon

After finishing work, Dale packed the last few essentials onto the Bullet 350 and headed towards London.

Panniers loaded, luggage securely strapped down, screen fitted and everything organised for life on the road, the little Bullet was carrying everything needed for the next ten days.

It wasn't travelling light either.

Clothes, waterproofs, camping essentials, riding kit and all the little bits that somehow become essential when you're living from the back of a motorcycle all found their place.

It's easy to underestimate a Royal Enfield Bullet 350 when you simply look at the specification sheet, but adventures like this show another side to the bike entirely. Comfortable, dependable and surprisingly capable of carrying everything you need without fuss, it settled straight into its job.

By the time Dale reached his hotel near London it had been a long day. There wasn't much sleep either, thanks to the heat, making for an early start before sunrise.

Fortunately, thousands of fellow bikers were about to make up for the lack of sleep.

Dave Day

The atmosphere around Ace Cafe was unlike anything else.

Motorcycles of every shape and size filled the car park, riders swapped stories over breakfast and everyone shared one common purpose — to celebrate the life of Dave Myers.

For Dale, the day held even more meaning.

He had the privilege of riding near the front alongside his friend Si Harra, who was riding Dave's own BSA Gold Star. It was an emotional moment and one that will stay with him for a very long time.

The ride itself was everything people had hoped it would be. Thousands of motorcycles travelling together, people lining the route to wave, and an atmosphere that perfectly reflected the kind of man Dave had been.

After arriving in Barrow, Dale also made time to visit Dave's final Royal Enfield, now displayed at the Dock Museum.

It was a particularly meaningful stop, as one of the last conversations Dale had with Dave was about this very motorcycle. Dave had been concerned about getting on with the gear change, and Dale suggested fitting a heel-and-toe shifter. Dave took the advice, the bike was soon back on the road, and seeing it again during Dave Day made the whole moment even more special.

For many riders, Dave Day would have marked the end of the journey.

For Dale, it was only just beginning.

The Pretty Way Home

The sat nav wasn't pointing south.

Instead, the Bullet 350's front wheel was aimed firmly north.

There wasn't a detailed itinerary waiting in a notebook or every overnight stop carefully planned months in advance. Dale knew where he wanted to end up, but everything in between was free to change.

If a road looked interesting, he'd take it.

If somebody recommended a place worth visiting, he'd make the detour.

If there was another Royal Enfield landmark to discover, it would almost certainly end up on the route.

That's one of the joys of travelling by motorcycle. Sometimes the best memories come from the plans you never made.

The Bullet 350 simply kept carrying him onwards.

Fully loaded, comfortable and never missing a beat, it quietly got on with the job as mile after mile disappeared beneath its wheels.

A Breakfast Worth Riding For

The first disappointment of the trip wasn't the weather.

It was breakfast.

The Travelodge breakfast box wasn't quite the feast a hungry motorcyclist had imagined before setting off for another full day in the saddle. Let's just say that a few bits in a cardboard box weren't going to fuel hundreds more miles.

Thankfully, salvation arrived in the form of a proper transport café near Newtonmore.

Now this was more like it.

A proper cooked breakfast, a mug of tea, friendly faces and the Bullet 350 parked outside waiting patiently for the next leg of the adventure.

There was even talk of Devon pasties and Devon ice cream being on the menu. Quite how they had made their way over 800 miles north remains something of a mystery, but they certainly caught Dale's attention.

Breakfast problem solved.

John O'Groats

Eventually, after nearly a thousand miles in the saddle, Dale arrived at one of Britain's most famous destinations.

John O'Groats.

Standing beside the famous sign with the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 parked proudly nearby made for one of those moments that reminds you exactly why adventures like this are worth doing.

Just under a thousand miles from home.

One rider.

One fully loaded Royal Enfield Bullet 350.

And not a single complaint from the bike.

The Bullet had carried everything Dale needed, coped with long motorway stretches, winding Highland roads and endless hours in the saddle without missing a beat.

While enjoying the famous landmark, Dale also met plenty of fellow adventurers.

One young couple had just completed the famous Land's End to John O'Groats journey on two 125cc motorcycles and were now making their way back home to Surrey. Their achievement proved once again that adventure isn't measured by engine size.

Not long afterwards, Dale also met another couple travelling on two Royal Enfields — a Himalayan 450 and a Meteor 350. They too had been part of Dave Day before continuing their own adventure north to John O'Groats and then onwards towards Ullapool.

It was during this conversation that Dale discovered the lady riding the Meteor 350 had already covered an incredible 17,000 miles in just two years. Their adventure wasn't over yet either, as she planned to catch the ferry across to the islands to carry on exploring, while her husband reluctantly had to head home for work. It was another reminder that adventures come in all shapes and sizes, and that Royal Enfields are made to be ridden, wherever the journey leads.

Moments like these are what make motorcycle travel so special.

Every fuel stop becomes a conversation.

Every café introduces someone new.

Every destination has another story waiting to be told.

And wherever Royal Enfield riders seem to meet, friendships are never far behind.

To Be Continued...

Reaching John O'Groats was a huge milestone, but Dale's adventure was far from over.

With the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 still running faultlessly and plenty more of Britain left to explore, the journey was only just beginning. The "pretty way home" would take him through some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery, back to places filled with personal memories, on to Royal Enfield landmarks, the ABR Festival, and eventually all the way to Land's End.

There are still plenty more stories, stunning roads, memorable encounters and a few emotional moments to come.

Keep an eye on the CMS Blog and our social media channels for Part Two, where Dale's adventure continues through the Scottish Highlands and beyond. Trust us – you won't want to miss the next chapter.