Everytime I watch your videos I am bewildred why you are not commissioned by the BBC to produce such series for them. There are a suprising number of good TH-cam series among a sea of dross, but there are few as professionally produced, or as entertaining, as yours. That they are done with a team of one is even more extrodinary! As always, thanks.
I've been staying at the Buccleuch in Moffat for years. The Smith family just cannot do enough for there guests. Most of my trips have been on a motorcycle, but last last year I took the gravel bike. Dave Smith tells me he is keen to cater for cyclists, I did a really good road ride from the hotel known in the area as the three lochs route.
What a great travel report with beautiful landscape photos. My longing for Scotland is growing. Maybe it will work out next year. The Roam Scotland Rally is a good suggestion for my next adventure, and maybe I'll go for the more off-road route.
The great thing about Roam is that you don't need to decide too much in advance and can switch between the routes as you go Peter. Next year is East (I think)
I have only recently discovered AAA. Thank you for the information, gentle advice, and beautiful videos. You are an inspiration to get out and enjoy the ride, not just chase speed. Thank you.
Excellent coverage of the Roam Scotland Rally, I enjoyed every minute. Thanks for your hard work in making this video, looking forward to more adventures!
If it's the descent I think it is - I recorded that back in April as part of my Dirty Reiver weekend, I had ridden it in both directions, on the Sunday though I rode to the Greggs in Kelso, not that the Greggs was planned I just happened to be in the right place at the right time as the heavens opened. The top of the descent was drizzle and as I quickly descend with a beaming smile on my face the skies parted. One of the highlights from that weekend, it helped once that I was 1 mile from where I had wild camped the night before on the edge of the Keider national park.
Would recommend a saddle fit for Liz as she seems a little high and positioned a little bit forward.Would reference Cade Media Bikefit Tuesdays for saddle height adjustments with James. Happy riding…hope your friends bikes are found.
You have given me the idea of entering next year. It's a great video, we have a charity from near Peterborough that provides tandem rides for the blind and partially sighted called G wizz inclusive tandem bike rides.
What a pleasure to meet you both! It was great putting a few miles down with a good chat! Loved watching through your experience! Thanks again, and hopefully see you on another adventure! Keith and Lindsay
Really enjoyed the video....myself just finished the TuscanyTrail and looking for a new Adventure it's nice to find the RSR...on the bucket list for 2024....grtz from Flanders..🍻.
Cracking vid Simon, really enjoyable. The Scottish Borders has so much to offer cyclists and perhaps has a better balance of options and facilities than other places in Scotland. I've become much more of a fan of having a decent night's accommodation rather than carrying loads of camping gear. Maybe it's age, maybe it just makes for more enjoyable days in the saddle but either way, you can't 'cheat' if you're doing things the way you want to. Really sad about the stolen bikes. I wonder if it was the Morton Hall site on the edge of Edinburgh? I've had a couple of near misses there and many reviews now show this is a common thing. Campsites will perhaps have to up their game when it comes to providing secure bike storage as many B&Bs, hotels, etc have done.
I believe there's slightly more to that theft, and not entirely due to the campsite, but I ought not say much more because I don't know the full circumstances. I was thinking how nice the borders were, then this week had an AMAZING ride in the highlands. Some shots from that coming i an All Members update tonight. Oh - and I didn't take a tent, I was in the SYHA at Ratagan
It was lovely to meet you and Liz on this year's RSR! Very much enjoyed the video with all the extra insights and stories behind some of the places along the way. I totally agree that Roam Scotland is the friendliest, most welcoming event. There is great freedom for everyone to ride the rally their own way, where everything goes!
Just wonderful - you've made me think. As someone who is not very fit and likes to tour or just ride for pleasure, but with absolutely zero interest in competition or timing, I know sportives and etapes are not for me. But this looks good - whatever mix of freedom and cameraderie you choose. I like it. By the way, I stayed in that lovely Kelso hotel cycling the 4 Abbeys route. Hotels that nice aren't always the best at looking after a bike, Ednam House was great. I've generally found small hotels in small places are really good with cyclists, while chains and big hotels are not.
Had I been alone I might have attempted more of the rugged route and camped more but Liz made me take it easy and I probably enjoyed it more. I always tell the hotel when I book I need secure bicycle parking and if they come back and say they can’t do it, I cancel and go elsewhere
Loved that Simon, looks very attractive and something Carole and I might take on. There's so many great value routes in Scotland aren't there and not all of them have to be gnarley all the time, but you certainly don't need me to tell you that. I recognise bits and bobs of your route and look forward to heading back to Scotland later this year once the timorous wee beasties thin out. Thanks for posting.
I thought about you two when I was doing it - I felt it might be one you’d like. That said, I think it would be better split into two separate routes - either Borders / East Lothian or Dumfries and Galloway. Going out that junction felt a bit odd. Coming back it worked.
Absolutely excellent Simon. I quite fancied this event but it overlapped with a 3 week trip across Spain that we'd arranged. We've done a fair bit of riding in the beautiful Borders and I'm thinking this could be a great tour for next year..... Can you guarantee the weather..? 😉 Thanks a lot.
Have been waiting for this and it didn’t disappoint!! An excellent adventure in a part of Scotland we know well - rode many of those sections over 5 days a week ago. Sounds like a great event so must check out next years. Thanks 🙏
Really enjoyed that Simon, thank you - specially the long format. Do you mind if I ask if/what training Liz did, other than the swimming? We're planning Brittany trip in September - and like you one of us cycles more regularly than the other!
Liz doesn’t record her ‘training’ - she just goes for the occasional ride and gradually increased the frequency in the run up to this. Most rides were about 90min with a few 3hr ones thrown in.
A very informative and well produced video. The road route looked good although riding some of the more major busy roads looked a bit alarming! Just watched TerraVenture's video and the less rugged route that you followed looks so much better. I think you lucked out on that front. Riding endless forest gravel roads and climbing all becomes a bit monotonous after a while. Plus your video is so much better. you could have made it a full hour or two 30 minutes parts. It is so professionally done I am thinking you have media or tv programme production experience. Your voice is very engaging and sounds familiar. Maybe I heard you on a programme on Radio 4? Many thanks.
What sort of percentage is tarmac? Seemed like a lot. I notice a couple of people on MTB and that's how I would do it too, but maybe too much tarmac. great video thank you for making it.
Probably best take a look at the two routes linked in the video description as I can’t give you %. We did more tarmac because that’s what Liz wanted. The full rugged route is much more off-road. And other Roam Routes even more so.
The bike thievery is such a shame, always a concern ... have often thought of a tracking device hidden somewhere in the frame, I'm sure there would be something out there?
Glad you enjoyed it. The official routes are on the Roam Scotland Rally website to which I've linked. You're right though, I need to add some Komoot links too, thanks for the reminder.
Very good video, wanted to do this in May but didn’t work out. Planning to do in September, hoping to do more of the rugged route, but hoping it’s not too technical. Absolutely inspiring. Thank you!
Disgusting to hear bike theives targeting campsites, must be organised, expensive bikes are very vulnerable on bike camping trips as carrying gold rate locks clamped to immovable objects for insurance purposes is pretty much a no go. Could make a good subject matter for a video of you have ideas or experience, I like the guy ropes through the frame/tent partially on top of bike thing
The 2024 RSR will be my first multi day bikepacking trip. I have at times wondered about bike security! I carry two hiplok z’s but they are hardly going to stop anyone with tools!
Stolen bikes. I have travelled throughout Europe. In some poor areas too. I have left my bike and kit locked to a tree and went shopping. I have left my backpack tied to a park bench and gone off for dinner at a restaurant. I have never had a single item touched when it would be so easy to steal a bike computer a £350 light or just Nick the bike with some bolt croppers. I have never felt unsafe to sleep in any of their camp sites. Yet some EU riders come to the U.K. and in 24 hours have all their kit stolen. It is a unjust act by bottom feeders we seem to allow to continue to exist.
Everytime I watch your videos I am bewildred why you are not commissioned by the BBC to produce such series for them. There are a suprising number of good TH-cam series among a sea of dross, but there are few as professionally produced, or as entertaining, as yours. That they are done with a team of one is even more extrodinary! As always, thanks.
Thanks.
Lovely to see the missus.
7 days bike wowww, awesome!!!
I've been staying at the Buccleuch in Moffat for years. The Smith family just cannot do enough for there guests. Most of my trips have been on a motorcycle, but last last year I took the gravel bike. Dave Smith tells me he is keen to cater for cyclists, I did a really good road ride from the hotel known in the area as the three lochs route.
What a great travel report with beautiful landscape photos. My longing for Scotland is growing. Maybe it will work out next year. The Roam Scotland Rally is a good suggestion for my next adventure, and maybe I'll go for the more off-road route.
The great thing about Roam is that you don't need to decide too much in advance and can switch between the routes as you go Peter. Next year is East (I think)
Hermoso Lugar 😊
Excelente trabajo 👏
Awesome video. I look forward to each new video. Your voice in the narration calming. Thank you.
👍👍👍👍
I have only recently discovered AAA. Thank you for the information, gentle advice, and beautiful videos. You are an inspiration to get out and enjoy the ride, not just chase speed. Thank you.
You're so welcome - thanks Karli
Excelentes!!
Enjoyed
Excelente
Excellent coverage of the Roam Scotland Rally, I enjoyed every minute. Thanks for your hard work in making this video, looking forward to more adventures!
If it's the descent I think it is - I recorded that back in April as part of my Dirty Reiver weekend, I had ridden it in both directions, on the Sunday though I rode to the Greggs in Kelso, not that the Greggs was planned I just happened to be in the right place at the right time as the heavens opened. The top of the descent was drizzle and as I quickly descend with a beaming smile on my face the skies parted. One of the highlights from that weekend, it helped once that I was 1 mile from where I had wild camped the night before on the edge of the Keider national park.
Great video! Thanks for sharing and recommending Terra
Would recommend a saddle fit for Liz as she seems a little high and positioned a little bit forward.Would reference Cade Media Bikefit Tuesdays for saddle height adjustments with James. Happy riding…hope your friends bikes are found.
Buenaaaa
Excelente deporte
Thanks, excellent presentation and quite inspirational
Excelente lugar
Exlentw deporte
Buenísimo
What an excellent video. I really enjoyed this one. I'll put this rally on my list. Maybe next year.
Fabulous video and cracking weather, the bakery in Moffat is amazing anytime I go through there I stop in at it. 👍
Always informative videos with top notch production! Appreciate the information Simon!
You have given me the idea of entering next year. It's a great video, we have a charity from near Peterborough that provides tandem rides for the blind and partially sighted called G wizz inclusive tandem bike rides.
Sounds great Mike. I think the other routes will be as varied as the country is so who knows what they’ll be like 😁
looks good, hopefully try it next year!
East and Cairngorms route next year ridewithgps.com/routes/43894843?privacy_code=gRksxhw5o3u6Km8CE64avffGcdFyh5J3
I'll keep my eyes peeled for next year's event, thanks!
What a pleasure to meet you both! It was great putting a few miles down with a good chat! Loved watching through your experience! Thanks again, and hopefully see you on another adventure! Keith and Lindsay
Great video! And good to see you having a chat with Warren 👍😊 D&G has some of the best routes for gravel and nice quiet B roads to see the region.
Really enjoyed the video....myself just finished the TuscanyTrail and looking for a new Adventure it's nice to find the RSR...on the bucket list for 2024....grtz from Flanders..🍻.
Great trip and video. I enjoyed watching and didn't want it to end!
Cracking vid Simon, really enjoyable. The Scottish Borders has so much to offer cyclists and perhaps has a better balance of options and facilities than other places in Scotland. I've become much more of a fan of having a decent night's accommodation rather than carrying loads of camping gear. Maybe it's age, maybe it just makes for more enjoyable days in the saddle but either way, you can't 'cheat' if you're doing things the way you want to. Really sad about the stolen bikes. I wonder if it was the Morton Hall site on the edge of Edinburgh? I've had a couple of near misses there and many reviews now show this is a common thing. Campsites will perhaps have to up their game when it comes to providing secure bike storage as many B&Bs, hotels, etc have done.
I believe there's slightly more to that theft, and not entirely due to the campsite, but I ought not say much more because I don't know the full circumstances. I was thinking how nice the borders were, then this week had an AMAZING ride in the highlands. Some shots from that coming i an All Members update tonight. Oh - and I didn't take a tent, I was in the SYHA at Ratagan
Brilliant idea. Want to join the next one!
It was lovely to meet you and Liz on this year's RSR! Very much enjoyed the video with all the extra insights and stories behind some of the places along the way. I totally agree that Roam Scotland is the friendliest, most welcoming event. There is great freedom for everyone to ride the rally their own way, where everything goes!
Good to see you too Lindsay
I love the longer format!! 👍🏻
When I have the material I enjoy doing them this length too. Thanks Kevin.
Just wonderful - you've made me think. As someone who is not very fit and likes to tour or just ride for pleasure, but with absolutely zero interest in competition or timing, I know sportives and etapes are not for me. But this looks good - whatever mix of freedom and cameraderie you choose. I like it. By the way, I stayed in that lovely Kelso hotel cycling the 4 Abbeys route. Hotels that nice aren't always the best at looking after a bike, Ednam House was great. I've generally found small hotels in small places are really good with cyclists, while chains and big hotels are not.
Had I been alone I might have attempted more of the rugged route and camped more but Liz made me take it easy and I probably enjoyed it more. I always tell the hotel when I book I need secure bicycle parking and if they come back and say they can’t do it, I cancel and go elsewhere
Loved that Simon, looks very attractive and something Carole and I might take on.
There's so many great value routes in Scotland aren't there and not all of them have to be gnarley all the time, but you certainly don't need me to tell you that. I recognise bits and bobs of your route and look forward to heading back to Scotland later this year once the timorous wee beasties thin out.
Thanks for posting.
I thought about you two when I was doing it - I felt it might be one you’d like. That said, I think it would be better split into two separate routes - either Borders / East Lothian or Dumfries and Galloway. Going out that junction felt a bit odd. Coming back it worked.
You go a long way to keep my old bones on the road.
Absolutely excellent Simon. I quite fancied this event but it overlapped with a 3 week trip across Spain that we'd arranged. We've done a fair bit of riding in the beautiful Borders and I'm thinking this could be a great tour for next year..... Can you guarantee the weather..? 😉
Thanks a lot.
It looks a lovely route and event.
Have been waiting for this and it didn’t disappoint!! An excellent adventure in a part of Scotland we know well - rode many of those sections over 5 days a week ago. Sounds like a great event so must check out next years. Thanks 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it
Really enjoyed that Simon, thank you - specially the long format. Do you mind if I ask if/what training Liz did, other than the swimming? We're planning Brittany trip in September - and like you one of us cycles more regularly than the other!
Liz doesn’t record her ‘training’ - she just goes for the occasional ride and gradually increased the frequency in the run up to this. Most rides were about 90min with a few 3hr ones thrown in.
Thanks Simon - good to know.
A very informative and well produced video. The road route looked good although riding some of the more major busy roads looked a bit alarming!
Just watched TerraVenture's video and the less rugged route that you followed looks so much better. I think you lucked out on that front. Riding endless forest gravel roads and climbing all becomes a bit monotonous after a while. Plus your video is so much better. you could have made it a full hour or two 30 minutes parts. It is so professionally done I am thinking you have media or tv programme production experience. Your voice is very engaging and sounds familiar. Maybe I heard you on a programme on Radio 4?
Many thanks.
Thanks. Many years at the BBC doing TV and radio.
@@alwaysanotheradventure This explains a lot. Very well done.
What sort of percentage is tarmac? Seemed like a lot. I notice a couple of people on MTB and that's how I would do it too, but maybe too much tarmac. great video thank you for making it.
Probably best take a look at the two routes linked in the video description as I can’t give you %. We did more tarmac because that’s what Liz wanted. The full rugged route is much more off-road. And other Roam Routes even more so.
The bike thievery is such a shame, always a concern ... have often thought of a tracking device hidden somewhere in the frame, I'm sure there would be something out there?
There are some but they need a SIM card and data plan. AirTags don’t work because they’ll alert the thief that they’re being tracked.
Can't seem to find your actual route or the "official" rolling route...
Glad you enjoyed it. The official routes are on the Roam Scotland Rally website to which I've linked. You're right though, I need to add some Komoot links too, thanks for the reminder.
Very good video, wanted to do this in May but didn’t work out. Planning to do in September, hoping to do more of the rugged route, but hoping it’s not too technical. Absolutely inspiring. Thank you!
Como
Disgusting to hear bike theives targeting campsites, must be organised, expensive bikes are very vulnerable on bike camping trips as carrying gold rate locks clamped to immovable objects for insurance purposes is pretty much a no go. Could make a good subject matter for a video of you have ideas or experience, I like the guy ropes through the frame/tent partially on top of bike thing
The 2024 RSR will be my first multi day bikepacking trip. I have at times wondered about bike security! I carry two hiplok z’s but they are hardly going to stop anyone with tools!
Cómo
Stolen bikes. I have travelled throughout Europe. In some poor areas too. I have left my bike and kit locked to a tree and went shopping. I have left my backpack tied to a park bench and gone off for dinner at a restaurant. I have never had a single item touched when it would be so easy to steal a bike computer a £350 light or just Nick the bike with some bolt croppers. I have never felt unsafe to sleep in any of their camp sites. Yet some EU riders come to the U.K. and in 24 hours have all their kit stolen. It is a unjust act by bottom feeders we seem to allow to continue to exist.
Lindo paisaje 😍
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