The beautiful north west of Scotland. The next morning we started heading West. Unless, like adventurer, broadcaster and Cycling UK member Mark Beaumont, you do it in 38 hours. Clynelish Distillery Nestled in the countryside of the tranquil coastal village of Brora, Clynelish is a perfect stop on your NC500 journey. Leaving Inverness is fairy flat and through farmland for the first few hours until you reach the first lochs and sea lochs of the west coast. 8,170 m. 8,150 m. Share. Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to … Other than John O’Groats, we were yet to see much evidence of the over-crowding issues that the NC500 has supposedly created. The 5 day plan might change, likely be 6 days. We whooshed down the descent to Applecross, and rather than the five-minute break we'd allowed ourselves on our first North Coast 500 ride, spent a lengthy 45 minutes in the picturesque Walled Garden Tearooms, wolfing down tea and scones, and enjoying seeing our own glow of triumph mirrored in the faces of our riding buddies. The 10 mile Ben Alder singletrack is a sublime bit of trail riding; The bleak yet stunning Northern Loop is a quintessential example of the Northern Highlands landscape; Fisherfield Forest, a great wilderness in the deepest corner of the Highlands between Loch Maree and Little Loch Broom, void of civilisation for miles in all directions. This is probably the most challenging and hilly section of the route, but once you reach Durness at the top, things do start to flatten out a bit as you head east. I'm planning on doing the same route next year this time. North Coast 500 - Scotland Bikepacking Adventure with Mark Beaumont. Often touted as the Scottish equivalent to the USA's Route 66, it's a 500 mile loop, that takes you around the coastline of the Scottish highlands, taking in some of the country's best scenery and a good dose of demanding gradients. How did you keep up with hygiene? Mark and Si on their NC500 3-day epic © Mark Beaumont In 2015, Scottish multiple record-breaking round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont rode the North Coast 500 in a superhuman 38 hours. Had a great time touring around the Scottish highlands, tough conditions but worth it! Leaving Inverness is fairy flat and through farmland for the first few hours until you reach the first lochs and sea lochs of the west coast. North Coast 500 - Scotland Bikepacking Adventure with Mark Beaumont. Climb the north tower for 360 degree views of Inverness and the surrounding area, plus find out some intriguing myths and legends about the city (today the castle is a court and otherwise not open to the public). To ride this route in three days really pushes the daily distances (although the first time I rode the route non-stop in 37 hours and 8 minutes, which definitely took the fun out of it)! Cycling the North Coast 500 April 24, 2017 April 23, 2017 John Davidson 0 Comments. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. We wild camped overnight on the Scottish coastline and even met Jenny Graham for a coffee at Ardgay Stores! More here. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. The North Coast. Popular with motorists and motor homers, we think the best way to experience the NC500 is by bicycle. You don't need a lot, apart from a good bikepacking setup, especially if you don't plan to camp. There is a 519 mile road route, running in a circular loop from Inverness in the east, cross country to the west, up the coast, across the northern highlands and back down the east coast from John O’Groats. Si's 3T Exploro For The Scotland North Coast 500 Bikepacking Ride Published on April 28th 2019. I don't mind wild camping, but a week long trip without a shower is a big no for me. Seven nights; eight days of cycling on quiet, single-track paved roads along the new North Coast 500 route from Strathcarron to Inverness via John O’ Groats. If you're dreaming of incredible coastal and mountain views, breathtaking roads and some pretty challenging climbs too, this is the challenge for you. I imagine plenty of places still open for food and drink, and camping would he fine. It’s likely you won’t see a single vehicle on this scenic south-to-north route, which uses forest-service roads and doubletrack to crisscross Coast Mountain wilderness. 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