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I've come up with a loose plan for a week off at the end of June and wondering if there's anything I'm missing:
Day 1 - drive Bathgate to Golspie and ride the trail (this could change to Laggan as Golspie may appear later in the plan too... Sleep in the car/van at Golspie
Day 2 - early round Golspie, drive to JOG and ferry to Orkney
Day 3 - full day in Ornkey, no biking, family connections up there so wander round the land where my grandparents lived/visit the cemetery/see what's changed where we used to go - ALTERNATIVE PLAN - just take the bike over and cut out the see what's changed part and save money on car on ferry (accommodation provisionally booked)
Day 4 - this is where I'm struggling - want to end up down the west coast, considering cycling out to Cape Wrath and having a wee explore round that area, or back to Golspie then across - if doing that I'd want to change the day one ride for variety. Finishing the day probably towards Torridon and sleeping in the car/see what I can get on the day.
Day 5 - Morning ride at Torridon, have heard it's a great ride, drive heading round Applecross etc, no fixed plans on accommodation maybe Fort William
Day 6 - Fort William, maybe hire a DH bike, more likely the XC route then home
Anything I'm missing especially in the north west? Will likely be riding a Whyte T-129 or G160, might have both options if I take van but hoping to have a Leon Cupra estate delivered by then which I'd definitely be taking!
Know Golspie appears a few times but it's one of my favourite trails that I never get to, done Laggan but not since the work was done and Balblair/Learnie up there too I think. Won't do it three times though so hoping there's something in the NW area worth doing.
That's a lot of driving time mate.
^What he says, that's like a driving holiday.
Yeah it's combining both driving and biking - my perfect holiday!
The miles/hours on the route planner all look do-able but that doesn't take into account being tired from biking right enough!
Was pretty wiped out from a trip up to Glencoe then round the devil staircase then back the other week so might need to re-plan the mileage cheers especially if in the van. Do have an extra two days available if needed.
I’d reel in the driving distance and halve your expectations. Take weather into account and give yourself hanging about time. Or drive to where the weather is good and stay there. That’s how I do Scotland.
Interesting feedback thanks, had taken the NC500 as a guide which seems to be reasonably comfortable in 4 days then tagged on biking and Orkney. Might just focus on the A9 side and head to Laggan on the way, Golspie then Orkney (this is a must as it's been way too long) and see how much I have left on the way down. With very little accommodation booked was thinking of getting driving done early or late to get quiet roads and biking through the days.
Definitely re-thinking the base plan now, with having a few days booked in Orkney and nothing else on that week I guess I can play things by ear too.
Did the vast majority of the NC500 with a mate years ago in 5 days with a game of golf every day and a night out most nights, was a lot younger then though 🙂
Re the weather, that's an interesting one. If the week looks miserable I might totally can it and base my riding in the borders so I can get warm and dry every night.
Maybe over planning which is unusual for me!
<p>NC500 is going to be 500 miles of traffic. Would have done it before it became a thing but can't be bothered with that nonsense now, the roads really aren't built for people who can't or won't reverse a caravan.</p>
Day 4 balblair and learnie
Drive later in the day; once the roads have got quieter and the campers are all camping you’ll make much better progress.
As others have said, that’s loads of driving. If you’re heading up that way though, perhaps consider Balblair trails as well to stay on the East coast.