Thanks Barry I have watched this video a few times and I think it captures the spirit of the Highland Trail 550 . When it rains in Scotland it rains . Brilliant.
After 4 years this video still been a great inspiration video Barry, I've enjoyed a lot man! I did Chile, Norway all Peninsula Iberica and some trails around Pyrynees Mountains, and now, I'm waitaing for next spring season to do HT550 in my way. Fuck, I'm in the office I need to fly to this lands right now.
inspiring adventure - fantastic film - much respect :) Great honest summary at the end - really appreciate that you put in the effort to film and edit this ride too!
Hike-a biking is the best! Coming out of all that pain and sweat the descent is always so amazing and justifying. I've been enjoying the channel. Cheers!
ahh thank you so much, it means alot as this film I took a huge amount of effort to film it and is one of my proudest films. What a trail, I cant take any credit for that ;-)
Great video Barry. Really enjoyed your positive outlook and the beautiful shots. A lot of work went into that. Makes me want to get up to Scotland and ride it myself.
What an inspirational film, and such an inspirational guy! Loved this post..just starting (late in life..haha) mountain bike camping for the first time. Thinking about Scotland; which is why I watched this, and a seed has been planted in my psyche; I'm going to have to get up there! Thanks so much for making this!
Thank you so much Tim! Scotland is an incredible place to start, you can camp anywhere you wish, the freedom is amazing and the riding and views are even better :-)
Great video Barry, amazing scenery and looks like a lot of effort goes into your films. I found your channel a couple of months ago and feeling inspired have ordered a bikepacking bike and started collecting some adventure gear. Looking forward to getting out once the new bike arrives 😁
Thank you so much Andrew! I cant wait to hear about your first trip! A rigid bike also makes trails so exciting again, it will have you grinning from ear to ear :-)
Amazing experience and great video (I loved the music too!)! If someone asked me what I really would like to do in this period of my life, I would definitely answer: "Look what Barry did!"
Hey Barry , just found your channel and subscribed! I'm going to bike the Scotland 500 either next Sept.or Sept 2021! I've seen a couple of your videos and got to say they are really well done. I'm 63 and all my life I've given it all I had. If I do this right, one moment I'll be riding, diving or sailing and having the time of my life and the next someone will be preforming CPR on me. Wouldn't want it any other way! All the best from California
Thanks very much. I was enjoying wild so much, two weeks doesn't feel a while but as soon as you are over the midpoint and days left are less than you have done, you do not want it to end
Great video mate, glad Iv recently found your channel. Your videos are ridiculously well put together for a smaller channel. Inspired to do my own route now!
Great video Barry and amazing scenery!! I completed the Corrieyairack Pass just the other week, dam hard work fully loaded up but loved it. Highland trail 550 definitely on my list!
Hey thank you :-) yeah it is a long gruelling pass, but wow, how fast is the descent!!!! I'm sure on that rigid bike I was going 40mph and got bounced from one side of the double track to the other haha
Just found your channel and subscribed 🙌🏻 Great video, loved it! As a Scot I’ve heard of the infamous Highland 550 and it looks just as brutal as I’d heard. Don’t think I’ll be trying that on my gravel bike. Watched the Italian Alps too, that looked equally challenging!! 😁
Thanks so much Charlie!! Yes those are tow of my best films. The highland trail i am particularly proud of! Do go and ride it, it is the most incredible trail!!!
Nice video Barry. I did the middle part of the route as my first bikepacking trip, probably about a month after you did it. Glad to know I'm not the only one who thought the Coffin Road ascent was ridiculous!
Oh, that was such a funny moment. Normally they wait for the last minute to move and run away, this one did and run straight into my front wheel, I felt I had done something wrong, but it was his stupid fault, haha. Scotland is stunning as is a definite MUST place to go
Have you tried or considered 'An Turas Mor' ? It was my sensible alternative to the HT550, and if you don't like carrying n pushing your bike, I'd thoroughly recommend it; mostly double track, so not as challenging, but still passes through some remote areas with amazing scenery (including corrieyarick pass).
Good effort! I did the route at the beginning of October this year. It was amazing but some of the latter parts particularly coffin road I felt to be a bit too masochistic!
Haha, Yes but it still draws you back, was there a few weeks ago and coffin road had to be done once again :-) So stunning scenery around that area though, so lucky to of seen it this year
Great video as always mate, love the Scottish rugged scenery. Have you done the great Glen way, fort William - inverness. ? There are parts of your route here that cover it, it's amazing. What tent/weight are you using btw.
Hey, thank you! Yes, Scotland is stunning. This route did cover most of the Great Glen Way, a nice ride with great scenery, but do try and go north or south of it for the real wild places. My tent is a MSR Hubba NX and weights 1.3kg, super light and packs down very small
Amazing video, as always! Looking into buying a longitude myself, would you reckon a size S is ok for 5"8, 31"inseam? Unfortunately-being in Belgium-there's no way to test ride one here. Happy travels!
Love your video's Barry, scenery & trails in Scotland are fab, I live on Arran & know I'm blessed. Just wondering what your bike is & the set up. I'm hoping to do a lot more off road touring next year. Thanks.
Hi Kim! thanks very much. Yes, you are very blessed, Arran is a beautiful place and an incredible trail network! My bike is a Genesis Longitude - and the bags are all Alpkit. More use bags that strap on, keep weight low. The major tip is a water bladder in the frame bag. Any other questions please do ask, I will reply much quicker
Thanks for the reply Barry. Good tip about the water bladder, thanks. I don't like carrying a rucksack if I can help it. Do you use any kind of frame protector? I did the WHW last summer on a 3 month old MTB & it got scratched!! Really enjoy watching your vids, just wish we could be out there now exploring but sticking to the local trails for now. Stay safe.
@@kimtoogood4006 Hey, yeah never use a backpack, it hurts the bum too much after days ;-) yeah I use frame protection, more just some of those clear protection stickers where I know the bags rub, and on the forks where my harness attaches I use gorilla tape, not for prettiness but bags in grit really will rub through a frame. Thanks very much for watching my films, yes cant wait to get out, had so many plans this year, but the mountains will always be there
Hey thanks Maurice, To be honest it was a few years ago, but just realised wasnt on my youtube channel - It was two weeks before the race, so begining of May 2017
Fantastic video, looked tough, but very enjoyable, if you like that sort of thing 😂 I'm planning on doing the Northern loop in a few weeks time, would love to do the whole route but can't manage 2 weeks away on my bike. Do you reckon you'll return to finish the northern loop?
Thanks so much!! Yes I have been trying three times this year to go and do that northern loop! Need so proper mountain wild in my life! Lets hope next year life will give us a break to go back. Hope your trip goes well!
Barry. I love your videos - and Ive watched this particular one a good few times now :-) If your travels ever take you into the Scottish Borders, please give me a shout - there's a room for you here - and endless Irn Bru on tap :-)))) Stevie
Hey Stephen, thanks so much! Yes I can't wait to get back up to Scotland, and also on my list is to do western Scotland borders and explore Dumfries and Galloway
@@stevia13 It was beginning of May, which is a great time to go, I have seen how bad it is up there right now, I have been up in august and it is pretty bad when surrounded by a cloud of midge :-)
Wonderful film :) I'm about to buy a bike for similar adventure tours. I still can't decide whether or not I want to go with a suspension fork. Were you happy with your rigid fork, or would you rather have a suspension fork in the future?
Hey, Well I am lucky as I also have a full suspension bike, but for bikepacking a rigid bike is better and easier to strap bags to, but obviously to ride more technical terrain, front suspension will definitely make it a better ride, also better for riding with out bags. Hope that helps
Thanks so much Peter! Yes some days it would look impressive, but others would be embarrassing :-) It is more the effort put in rather than the stats, next time I do it hopefully lighter and faster :-)
Thanks Barry I have watched this video a few times and I think it captures the spirit of the Highland Trail 550 . When it rains in Scotland it rains . Brilliant.
They really make the lambs in Scotland hard core. Brilliant as usual Barry.
Haha i know what a lunatic ;-)
Chapeau, Barry!!!!
Thanks so much :-)
After 4 years this video still been a great inspiration video Barry, I've enjoyed a lot man! I did Chile, Norway all Peninsula Iberica and some trails around Pyrynees Mountains, and now, I'm waitaing for next spring season to do HT550 in my way. Fuck, I'm in the office I need to fly to this lands right now.
Brilliant film. However It had to be so hard to keep filming.. Respect and thank you🙂
Thank you very much, and yes this film was alot of effort, but I wanted to show how spectacular those parts of scotland are :-)
inspiring adventure - fantastic film - much respect :) Great honest summary at the end - really appreciate that you put in the effort to film and edit this ride too!
Thank you so much, yes I love creating this film, yes a huge effort but love watching it back so much
Lot of work went into putting that together mate very sleek presentation 👍
Other-worldly!
Ahh, have to love Scotland! So stunning
Amazing! Really freaking amazing!!!
Thanks so much
That was fantastic and so inspiring. Thank you. 👍🏽
Thanks very much
All hail the king of bike packing!! We love your adventures, keep taking us along
bob manwaring haha, very kind words, thankyou very much :-)
Another great video, great scenery!
Hi, thanks so much Dave! Yeah stunning place
Inspiring yet again. Great route Barry, you're a trooper. ✌
Thanks so much!
What an absolute legend 🌟
Thanks matey
Awesome film, thanks Barry, love your films, inspiring
Thanks so much Ben! So glad you enjoy them
Inspiring, some achievement. Love the scenery.
Thank you very much David, particularly proud of this video. Such a beautiful place
Overwhelmingly good !
Thank you so much! very proud of this film :-)
I understand why. I'm becoming à big follower of yours. Keep going !
Awesome!
Thank you very much John
Awesome video! The end was just what we all needed to see once and for all ✌🏼😃
Thanks so much
Hike-a biking is the best! Coming out of all that pain and sweat the descent is always so amazing and justifying. I've been enjoying the channel. Cheers!
Thank you so much! Yeah a tough day out, but such a sense of achievement
as always amazing video good job
Thanks very much
If you don't bring it with you, you do without. Excellent
Very very wise words Scott :-)
Thanks for the video. Thinking of doing this route at some point soon. 🙂
Wow, what a great two wheeled adventure you had! You certainly put the work in for this one, many thanks for filming and sharing.👍
Hey, thanks Paul. Yes lots of work, not only to ride it but also filming it made it almost double the length, haha
Fantastic 👍
Thanks so much
Barry, your best film that was awesome! So much effort and dedication to solo filming. A fantastic advert for the 550. Well done, Chapeau Sir!
ahh thank you so much, it means alot as this film I took a huge amount of effort to film it and is one of my proudest films. What a trail, I cant take any credit for that ;-)
Awesome trip, really enjoyed watching your adventure.
Thanks so much, Yes it was a stunning trip
Great video Barry. Really enjoyed your positive outlook and the beautiful shots. A lot of work went into that. Makes me want to get up to Scotland and ride it myself.
Hey Adam, thanks so much! Yes was a wonderful trip! and get back up there your self, will be an amazing adventure
Well done Barry great video,
Thanks so much Chris!
Chapeau!
Thanks Stephen
Fantastic footage very well done! Really amazing scenery and it is just empty.
Ahhhh just the way I love it, pure wilderness :-) thanks so much
What an inspirational film, and such an inspirational guy! Loved this post..just starting (late in life..haha) mountain bike camping for the first time. Thinking about Scotland; which is why I watched this, and a seed has been planted in my psyche; I'm going to have to get up there! Thanks so much for making this!
Thank you so much Tim! Scotland is an incredible place to start, you can camp anywhere you wish, the freedom is amazing and the riding and views are even better :-)
Great video Barry, amazing scenery and looks like a lot of effort goes into your films. I found your channel a couple of months ago and feeling inspired have ordered a bikepacking bike and started collecting some adventure gear. Looking forward to getting out once the new bike arrives 😁
Thank you so much Andrew! I cant wait to hear about your first trip! A rigid bike also makes trails so exciting again, it will have you grinning from ear to ear :-)
Keep on keeping on Barry. Vids are very entertaining and being Scottish I love these adventures. You deserve more subscribers mate. Best.
Thank you Steven, I there is another Scotland film I am editing at the moment, but cant wait to be back up there
Amazing experience and great video (I loved the music too!)!
If someone asked me what I really would like to do in this period of my life, I would definitely answer: "Look what Barry did!"
Haha, what a comment, thank you very much, well my reply to you is 'just go do it' :-)
Hey Barry , just found your channel and subscribed! I'm going to bike the Scotland 500 either next Sept.or Sept 2021! I've seen a couple of your videos and got to say they are really well done. I'm 63 and all my life I've given it all I had. If I do this right, one moment I'll be riding, diving or sailing and having the time of my life and the next someone will be preforming CPR on me. Wouldn't want it any other way! All the best from California
Hey Monte!!! oh you will love that trail! its so tough, but the reward is incredible
Well done! I am impressed again. 2 weeks on your own and still smiling and enjoying the nature. Good man. Don't give up. 😄
Thanks very much. I was enjoying wild so much, two weeks doesn't feel a while but as soon as you are over the midpoint and days left are less than you have done, you do not want it to end
The one person who clicked thumbs-down should seek immediate medical attention!
Haha, thanks
Great video mate, glad Iv recently found your channel.
Your videos are ridiculously well put together for a smaller channel.
Inspired to do my own route now!
Hey, thank you so much, Joshua!!!! Yeah lots of exciting videos to come so please keep watching :-)
Excellent vlog. Infectious enthusiasm, great cinematography. Must be a lot of hard work getting those shots and then editing!
Thank you so much Martin! Yes I put so much effort into this film, I am so please you enjoyed it.
I just came here to comment EXACTLY this. You took the words right out of my mouth. Brilliant job, Barry.
Great video Barry and amazing scenery!! I completed the Corrieyairack Pass just the other week, dam hard work fully loaded up but loved it. Highland trail 550 definitely on my list!
Hey thank you :-) yeah it is a long gruelling pass, but wow, how fast is the descent!!!! I'm sure on that rigid bike I was going 40mph and got bounced from one side of the double track to the other haha
😂
Just found your channel and subscribed 🙌🏻 Great video, loved it! As a Scot I’ve heard of the infamous Highland 550 and it looks just as brutal as I’d heard. Don’t think I’ll be trying that on my gravel bike. Watched the Italian Alps too, that looked equally challenging!! 😁
Thanks so much Charlie!! Yes those are tow of my best films. The highland trail i am particularly proud of! Do go and ride it, it is the most incredible trail!!!
Great vid
Thank you very much Garry
How have you only got 5000k subscribers!! Best film about HT 550 I’ve seen. Thank you
Thank you so much :-) Very proud of this film!
Great video , a new subscriber - not sure how I haven’t come across your vids previously. Looks an amazing place to ride 👍
Hey Barry! Thanks so much for follwing the adventure! must be fate as we have the same name ;-) oh and Scotland is a stunning place to ride
Barry, excellent editing, narration and cinematography. So pleased I found your channel. ATB Andy
Thanks so much, partially proud of this film, was a lot of work
@@barrygodin7538 Certainly shows in the final product. Excellent stuff!
Great stuff! All that work doing those setup shots or whatever the technical name is. Just found your channel and I’m going through in random fashion😀
Thanks so much Jeff! Yes it was a lot of effort to set them all up, but sooo happy I did and to show of Scotlands beauty
Nice video Barry. I did the middle part of the route as my first bikepacking trip, probably about a month after you did it. Glad to know I'm not the only one who thought the Coffin Road ascent was ridiculous!
Thanks Richard! Yeah amazingly i went back to ride the middle look last October, video coming soon. That coffin road was no easier haha
Ha, rather you than me. Good training though for steep hike a bikes
Thanks for sharing beautiful Scotland Highland landscapes. Look like a MUST-GO place except being charged by young baby lamb. Hahaha~
Oh, that was such a funny moment. Normally they wait for the last minute to move and run away, this one did and run straight into my front wheel, I felt I had done something wrong, but it was his stupid fault, haha. Scotland is stunning as is a definite MUST place to go
Amazing! I need to do the 550
Yes you do! It is an epic adventure
😯😍 awsome
Thanks very much Tony!
Wow!
Haha, yes loved this trip!
Class
Thanks Jack
Have you tried or considered 'An Turas Mor' ? It was my sensible alternative to the HT550, and if you don't like carrying n pushing your bike, I'd thoroughly recommend it; mostly double track, so not as challenging, but still passes through some remote areas with amazing scenery (including corrieyarick pass).
A friend has just completed it - looked very interesting and yes looks far more rideable and you still get that Scottish experience
Hi Barry entertaining as ever, how is it you’ve only got 485 subscribers!!?? Bonkers 😀
Haha, thanks Colin! Help me spread the word :-)
Brilliant video again Barry and inspired to get up to Scotland and give it a go. Out of interest what bike are you riding please?
Hey, yeah go ride it, Scotland is incredible for riding. I use a Genesis Longitude with 29x3'' Tyres
Good effort! I did the route at the beginning of October this year. It was amazing but some of the latter parts particularly coffin road I felt to be a bit too masochistic!
Haha, Yes but it still draws you back, was there a few weeks ago and coffin road had to be done once again :-) So stunning scenery around that area though, so lucky to of seen it this year
Great video as always mate, love the Scottish rugged scenery. Have you done the great Glen way, fort William - inverness. ? There are parts of your route here that cover it, it's amazing. What tent/weight are you using btw.
Hey, thank you! Yes, Scotland is stunning. This route did cover most of the Great Glen Way, a nice ride with great scenery, but do try and go north or south of it for the real wild places. My tent is a MSR Hubba NX and weights 1.3kg, super light and packs down very small
Amazing video, as always!
Looking into buying a longitude myself, would you reckon a size S is ok for 5"8, 31"inseam? Unfortunately-being in Belgium-there's no way to test ride one here.
Happy travels!
Hey, thanks very much! I am personally 5ft8'' and mine is a medium, hope that helps
Have you done a video on the kit you use? Which bike etc? If not I'd find that useful. 👍
Hi Mark, I have it in the pipe line :-)
Love your video's Barry, scenery & trails in Scotland are fab, I live on Arran & know I'm blessed. Just wondering what your bike is & the set up. I'm hoping to do a lot more off road touring next year. Thanks.
Hi Kim! thanks very much. Yes, you are very blessed, Arran is a beautiful place and an incredible trail network! My bike is a Genesis Longitude - and the bags are all Alpkit. More use bags that strap on, keep weight low. The major tip is a water bladder in the frame bag.
Any other questions please do ask, I will reply much quicker
Thanks for the reply Barry. Good tip about the water bladder, thanks. I don't like carrying a rucksack if I can help it. Do you use any kind of frame protector? I did the WHW last summer on a 3 month old MTB & it got scratched!! Really enjoy watching your vids, just wish we could be out there now exploring but sticking to the local trails for now. Stay safe.
@@kimtoogood4006 Hey, yeah never use a backpack, it hurts the bum too much after days ;-) yeah I use frame protection, more just some of those clear protection stickers where I know the bags rub, and on the forks where my harness attaches I use gorilla tape, not for prettiness but bags in grit really will rub through a frame. Thanks very much for watching my films, yes cant wait to get out, had so many plans this year, but the mountains will always be there
Great film Barry, very jealous. Which period were you there, if I may ask?
Hey thanks Maurice, To be honest it was a few years ago, but just realised wasnt on my youtube channel - It was two weeks before the race, so begining of May 2017
Fantastic video, looked tough, but very enjoyable, if you like that sort of thing 😂
I'm planning on doing the Northern loop in a few weeks time, would love to do the whole route but can't manage 2 weeks away on my bike.
Do you reckon you'll return to finish the northern loop?
Thanks so much!! Yes I have been trying three times this year to go and do that northern loop! Need so proper mountain wild in my life! Lets hope next year life will give us a break to go back. Hope your trip goes well!
The music compliments the visuals perfectly 👌
Thank you so much Steve! Yeah such epic views need treating properly
Barry. I love your videos - and Ive watched this particular one a good few times now :-) If your travels ever take you into the Scottish Borders, please give me a shout - there's a room for you here - and endless Irn Bru on tap :-)))) Stevie
Hey Stephen, thanks so much! Yes I can't wait to get back up to Scotland, and also on my list is to do western Scotland borders and explore Dumfries and Galloway
Sounds like the Southern Upland Way starting from Portpatrick would tick a lot of boxes👍
@@barrygodin7538 Barry - what time of year was this - you don't look like you had any problems with the midge! 🙂
@@stevia13 It was beginning of May, which is a great time to go, I have seen how bad it is up there right now, I have been up in august and it is pretty bad when surrounded by a cloud of midge :-)
Beautiful video! Do you only use gopro to film? how do you make such beautiful shots !? 😍
Hey thank you so much! It is Go pro on the bike shots, and then everything else (80% of the film) is iPhone :-)
Wonderful film :) I'm about to buy a bike for similar adventure tours. I still can't decide whether or not I want to go with a suspension fork. Were you happy with your rigid fork, or would you rather have a suspension fork in the future?
Hey, Well I am lucky as I also have a full suspension bike, but for bikepacking a rigid bike is better and easier to strap bags to, but obviously to ride more technical terrain, front suspension will definitely make it a better ride, also better for riding with out bags. Hope that helps
I was going to ask how you film yourself, but the last few seconds answered that!
Haha, yes a lot of walking :-) But worth the effort
Terrific film. What time of year?
Hi, this was in May time, you want to go before summer and before the midges come out
bloody ell, unreal video, but you are fuckin so lucky u went 10 days without the rain haha!
Haha, yes I do not always do so well with the weather! Think I deserved that short moment haha
Enjoyed this, thanks, what pedals and shoes did you use on this trip ?
Hey, thanks very much.I have used for so many years - Specialized Rime shoes and Shimano XT Trail pedals
@@barrygodin7538 thanks very much, ivre just taken delivery of my genesis vagabond , see ya on the trail
@@cumbriancamper Awesome, nice bike!!!! See you out there :-)
What wheels have you got on this bike? I love the sound of the free hub :-)
Haha, they are hope pro 4 on stand Hugo rims and Maxxis chronicle 29x3 tyres
@@barrygodin7538 just been looking at Hunt wheels. Do you always go for Hope hubs? Cheers
@@fred123456b Hey, yes I have always used Hope hubs on every single bike for the past 10 years :-)
Brilliant?!
thanks!!!
GOOD VIDEO , but would be nice if you showed daily mileages and elevation gains - looks like you’ve got the tech to show it
Thanks so much Peter! Yes some days it would look impressive, but others would be embarrassing :-) It is more the effort put in rather than the stats, next time I do it hopefully lighter and faster :-)
Barry Godin it’s really for our sakes so we some idea of how much it takes and if feasible for us rather than sizing you up
Where is that lovely place at 5:13?
Hi it is at a place called Struy, a bit fancy for smelly dirty me haha
13 day............
:-)
Ive heard this is a very hard trail to follow...need gps as the track isnt very well marked?
Hi, yes you defiantly need a gps, and also a good knowledge of reading OS maps. There is plenty of moments of no trail
You can tell you're a seasoned cyclist of Scotland, nothing beats Irn Bru to remedy long days.
That is what you call an energy boost :-) Amber nectar
1:23 -> Irn bru!! :) :)
Haha, it has to be, doesn't it??? :-)
Oh you idiot..... That bit made me laugh. Quality video and cheers for the upload.
Haha, glad I'm entertaining :-)
That was great. Mind if tag along as a subscriber!
Hey thanks very much, would love for you to come along on the Adventure :-)
@@barrygodin7538 just getting back into cycling now the wrong side of 40! Very inspiring videos. Atb
@@jbradshaw4236 Oh there is never a wrong side of 40!!!! keep pedaling and exploring
Your video is great but Tyndrum isn’t pronounced Tindrum.
Thanks Jane :-) I am surprised you thought all my other Scottish pronunciation was perfect?
It was totally ok. Also you’re a very good mountain biker. I was impressed as some bits were spectacularly hairy.