Im just an ordinary guy who loves cycling in beautiful places. I'm lucky enough to live near the Yorkshire Dales and I also up in Scotland on a regular basis . If you're interested in seeing my scenic rides and beautiful cycle tours then take a look at my videos. Most are in the UK in the Dales or Scotland and some are abroad.
As well as the cycling there are some product reviews. I am not sponsored and these are just my opinion (for what its worth).
Thanks for your kind comment. I would normally get an episode for each day with lots of video. I took so much epic video that got lost. Totally heartbreaking. Anyhow I’m off back for sure.
Yes that makes planning the stop-overs a bit more tricky. We stopped at a guesthouse in Cannich, a hotel near Morvich and B&B in Fort Augustus. I did want to stop at the Glen Affric Youth Hostel on top of the mountain but I wasnt sure about charging as they only have electric froma wind turbine. I also wanted to stay at Ratagan Youth Hostel near Morvichbut yet again there wasnt any electric in the bike shed and my sons EMTB doesnt have a removeable battery. Mines easy - its just unclips off and you can take it into your room.
@@SimplyCyclingtoursandrides Thank you, that's infinitely useful! I've been looking at a similar trip. I contacted Glen Affric hostel and they said it wouldn't be possible to charge ebikes there, so don't feel like you missed out! Thanks again
Sounds like yer ebike needs a service in the motor, E bike motor repair centre would degrease and seal for about £70, assuming no parts needed. Got mine back the other week, runs near silent. 👍🏻
I know what you mean but im not sure. It has sounded like that from new and the wife's Liv ebike is even noisier! Where is this service centre anyhow? Ill keep the details just in case.
@@SimplyCyclingtoursandrides oh yes, it's a beautiful area (well, it is Scotland after all)! Last time I was up there on a calm day I just lay back in my canoe and floated along looking up at Carn Eighe. Bliss ⛰🛶👍
I bought an On-One Geoff Bar for my '09 Surly Pugsley after I put an M-Wave Double Bar (Identical to the Cinelli Double Trouble Bar!) on my touring bike and I totally love it, all three are made by the exact same OEM, and are literally the same, but On-One opted for 720mm width and the other two for 660mm. The wider On-One is IMO better suited for off-road use but in general they are all very good choices in comfort and an affordable alternative to the very pricy original Jones while offering the same ergonomics. The weight is just a few grams more than the super pricy butted Jones but much ligter than the SG Jones for a fraction of the costs, also quality wise my both versions are impeccable.
Another great video, this is an area of Scotland that I've never cycled and now really have the urge to get up there, it looks so quaint and charming! Thanks for that 🚴♂️👍
A bit easier than the Highlands too lol. 😂. It’s always nice to try something different. The Cromarty and Moray Firths were beautiful to look at for 3 days.
@@SimplyCyclingtoursandrides for sure! I'll plot a route out tonight so I'm ready for a weather window. I'll do a 5 day trip as Drumnadrochit is a 13 hour return drive for me. Thanks again 👍
I really like this video. Im going to Inverness soon and would like to do the Dores Loop. Im not a cyclist but i want to ride the bike to Dores Beach from Inverness. Any tips?
Loved all your videos .Can i ask you . And i know there of plenty to choose from .But in what direction would you point me on choosing a bike to go cycling /camping . I'm having to ease up on hiking long distance hikes and backpacking owing to my age over 70 yrs Your videos have given me another way of getting out and about as well as camping. Hope you can help and advise. Billy
Hi Billy. I am 60 years old and all I can say is that at our ages the lightest, fastest cycles are pointless. I just wanted a robust workhorse with a frame and back wheel specifically built for carrying gear. I think if you just put a rack on an ordinary cycle and carry all that weight you will just get problems with the back wheel and spokes etc. Cycles like mine, Surly, Genesis Tour de Fer are all suitable. Also do you want drop bars or relaxed straight ones. E bikes are also an option and I wouldnt hesitate using one in order to extend my active life further. Another tip is that cycle hire firm I keep using and mentioning in my videos "Ticket to Ride" they sell off their stock at the end of every year. I got one of theirs for my son and it was in excellent condition and cheaper than buying a new one. It will be sent out to you in a proper box and by courier. Let me know your ideas and I will send you more information.
Thanks Tony. Your support is very much appreciated. Just bear in mind that the further back you go with the videos the worse the editing is lol. It’s taken me this long to reach a format that viewers like. It’s all a learning process for me. From feedback it seems that people prefer more chat, info and voiceover. Talking to your GoPro is very embarrassing at first 😂
@@SimplyCyclingtoursandrides ah no bother, content is more important than editing for me, I like to see the under-tyre quality of routes (and scenery) to help me plan future trips. I've just started watching your first video, Lochs and Glens cycle route, and will work my way through them 🙂 Those yellow tinted sunglasses that you are wearing make you look like Bono from U2 when he was younger 🤣 Cheers 👍
Hey Tom - thanks for the comment and support. Just seen your channel too and im going to be taking a look at your vids. They look interesting and I've not seen them before!
@@SimplyCyclingtoursandrides haha yes, I never thought of it like that! Probably because I'm cycling or canoeing in Scotland so often. If I don't do a multi-day Northumberland backpack on Thursday I'll be on my touring bike for a few days around Dumfries and Galloway instead. I just love Scotland! Cheers 👍
The old military rd section which lies above the road above those pipes where you stopped is an absolutely excellent bit of easy singletrack easy graded ... well worth doing and much better than the forest road option ( i live in dalchreichart so its my local track! :))
The old military road running from glen moriston up to the forest road you used is rather nice esp. if you're on a full suspension. ... it is possible to link the forest roads which run up from invermoriston to the dam if you dont mind a rough ish last bit of track and a 30m push the bike through woodland and across a wee stream ... it saves the road bit
I will take a look at that on my maps. The road bit is a pain in the butt and i would like to avoid it especially as my grandsonis now old enough to do these rides with me. Thanks for the heads up!
@@SimplyCyclingtoursandrides I've marked the inverwick side with a small cairn on the forest track side . Theres a little lift required over the broken deer fence ( about 4') . The last 50m or so of the forest track to the fence is a push. There's a nice wee circuit to be done around inverwood wood from torgye bridge .. about 12 - 15km - out and back using the loops in various combinations at the end .. pleasant quiet cycle
Thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the video. This trip was amazing. I am still buzzing from it. I hope your trip to Mull goes well and there aren't too many midges lol!!
A great wee video, did you have to recharge the batteries overnight? I'm assuming you did. I live in southern Scotland but on the East Coast, so this is a ride I don't know, but its on my list now. Thanks for sharing. ATB Big Dave Scotland
Thanks Big Dave. Yes we charged the batteries at the hotel. You can either take them off the bikes and do it in the room or just plug them in where they are. The owners let us store them in their store room and there was electric sockets in there.
I think it was 4 days actual cycling on the Island and one day resting in Stornaway before coming back on the ferry. Dont forget you have to factor in getting to Oban and taking a 5 hour ferry. Coming back you need to get back from Ullapool. So you see the trip is quite time consuming but its not all cycling. Theres quite a bit of logistics involved. Its a mind blowing trip and worth all the planning. You could spend more time there and visit the Callanish Stones and the Butt of Lewis which we didnt because of time constraints etc.
I love you commitment to Scotland. And cycling. All forms. Keep up the good work. Your films are superb and I know a lot of time and effort go into these, even with an e-bike. I'm a big fan.
Hi. Looks like a nice route. I wondered if you had a gpx file of the route you took. The only one I can find seems to be on the other side of the river to you I think
The route is very easy to find. It starts from the gatehouse called Orrin Lodge next to the hump back bridge. There are waymarks and everything for it at the entrance. Its a wide path and not a non descript footpath. From which direction would you be coming to Aultgowrie? I can send a gpx if you give me your email.
Enjoyed watching your tour, brought back memories. Bikepacked route in May 2022, but in reverse, using Arran as a "stepping stone" to Tarbert, then followed all the coast, camped at Carsaig. Included the Isles - Seil, Luing, Easdale, Kerera & Lismore ( from Port Appin, then to Oban ) Train home from Oban. Few yrs back also did the Ardrossan-Campbelltown, Mull Kintyre then up to Tarbert ( Kintyre Way). Then over to Loch Lomond, Callander, Cycle track to Killin, Glen Almond to finish at Perth. Hard to beat Cycling Holidays when the weather is good ! ATB Many more happy tours.
Thanks for commenting Janice. It was weeks ago now and i am still buzzing from that trip. Best of all sharing something like that with one of my sons was simply the best thing ever. We had great fun doing it!
Some of that looked very rough and tricky even on ebike. Keep it up though, it's inspiring stuff that needs to be done to get riders like me fired up! Thanks again & say hi to the horsies next time again. ;)
It wouldn’t have been half as bad but as I didn’t expect it I used a seat bag that stopped me using the dropper post. I will do it again at some point.
- Spent a couple of hours with you on the road - looking in parallel through Google / Earth ... - Thank you for the pleasure ! - I wish you success and good luck !
Thanks, enjoyed that. I was impressed the way you planned to use the Campeltown to Ardrossan ferry, even more surprised to see it was still running in October... then I watched the rest of the video :)
Thanks for your comments. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Fortunately the trip turned out good with the re route across Arran. I do go back to finish the trip in a later video 😊👍
