The North Coast 500 (NC500) was created in 2014 by the North Highland Initiative to highlight some of Scotland’s magnificence to the world. The new North Coast 500 road trip is Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66. Popular with motorists and motor homers, we think the best way to experience the NC500 is by bicycle. The route can be covered either clockwise or anti clockwise (we prefer clockwise). Keep an eye on the NC500 website – there may be more for cyclist posted soon….I’m hoping to work with Kenneth on this. Lochinver to Ullapool. Today you’ll drive through the rest of the North West Highlands Geopark so it … By avoiding the formal campsites for a few nights you’ll be able to find some beautiful remote spots off the beaten track that you wouldn’t otherwise find. This will be a challenging 500+ mile supported ride over 7 Days, stopping at campsites along the route. But the North Coast 500 is designed for touring, sightseeing, and taking things slowly. South of Brora, look at the map for detours to avoid the A9 if you want, but certainly use the minor road between Alness and Dingwall (and the cycle tack for chunkier bikes between Alness and Evanton) then train or the network of minor roads back to Inverness. My attitude whenever going outdoors in Scotland, is to pack for wind, rain and cold – any weather better than this is a bonus. A couple of pages from a road atlas will suffice to find your way beyond the minor network. Surely you’ll be moving so fast the midge won’t keep up with you? This resulted in the first three days being very long, in some extremely hilly terrain. Hugely impressive feat, fair play to them! My brother recently drove it, camping each night. Early start from Inverness should see you fine. Make sure you have lights though. There's nothing quite like the freedom of the long open road. I agree with the post above, the Inverpolidh road south of Lochinver is brilliant but perhaps they haven’t included it as it just wouldn’t take the traffic so I’m pleased it isn’t on the NC500. The A9 would be a real anti-climax and quiet unpleasant here – I certainly wouldn’t cycle it! £24 for two adults, one night. Mrs Felltop is in correspondence with them, and they seem to be receptive to ideas. Fingers crossed weather holds fir next 2-3 weeks! Not seen him in 5 years or so. Popular with motorists and motor homers, we think the best way to experience the NC500 is by bicycle. The route starts in the northern city of Inverness, then weaves along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the bustling towns of Torridon and Ullapool. 98% of the route is off-road. The goal is to go from the south of England to the north of Scotland. If you plan to speed around, you could do it with 3 full days and night, but we’d recommend more time. NC500: Ride Scotland’s North Coast 500 | Downloadable .gpx sat-nav maps 4th October 2016 Adventure Bikes , Maps In Motorcycle Sport & Leisure’s November issue (674), around-the-world adventurer Nathan Millward takes a Honda CB500X around the stunning new NC500 – the 500 mile route around Scotland’s north coast. So I’m further enthused! ]. Trying to ride it in five days is going to be tough, and you’ll miss out on off-bike time to enjoy places along the route. We reckon that it’s better to pass the bottom of Stac Polly on the way to Lochinver and we have a couple of better options for the East once you get around Dornoch. I did a section of it in mid-September, had a route from Ullapool > Drumrunie > Inverkirkcraig > Lochinver and then picked up the NC500 where it goes round to Clashnessie and Drumbeg. I will include it in a cyclists version though. Two main changes spring to mind; the NC500 misses out the “wee mad road of Inverpolly” and it uses the A9 down the East Coast. 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