Too old for big bikepacking? 

I have to say that 20 minutes was a really decent time and let the content breath a bit. Sometimes I find that 10 minutes is too short to tell a whole story. Plus what a great ride too! Well done, you are an inspiration!

Great route and think the video gave a fair representation of the difficulties which can be expected on such trails.

Content and running time spot on Simon,from a 73 year old cyclist thanks for all the encouragement.

Well produced, interesting to watch, very cool :)

Fab trip.But rather you than me! A couple of lol moments in there for me including "keep going, keep going.." through the water.🙂The familiar bit for me, from about 3 and a half years ago, was the dreich weather. Our club hikes were cancelled and I did my own thing walking north out of Ullapool and out into the heather and bog to circumnavigate a big lump called Crag ná Feola. First video I ever produced my iPhone and I was struggling to keep the rain out of it! At one point the lrt /farm track was a fast flowing river. I was a real softy though and and was up by the hotel's coal fire with my stuff steaming nearby and a pint of Guinness in my hand three or four hours later. I love a hostel though, especially if it has a roasting hot dring room. Thanks for bringing back some great memories for me too. ( Waterproof socks, eh? Might be an improvement on my gloves...)

Today it's 2023 New Year's Day and here I am lunching and watching this. English is not my 1st language and I had to divide my attention between you and my 2 dogs trying to eat my meal, but what an amazing experience you had there. So many memories. Congratulations, I'm 54 yo trying to get in good shape again, this was really motivating.

Thanks for creating this. I'm 61 and as active in my 60's as my thirties. Just keep moving and the body will reward you. Again, great video.

Really enjoyed your video interesting and not too long at all ,cheers neil 😀

Another great vid Simon, thanks. I COMPLETELY understand the hostel decision in Ullapool; the ride was tough enough already, so why make it harder? Really poignant at the return leg bothy.... A real consciousness of one's own mortality. I'm 63 and cramming in as much as possible. Video length is great, the longer the better. Best wishes.

Great story that deserved telling in full with a longer film. I reckon you made it look easier than it was!

Oh I love your video. Its given me the urge to go farther again on my bike as I am entering my 60's. I got epilepsy in my 40's and lost a lot of my confidence! The photography is gorgeous. Thank you!

New to your videos, been occasionally getting up to Scotland for hiking and cycling for the last 25 years (where does the time go !). Getting some great ideas for routes and trips, many thanks for it all ! Oh, and this isn't too long at all, it's all well filled with great information, commentary and filmwork - only time videos get tedious is when they use 'filler'. Thanks again !

Doh! Can't imagine how I missed this when you first uploaded as I've been waiting for you to publish. Anyway, great video as always so thanks again for making my bucket list even longer.

Carbisdale Castle the best hostel I ever stopped in, while on a LeJoG. 20 mins is fine, I enjoyed watching. Cheers!

A great video that brought back memories as I did that route in 2019 and 2021, although in two halves. 2019 I started at Black Bridge, rode to Croick and then to Ullapool on the route you used. As you say, it's tough in that section. In 2021, i did the other half, again from Black Bridge to Croick and then a big loop via Bonar Bridge. Riding in the Highlands is like nothing else with the scenery and the weather! The additional effort you made with the filming is incredible, all the to-ing and fro-ing to place the camera, ride past, go back, get the camera...Amazing, thank you!

I have a dream of gravel biking in Scotland someday. Your videos feed that dream. Thank you

Really looking forward to watching this when I get home!

Excellent film Simon, apart from a hernia that slows me down at 68 I'm still struggling round the trails of Rossendale. Can't wait to get back up to Scotland, the film was not at all to long loved it!

I absolutely cannot believe none of your biking buddies went with you on this spectacular ride. I liked and subscribed. Cheers!

that's the spirit! I'm in my 30s now, fitter than I ever was and hoping to be in a similar physical and mental space as you are once I'm in my 60s. so inspiring!

Excellent video production on this one, Simon!

20 minutes went by quickly, well done, that looked like a very tough challenge. Excellent production.

A brilliant video and it was so well put together I could have been watching a BBC travel programme. Extremely interesting and informative.

That was a fantastic video Si. I love it, and I am a fan of your artistry!

Great video and plenty to dwell upon. I'm the same age as Simon and not markedly less fit than when I was in my 30s. I've cycled all my life. Just like Simon, I'm a bit softer now, although the camping kit is a lot better, and with definitely poorer recovery. It's not just a physical thing: my head wants to know now why I'm suffering like a dog. Is there a medal up for grabs?

Fantastic content, not too short, not too long., and looks great too, well done, and thank you.

NOT too long. Very enjoyable!

Not too long at all. Enjoyed every minute.

Smashing stuff as usual! Simple... length not an issue when it’s great content. 👍

Brilliant video!! Definitely not too long. The whole thing is beautifully shot and extremely interesting 😊 Thank you!

Nice one...old men don't quit....grtz from Flanders...👍🏻🍻.

I love the scenery.

Great video Simon. Loving the retro vibe as well 👍

Super video, thank you for all the work and effort.

outstanding content! Length not an issue .

Such a lovely video though at points I wish I could have stepped and handed you a piping hot cup of tea! Such inspiration for the future. Thank you!

Terrific! I'm only beginning to cross country ride in Australia in my 60's! I loved the videography - that would have added much time to your ride!

would've been cool to gather the old timers together for the ride

Hello from Arizona, thanks for the ride!

Really loved watching this - beautiful landscape, even in rough weather conditions. The sort of cycle ride I’d love to do, getting a bit more off road. I was drawn in by the age / fitness question as cycling means I’m definitely fitter as I approach 50 than I was when I was 30. Chapeau, Sir!

I have just come across your channel and I’m much impressed and really admire the amount of work you put in to not only go through with these adventures but also the work you put in filming them. I am 72 this year and although I do not go on such challenging adventures as you do I really appreciate the work that’s gone into producing these videos. I think I really do look back on the adventures I did in the past in Wales, Scotland, Pembroke and Cornwall and they echo through the decades as we head on into our old age. Back then I didn’t even take my Brownie 127 with me let alone all the fantastic gadgetry that we have today - iPhone, GoPro, and drone. I have one question though you said at one point that you had to go back and get your drone. The advantage of filming with the drone is that you can ride past it and then fly it forwards right past it again and then just land where you are. So why did you have to go back and get it? I do remember the first time it tried return to home with low battery and I realise that was about half a mile back along the track I was on. Call me a wimp, but I have now invested in an electric bike, and my goodness it’s giving me a brand-new lease of life and extended my adventures. Stay safe and keep up the good work.

Great video, really enjoyed it.

My friend, dont knock yourself out just for us. . But this was a very good ride along. Thanks.

I have just come across your channel great content I have subscribed and I'm looking forward to watching your other videos.

Great ride and very inspiring! Too short in my opinion.

Well done Mr 😎

Very inspiring, Simon! But did you really have to go it alone? I’m sure you’d find plenty of riders to accompany you (at least parts of it) if you advertise your routes and dates on this channel.

This is spooky! This route popped up on my Facebook this morning done by some other group.

I don’t know about fitness, but I’m doing more in my 60s than I did in my 30s. I’m slower, and I pause for breath more, but I’m definitely doing more! Nice video - thanks for sharing 👍🏻🙂

I know this is an older video now, but well done! How many miles or kms was it? Were you on a 28 smallest cassette? Wonderful views. Loving your videos, presentation and vocals. Now I remember you from BBC.

Very inspiring!

Great effort ! Well done, .. but it's a shame you had to do it by yourself. Where are you comrades of yesteryear?

Gr8 effort well done..but as a military vet who suffers seizures and chronic migraines I wish cyclists would stop the ott flash lights on their bikes...are they really necessary?

I like to think that I am as fit now as I was 26 yrs ago, but have to work hard at maintaining it. I still do long solo rides and enjoy camping in fair weather, however I look to YHA if weather is grim. Gone soft? or more sensible with age........... ;-)

Great video. Btw what was the folk tune half way through please.

Great vid (again), what size tyres do you recommend?

For me the simple answer is no in my 30s I went looking for hills in my training I was 8st wringing wet now that I am 68 I try and avoid them as much as possible. I still ride roughly the same distance’s about 4 times a week but it’s recovery that takes longer and speed has dropped as well which is hard for me because I still think I’m in my 20s-30s 🤣.

great vid!

Not too long... not long enough!

Nice song

Fsntastic bideo. Perfect length. Wanted to do this over my summer holidays, but time just got away from me. Weather, 3 funerals & autistic kids. Nvm there's always 2025.

💘lovely..very motivating

Thx thinking of doing this route on my cross bike to Ullapool then I'll probably keep on up North it has a 34/38 low gear what was your low ratio. I'm a similar age to you but in good shape.

We loved watching this, absolutely absorbing and - as always - very professionally presented and edited. You are an inspiration. 🚵🏻‍♀🚵🏻‍♂

Video length absolutely matches content. Brilliant! It's a trip, and 20 minutes allow You to be immersed in the experience. No "downtime" in the editing, so the change is more than welcomed. Keep up the great work!

A superbly inspirational video Simon. It's never too long if the content is good enough: I really enjoyed this one. As a relatively new cyclist I discovered your channel and media only a few weeks ago and I'm catching up on vids and podcasts and greatly enjoying everything. Really interesting content and very professionally packaged. Thanks for the inspiration and for the continually high standards in the content.

Brilliant video Simon and undoubtedly a massive effort so thanks for that. I saw the length of it and thought I'd just watch 10 mins and come back later, but I ended up watching all of it so that must say something. Fitter or not is probably an irrelevant question. All that camera set up, retrieve, drone up, drone down, unpack, repack, etc. means you probably did the route a couple of times; no wonder you ran behind schedule into Ullapool. What's perhaps more interesting than fitness as we age is motivation. You clearly still have it in lorry loads as it would have been so easy to turn round at the half way point. A bed in Ullapool was no disgrace at all in those circumstances. Ageing might mean loss of fitness (it depends on your start point I suppose) but should motivation drop? Clearly being motivated to even do small, frequent challenges has got to be beneficial for slowing the ageing process and making those retirement years some of the best in life.

I wouldnt even try to compare the 2 rides to be honest. On the first ride you had mates with you to help each other along. On this ride you were alone and filming the whole thing. ie all the stop starting and so on. Theres probably a whole list of pros and cons but one thing is for certain, youve got something that age doesnt affect, your personality and you had that for both rides. You have determination, enthusiasm, willpower, drive etc etc. I know people in their 20s who couldnt do that ride, or handle those conditions. That was a great effort by any standards or any age, well done mate.

Makes me want to get on a plane and head straight to Scotland! Thank you for the effort - both times - in the 90’s and now.

Great stuff. Ardnamurchan to Peterhead are the furthest west to east points. I wonder that’s achievable off-road, -ish even. Rock on.

The difference between our 30's and our 70's is that we have learned to question our wisdom. It's better not to.

Great video! I'm 66 and in much better shape now than my 20/30's! I swim, bike, hike and unicycle almost everyday now! I truly believe that a body in rest -will rust! I've seen the light go on for middle age people that were out of shape and decided that they wanted their life back. The trick is to take that first step followed by the second . It's as simple as that! Watching this video, I want to put Scotland on the list for a cycling trip.

Always. Omg! you created cool edition, 🤓

Great video as always. I did a C2C from Kintail to Montrose in 1996 led by a Geordie who looks very much like the long-haired guy in the photo 15.57 mins in. Can't remember his name. I do remember he had a state of the art MTB with front suspension while the rest of us were on hard tail and hard front bikes! Could it be the same guy? BTW I am 71 in two days and my Garmin tells me I have the fitness of a 45 year old!

A lovely video, shot in stunning scenery, cold and all! I am 60 and suffered a heart attack last May, It knocked my confidence as a life long touring cyclist. So, two days a go I started 30 minutes of cycling over 30 days to get me back in the saddle. I will overcome this some how, I do think it is mind over matter, but I need to get my confidence up and your video helped. A big thank you from me and my family. (Subscription button has been pressed)

To cycle this route takes a good level of physical and mental resources . Throw in all the filming from dozens of points, plus the drone, added a dimension that you could not have even considered back in the 90s when you re did the route nearly 30 years later. If the 1990’s Simon was offered the option to age with the mental clarity and fitness of the 2022 Simon, I’d bet he would have accepted it in a heart beat! I often think when I grow up, I want to be a Simon. And I’m 55 now!

Well I think your already lot harder at 60 doing it on a roadbike with fat tyres instead of a new mtb 💪🤠

At 75 my biggest problem is getting my leg over the saddle……I’ve tipped over a few times , so I’m conscious of the possible event . Once on it’s a piece of cake….so far !! Thank you for the episode even though what I say doesn’t have a lot to do with your theme….Christmas greetings to you and yours.

Excellent Video. From a 67y o cyclist & runner, I agree whole heartedly about recovery. 🤣

Cool adventure Simon. A long challenge needs the long format to get the story across. Look forward to seeing you doing it again at 90 on an ebike, there's always another adventure.

Super film and never too long. All your videos encourage us to get out and enjoy. We should be thankful and appreciative of what we can do in our 60s. On that note, was wondering if you are doing any sea swimming at the moment? Thank you.

Nice video mate, I am 74 and I still go out on my mountain bike. Well its my sons really, I do need to buy my own, I don't do trails like this they are a bit too much for me now. I am considering a Electric bike with some pedal assist for the hills, still thinking about it. Anyway I have subscribed I like your content. Chris

Superb video sir 🤝 Absolutely loved it. Thank you 🙂👍

Great videon simon. What is the name if your handlebars as they look perfect for bikepacki g.?

You reckon the gravel bike was the right call over all? I can put up with some extra unrideable bits for the extra speed, reduced effort but that only works if there isn't toooooo much more hike a bike. Some routes are just purgatory without the extra wide tyres and a suspension fork though! I'd say the long(ish) form video was fine enjoyed all of it and managed to avoid getting distracted with other stuff.

Brilliant and very informative! 😀👍

Really enjoyed that one. I love the area around Ullapool but I've only ever motorcycled round there never cycled (yet!)

Fantastic video, enjoyed every second!

Great video so thanks you, but how did you keep your feet warm after such soakings?

Very interesting and it must have been emotional for you. Where's the rest of the guys nowadays?

I love your videos, but this may be the best so far. I cannot wait to visit your beautiful country and ride, ride, ride.

Just what I needed on a cold night in Upstate New York!

I am so impressed with your spirit, strength and endurance and filming!!. I am 60 and I walk, hike, bike, paddle and camp, ski, play hockey, weight train, mobility train and do yoga. Your channel and the help of others have got me to pace myself more and not overtrain which is not good at any age. I am thrilled to follow you for the rest of our lives, it will be fun to see how we keep up and move over the next 3 decades. Thank you :)

Excellent video! Kudos to giving it a go. So great to see you out there challenging yourself. A fantastic inspiration. Thanks for sharing. #everyrideisepic

Brilliant vid, simon...maybe a summer route 🤔

Video length was fine because you wanted to keep the whole ctc double in one video. You could have made 2 videos but for this topic I doubt that would have been better. Well done for making the same achievement as 29 years ago. If you get your old MTB that was in your friends shed restored how about trying that as a comparison 🤣❗‼️🚲🚴

Great job & inspiration!

Great video! Re: length I didn't have an issue with it but think I prefer when you make two or three part series. Do whatever seems to get get more views!

Great vid Simon, you've still got it👍🚴‍♀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Great stuff, As a cyclist just turned 60 I can confirm great adventure can still be achieved on a bicycle. Just a few months ago I completed the KAW in less than 4 days and with a slightly dodgy right hip too. I'd love to do some cycling in Scotland