North Coast 500 (NC500) advice guidance and companions

[oldwheels]

Thanks. Very helpful. I would like to hear your recommendations.
I have never cycled in Scotland.

My reply would be similar to Brandane as I used to go to the Borders quite often, mostly the middle and western side.
I also liked the eastern side of Scotland from Perth northwards. East is less prone to midges also.
Stonehaven and round the coast to Nairn with possibly a stop around Aberdeen?
I stayed at a site 6 miles west of Aberdeen for an extended period once.
There are very few roads in Scotland I have not cycled on.

 

[midliferider]

This is the MoG to JoG route I took...
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28414361

Day 1 (Garmin). MoG to Ayr.
Day 2 part 1. Ayr to Glasgow.
Day 2 part 2. Glasgow to Stirling.
Day 3. Stirling to Pitlochry.
Day 4. Pitlochry to Boat of Garten.
Day 5. Boat of Garten to Tain.
Day 6. Tain to Bettyhill.
Day 7. Bettyhill to JoG..

Thank you.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Cycling Weekly recently did a piece on the new coast to coast route that runs across Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders, Stranraer to Eyemouth. Sounded good.
https://scotlandstartshere.com/kirkpatrickc2c/

 

[ColinJ]

Why not just plan your own route away from the crowds?

Use cycle.travel to help you and Street View to check anything that looks iffy.

 

[midliferider]

Why not just plan your own route away from the crowds?

Use cycle.travel to help you and Street View to check anything that looks iffy.

Yes. I just discovered this website while searching for routes.

 

[ColinJ]

Yes. I just discovered this website while searching for routes.

If you right-click on any point on the route, cycle.travel gives you a pop-up which includes a Street View link to that location.

I have been using that feature a lot today to check a route that I have been planning. It is great for spotting potential problems.

I discovered that one road I was considering looked like it might have fast-moving traffic on it. It had blind bends and I would be climbing slowly (gradient steady at 6%) for 2.4 km. Not great! I rejigged the route so I would return on it later in the opposite direction. Whizzing down that hill would be much better!

 

[Chief Broom]

Im heartily sick of the 'NC500' as are locals along its route, the reason being the high number of irresponsible littering/defecating morons who have spoilt it for everyone else. I view the 'NC500' more as a mindset rather than a route...
My recommendation would be to find an area that appeals and explore a 20 mile radius or so, where i live [Brora] theres loads of great cycling routes on and off road and im sure a better time would be had than following the herd...
I wrote the following for some light relief for the long suffering locals and a anti NC500 group.
* ive got nothing against responsible tourists

Maya's Puppets and Straw Dogs Co
proudly present NC500 Action Figures!
Dont know what to get the little ****ards this Yaks mas...then we have the answer for you ! NC500 Action Figures! Watch'em walk Watch'em talk! Watch'em wind themselves up into a frenzy of 'DOING THE NC500! '

Mr and Mrs UglyEgo with huge Motorhome. These characters have no shame! Uncaring about the environment or others, they bring ugliness wherever they go. Watch with glee as your sprog plays 'cheapskate freeloading' 'inconsiderate parking' or crash and burn! -matches supplied

Mr OffRoader and rediculously tented 4 x 4. A splendid detailed action figure wearing stupid mirror shades and a simpering twat expression. Delight as little Johnie vrrrm vrrrms and imitates a destructive wheel spinning drive on the machair!

The Dirty Camper ***hole Convoy. A comprehensive collection of ratty vehicles and an amazing 6 zombie scum action figures-.2 boozing 2 crapping 1 vomiting and 1 OD'ed and dead.. Accessories include realistic turds, garbage and a burning gazebo-matches supplied..

Adventure motorcycle and rider A generally well behaved addition to the set he carries enough equipment to tour Patagonia. With an ear splitting exhaust you cant help but be informed of the loud arrival and departure of a child grown tall. Now watch him death defyingly traverse the Bealach na ba! What a hero......

Mr MidlifeSadTwat and Sportscar
This has gotta be fun....round and round he goes...and round..and round....and he's going nowhere actually. Comes with miniature vanity mirror, viagra bottle and DIY rope noose suicide kit.

By special request an additional action figure has joined our impressive cast of NC500 ers...
Mr Pushumoffacliff the Farmer! He comes ready to go with his bloody great tractor with bale spikes. Specially introduced to 'interact' with all the other NC500 ers! Ramming, upending. impaling great fun for all ages!

*Limited availibility as soon to be replaced with next years Ibiza edition..hopefully...😊

 

[Slick]

Of course, cyclists who camp and leave no trace are entirely welcome.

 

[midliferider]

Im heartily sick of the 'NC500' as are locals along its route, the reason being the high number of irresponsible littering/defecating morons who have spoilt it for everyone else. I view the 'NC500' more as a mindset rather than a route...
My recommendation would be to find an area that appeals and explore a 20 mile radius or so, where i live [Brora] theres loads of great cycling routes on and off road and im sure a better time would be had than following the herd...
I wrote the following for some light relief for the long suffering locals and a anti NC500 group.
* ive got nothing against responsible tourists

Maya's Puppets and Straw Dogs Co
proudly present NC500 Action Figures!
Dont know what to get the little ****ards this Yaks mas...then we have the answer for you ! NC500 Action Figures! Watch'em walk Watch'em talk! Watch'em wind themselves up into a frenzy of 'DOING THE NC500! '

Mr and Mrs UglyEgo with huge Motorhome. These characters have no shame! Uncaring about the environment or others, they bring ugliness wherever they go. Watch with glee as your sprog plays 'cheapskate freeloading' 'inconsiderate parking' or crash and burn! -matches supplied

Mr OffRoader and rediculously tented 4 x 4. A splendid detailed action figure wearing stupid mirror shades and a simpering twat expression. Delight as little Johnie vrrrm vrrrms and imitates a destructive wheel spinning drive on the machair!

The Dirty Camper ***hole Convoy. A comprehensive collection of ratty vehicles and an amazing 6 zombie scum action figures-.2 boozing 2 crapping 1 vomiting and 1 OD'ed and dead.. Accessories include realistic turds, garbage and a burning gazebo-matches supplied..

Adventure motorcycle and rider A generally well behaved addition to the set he carries enough equipment to tour Patagonia. With an ear splitting exhaust you cant help but be informed of the loud arrival and departure of a child grown tall. Now watch him death defyingly traverse the Bealach na ba! What a hero......

Mr MidlifeSadTwat and Sportscar
This has gotta be fun....round and round he goes...and round..and round....and he's going nowhere actually. Comes with miniature vanity mirror, viagra bottle and DIY rope noose suicide kit.

By special request an additional action figure has joined our impressive cast of NC500 ers...
Mr Pushumoffacliff the Farmer! He comes ready to go with his bloody great tractor with bale spikes. Specially introduced to 'interact' with all the other NC500 ers! Ramming, upending. impaling great fun for all ages!

*Limited availibility as soon to be replaced with next years Ibiza edition..hopefully...😊

This is really helpful. Couple of years ago, I wanted to do the New York City Five Boro cycling. I talked with locals with whom I cycle in the USA. They told me the reality of cycling the Five Boro and did not do it.

 

[iluvmybike]

I am thinking of doing it in 10-14 days, I am not in a hurry. Preferably in August but possible in late June early July as well.

Dont go in August - wettest time of the year up north and the midges will be horrendous. May or June likely to be better. No guaranteees re weather though - it is Scotland!

 

[berty bassett]

I done the route , broke it down into 100s , found and booked b&b well in advance - like 6-9 months in advance . posted some little essentials to myself to 2 of the b&bs so I didnt have to carry too much .
the traffic I never found an issue , no I didnt have the road to myself but at the same time I could go a far way without seeing anything and there was a lot less on the roads I used compared to where I live - and I live in the country-ish . I could certainly see how some could say its so much busier than it used to be and there were a lot of motorhomes and motorbikes that I guess would ruin it for locals
my take away words of warning are 1) they are not kidding about the midges ! a day before the storm it was calm with no winds - even stopping for a wee is thwart with danger ! and it took me 3 attempts to load the bike in the morning as I just had to get away from them ! I was smothered within seconds . 2) when the weather is bleak , it is proper bleak , think I was there In July and one day I had to wear everything I was carrying and was still blue with cold , a 40 mph headwind and painful rain wasn't pleasant ! and 3) once the hills start , they dont stop till near the end
would I do it again , I dont know . am I glad I did it , damn right
the west coast is unbelievable
I have only been cycling up Scotland about 3 weeks so only seen a tiny bit of it , what I have seen I have loved every moment and planning to go up there again sometime this year , even the bad times make brilliant memories
stock up where you can , even if you dont need to as the next shop may not be that day !
I thought the b&bs were very expensive - but I guess its a short season so they have to make their money , if it is still there there was a place in latherton called Forse of nature , only just being opened when I stayed there , run by kids trying to make a go of it , cheap and a very old house ( used as a hospital in the war and they had just uncovered the old green paintwork ) I liked it there - but might just be me liking quirky
would I camp to save money , hmm , midges could be a nightmare , weather could be horrendous , extra weight would make the hills gruesome but if it all went well - what a story !
I under estimated just how the weather can effect things up there and pre booking places made it very very hard going but had to be done if not camping . 5 days would have been perfect if the weather was nice but just one of the things that could go wrong I suppose
I am sure you would enjoy it - if not enjoy it then remember it !
as fas as gps files go , there really isn't that many roads to pick from ! if you have a look at ridewithgpx and type in nc500 there will be loads of posts but nearly all will use the same roads

 

[Slick]

I done the route , broke it down into 100s , found and booked b&b well in advance - like 6-9 months in advance . posted some little essentials to myself to 2 of the b&bs so I didnt have to carry too much .
the traffic I never found an issue , no I didnt have the road to myself but at the same time I could go a far way without seeing anything and there was a lot less on the roads I used compared to where I live - and I live in the country-ish . I could certainly see how some could say its so much busier than it used to be and there were a lot of motorhomes and motorbikes that I guess would ruin it for locals
my take away words of warning are 1) they are not kidding about the midges ! a day before the storm it was calm with no winds - even stopping for a wee is thwart with danger ! and it took me 3 attempts to load the bike in the morning as I just had to get away from them ! I was smothered within seconds . 2) when the weather is bleak , it is proper bleak , think I was there In July and one day I had to wear everything I was carrying and was still blue with cold , a 40 mph headwind and painful rain wasn't pleasant ! and 3) once the hills start , they dont stop till near the end
would I do it again , I dont know . am I glad I did it , damn right
the west coast is unbelievable
I have only been cycling up Scotland about 3 weeks so only seen a tiny bit of it , what I have seen I have loved every moment and planning to go up there again sometime this year , even the bad times make brilliant memories
stock up where you can , even if you dont need to as the next shop may not be that day !
I thought the b&bs were very expensive - but I guess its a short season so they have to make their money , if it is still there there was a place in latherton called Forse of nature , only just being opened when I stayed there , run by kids trying to make a go of it , cheap and a very old house ( used as a hospital in the war and they had just uncovered the old green paintwork ) I liked it there - but might just be me liking quirky
would I camp to save money , hmm , midges could be a nightmare , weather could be horrendous , extra weight would make the hills gruesome but if it all went well - what a story !
I under estimated just how the weather can effect things up there and pre booking places made it very very hard going but had to be done if not camping . 5 days would have been perfect if the weather was nice but just one of the things that could go wrong I suppose
I am sure you would enjoy it - if not enjoy it then remember it !
as fas as gps files go , there really isn't that many roads to pick from ! if you have a look at ridewithgpx and type in nc500 there will be loads of posts but nearly all will use the same roads

Seems a fair enough assessment.