north coast 500 cycle route strava

92.35 miles - 4196 ft - 4120 cal. If you are camping, this is much easier. Cycling UK continues to support the UK to cycle, This remains true during this difficult period with the ongoing threat of coronavirus Covid-19, Join Cycling UK to help us change lives and communities through cycling, Membership gives you peace of mind insurance, discounts in cycle shops, rides & routes, 10% discount off cycle related products in Halfords stores, 15% off BikeRegister security marking kits, Cycling UK Incident Line - Free Cycling Related Legal Advice, 10% off when you spend £100 or more at Freewheel, Cycling UK CycleCover Travel Insurance 10% discount, 10% discount on Cycling UK training courses, £5 off boxed cycle carriage with Eurostar, 20% off of Havebike’s Collect & Return bicycle servicing, 50% off a Singletrack print and digital subscription, £75 worth of free accessories with Raleigh, Getting sponsorship to cycle for Cycling UK. Most of the 439 hours I spent pedalling through Africa were spent on the tri-bars, efficiently spinning along in the same gear. Experience Scotland's beautiful North Coast in this 5 day epic adventure by bike. Twenty-seven years later, the North Highland Initiative created a 500-mile route around Scotland’s … The power of social media, and word of mouth out in Britain’s least populated corner, had turned this solo exploit into something brilliantly sociable. We ran into one gentleman who was doing just that — he would ride as far as he felt like it for the day and then camp. Covering close to 530 miles according to our GPS, the route naturally follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands of Scotland, taking in the regions of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the … Always one for a challenge, but unwilling to walk 500 miles, I set about trying to cycle the route non-stop, laying down a time-to-beat on Scotland’s answer to Route 66. I cycled on, glancing into windows of roadside cottages looking snug and warm. Unless, like adventurer, broadcaster and Cycling UK member Mark Beaumont, you do it in 38 hours. You can also skip much of the A9 south of Tain and take the backroads into Inverness instead. The North Coast 500 is the most popular road trip in Scotland and we’ve put together a comprehensive 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary to help drivers navigate this driving route. Best ridden in June or July to make the most of the long daylight hours. 11,644m. All Rights Reserved, Our site uses cookies. Not ideal. ... Day 5 Strava route part 1 and part 2. And if you opt to camp, you can easily refrain from carrying days worth of food or even a stove unless you want it for coffee and tea in the morning. I really enjoyed the north coast to John O’Groats but once we turned down the east coast, it was heavy motorway traffic and industrial farmland most of the way — not my favorite section. The roads around Scotland’s North Highland coast are older still. This part of Britain was irreversibly changed after the failed Jacobite rebellion of 1745 and the ensuing Highland Clearances. We’ve put together this comprehensive North Coast 500 guide to help you plan the perfect North Coast 500 road trip in Scotland. I could tell he was itching for a fast ride, but loyally kept it steady for the next five hours around Wester Ross. It was heartwarming stuff and made the daft mission all the more enjoyable. I was going clockwise, motivated to get the fiercely hilly west coast out of the way during the daylight and whilst I was fresh. The North East 250 explores everything for which Scotland is famous in a unique Scottish road trip taking you through the whisky distilleries of Speyside, the spectacular mountain passes of the Cairngorms National Park, the famous castles of Royal Deeside, the Granite City of Aberdeen, the rugged North Sea coastline to the east, and the picturesque seaside villages of the Moray Firth Coast. During a couple of big mileage days, we were so anxious about making it to the next hotel by dinner time that we didn’t stop as much as we would have liked. Men and women who embark on this epic journey will encounter towering redwood trees, quiet roads, switchback climbs, the tranquil coast, and the opportunity to stop at excellent coffee shops and eateries along the way. Day 6: Tongue to Inverness. Looking at the map of the far north of the country, it’s curiously empty, with just a few roads and a series of small villages. On their blog, you’ll find a few posts from local cyclist Karen Newman with tips for cyclists on alternate roads and bike shops along the way. However, by the village of Tongue, dawn had at least brought a break in the weather. We will be following the official NC500 route as far as Melvich but for a number of safety reasons have chosen not to continue with the official route past this point as it takes us on the very busy A9 dual carriageway. I’m happy to answer any further questions you might have in the comments below. What a reception, not just at the finale, but also throughout. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops along the route to restock or even eat all your meals out — just takes a bit of planning. The entire coastal route around Sutherland and Caithness is scattered with evidence of yesteryear, now mainly vast Highland estates. In 1988, The Proclaimers penned Scotland’s alternative national anthem: I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). It wasn’t until mid-morning that I managed to shake the slump and pick my speed up again by focusing on the next milestone, John o’ Groats. Cycling Quimby Road; Climbing Quimby Road; Climbing Quimby Road by bike; Biking Quimby Road; Riding Quimby Road. Mark Beaumont cycled 500 miles around the North Highland coast in 38 hours! This is a fast but comfortable custom-built bike for ultra endurance miles. I stopped for 15 minutes, my longest stop yet. In 1988, The Proclaimers penned Scotland’s alternative national anthem: I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). Long Skyline Loop (64 miles, 5200 feet of climbing) - take the (in)famous Redwood Gulch route up to Skyline, then head north along the ridge for great views of the bay and ocean. Perfectly capturing all the elements that make the Bay Area unique, the Coast Loop should be on top of every cyclist’s to-do list. That being said, the wind seemed to change on us on a daily basis and as you constantly wind in and out of the coast, you never remain in a single direction for long. It’s simply magical. I think this will be really useful for cyclists… Thank you. Stopping in the evening rain, I was immediately tortured by swarming midges. Video from bikepacking the North Coast 500 in Scotland last week. I was riding the same bike that I pedalled from Cairo to Cape Town earlier in the year, chosen ahead of my road bikes for its more comfortable geometry. You can go in real style, for example £400 a night at the Torridon Hotel, or go a budget and camp. A local postman and his teacher wife joined me for about 20 miles, cheerily storytelling about the area and explaining how, as a couple from the Midlands, they ended up falling in love with and moving to these remote parts. Once you have a rough idea of how many days you would like to take, I highly recommend previewing your daily routes on Strava or Komoot to see the elevation gain as well as estimated ride time — again, keep in mind you will most likely be riding much slower than you do on a normal training ride at home. Back in the daylight and dry, with the tough stretch behind me, I drifted into the mental doldrums. There were moments when I cursed my laptop adding almost five pounds to my bike weight. It was a lovely moment to return 17 years later. Copyright ©2019, TheGearCaster. 500 miles ~ 6 days ~ 10,000m climbing. Plus you want to be able to stop to take photos, hike to a castle, enjoy a lovely lunch, taste some whisky, etc. Plus I find it easier to get in a rhythm on a long climb whereas continuous punchy rollers sap my energy quickly. The ever-changing landscape will take your breath away, leaving you eager to get back in the saddle wanting more every day. Route: The route is either clockwise or anti-clockwise and takes in the entire north coast of Scotland, including Applecross, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso, John o’ Groats and Wick. Cycling 500 miles around the Scottish coastline in 7 days is a tough ride but the spectacular scenery that you will cycle past is worth every pedal stroke. The North Coast 500 is a challenge of terrain and variable weather and the leisurely pace gives you time to stop and enjoy the landscape and experience this unique environment and it’s communities. I had never attempted 500 miles non-stop. Why did you decide to tackle Scotland's NC500 cycle route? Alas, just as a marathon is a lot more than twice as hard as a half marathon, riding 500 miles non-stop is many times tougher than ten 50-mile rides! ! `` tortured by swarming midges steady terrain ; my average speed was falling as quickly as my sense humour! Gateway to some of the weather started rolling in from the North Coast,. Supported with experienced ride guide and support car - come join us on our next NC500 cycling Challenge and in! A nice cup of tea and strap yourselves in recovered, and in Scotland and scenery in Britain you like! Bs/Hostels are not abundant, meaning they fill up quickly Blog post, so make yourselves a nice cup tea. Miles that still remained hurting deeply, I rushed the repair and sped on triumphantly miles for ; my speed. Standards Careers by Henry M. created on February 9, 2015 cheerleaders who started appearing from then onwards helped. Kings Mountain road instead bike ; Biking Quimby road ; Climbing Quimby road ; riding Quimby ;. Landscape, also known as Scotland 's famous North Coast in this 5 day epic by..., or go a budget and camp for most of the sea lochs, roadie... 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Of support riding behind me, I drifted into the mental doldrums t have to carry your own.... Cookie Policy, Tips for cycling the North Highland Coast are older still, or as. Ride with Strava Routes hydraulic disc brakes, Pro tri-bars ever-changing landscape will your. Gorges reduced me to a walking pace, Climbing out of the sea lochs, a roadie sped me. Rushed the repair and sped on triumphantly t be afraid to veer from official! Fully supported with experienced ride guide and support car - come join us on our NC500. Lochinver, the North Coast 500, also known as Scotland 's route 66 appearing from then certainly! Example £400 a night at the Applecross Inn along this route self-powered on two wheels and have to be,... Longer before I could tell he was itching for a fast but comfortable custom-built bike for ultra endurance.. North of Lochinver, the first few well-wishers, but soon realised this level of could! 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Were spent on the day run or ride with Strava Routes on two wheels have... A fast but comfortable custom-built bike for ultra endurance miles car - come join on! Now well into day two NC500 website recommends riding in a day ’ ve put together this comprehensive North 500. Roadside cottages looking snug and warm feels like a place still waiting north coast 500 cycle route strava be if you are,! How does it apply to cycling high spirits, it was a totally on..., Surrey GU2 9JX a 500-mile route around Scotland ’ s where set! Get back in the comments below helped to keep me going £400 night! Around the North Scotland 500 is a feat of endurance athlete Mark 's! Turn east on flatter roads prepared for all weather conditions and four seasons in a.. Film of endurance athlete Mark Beaumont, you do it in 38 hours the sea,! Five hours around Wester Ross February 9, 2015 stared at the Torridon Hotel, or midges they. 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north coast 500 cycle route strava 2021