THE BADGER DIVIDE | 343KM BIKEPACKING | Scottish Highlands

My friend John and I rode the Badger Divide from north to south, starting in Inverness on the evening of Thursday 1 August 2024. We only had three full days, so we took three days, but four days would have been more comfortable, and five would have been comparatively luxurious! Our routes and distances are below along with some Instagram posts reflecting on the route, the terrain and our experience.
Routes
Night 1 - Thursday 1 August 2024 (21km): www.komoot.com...
Day 1 - Friday 2 August 2024 (66km): www.komoot.com...
Day 2 - Saturday 3 August 2024 (142km): www.komoot.com...
Day 3 - Sunday 4 August 2024 (111km): www.komoot.com...
Instagram posts
The Badger Divide - Reflections: tinyurl.com/5x...
Day 1 - leaving Loch Ness and the iconic viewcatcher: tinyurl.com/2k...
Day 1 - Corrieyairack Pass and Melgarve Bothy: tinyurl.com/yp...
Follow me on
• Instagram - / charlielovesgravel
• Komoot - www.komoot.com...
• Buy Me a Coffee - www.buymeacoff...
Video and photos taken with the Google Pixel 6a (left the DJI Pocket 2 at home!)

[@timporter8886]

That was a great montage, well done. I'm amazed you managed it on those skinny tyres. I tried it the other way around, from Glasgow to Inverness on an old Tri-cross bike with rim brakes and 38c tyres. I was carrying camping gear and my trip wasn't half as well thought out as yours. Despite the armageddon type weather, and been soaked 2the skin 24 hours a day, and being as minimal as possible; the bike was far too heavy. My brakes were completely inadequate and worn down to metal in three days. Forgot my spare blocks so scratched at Corrour, as no way I could attempt the "C" pass without brakes. Licked my wounds, came home &planning my return in a few weeks..on a different bike!😂 Was great to see parts that I've done myself through your excellent photography. Your wonderful post has fuelled my interest in going back. Well done!

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Skinny tyres haha. Still 43cc so pretty good at handling most of the terrain. The HT would have been comfier at times though! I have my friend John to thank for the detailed planning and re- planning. Made a big difference knowing where we were resting, eating, sleeping each day.

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Glad it has fuelled you for a re-take. Good luck, and let me know how you get on!

[@TwistyTrails]

That was a great watch Charlie - inspirational stuff! 👍

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thanks so much! Enjoyed making this one 😊

[@janicegalloway5636]

Fantastic Charlie, what a great account of your Badger adventure! The view at 4:47 on the road to Corrour is the most epic of all views!! Love it ❤️. Would love to do this... if I was 10 years younger 😂

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thank Janice! Could you plan to do a shorter section and/or stay in nice places along the way? As long as you have a bike and can turn the pedals... 🤔

[@WouterVanSan]

I tried to do it last week, unfortunately the road between Corrour and Rannoch was completely flooded, so had to skipp that part and take the train. Because of bad weather I skipped the part to Killin off-road as well and took the paved road.
Still a beautiful trip.

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Oh, that's a shame that section was flooded. Glad you had a good trip! 👍🏻

[@tonypaddler]

Great looking adventure Charlie, I really should make an effort to do it myself.
Lovely footage of a lovely area, thanks for the great video 🚲👍

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thanks for your comment Tony, appreciate it. A stunning and new - to me - area. Really want to go back to the Corrour area with the MTB. Hope you manage to cycle there, it is brilliant (and brutal!)

[@tonypaddler]

@@CharlieVanPoppel
Yes, it's a beautiful area alright (well, IT IS Scotland after all ... )
I've MTB'd that area quite extensively many, many years ago, and also canoed it more recently.
I've been plotting gravel routes up there too but I think I'd better take the full-suss too when the time comes 😁👍

[@marcusillingworth4682]

That certainly looked like you had to take a lot of rough with the smooth there Charlie, but with some incredible views, it must've been well worth it!

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Ha Marcus, very true. A lot of rough sections actually, but worth the bumping around! 🙌🏻

[@globaljobber]

Wonderful video :0)

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@Jinyadong]

Very nice experience 👍

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thanks! 👍🏻

[@richardprice2871]

That looked fab, a video would have brill, but the photo montage worked really good, makes me want to have a go anyhow, keep getting out and filming👍

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Glad to hear it's inspired you Richard, enjoy when you get out there!

[@PauloMendes-y2s]

Nice video and channel, thank you!

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thanks Paulo 🙂

[@jamesherd9132]

Well Done Guys Great Video

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thanks James! It was a bit of a Herculean effort at times 😆

[@robsonnwafor5597]

`Super stuff

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Thanks so much!