Incidentally, thanks for your reply regarding the “right to roam”, I did do the Clyde East wind farm…..a stunning and hard day out, about 29 miles with plenty of climbing. I should admit to riding an ebike, but my companions on these rides are all analogue…..and much younger than me.
I'm strictly tarmac these days but I rode some of this at the end of May, but taking the road onwards to Lochailort then via Glenelg, Acharacle and Strontian, before adding in a cheeky extra climb and brilliant descent via Kingairloch. The Loch Linnhe/Eil road was completely new to me (though I've looked across from the A82 countless times) but I'd ridden from Lochailort to Lochaline 36 years earlier. Very pleased to find that much of that route feels as quiet now as it did back then - and then there's Glenfinnan with the Jacobite due any minute...
Great video and great comment on wilderness vs wildness, thank you! Bugs the piss outta me when people call it the last wilderness...much of the Highlands were populated (even the very remote bits) until the clearances. The evidence is there once you know what to look for. Anyway, what a spot for a bike ride 👌🏻💚❤
Seems the youtube algorithms are starting to favour you, or at least suggested to me. One of the better youtube cycling videos/channels I have come across in a long time. Thank you.
Fantastic route. Did it today with a pal. Instead of Corran as the start point we started at the west end of Loch Eil where the single track road joins the Glen Finnan road. Lovely end to the day cycling the beautiful flat single track road north from Corran.
Hi Simon, We did this round just last weekend, in absolutely brilliant weather. Stopping at the Corran Bunkhouse we drove round to Near GlenFinnan on the Saturday morning and rode back to Corran, via Loch Shiel and Strontian. Sunday morning we rode back to the car via Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil…..a good choice at this time of year with limited daylight and if, like me, you aren’t up to the full 59 miles in one day. Thanks to you and Ed Shoote for the inspiration and to the weather gods for a great weekend.
Brilliant video Simon, I love these longer videos with local interest and stunning views, very inspirational, you are a natural in front of the camera by the way, keep up the great work.
Did this in August 22 and yes, that climb is a monster. We also rode anticlockwise and we parked in a quiet layby by the railway bridge where the A861 joins the A830. The 861 starts out quiet but becomes increasingly busy as you approach the Glenfinnan end, passing a landfill site, which means plenty of trucks for those last few miles. Great trip though, 60 miles exactly without visiting that monument and that viaduct!
Most inspiring, thank you. I'm retired & just back from 5 days at Langal, Acharacle, where I sailed my small boat. However, I also ride a Thorn Nomad bike & this is most inspiring, although my fitness is not what your's is. I wouldn't manage the entire loop in a day & The Pollach hill frightens me on the way down too! Thanks for taking all the extra time to video this ride & thanks for posting. Now to check your other videos.
I hope you were here for the good weather. I was in France - as you'll hopefully see if you have a browse around the channel. Updating with regular videos from that trip over the next week or so.
We did this back 2010. It is a fantastic ride. The only difference was that we went up Cona Glen and across to Callop. We were on mountain bikes and the crossing of the Bealach was a hard slog. Even across the bealach was hard going and we pushed as much as we rode until we hit the landrover track. The ride down Loch Shiel was fantastic as was the climb back over to Strontian. A memorable day. I also remember leaving my sandwiches (egg and ham!) in Glen Cona when we stopped for a short break by the river. I was so looking forward to that sandwich . . .
I have made seven trips to Scotland from the US primarily to play golf with friends. All of our time was in the Glasgow area. I am a cyclist but have never ridden in the UK although everyone I follow on TH-cam is located in the UK...and now that includes you. What a marvelous ride with epic scenery. I absolutely love Scotland and have now seen another part of this wonderful country and it is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing this memorable ride with us. Well done Simon!
Thanks Jim - next time you're over nip up to Fort William from Glasgow and rent a bike from Nevis Cycles or Off Beat Bikes and enjoy some of our great trails. Thanks for subscribing.
Another excellent video once again. I left it a little while this time so I could binge watch as I sit at home with my broken ankle. Anyway onto the next... Keep them coming.
Thoroughly enjoyed that, what an amazing place and ride. I think id have been tempted to take some basic light camping gear and had a one night wild camp. That ones definately on my list of future rides. Thanks for sharing well worth a thumbs up 👍 ride safe
With a wild camp you could do some great combinations of routes - maybe one of the mountain through routes I mentioned, although it would have a bit of pushing.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Yeah it would definately be a lot of pushing, but over a couple of days with lightweight camping gear id make it a different kind of ride, a bit slower going to take in the scenery. That place is so lovely the weather wouldnt matter either. Strangely, i actually enjoy riding in the rain so as long as youve got dry kit to sleep in alls good as far as im concerned. I can tell already it would be a cracking ride, a real bucketlister . Thanks again.
Simon - I wish to complain. I'm supposed to be working from home today but have spent all day watching your gripping videos! I've been planning to do my first bike packing trip in the next few weeks around the western isles - starting in Dunoon and watching you has made my mind up. I'm really loving your vids and love the production values your experience in TV brings to TH-cam videos. Keep up the great work!
Ha! You almost had me there. I love biking around the inner and outer hebs and I'm sure you'll have good time - weather permitting. One thought though - parts of the highlands might still be a little twitchy about wild camping, even true wild camping (as opposed to curbside), because in places it feels like an invasion of tents and motorhomes just now, and some folk can't see the difference. The leaflet produced for campervans could be really useful in all sorts of ways (loos, showers, knowing where the vans are) just now in the WIs www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/dbimgs/1654_BB%20Campervan%20leaflet_SCREEN_AW_2018_07_31(3).pdf Have a fantastic ride. AND GET BACK TO WORK YOU SLACKER!!!
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thanks for the heads up - I guess now isn't a good time given the circumstances. Maybe I'll wait til next year. BTW have you any experience of the Planet X Gravel Bike offerings?
@@Noelfraser No but I'm pretty sure my best pal (who lives in France) has a Pickenflick, so if you've any specific questions I can ask him. Or give him a shout on Facebook facebook.com/CyclingintheDordogne/
For hard riders or for those of us who cycle tour and can take more than one day, the loop through Kingairloch is nice. Great video. I like the way you explained the options although you’ve managed to make the hike-a-bike options sound intriguing.
The Kingairloch loop is excellent, my favourite local ride, and I've got that in a road video. I will do some of those hike-a-bike routes on video, but it's easy to come unstuck. On one of them right now, you could get 2/3 of the way, having done some long pushes and carries, but then have to turn around and head back because there's a Class 1 protected species at risk of disturbance, and the area has locked gates and cameras! I'll try to do a couple of the others soon.
Great Video Simon. We were so inspired that we came up to Scotland last week and did the loop in reverse on Thursday.(didn't fancy Polloch Hill after 40 plus miles.) Weather and route were superb. Keep up the good work Tony and Becky
Wow - sold 🏴👍 Excellent informative video with a bit of everything including A level Geography, midge humour, Scottish weather and oh that scenery. Hope it get the views you deserve and can’t wait for the next one. Many thanks Simon👍
We’ll be doing this route (well 75% of it) next week. We’ll be turning west at Strontian and on to Glenborrodale. So looking forward to it, thanks for the inspiration Simon!
I’ll have to look out for you! (Although I’m meant to be filming some night kayaking sometime next week). If you’re around Glenborodale for a while take a look at two other videos - the Forgotten Road of Ardnamurchan and the first of the suspension stem reviews - they might give you some ideas for more rides. Have a great trip.
Haha yes, the plan is for ‘The Forgotten Road’ route on Tuesday, with Sanna and the lighthouse on Wednesday before taking the last ferry over to Tobermory. Loving the channel, great work!
Thank you, that looks like a wonderful ride👍🏻. We're from Warrington Cheshire, we're hoping to do the Hebridean Way soon, we planned this year, but unfortunately that couldn't be done. This route looks great. We would like to come to Scotland for a holiday. Do some great rides and experience the stunning country. I'll pop this one in the route bank. 👍🏻 Stay safe
You'll be welcome after 15th July, but tread carefully please. Small highland communities that have kept C19 free are extremely cautious about opening up.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thank you for you're reply, I think we'll be leaving it till next year to be honest, for that exact reason. Hopefully by then we will have some sence of normality back. We look forward to the chance of that.
Beautifully filmed! Scotland looks like an amazing place to do some epic gravel rides! You would love riding your gravel bike in British Columbia!🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
I'm sure I would. Many years ago I was all set to emigrate, even had a job lined up, but my then wife didn't want to go. So I moved to Scotland instead.
Great video again. I’ve travelled up to Ardnamurchan a few times in my youth and would love to do that route on the bike.Love the criteria for climbing “just fast enough so the midges don’t get you”. Everyone should experience the midges in order to boost their climbing prowess.
Hi Del the real little bu**ers are the clegs - they fly faster than midges. If you mean the ride out to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse then... it's coming. It'll be part of a long ride I did with a team from Cyclist Magazine a few years ago, going to the lighthouse, then onto Mull, then through Morven. It'll be too long for one video so I'll split it into three parts, but the Lighthouse will be first.
Well of course I agree. Tell your friends (but not in the same room). Blog about it. Tweet about it! Most of all, thanks for letting me know we're on the right track.
Hugely inspiring stuff. I’m heading up to stay near Onich at the end of October and this, plus your circuit via Ardnamurchan Point and Mull, are right at the top of the to-do list. I’ll be taking my time with a night wild camping on each trip (leaving no trace of course).
I hope you get good weather for your ride Jim. Just make sure to check the CalMac ferry times as they change to winter timetable around the end of October and not always on the date the clocks go back
great video, might have to check that out! I am planning a route around Ben Lawers this friday - inspired by these videos! I like all the educational tidbits as well, I like to annoy people i ride with with them. you keep making videos like these and the views will come!
Another excellent video Simon, I really enjoyed the detailed information and videography, like having a virtual guide for when I get a chance to try this route. More like this please! I am enjoying all your informative videos and podcasts too so keep up the great content and the audience will come.
Excellent and informative video Simon, thank you. We are staying in Strontian next week and had already plotted thisn route on RidewithGPS, without really knowing what to expect, so coming across your youtube channel is very timely and so very helpful. In fact I probably spent way too long yesterday watching many of you videos and planning our next rides, inspirational! Mind you we are not as fit as you, but eBikes will make up for that :-) Thanks once again and keep up the great work.
I've found quite a few people doing it recently and most seem to prefer it the opposite way around so as to get the 'big hill' over and done with early. We're away next week but have a great stay Ken.
What an excellent video! Informative, responsible and superbly presented and edited. I have decided my tyres are 'gravel' ones. No mountain biking for me, thank goodness! Absolutely, subscribed without hesitation (even before checking out your other videos!). Thank you for a great, helpful travel video.
What a great video! Came across this via a link posted on Komoot when planning this section of a Land's End to John O'Groats route my brother and I are doing in the near future. Incredibly informative and helpful, very well put together. Incidentally if you have any essential tips for the cycle from Fort William to Inverness, would be grateful for a comment :-)
I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. This one might be helpful th-cam.com/video/i4KOQwHQDGQ/w-d-xo.html Did you know there is an alternative LEJOG route which island hops? It takes longer but is probably spectacular (I haven't ridden it). It was put together by one of the women who run the Argyll Backpackers Hostel (www.argyllbackpackers.com/)
Thanks Simon, another fantastic video with wonderful scenery. Are you sure you're not working for the Scottish Tourist Board!!! (Only joking) and keep the great riding and kit review videos coming in. I hope to do this route very soon.
I'm pleased you like the video, and the route is excellent. The bike is a Sonder Camino, the first version, and here is much more than you probably want to know about it! 😄th-cam.com/video/BIusBejIR2Y/w-d-xo.html
Hi Simon great vid many thanks, I'm looking at going to Scotland in September for a week, I'll be taking my gravel bike and hopefully camp in the Glen Nevis campsite ... I'll be looking at most of your vids as I need to find a weeks worth of gravel biking snd hopefully get some great drone footage, any thoughts on a few gravel rides I can do without the bike hike would be appreciated... are you on Strava to .. cheers Wayne 👍
Oh wow there are so many. Most of mine are on the other side of Loch Eil, but the folk in ff Beat Bikes and Nevis Cycles are very generous in their knowledge and happy to share. Also, here are some Komoot pioneers in the area tinyurl.com/y8ep88je
@@alwaysanotheradventure cheers Simon very much appreciated and loving all the information on the rides ..I'm also looking into doing the NC500 on the gravel bike to bike packing 😉👍
Hi Simon, Interesting to hear you talk about the right to roam (responsibly) and access to Forestry land/tracks. Do you know if the same applies to wind farm access tracks? I am looking at about a 30 mile route around The Clyde Valley wind farm, to the East of the A74 South of Glasgow and would be upset to arrive from Cumbria and find a locked and impassible gate at the start? Love your videos by the way, great information videos and love your routes, although many of your days would be much too long for me.
The short answer John is Yes - you do have a Right of Responsible Access to wind-farms in Scotland. It can be suspended during Civil Engineering works (ie construction) on grounds of safety. But the Code says restrictions should be kept to a minimum, so just because work might happen in one part of the wind-farm they shouldn't try to close down the whole thing. One of the best explainers I found was for horse-riders, but the same access applies on foot and non-motorised cycles (eBikes are non-motorised, they are motor assisted). www.bhs.org.uk/~/media/documents/regional/news/scotland/2021/march/equestrian-access-through-windfarms-in-scotland-factsheet-2021.ashx?la=en
Good little film .. That's now on our to do list. Simon your professional presenting skills and brevity are outstanding. Obviously you have the skills to work to a strict brief and to keep things short and impactful. I think you could allow yourself a bit more scope and expand your film making a little. Because you are good at this stuff!
Thank you Michael. I've done longer form TV programmes and sell-through films like the Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown series. I feel most comfortable at this
I've done that in reverse - up Callop and down Cona. The upper section of the Callop climb is not rideable, up or down I suspect, and in places I had to carry, not push. Doing it your direction would be a great climb because there's a track out of Cona (gave me a great descent). If the upper part of Callop is too bad you could always reverse and go around by road.
Great route description as usual. Weather is getting unpredictable even with the more sophisticated math models. Following your experience how much rainy is mid / end September in this specific area? Cheers Happy cycling
I'd love to give you a sensible answer Andrea but it's SO variable. September - like May - can be a mix of warm dry days and colder wet ones. This year seems particularly unusual because August is normally considered 'monsoon season' in Lochaber, yet this one has been much drier than normal. My good friend always says the West Highlands is for people who prefer the quality of the good weather days to the quantity. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
The Clearances made many parts of Scotland into a 'Wilderness' . 300 years ago every glen was inhabited. Now, many are empty aside from sheep and deer stalkers. Look at Ireland to see what it should look like - a living landscape.
Hi William, thanks for your comment. I am fairly well acquainted with the history of the Clearances, and I'd agree that it amounted to something akin to ethnic cleansing. Gaelic scholars like Lorn Macintyre have told me it came close to a highland holocaust (although Michael Fry would disagree). In that context the words are immaterial. However, precisely because of the previous presence of a population I'd argue those glens have a wildness, not a true wilderness. I've spent time in parts of Alaska, Canada and the USA, camping where humans have never had a presence, and those, in my book, are true wilderness areas. I suppose I'm comparing Scotland, to those. The old shielings and blackhouse remains attest to the history and, I'd argue, move it away from wilderness to something sadder, a man-made wildness. I know I'm probably slitting hairs. But when I see phrases like 'Wilderness' used on TV to describe the place where I live (three times in recent weeks) it makes me choke a bit. still, each to their own idea of Wilderness, eh? At least you know mine and, respectfully, I know yours. Thanks again for writing.
Not being picky but depends on what you mean by road tyres. 23mm skinnies you’d likely puncture and slide around. The newer, wide (>28mm ideally 35mm) slicks would cope with most of it, although if the forestry has been working you might have some mud to push through. There’s a bit at the both ends that are really rough.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Appreciate the reply - I'm running 28s tubeless so potentially do-able. I might wait until we haven't had a seemingly unending spell of wet weather though!
Amazing video and wonderful presenter! Thank you and would be great to hear more about other secluded routes. I have done the NC500 earlier in June this year, but perhaps would love to do this loop route given how quite it is.
I use Lake MTB shoe Stephen (I find Lake’s suit my feet and they only make shoes, rather than being a diverse brand). Also SPDs with flat pedal around them so I can unclip and still ride dodgy bits or use normal shoes. There’s a full video on different pedal types coming on 27th if all goes to plan. I’m pleased you like the channel - thanks.
They would Ian - just - although it would be rather bouncy. I had 28mm tyres on my old Dawes Galaxy and it went just about anywhere. However, you would have to push through the 300m of forestry works because they'd sink into the churned up mud, especially after rain. That wouldn't be great if you had road cleats on your shoes.
I enjoyed that Simon, thanks. My friend and I rode the same circuit in the opposite direction last year but included an overnight hammock camp on the shore of Loch Shiel. I can confirm what you said about the severity of the climb, it was a struggle with bikes loaded down with bikepacking kit as well! jurassic-chris.blogspot.com/2019/08/gravel-bike-packing-loch-shiel-and.html
Hi Chris - I think I saw you guys - I might have met you too... I live on that hill and we might have had a quick chat a few days later when I was riding back from FW. That said, it's quite a popular route so could well be someone else.
@@alwaysanotheradventure, I don't think it was us although I was aware that you lived near by (I know Colin and Katrina a bit). The weather was absolutely terrible when we rode over to Pollach and we didn't see a soul (you could argue with some justification that nobody in their right mind would have been out in it!)
@@jurassic690 Someone else perhaps. Although I do seem to remember those orange bags on the forks... It was a couple of days later (I think) on the Mallaig road I saw them again, so spun my bike around for a chat.
Only the word 'Sunart' Derek - that's the old Viking name for this part of the world and is adopted by lots of local organisations including the Community Council and much more. Arnamurchan is in reality the peninsula bit, Morven the lump opposite Mull, Moidart is the NW side of Loch Shiel, and Sunart the bit to the SE of Loch Shiel. That's probably more than you want to know.
@@alwaysanotheradventure never been to Ardnamurchan but grew up in a place with exclusively viking names but no etymology in Shetland similar to Sunart or one of the many many Tarberts. Scenery and videos are great, keep up the food work.
Incidentally, thanks for your reply regarding the “right to roam”, I did do the Clyde East wind farm…..a stunning and hard day out, about 29 miles with plenty of climbing. I should admit to riding an ebike, but my companions on these rides are all analogue…..and much younger than me.
Riding with younger folk is always good - keeps you young. Knackered and young.
I'm strictly tarmac these days but I rode some of this at the end of May, but taking the road onwards to Lochailort then via Glenelg, Acharacle and Strontian, before adding in a cheeky extra climb and brilliant descent via Kingairloch. The Loch Linnhe/Eil road was completely new to me (though I've looked across from the A82 countless times) but I'd ridden from Lochailort to Lochaline 36 years earlier. Very pleased to find that much of that route feels as quiet now as it did back then - and then there's Glenfinnan with the Jacobite due any minute...
Great video and great comment on wilderness vs wildness, thank you! Bugs the piss outta me when people call it the last wilderness...much of the Highlands were populated (even the very remote bits) until the clearances. The evidence is there once you know what to look for. Anyway, what a spot for a bike ride 👌🏻💚❤
Quite an old video now, but the ride is as great as ever!
Seems the youtube algorithms are starting to favour you, or at least suggested to me. One of the better youtube cycling videos/channels I have come across in a long time. Thank you.
Thanks Slaine - I'm glad the mysterious Gods of TH-cam's mechanisms have smiled on my channel 😀 Thanks for the subscription
superb images, national geographic worthy
Thanks Sylvain - glad you like it. It's a great route.
Fantastic route. Did it today with a pal. Instead of Corran as the start point we started at the west end of Loch Eil where the single track road joins the Glen Finnan road. Lovely end to the day cycling the beautiful flat single track road north from Corran.
Another great video thanks
Glad you enjoyed it Pete
Hi Simon, We did this round just last weekend, in absolutely brilliant weather. Stopping at the Corran Bunkhouse we drove round to Near GlenFinnan on the Saturday morning and rode back to Corran, via Loch Shiel and Strontian. Sunday morning we rode back to the car via Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil…..a good choice at this time of year with limited daylight and if, like me, you aren’t up to the full 59 miles in one day. Thanks to you and Ed Shoote for the inspiration and to the weather gods for a great weekend.
No better place in this weather!
Cracking! That loop is on my bucket list already but now I really want to go.
It's a good one Hugh!
Brilliant video Simon, I love these longer videos with local interest and stunning views, very inspirational, you are a natural in front of the camera by the way, keep up the great work.
Thanks - it's just great to be able to get out on some longer rides again.
I second that!
Did this in August 22 and yes, that climb is a monster. We also rode anticlockwise and we parked in a quiet layby by the railway bridge where the A861 joins the A830. The 861 starts out quiet but becomes increasingly busy as you approach the Glenfinnan end, passing a landfill site, which means plenty of trucks for those last few miles. Great trip though, 60 miles exactly without visiting that monument and that viaduct!
Another now added to the list! Many thanks.
Oh wow! That loop is on my cycling wish list 🚴♀️⭐️
It's so good Lulu - and really quite popular even with locals.
Another reason visit that part of Scotland as an adult, last time I was here I was 12 years old. Beautiful scenery and a great cycling route!
We're lucky to have such great scenery on our doorsteps
Most inspiring, thank you. I'm retired & just back from 5 days at Langal, Acharacle, where I sailed my small boat. However, I also ride a Thorn Nomad bike & this is most inspiring, although my fitness is not what your's is. I wouldn't manage the entire loop in a day & The Pollach hill frightens me on the way down too! Thanks for taking all the extra time to video this ride & thanks for posting. Now to check your other videos.
I hope you were here for the good weather. I was in France - as you'll hopefully see if you have a browse around the channel. Updating with regular videos from that trip over the next week or so.
We did this back 2010. It is a fantastic ride. The only difference was that we went up Cona Glen and across to Callop. We were on mountain bikes and the crossing of the Bealach was a hard slog. Even across the bealach was hard going and we pushed as much as we rode until we hit the landrover track. The ride down Loch Shiel was fantastic as was the climb back over to Strontian. A memorable day. I also remember leaving my sandwiches (egg and ham!) in Glen Cona when we stopped for a short break by the river. I was so looking forward to that sandwich . . .
I plan to ride the Callop route and another as soon as the snow clears from the road, so I'll look out for your sandwiches Graham!
Another awesome video. Keep up the great work
Thanks! Will do Sean!
I have made seven trips to Scotland from the US primarily to play golf with friends. All of our time was in the Glasgow area. I am a cyclist but have never ridden in the UK although everyone I follow on TH-cam is located in the UK...and now that includes you. What a marvelous ride with epic scenery. I absolutely love Scotland and have now seen another part of this wonderful country and it is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing this memorable ride with us. Well done Simon!
Thanks Jim - next time you're over nip up to Fort William from Glasgow and rent a bike from Nevis Cycles or Off Beat Bikes and enjoy some of our great trails. Thanks for subscribing.
Brilliant. Just bought a gravel bike and live near Edinburgh.
Some great rides around Edinburgh! Check out Bikepacking Scotland for the Capital Trail.
@@alwaysanotheradventure thank you
Love your videos thanks very nicely done and narrated
Thanks Paddy - glad you like the videos
Another smashin cycling video, top notch stuff, more like this please
Glad you like it - that was a good day!
Great video Simon, Scottish weather is like Welsh weather, I guess that's why I feel so at home when I'm up there
... the cliche 'if you don't like it, wait five minutes, it'll change' is only a cliche because it's so true.
Another excellent video once again. I left it a little while this time so I could binge watch as I sit at home with my broken ankle. Anyway onto the next... Keep them coming.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the video, I did the ride alongside Loch Shiel last week and it was amazing 👍
Glad you liked it Neil
Thoroughly enjoyed that, what an amazing place and ride. I think id have been tempted to take some basic light camping gear and had a one night wild camp. That ones definately on my list of future rides. Thanks for sharing well worth a thumbs up 👍 ride safe
With a wild camp you could do some great combinations of routes - maybe one of the mountain through routes I mentioned, although it would have a bit of pushing.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Yeah it would definately be a lot of pushing, but over a couple of days with lightweight camping gear id make it a different kind of ride, a bit slower going to take in the scenery. That place is so lovely the weather wouldnt matter either. Strangely, i actually enjoy riding in the rain so as long as youve got dry kit to sleep in alls good as far as im concerned. I can tell already it would be a cracking ride, a real bucketlister . Thanks again.
Absolute cracking video , thanks for taking me with you.
Thanks for the company mark
That's an excellent presentation. I really enjoyed the video and will watch some more of them!
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks Simon. I'm just about to move to Inverness and have just bought a Ti gravel bike - can't wait to explore these!
Ah well you have some great riding ahead of you, long before you need to head down the road to us. The (new-ish) Loch Ness 360 is on my to-ride list
Simon this video is fantastic and very professionally done. A route to add to my list. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Kirsty
Great video! I have really enjoyed watching it and I cannot wait to ride this route myself
Glad you enjoyed the video and I'm sure you'll enjoy the ride.
Just found this site absolutely love it.
So pleased to hear it, thank you.
Thanks Simon, I completed this loop yesterday while staying at Resipole, amazing loop really enjoyed it, cheers Andy W
Great to hear Andy - thanks. There are a couple more routes on Ardnamurchan from Acharacle if you have time.
Think your videos are really enjoyable as well as informative! Thank you
Glad you like them Ian, thanks!
Loved the views and great insight into local history. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it Mark
Outstanding video thank you! I have added your route to my list👍
Thanks Mark, glad you like it.
Amazing videos thank you
Glad you like them!
Simon - I wish to complain. I'm supposed to be working from home today but have spent all day watching your gripping videos! I've been planning to do my first bike packing trip in the next few weeks around the western isles - starting in Dunoon and watching you has made my mind up. I'm really loving your vids and love the production values your experience in TV brings to TH-cam videos. Keep up the great work!
Ha! You almost had me there. I love biking around the inner and outer hebs and I'm sure you'll have good time - weather permitting. One thought though - parts of the highlands might still be a little twitchy about wild camping, even true wild camping (as opposed to curbside), because in places it feels like an invasion of tents and motorhomes just now, and some folk can't see the difference. The leaflet produced for campervans could be really useful in all sorts of ways (loos, showers, knowing where the vans are) just now in the WIs www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/dbimgs/1654_BB%20Campervan%20leaflet_SCREEN_AW_2018_07_31(3).pdf Have a fantastic ride. AND GET BACK TO WORK YOU SLACKER!!!
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thanks for the heads up - I guess now isn't a good time given the circumstances. Maybe I'll wait til next year. BTW have you any experience of the Planet X Gravel Bike offerings?
@@Noelfraser No but I'm pretty sure my best pal (who lives in France) has a Pickenflick, so if you've any specific questions I can ask him. Or give him a shout on Facebook facebook.com/CyclingintheDordogne/
Thank you for another great video - well put together with usual quality production and professionalism.
Thank you very much - appreciated
Fantastic video!! Thanks for the Komoot route also 👍
No worries Kevin
For hard riders or for those of us who cycle tour and can take more than one day, the loop through Kingairloch is nice. Great video. I like the way you explained the options although you’ve managed to make the hike-a-bike options sound intriguing.
The Kingairloch loop is excellent, my favourite local ride, and I've got that in a road video. I will do some of those hike-a-bike routes on video, but it's easy to come unstuck. On one of them right now, you could get 2/3 of the way, having done some long pushes and carries, but then have to turn around and head back because there's a Class 1 protected species at risk of disturbance, and the area has locked gates and cameras! I'll try to do a couple of the others soon.
Inspirational video. Superb. A 'must do' ride for me. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Marc!
There’s also a tarbert in Ireland where the ferry goes across the river Shannon
That looks like a great route.
It's proving very popular now it's in Ed Shoote's book!
Amazing Video. I love Scotland and hope to get a chance to visit it again soon. Cheers from Germany
We'll welcome you when the time is right for you Phil.
Great Video Simon. We were so inspired that we came up to Scotland last week and did the loop in reverse on Thursday.(didn't fancy Polloch Hill after 40 plus miles.)
Weather and route were superb.
Keep up the good work
Tony and Becky
Thanks Anthony - glad you enjoyed the ride.
Really enjoyed that! I've spent a bit of time in Ardnmurchan but never cycled there. I'll make sure to do this route one day!
I'm finding new trails all the time with the gravel bike. There is a lot to explore.
Simon I realy like that loop,, very interested🤔🇬🇧❤️👍
Wow - sold 🏴👍 Excellent informative video with a bit of everything including A level Geography, midge humour, Scottish weather and oh that scenery. Hope it get the views you deserve and can’t wait for the next one. Many thanks Simon👍
Hahaha - I'd fail A level geography for sure - I only have two. But over the years I've learnt a liuttle bit about a lot and a lot about nowt!
Could genuinely listen to Simon read the phone book 👌 great video
Hmmm, I doubt it, but thanks Rhys! Glad you like the vid
We’ll be doing this route (well 75% of it) next week. We’ll be turning west at Strontian and on to Glenborrodale. So looking forward to it, thanks for the inspiration Simon!
I’ll have to look out for you! (Although I’m meant to be filming some night kayaking sometime next week). If you’re around Glenborodale for a while take a look at two other videos - the Forgotten Road of Ardnamurchan and the first of the suspension stem reviews - they might give you some ideas for more rides. Have a great trip.
Haha yes, the plan is for ‘The Forgotten Road’ route on Tuesday, with Sanna and the lighthouse on Wednesday before taking the last ferry over to Tobermory. Loving the channel, great work!
Fabulous, thanks for creating the video
Cheers Derek, glad you like it.
Thank you, that looks like a wonderful ride👍🏻. We're from Warrington Cheshire, we're hoping to do the Hebridean Way soon, we planned this year, but unfortunately that couldn't be done. This route looks great. We would like to come to Scotland for a holiday. Do some great rides and experience the stunning country. I'll pop this one in the route bank. 👍🏻 Stay safe
You'll be welcome after 15th July, but tread carefully please. Small highland communities that have kept C19 free are extremely cautious about opening up.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thank you for you're reply, I think we'll be leaving it till next year to be honest, for that exact reason. Hopefully by then we will have some sence of normality back. We look forward to the chance of that.
Thanks
Thanks for the support Sharon
Did this route several years ago starting at the junction 5 miles from Glenfinnan. Amazing route but that hill was a killer!
If you get a chance, look at the Strava segment from the other side to the top. I can' t believe how fast some folk can climb it!
awesome content! and breath taking sceneries
Thank you - hopefully you’ll find a lot more great scenery on the channel
@@alwaysanotheradventure yes! And its making me inspired and jealous at the same time 🤦🤦🤦🤣. Were in lockdown and outdoor activities are not allowed.
Beautifully filmed! Scotland looks like an amazing place to do some epic gravel rides! You would love riding your gravel bike in British Columbia!🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
I'm sure I would. Many years ago I was all set to emigrate, even had a job lined up, but my then wife didn't want to go. So I moved to Scotland instead.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Here’s a preview of our 1,000 kms gravel trip last summer th-cam.com/video/g6J_Il-5Gqc/w-d-xo.html
@@PiquePictures Nice use of the 360 cam there! I'll take a look at some of your videos too.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thanks!
Another great vlog I'm in Falkirk and that ride is fantastic beautiful views definitely want ride it thank you
Glad you enjoyed it. It'll be there when you and Scotland's guidelines are ready 😀
Just discovered your page, loads of fantastic content. Looking forward to trying some of these routes! Keep up the good work.
I'm pleased you like them. I'm off to take a look at your site now.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Feel free to share your gravel/bike tip videos on the website and I will hopefully be able to get you some more views etc
That was a great video, enjoyed!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Love your videos
Good video and good advice, I have been looking into routes around here, definitely on my list!
Excellent!
Great video again. I’ve travelled up to Ardnamurchan a few times in my youth and would love to do that route on the bike.Love the criteria for climbing “just fast enough so the midges don’t get you”. Everyone should experience the midges in order to boost their climbing prowess.
Hi Del the real little bu**ers are the clegs - they fly faster than midges. If you mean the ride out to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse then... it's coming. It'll be part of a long ride I did with a team from Cyclist Magazine a few years ago, going to the lighthouse, then onto Mull, then through Morven. It'll be too long for one video so I'll split it into three parts, but the Lighthouse will be first.
Great video, really informative. Hopefully do this in the summer - assuming we are out of lockdown by then !
Oh my goodness Alan don't even think about lockdown running that long. But yes, it's a great ride.
This channel is criminally underrated!
I wish I could travel to Scotland now :(
Damn covid....
Well of course I agree. Tell your friends (but not in the same room). Blog about it. Tweet about it! Most of all, thanks for letting me know we're on the right track.
Fantastic! I really enjoyed watching. I like the thoughtful tips on the route. It looks like a good one. :)
Glad you enjoyed it Marion!
Hugely inspiring stuff. I’m heading up to stay near Onich at the end of October and this, plus your circuit via Ardnamurchan Point and Mull, are right at the top of the to-do list. I’ll be taking my time with a night wild camping on each trip (leaving no trace of course).
I hope you get good weather for your ride Jim. Just make sure to check the CalMac ferry times as they change to winter timetable around the end of October and not always on the date the clocks go back
Thanks for sharing, looks lovely. Great video, so 👍 and subscribed.
Thanks Mike
Always Another Adventure 👍😊
Great video, thank you :-)
great video, might have to check that out! I am planning a route around Ben Lawers this friday - inspired by these videos! I like all the educational tidbits as well, I like to annoy people i ride with with them. you keep making videos like these and the views will come!
Excellent - I hope that Ben Lawers ride goes well.
Choosing direction based on cafes... you definitely plan using the same criteria as me!!
Ha! I like it this way around, but when it came to that hill near the end, I wasn't sure it was such a great choice.
Another excellent video Simon, I really enjoyed the detailed information and videography, like having a virtual guide for when I get a chance to try this route. More like this please! I am enjoying all your informative videos and podcasts too so keep up the great content and the audience will come.
Thanks Stewart - your encouragement helps.
Excellent and informative video Simon, thank you. We are staying in Strontian next week and had already plotted thisn route on RidewithGPS, without really knowing what to expect, so coming across your youtube channel is very timely and so very helpful. In fact I probably spent way too long yesterday watching many of you videos and planning our next rides, inspirational! Mind you we are not as fit as you, but eBikes will make up for that :-) Thanks once again and keep up the great work.
I've found quite a few people doing it recently and most seem to prefer it the opposite way around so as to get the 'big hill' over and done with early. We're away next week but have a great stay Ken.
Another good vid Simon, part of you wanted to keep this route to yourself though eh? 😉
Hehehe - you got me. Actually this one is really well known - we even get cars trying to drive it! But there are a few I'm keeping to myself.
What an excellent video! Informative, responsible and superbly presented and edited. I have decided my tyres are 'gravel' ones. No mountain biking for me, thank goodness! Absolutely, subscribed without hesitation (even before checking out your other videos!). Thank you for a great, helpful travel video.
Much appreciated.
What a great video! Came across this via a link posted on Komoot when planning this section of a Land's End to John O'Groats route my brother and I are doing in the near future. Incredibly informative and helpful, very well put together. Incidentally if you have any essential tips for the cycle from Fort William to Inverness, would be grateful for a comment :-)
I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. This one might be helpful th-cam.com/video/i4KOQwHQDGQ/w-d-xo.html Did you know there is an alternative LEJOG route which island hops? It takes longer but is probably spectacular (I haven't ridden it). It was put together by one of the women who run the Argyll Backpackers Hostel (www.argyllbackpackers.com/)
I want to be there!!
Thanks Clive - just reading your email too which is very much appreciated. I'll get back to you on that.
Thanks Simon, another fantastic video with wonderful scenery. Are you sure you're not working for the Scottish Tourist Board!!! (Only joking) and keep the great riding and kit review videos coming in. I hope to do this route very soon.
Hey if Visit Scotland want to commission me I'm happy to accept!
Might take a ride down from Moray and camp
Try to get a windy spot - the midges right now are fierce!
ACE video i shal be doing that loop winner info :)
Glad you like it.
Fantastic video and superb route. Can’t wait to do this one! What is the bike by the way? 😁👍
I'm pleased you like the video, and the route is excellent. The bike is a Sonder Camino, the first version, and here is much more than you probably want to know about it! 😄th-cam.com/video/BIusBejIR2Y/w-d-xo.html
Hi Simon great vid many thanks, I'm looking at going to Scotland in September for a week, I'll be taking my gravel bike and hopefully camp in the Glen Nevis campsite ... I'll be looking at most of your vids as I need to find a weeks worth of gravel biking snd hopefully get some great drone footage, any thoughts on a few gravel rides I can do without the bike hike would be appreciated... are you on Strava to .. cheers Wayne 👍
Oh wow there are so many. Most of mine are on the other side of Loch Eil, but the folk in ff Beat Bikes and Nevis Cycles are very generous in their knowledge and happy to share. Also, here are some Komoot pioneers in the area tinyurl.com/y8ep88je
@@alwaysanotheradventure cheers Simon very much appreciated and loving all the information on the rides ..I'm also looking into doing the NC500 on the gravel bike to bike packing 😉👍
Hi Simon,
Interesting to hear you talk about the right to roam (responsibly) and access to Forestry land/tracks. Do you know if the same applies to wind farm access tracks? I am looking at about a 30 mile route around The Clyde Valley wind farm, to the East of the A74 South of Glasgow and would be upset to arrive from Cumbria and find a locked and impassible gate at the start? Love your videos by the way, great information videos and love your routes, although many of your days would be much too long for me.
The short answer John is Yes - you do have a Right of Responsible Access to wind-farms in Scotland. It can be suspended during Civil Engineering works (ie construction) on grounds of safety. But the Code says restrictions should be kept to a minimum, so just because work might happen in one part of the wind-farm they shouldn't try to close down the whole thing. One of the best explainers I found was for horse-riders, but the same access applies on foot and non-motorised cycles (eBikes are non-motorised, they are motor assisted). www.bhs.org.uk/~/media/documents/regional/news/scotland/2021/march/equestrian-access-through-windfarms-in-scotland-factsheet-2021.ashx?la=en
🤩🤩🤩
Good little film .. That's now on our to do list.
Simon your professional presenting skills and brevity are outstanding.
Obviously you have the skills to work to a strict brief and to keep things short and impactful.
I think you could allow yourself a bit more scope and expand your film making a little.
Because you are good at this stuff!
Thank you Michael. I've done longer form TV programmes and sell-through films like the Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown series. I feel most comfortable at this
Great video. I am thinking of doing that route on my e-mtb but taking in Cona Glen and then NE to Callop. Have you tried that route?
I've done that in reverse - up Callop and down Cona. The upper section of the Callop climb is not rideable, up or down I suspect, and in places I had to carry, not push. Doing it your direction would be a great climb because there's a track out of Cona (gave me a great descent). If the upper part of Callop is too bad you could always reverse and go around by road.
Well, this makes my heart bleed a little bit (a typical saying in Germany) Scotland combined with riding a bike... Gorgeous!
Believe me, I know how fortunate I am.
9:08 That is the hardest hill I’ve ever ridden (well, ridden and walked) up.
Great route description as usual. Weather is getting unpredictable even with the more sophisticated math models. Following your experience how much rainy is mid / end September in this specific area?
Cheers
Happy cycling
I'd love to give you a sensible answer Andrea but it's SO variable. September - like May - can be a mix of warm dry days and colder wet ones. This year seems particularly unusual because August is normally considered 'monsoon season' in Lochaber, yet this one has been much drier than normal. My good friend always says the West Highlands is for people who prefer the quality of the good weather days to the quantity. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
The Clearances made many parts of Scotland into a 'Wilderness' . 300 years ago every glen was inhabited. Now, many are empty aside from sheep and deer stalkers. Look at Ireland to see what it should look like - a living landscape.
Hi William, thanks for your comment. I am fairly well acquainted with the history of the Clearances, and I'd agree that it amounted to something akin to ethnic cleansing. Gaelic scholars like Lorn Macintyre have told me it came close to a highland holocaust (although Michael Fry would disagree).
In that context the words are immaterial. However, precisely because of the previous presence of a population I'd argue those glens have a wildness, not a true wilderness. I've spent time in parts of Alaska, Canada and the USA, camping where humans have never had a presence, and those, in my book, are true wilderness areas. I suppose I'm comparing Scotland, to those. The old shielings and blackhouse remains attest to the history and, I'd argue, move it away from wilderness to something sadder, a man-made wildness.
I know I'm probably slitting hairs. But when I see phrases like 'Wilderness' used on TV to describe the place where I live (three times in recent weeks) it makes me choke a bit. still, each to their own idea of Wilderness, eh? At least you know mine and, respectfully, I know yours. Thanks again for writing.
Do you reckon it would be feasible to use road tyres on the Loch Shiel section? It looks absolutely tremendous in any case - cracking video
Not being picky but depends on what you mean by road tyres. 23mm skinnies you’d likely puncture and slide around.
The newer, wide (>28mm ideally 35mm) slicks would cope with most of it, although if the forestry has been working you might have some mud to push through. There’s a bit at the both ends that are really rough.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Appreciate the reply - I'm running 28s tubeless so potentially do-able. I might wait until we haven't had a seemingly unending spell of wet weather though!
@@jupe1407 If you have nice rims then take it easy on the really rough stuff.
Amazing video and wonderful presenter! Thank you and would be great to hear more about other secluded routes. I have done the NC500 earlier in June this year, but perhaps would love to do this loop route given how quite it is.
Thanks Michael. We’re lucky enough to have great riding in the west highlands and nowhere near the level of traffic you might have found on the NC500.
I can tell u every little nook and cranny for bikes up that way..... my favourite loops in world!!
Can I ask - do you use road or MTB shoes and pedals for your gravel bike, and which ones? Enjoying your channel 😊
I use Lake MTB shoe Stephen (I find Lake’s suit my feet and they only make shoes, rather than being a diverse brand). Also SPDs with flat pedal around them so I can unclip and still ride dodgy bits or use normal shoes. There’s a full video on different pedal types coming on 27th if all goes to plan. I’m pleased you like the channel - thanks.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Ok. One more. What app are you using to get full OS mapping on your phone.
Would 28 road bike tyres cope with the gravel section? Good video👌
They would Ian - just - although it would be rather bouncy. I had 28mm tyres on my old Dawes Galaxy and it went just about anywhere. However, you would have to push through the 300m of forestry works because they'd sink into the churned up mud, especially after rain. That wouldn't be great if you had road cleats on your shoes.
@@alwaysanotheradventure good point about the cleats. Been trying to find good info on this gravel section for ages! Thanks for the video.
Who is filming the shots of your riding from a distance?
It's all me Martino - I'm the only one there. th-cam.com/video/gB1jlSvPWio/w-d-xo.html
What time of year did you film this ?
There's a link to the GPS track below the video which shows I did it 12 June 2020
www.komoot.com/tour/201747940
I enjoyed that Simon, thanks. My friend and I rode the same circuit in the opposite direction last year but included an overnight hammock camp on the shore of Loch Shiel. I can confirm what you said about the severity of the climb, it was a struggle with bikes loaded down with bikepacking kit as well!
jurassic-chris.blogspot.com/2019/08/gravel-bike-packing-loch-shiel-and.html
Hi Chris - I think I saw you guys - I might have met you too... I live on that hill and we might have had a quick chat a few days later when I was riding back from FW. That said, it's quite a popular route so could well be someone else.
@@alwaysanotheradventure, I don't think it was us although I was aware that you lived near by (I know Colin and Katrina a bit). The weather was absolutely terrible when we rode over to Pollach and we didn't see a soul (you could argue with some justification that nobody in their right mind would have been out in it!)
@@jurassic690 Someone else perhaps. Although I do seem to remember those orange bags on the forks... It was a couple of days later (I think) on the Mallaig road I saw them again, so spun my bike around for a chat.
How long It was that trip???
It's 61 miles. The details are on the link in the description: www.komoot.com/tour/201747940
Any connection between cafe sunart and sunartmedia?
Only the word 'Sunart' Derek - that's the old Viking name for this part of the world and is adopted by lots of local organisations including the Community Council and much more. Arnamurchan is in reality the peninsula bit, Morven the lump opposite Mull, Moidart is the NW side of Loch Shiel, and Sunart the bit to the SE of Loch Shiel. That's probably more than you want to know.
@@alwaysanotheradventure never been to Ardnamurchan but grew up in a place with exclusively viking names but no etymology in Shetland similar to Sunart or one of the many many Tarberts. Scenery and videos are great, keep up the food work.
@@ryeyhb Thanks Derek
04:35 spot the spelling mistake (in Gaelic)
Oh well spotted! We’re going there tomorrow to get the ferry to Rum.
Love your videos BUT please please change your TH-cam settings. THREE !!!! ADS in a short video is TOO much and feels like exploitation !!!
Hi Brian - I'll look into that, thanks for the feedback.. UPDATE: I've cut most mid-play ads. Sorry about that, I'm still quite new to those settings.