North Coast 500

[JohnClimber]

After a bit of recent coverage for the North Coast 500 website is now up and running
http://www.northcoast500.com/home.aspx

For those like me who love the north of Scotland but who are not butch enough to have a go at the HT550, this with a few excursions (Stac Pollaidh, Sandwood Bay, Cape Wrath, Kearvig Bothy, Dunnet Head, John O Groats etc) is pulling me in.

Yes it's on tarmac but on quiet roads with hopefully respectful local and tourist drivers this could be a great 4 to 5 day bivi ride.

Now all I need is a late spring, midge free, short notice good weather window, plus a 5 days pass from the wife and I'm there.

[fatbikephil]

Eh?
Am I missing something here?? It says the trip by motorbike is 5 days.....
Errr - trip by bicycle =5 days, trip by motorcycle = 1 day.

It actually took me a while to figure out it was aimed at car drivers rather than cyclists. More fuds in camper vans on my favourite roads, no doubt....

[atk]

Got a week off in September and been looking at the logistics of getting too/from Inverness between a few other things I've got going on. Regular trains are 8-9 hours each way... need to check sleepers tomorrow...

[JohnClimber]

It's already been ridden in under 39 hours
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 373&type=3

But I'd want to take in the sights and places I know well

[ScotRoutes]

There are definitely some better route options for cyclists than in the official itinerary.
http://www.northcoast500.com/itinerary/ ... s-(1).aspx

For a start, it misses out the Wee Mad Road of Inverpolly and then it comes back along the A9.

atk - the company I work for (based in Inverness) does a bike couriering service that lots of folk use to help with logistics - http://www.johnogroatsbiketransport.co.uk/ We've been getting a few NC500 riders this year, mostly doing part of the route.

[atk]

^ interesting, thanks for the head up

The main issue at the moment is the journey time there/back and having stuff booked on the Sunday/Friday that limit when I can leave/need to be back. The price difference between trains isn't great either - can do the trip for £60 if I rush the riding into 3 days or £280 for a full-value 4.5 day ride...

Think this might go on the back-burner for a little while...

[summittoppler]

I've done a couple of roadie tours up on the west coast over the last 2-3 years. One form fort bill, skye, Lochcarron, Torridon & Poolewe. That was pretty quiet and scenic.
Ride report & pics: http://northwalesmtb.proboards.com/thre ... -july-26th


However I went back the year after and started where I finished (Altguish Inn) and took the coast road up to Durness, then south, Crask Inn and back to the start.
Ride report & pics: http://northwalesmtb.proboards.com/thre ... -tour-2013

Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds4NBY701GQ

It is a very remote and a great place for road cycling. Then again it would be vaguely exciting on the fat bike too..... Keep me posted on the finer details John

[JohnClimber]

Keep me posted on the finer details John

Of course, Pm on route

[JohnClimber]

Just viewing The North Coast 500 on Googles Street View for suitable road side bivi spots.

I think I might avoid this corner just north of Ullapool

[voodoo_simon]

Mark Beaumont has just cycled it in one hit! He strava-ed it and it's available to the public if that helps anyone with GPS files

[atk]

Massive dredge...

This looks like quite a detailed account/summary of riding the route: http://blogdoc-andrewmcleod.blogspot.co.uk/

Might come in handy to someone, even if it's only to see what Scotland looks like when it isn't raining...