Sutherland has 2.2 people per km2, making the Lake District look like a hive of activity with 18.4 and London looking unfathomably packed with over 1,500 people per km2. No mosquitoes, or midges as they call them in Scotland. 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 … Unless, like adventurer, broadcaster and Cycling UK member Mark Beaumont, you do it in 38 hours. A tiny shard of glass was hidden in the tyre and I needed a knife to lever it out. Plus I find it easier to get in a rhythm on a long climb whereas continuous punchy rollers sap my energy quickly. This slightly alternative North Coast 500 was made in collaboration with the people behind the official driving route, to make an official NC500 Cycle Route. The seafood along this route is worth pedalling many miles for; my personal favourite is a pint of langoustine at the Applecross Inn. 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. ITINERARY Day 1 - 64miles (2450ft elevation gain) Day 2 - 69miles (7230ft elevation gain) Day 3 - 80miles (4552ft elevation gain) Day 4 - 81miles (4428ft elevation gain) Not ideal. And yet Inverness is the gateway to some of the best roads, beaches and scenery in Britain. I chose early May for a few reasons — the heavy tourist season was yet to start and supposedly May offers one of the more stable weather months in Scotland. Within a mile, we all took a wrong turn. Anything less than five days by bike is a feat of endurance, considering the amount of climbing. The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile scenic route along Scotland’s northern coast that begins and ends in the city of Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Registered as a charity in England and Wales charity no: 1147607 and in Scotland You can just stop when you feel like it. charity no: SC042541. I had never attempted 500 miles non-stop. After 13 hours of rain, I started to dry out. But I reminded him straight away that today was not for any Strava KOMs, as I would still be on my bike the following evening. The NC500 has ever-changing scenery, and whilst the road down the east coast is bigger and relatively busier, it has its own beauty. (full route below) Although fully supported, the tour has been stripped back to the essentials and as such will not have the same high level of comfort and support as our normal tours. It was heartwarming stuff and made the daft mission all the more enjoyable. The Auchmuty High School Strava Club are inviting you to take on the challenge of trying to get as far round the North Coast 500 Route as you can in the rest of January. Ride Type. Mark Beaumont's North Coast 500. This is the most favoured direction as the prevailing winds in the region are south-westerly. 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. I think this will be really useful for cyclists… Thank you. The roads around Scotland’s North Highland coast are older still. Enjoyed reading your blog and glad to see that you recommended veering off the route – I think many cyclists do prefer taking the route through the ‘Heart of Sutherland’ via Lairg and Bonar Bridge to avoid the heavier traffic on the A9. 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. 11,644m. I’m used to multi-day, multi-week and multi-month rides. The Bealach Na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) boasts the greatest ascent of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level to 626 metres over 9.1km. Our goal was to complete the North Coast 500 route that starts and ends over 500 miles later in Inverness, taking in some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the process. Even in a car it’s brutal.” Enough said. Bringing together a route of just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery in the far north of Scotland, the North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. Meet like-minded cyclists before you make your way along the North Coast 500! Stopping in the evening rain, I was immediately tortured by swarming midges. 500 miles ~ 6 days ~ 10,000m climbing. Why did you decide to tackle Scotland's NC500 cycle route? Check out the North Coast 500 website for tons of information on the route, what to see and do, as well as accommodation. The mixture of Celtic and Viking heritage is evident in the mountains that I pedalled past, with names like Ben Loyal, Ben Hope, Stac Pollaidh and Suilven. Starting your NC500 adventure: Rather than take the main NC500 driving route – you may wish to take the head to Contin via the Sustrans National Cycle Route (more info here) The 7 Day “Tourer” challenge is suitable for sportive riders who want to challenge themselves over a 7 day cycling touring adventure around the stunning North Coast 500 route. No doubt stunning by day, at 4am in the pouring rain this was the toughest section yet. This was a long way from my unsupported rides down Africa, the Americas and around the world. Back in the daylight and dry, with the tough stretch behind me, I drifted into the mental doldrums. On the contrary, I reassured them, I wasn’t speeding anywhere, having already pedalled for 24 hours. Fellow cyclists often started cautiously, suggesting that they didn’t want to hold me back and distract. Cycling UK is a trading name of Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) a company limited by guarantee, £1145 per person. Having completed a number of 24-hour rides, but never over such tough terrain, I was now well into day two. Distance: 516 miles. Pockets of crofting – small-scale farming – remain, such as on the Assynt peninsula around the spectacular Summer Isles. The entire coastal route around Sutherland and Caithness is scattered with evidence of yesteryear, now mainly vast Highland estates. This route has been recently branded the “North Coast 500” and has been a … After you have decided on a rough plan, book your accommodation. A week would be better. 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. 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. 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. Eager to free myself from them, I rushed the repair and sped on triumphantly. Cycling the NC500 _____ There are several superb routes throughout the main NC500 route to explore and discover.. Similar to the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, it’s really just putting a name to a route around a remote section of the country. North of Lochinver, the road tapered once again to a narrow track and I faced some extraordinary terrain. I actually enjoyed the 2000-foot climb up Bealach na Bà as although crazy steep near the top, the views offered much distraction from the pain. I turned left, alone again, and climbed steadily up and over to Gairloch. The North Coast 500 route has been ‘created’ and marketed in the hope it too becomes a pilgrimage. The rugged west gave way to the calmer east: sea cliffs drop off Dunnet’s Head, mainland Britain’s most northerly point, giving a stark border to the North Sea and a horizon broken only by the outlying islands of Orkney.