Touring Post Gmu19 Nc500+ Tour

Anymore for anymore?

I'm in the process of checking out accommodation. Bearing in mind we will be going in the height of the season places are already filling up so I want to get our reservations in soonest.

 

I'm going to go for the Youth Hostel in Pitlochry for the first night. £22.50 per night. I like Jessie Mac's in Birnam (Dunkeld) but Pitlochry works out best for our mixed group. It also allows for late additions.

 

All the usual suspects.

 

The After GMU19 Scotland Trip Accommodation Sign-up.
Sunday 21 July 19 - Saturday 27th.
Mostly Scotland EC250 and NC500, plus Central and Lowlands at start and finish. The ECNC-750+

• If you're coming copy this, add your name below with the night/s for accommodation and post reply.

• I'm currently booking accommodation in places where we can add a few more if required.

• ODR = odd day rides, accommodation not required.

1) Rich Bryce - SMTWTFS
2) BonnieCat - SMTWTFS
3) AndyC1 - SMTWTFS
4) Dougie D ODR..maybe more
5) figwold - SMTWTFS
6) Ken SMTWTFS
7) Sprinter S
8) AndyPandy - SMTWTFS

 

Some outline maps of the routes I have in mind. All subject to confirming suitable accommodation. I've abandoned the plan to do the full east coast and NC500 routes, partly due to time, partly because I've done them, and partly because having don e them I know some of the NC500 is plain boring, and following Dutch and German RV's over single tracks is bloomin' tedious. I've also bypassed Applecross cuz we'll all have done it at least once with Dougie (and others) and that then leaves time to explore uncharted territory.

DAY 1. SUNDAY 21st. BELLINGHAM to PITLOCHRY via Knockhill and Crieff as suggested by Dougie. If time allows we can add 20-odd miles after Aberfeldy and go via Tummell Bridge and the Queen's View. Accommodation booked and deposit paid at the Pitlochry Youth Hostel. I'll post details later.



DAY TWO. MONDAY 22nd. PITLOCHRY to PORTSOY through the Cairngorms. I was thinking of going via Banchory and the fabulous Falls of Feugh salmon leap, but there won't be many salmon if any swimming up river to get there rocks off in July. The option of Banchory would allow us to get to the coast via Westhill where we could lunch at Lows Chippy, voted the best in Scotland last year. But the route over the hills is pretty awesome. If the weather is crap, or if anyone wants to shorten the route, the direct route. Accommodation booked at the Sail Loft Bunkhouse on the 'beach' at Loch Soy.

 

DAY 3 TUESDAY 23rd PORTSOY to KYLE OF TONGUE. Longish ride, empty roads once beyond Inverness, especially from Rogart/Pittentrail, through Largs and up to Tongue. Can be shortened by going along the coast to Inverness if the weather is unkind. The North Coast between Tongue and John 'O Groats is pretty boring, but once we've unpacked a brisk ride over to the UK's most northerly and windswept car park would be possible. Accommodation booked at the Kyle of Tongue Hotel and Caravan Park, in the bunkhouse.

 

Day 4 WEDS 24th TONGUE to FORT AUGUSTUS via Durness, Loch Shin and down Loch Noss. Lookng of booking Morag's Lodge.



DAY 5 THURS 25th FORT AUGUSTUS to TORRAN BAY taking in the loop via Salen reputed by many to be Scotland's best biking road. Ferry across to Corran, then to Oban and the Torran Bay Hostel. There's a cracking sounding hostel in Oban too which might be an alternative, though I'd like to check off those few extra miles before we go over to Ayrshire.

 

DAY 6 FRIDAY 26th TORRAN BAY (Foot) to CREETOWN into the Deep South West and Burns country.

 

Day 7 27th CREETOWN back to BELLINGHAM via the stunning road alongside St Mary's Loch. There are a couple of alternative's after St Mary's Loch, like back roads via Hawick rather than Selkirk. I'm sure Mr.O can give good advice on the best roads to take.

 

Day 3 Alternative PORTSOY to INVERSHIN to stay at the Invershin Hotel Bunkhouse. I've made a reservation at £20 pppn. It would make day four a bit longer. I'll cancel this or Kyle of Tongue bunkhouse once I've given some more thought to it, but I'm tempted. A pal stayed here last year and recommended it.