Me and 3 mates bikepack around the North Coast 500 in Scotland during September 2024. This is Episode 1 of our epic journey. Join us to see how we got on.
A big thank you to both of you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm currently working on episode 2, but there's so much footage of the stunning scenery we cycled through, that it's taking me some time to edit. Thanks again for watching and commenting...🚴🏻♂️
Myself and two other old bloke mates B&B'd and hostelled the route in early September this year , what a fantastic trip and the weather was so kind, also amazed how (for the most part) considerate other road users were, particularly camper vans.
@grahamricketts-bq1ft We did our trip 3rd - 11th September and had great weather for a large part of it. Sounds like you were there during the same settled spell. Also, I agree with you about the other road users being very considerate to us cyclists, a definite thumbs up there. Thanks for watching and commenting...🚲
@@davidbenson735 very nearly snap, we did 4-11 September, just had rain on the last day, but other than that was wonderful weather . Looking forward to your other videos !
Thanks a lot Thilo. You know, it's only 3 weeks since I got back from the trip but it seems much longer...🤔 Me and Simon were saying that it was our best trip ever, we had a lot of fun, even though at times it was quite hard. It was great meeting you and thanks for the cafe recommendations along the way. All the best, and happy future cycling adventures...🚴🏻♂
WOW! Just wow. Exquisite views. I’m so very looking forward to episode two! And I am enamored with the little cafes and villages that you pass through.
Thanks a lot Josh. Yeah, there were stunning views around every corner. It's become a very popular tourist route now, so more cafes have opened up, and as you know, I love a good cafe...☕🍰 All the best, Dave
Thank you Simon. Out of all the bike tours I've done, the NC500 has been the best so far. If you get the chance, go for it. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Love it! Bringing back memories of those amazing roads up there. We dived into Shieldiag for night 2 so really felt how knackered you were pushing on! Looking forward to the next installment! Great stuff. 🙂
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. I watched your NC500 video from 2021, and the weather conditions were so different when you climbed the Bealach na Ba, with all the low cloud making it so atmospheric. We had originally planned to tackle the climb at the end of the first day, but realised how tiring that would have been, plus the weather conditions then were poor. I'm glad we left it for the start of Day 2 as we were very lucky with the sunny and still conditions. I bet it can get pretty grim up there when it's blowing a hoolie. All the best and happy cycling...🚴🏻♂️
Thank you...👍🏻 It was tough going up the Bealach na Ba, but we were so lucky with the weather conditions on the day. I bet it can get pretty rough up there and that would be a totally different proposition. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@davidbenson735 yep, I watched another cycling RUclipsr who, with a group, cycled the NC500 and experienced some very bad weather conditions and found it really hard going. Look forward the rest of the vlogs 👍
I e only had a few minutes at coffee break to have a peek- but I’d expect nothing less from you than the Wee campground. Also “left turn Clyde.😅” Looking forward to watching the entirety on the television this evening.
Hi Ali, thanks very much for watching and commenting. Ha ha, I could have used the description "Superb" around every corner, due to the magnificent scenery we were cycling through. Plus all the wonderful cafes we came across - they would have deserved the same. As for missing a meal, I too, usually get grumpy when that happens, but on this occasion I think I was too exhausted to even do that...🤣 All the best, Dave...🚴🏻♂️
Thanks for that...👍🏻 The Bealach na Ba is a tough climb (20% in places), but due to the amount of traffic using it that day, we had the opportunity to catch our breath at the passing places, waiting for the vehicles to pass. There are lots of shorter, but just as tough, climbs further along the route. One particular one, beyond Drumbeg had us standing out of the saddle to get up it. It was 25%, which was super difficult with all the weight we were carrying. When are you planning on going? Thanks again for watching and commenting...🚴🏻♂️
@davidbenson735 that's some climb when you're out of your seat to get up it. I wanted to do it this year but the lads I bike pack with think it's a bit too much lol. As I always say "you have legs for a reason" so it maybe next year now, fingers crossed around August. Looking forward to part 2, love your channel mate.
@@kcvocalentertainer With low gearing all the hills on the NC500 are doable, I just get in my granny gear and spin my way up slowly. I hope you manage to get there next year, I'm sure you'll love it. Thanks very much for your great comments. All the best, Dave
We managed to get back on track after that, and generally got going around 9am which was better. Thanks very much for watching and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it...🚴🏻♂️
Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. A few more episodes to follow, but with my level of tech skills it takes quite a while to put them together. I've had a look at your channel and subscribed, it looks like you have some great videos. Thanks for watching and commenting...🚴🏻♂️
Great video Dave but the traffic looks a wee bit busy at times. That said, I've driven it twice, long before it was called NC500 so I guess I was part of the problem. Looking forward to the following episodes of 👌
Thanks very much Pete. Yeah, there were lots of motorbikes in groups and camper vans everywhere. As for cyclists, we only met 4 others in total, as I recall. I thought there would have been a lot more...🤔 Thanks again for watching and commenting. Happy cycling
Cycling in Sutherland and Caithness is magical, if you avoid the NC500 and its millions of users . . . . And midgie season. Cramps. Try Magnesium tabs from a health food shop, worked wonders for me, cramp free nowadays.
Yeah, it was quite busy with campervans and motorbikes. We found that even though the campsites often said full, it seems that there is always space available for cycle tourers. One of the German lads gave me some Magnesium tabs whilst I was suffering and they did the trick. I need to get some of these to carry with me. Thanks for the reminder 👍🏻 Thanks for watching the video and commenting.
Superb! Would love to do this but I don't think my 70 year old arthritic knees would cope. Although I have all the gear, I cant sleep in a tent these days.
Thank you very much. I'm sorry to hear about your arthritic knees. I have a cycling buddy who has a similar problem and bought a lightweight road e-bike which helps him massively. Maybe you could do it on an e-bike, staying B & B, with someone transporting your gear...🤔 Thanks for watching and commenting.
Brilliant video thanks v much, just a question about the sleeper train, looked at doing this trip myself with a couple of mates early this year, however i was told i couldn't put my bike on at Preston station as the bikes are in the last carriage and the platform is to short and doesn't reach the said carriage, so just wondered if you had issues or it was plain sailing, thanks in advance
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. We had no problem at Preston station, we were told where the bike carriage would be, so waited there until the train pulled in. There was a guard who advised us on where to put the bikes in the storage carriage. I hope you get chance to do it. All the best, Dave...🚴🏻♂️
A great video, enjoyed it. And your getting great weather, so far. I solo cycled the NC500 a couple of years ago, wild camping, took me 10 days and mostly crap weather 😊. You might enjoy my RUclips videos on Catch You Later? Well done.
Hi Mick, thanks a lot for watching and commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I watched your great series of videos about the NC500 earlier this year, in advance of our trip and made a note of your nice little camping spots along the way, should we have needed them. You had it much rougher than us on the Bealach na Ba. Fair play to you getting up there in that wind...👏🏻 BTW, I'm already a subscriber to your channel and really enjoy your videos. All the best and happy cycling, Dave...🚴🏻♂️
Looks like bags of fun the NC500 =) Someday I'll venture up to Scotland again. Looking forward to the next adventure.
Thanks Richard. Yeah, loads of fun doing this one. Hard but totally satisfying. Thanks for watching and commenting. Happy cycling...🚲
Absolutely fantastic Dave, we loved this, can’t wait for the next one!
What a beautiful place ❤️🎉🎉🚴♀️🚴♀️
A big thank you to both of you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I'm currently working on episode 2, but there's so much footage of the stunning scenery we cycled through, that it's taking me some time to edit.
Thanks again for watching and commenting...🚴🏻♂️
Myself and two other old bloke mates B&B'd and hostelled the route in early September this year , what a fantastic trip and the weather was so kind, also amazed how (for the most part) considerate other road users were, particularly camper vans.
@grahamricketts-bq1ft We did our trip 3rd - 11th September and had great weather for a large part of it. Sounds like you were there during the same settled spell. Also, I agree with you about the other road users being very considerate to us cyclists, a definite thumbs up there.
Thanks for watching and commenting...🚲
@@davidbenson735 very nearly snap, we did 4-11 September, just had rain on the last day, but other than that was wonderful weather . Looking forward to your other videos !
Superb Content Dave!! Already forgot how beautiful the landscape is up there ! Fun times with you guys
Thanks a lot Thilo. You know, it's only 3 weeks since I got back from the trip but it seems much longer...🤔
Me and Simon were saying that it was our best trip ever, we had a lot of fun, even though at times it was quite hard.
It was great meeting you and thanks for the cafe recommendations along the way. All the best, and happy future cycling adventures...🚴🏻♂
WOW! Just wow. Exquisite views. I’m so very looking forward to episode two!
And I am enamored with the little cafes and villages that you pass through.
Thanks a lot Josh. Yeah, there were stunning views around every corner. It's become a very popular tourist route now, so more cafes have opened up, and as you know, I love a good cafe...☕🍰 All the best, Dave
the old bloke on a bike , bike packing the NC 500 and filming it for us..........SUPERB !
It's my pleasure Matt, especially when I know people like yourself are enjoying the result.
Thanks for watching the video and commenting.
Great ride out guys, a tough one but very rewarding. Thankyou for another Great video.
Thanks a lot Simon...👍🏻
Yeah, it was tough, especially with the weight we were carrying.
Thanks again for watching and commenting...🚴🏻♂️
Great video and humour 😂. Looking forward to the next video. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
It's good to exercise the chuckle muscles as well as the legs...🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting...👍🏻
I keep putting off these grand adventures and know i shouldn't.. very inspiring video to get out and do it.
Thank you Simon. Out of all the bike tours I've done, the NC500 has been the best so far. If you get the chance, go for it.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Great video
Thanks a lot, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for watching the video and commenting...👍🏻🚴🏻♂️
Love it! Bringing back memories of those amazing roads up there. We dived into Shieldiag for night 2 so really felt how knackered you were pushing on! Looking forward to the next installment! Great stuff. 🙂
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. I watched your NC500 video from 2021, and the weather conditions were so different when you climbed the Bealach na Ba, with all the low cloud making it so atmospheric. We had originally planned to tackle the climb at the end of the first day, but realised how tiring that would have been, plus the weather conditions then were poor. I'm glad we left it for the start of Day 2 as we were very lucky with the sunny and still conditions. I bet it can get pretty grim up there when it's blowing a hoolie.
All the best and happy cycling...🚴🏻♂️
What a superb trip! Looking forward to the next episode
@2rocship Thanks Si. Best ever trip...👌
Fantastic trip Dave I was spent just watching looking forward to next episode cheers pal
Thanks a lot Paul, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think Keith should do it on his Gold Wing...🤣
Great effort, guys. Well done 👍
Thank you...👍🏻
It was tough going up the Bealach na Ba, but we were so lucky with the weather conditions on the day.
I bet it can get pretty rough up there and that would be a totally different proposition.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@davidbenson735 yep, I watched another cycling RUclipsr who, with a group, cycled the NC500 and experienced some very bad weather conditions and found it really hard going. Look forward the rest of the vlogs 👍
I e only had a few minutes at coffee break to have a peek- but I’d expect nothing less from you than the Wee campground. Also “left turn Clyde.😅”
Looking forward to watching the entirety on the television this evening.
Thanks Josh, I hope you enjoy the rest of the video...👍🏻
I love to count how many “Superb” 😀. Amazing scenery. Sorry you missed a meal - that would make me grumpy
Hi Ali, thanks very much for watching and commenting.
Ha ha, I could have used the description "Superb" around every corner, due to the magnificent scenery we were cycling through. Plus all the wonderful cafes we came across - they would have deserved the same.
As for missing a meal, I too, usually get grumpy when that happens, but on this occasion I think I was too exhausted to even do that...🤣
All the best, Dave...🚴🏻♂️
Excellent mate, I’m looking forward to the NC500. Some serious climbs on the route.
Thanks for that...👍🏻
The Bealach na Ba is a tough climb (20% in places), but due to the amount of traffic using it that day, we had the opportunity to catch our breath at the passing places, waiting for the vehicles to pass.
There are lots of shorter, but just as tough, climbs further along the route. One particular one, beyond Drumbeg had us standing out of the saddle to get up it. It was 25%, which was super difficult with all the weight we were carrying.
When are you planning on going?
Thanks again for watching and commenting...🚴🏻♂️
@davidbenson735 that's some climb when you're out of your seat to get up it. I wanted to do it this year but the lads I bike pack with think it's a bit too much lol. As I always say "you have legs for a reason" so it maybe next year now, fingers crossed around August. Looking forward to part 2, love your channel mate.
@@kcvocalentertainer With low gearing all the hills on the NC500 are doable, I just get in my granny gear and spin my way up slowly.
I hope you manage to get there next year, I'm sure you'll love it.
Thanks very much for your great comments. All the best, Dave
That late set off from Lochcarron would have really annoyed me. Brilliant vid covering awesome scenery which is the uk’s best.
We managed to get back on track after that, and generally got going around 9am which was better.
Thanks very much for watching and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it...🚴🏻♂️
Well done guys enjoy yourself 🚴🍺🍺🍺🍺🍰🍰🍰🍰👍
Thanks Stuart, we made sure we kept well fuelled on the trip...🤣
Thank you for watching and commenting, cheers...🚴🏻♂️
Looks like a great trip, great video too.
@chrisearnshaw7865 Yeah, thank you, it was a brilliant trip. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
Are you on strava or Komoot?
@@chrisearnshaw7865 I'm on Strava under David Benson 🚲
Enjoyed watching this. I've wanted to do the 500 myself for a while but can't find any mates who'll make the effort. Well done 🚴👍
Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. A few more episodes to follow, but with my level of tech skills it takes quite a while to put them together. I've had a look at your channel and subscribed, it looks like you have some great videos. Thanks for watching and commenting...🚴🏻♂️
Great video Dave but the traffic looks a wee bit busy at times. That said, I've driven it twice, long before it was called NC500 so I guess I was part of the problem.
Looking forward to the following episodes of 👌
Thanks very much Pete. Yeah, there were lots of motorbikes in groups and camper vans everywhere. As for cyclists, we only met 4 others in total, as I recall. I thought there would have been a lot more...🤔 Thanks again for watching and commenting. Happy cycling
Cycling in Sutherland and Caithness is magical, if you avoid the NC500 and its millions of users . . . . And midgie season.
Cramps. Try Magnesium tabs from a health food shop, worked wonders for me, cramp free nowadays.
Yeah, it was quite busy with campervans and motorbikes. We found that even though the campsites often said full, it seems that there is always space available for cycle tourers.
One of the German lads gave me some Magnesium tabs whilst I was suffering and they did the trick. I need to get some of these to carry with me. Thanks for the reminder 👍🏻
Thanks for watching the video and commenting.
Superb! Would love to do this but I don't think my 70 year old arthritic knees would cope. Although I have all the gear, I cant sleep in a tent these days.
Thank you very much. I'm sorry to hear about your arthritic knees. I have a cycling buddy who has a similar problem and bought a lightweight road e-bike which helps him massively. Maybe you could do it on an e-bike, staying B & B, with someone transporting your gear...🤔
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Brilliant video and trip, looks awesome, are you on Strava as would love to follow this route and do it
@paulbalfe5852 Hi Paul, thanks for watching and commenting, much appreciated.
Yes I'm on Strava under David Benson.
Happy cycling...🚲
Brilliant video thanks v much, just a question about the sleeper train, looked at doing this trip myself with a couple of mates early this year, however i was told i couldn't put my bike on at Preston station as the bikes are in the last carriage and the platform is to short and doesn't reach the said carriage, so just wondered if you had issues or it was plain sailing, thanks in advance
Thanks very much for watching and commenting.
We had no problem at Preston station, we were told where the bike carriage would be, so waited there until the train pulled in. There was a guard who advised us on where to put the bikes in the storage carriage.
I hope you get chance to do it. All the best, Dave...🚴🏻♂️
Stick on puncture patches are the devil's work, 99% useless for all the ones I have used! Hope they hold out for Martin
You are right there, they didn't last long. Best bet is to change the inner tube.
Thanks for watching and commenting...👍🏻
A great video, enjoyed it. And your getting great weather, so far. I solo cycled the NC500 a couple of years ago, wild camping, took me 10 days and mostly crap weather 😊. You might enjoy my RUclips videos on Catch You Later? Well done.
Hi Mick, thanks a lot for watching and commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
I watched your great series of videos about the NC500 earlier this year, in advance of our trip and made a note of your nice little camping spots along the way, should we have needed them. You had it much rougher than us on the Bealach na Ba. Fair play to you getting up there in that wind...👏🏻
BTW, I'm already a subscriber to your channel and really enjoy your videos.
All the best and happy cycling, Dave...🚴🏻♂️
Thanks Dave, I'm looking forward to your next video. I could say, it's bringing back good memories? Ha Ha 😁 It is really 🤣
Ha ha.
The video editing almost takes as long as the rides, but I'm working on it...👍🏻
⚔️💪🏴🇬🇧👌👍(stroke)
Thank you very much for watching and commenting Tom...👍🏻
@@davidbenson735 👍🏴🇬🇧