Midlife Crisis?

[Dagonny]

Hello. I'm new here. Name's Jack.
Now it could be the onset of midlife crisis but I've decided I want to "do more stuff" and one of the many stuff I've decided to start doing is bikepacking. I'm already a mountain biker with a mountain bike and everything but I've never bike packed before.

I've done a couple of long distance routes over the years but I've always stayed in hostels or b&bs but now, as my 46th birthday lumbers into view i figure it's time to get a bit wilder. And that's why I joined this forum,

My mate and I have decided to do the shortest Scottish sea to sea, from Ullapool to Bonar Bridge (or maybe on to Dornoch), then camp overnight and return back the same route the next day.

Has anyone done this route recently? I'd be very interested in any particular route you used, and the conditions of the trail.

As far as kit goes I plan to use the following: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR ( I know it's full sus and therefore not ideal but you have to run with what you have...)
Banshee 200 tent, oex sleep mat, vango ultralite 600 sleeping bag and a wee jetboil stove, all attached to the bike with alpkit bags. Aside from clothes, foods and water and "drinks", what else am I realistically likely to need?

[GregMay]

Can't comment on the route. But welcome, someone will be along soon to help you.

Bike doesn't matter. Kit doesn't matter. Getting out does.

Enjoy.

[benp1]

You won't need much more than that for your first trip. You'll know what does and doesn't work from that and you'll start the process of refining.

You'll learn as much from failing (safely) than from experience that can be shared on here

Something to sleep on/in/under, something to carry it in, something to eat/drink - sorted!

[jameso]

what else am I realistically likely to need

A shock pump maybe so the bike can be adapted to carry the load, and a sense of humour or to be adaptable on the way. Maybe a head torch. But tbh I learn more from forgetting things (inc the sense of humour!) or leaving them out than by bringing more stuff along so I wouldn't worry as long as you have the basics, as others have said.

[HaYWiRe]

A sense of humor is mandatory

A vague sense of direction is optional


A few things i can think of that might be of help is lighting, both for riding and around camp.
Repair kit to cover basic issues that would otherwise cut the trip short.
Basic BooBoo stuff for similar reasons (no need for a mountain leader kit but a bandage and some wipes can save your bacon)

Shock pump is a good call, you may need more air for the extra weight, whilst this can be done at home and forgotten about for your first trip youll be learning and adjusting more, future trips may not need it.

Most of all remember WHY, its easy to forget once caught up in weather, dirt, forums and stress. Just go out for your own reasons, no one else's. BYOB. Bike your own Bike!

[Bearbonesnorm]

Alongside the all important sense of humour, I'd also leave a little space for a sense of adventure. It can be all too easy to take the path of least resistance, which while no bad thing at times, can at others, lead to things becoming a little mundane. Plan but don't plan too much, be prepared to follow your nose from time to time and you'll reap the rewards ... not everytime but when you do, it'll be worth it.

[ScotRoutes]

It's a straightforward enough route with mostly good tracks. There's a bothy en route too so you've an option for shelter.

Leaving from Ullapool you've a fast track to the end of Loch Achall then a steep , loose climb that might require a short bit of pushing. After that you've one short, easy river crossing. Once you reach the church at Croick it's back on tarmac.

In both directions, look out for the junctions either side of the bothy. It would be easy to take the wrong ones.

A mate and I did it both ways in a day in 2015 so you should have a nice, leisurely time of it.

http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2015/07/ ... -idle.html

[Dagonny]

That's grand, loved the write up and thanks for the replies.