Wild gravel ride with Everything in Scottish highlands
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- Опубліковано 7 січ 2023
- A ride with everything: Scotland's spookiest bothy, river crossings, poetry, train, historic youth hostel and a 300 year old road.
Oh and @CameronMcNeishOutdoors doing a voiceover 😀
Update: It seems Lake have managed to repair the second set of shoes shown in the video - we'll see.
Komoot: tinyurl.com/AAA-HauntedBothy
Uncanny - BBC Radio 4: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001...
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I came for the cycling. I stayed for the travelogue, ghost stories, poetry, kit critique, history lesson, and so much more. Superb stuff Simon.
Thank you James. It was tricky writing a title for this.
Awesome cinematography. Great narration. Great composition. You are a gifted story teller and one of the best adventure cycling channels on youtube. Thanks for sharing.
That’s kind of you Matt. I’m pleased you like the videos.
That turned out well. Really glad you managed to keep the Trainspotting stuff in and the kit run down on the train was more useful than watching you reading a book! As for the attitude of Lake - yeah, stuff like that needs calling out and I know you won't have done that lightly.
Thanks but I’m still wondering whether I’ll get a copyright warning. We’ll see! 😀
@@alwaysanotheradventure Haha. Always better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission…..
There are lots of cycling UA-camrs out there, and I do enjoy most of them, but your content is a cut above - so much more knowledge and great presentation.
Thank you Nicholas - I’m pleased you enjoy the content
Ever enchanting Scottish highlands! Don’t know as I’ll get there in this lifetime;)
Your presentations level is increasing higher and more exciting. As always stay healthy and young forever ❤
Great video. Let's have more haunted bothies.
BTW: I won't be considering LAKE shoes either.
I like companies that are keen to keep their gear going and help their customers.
Cheers
Do you know of more haunted bothies? 😁 A very old bothy in this one - ua-cam.com/video/DvRWDZUFdHY/v-deo.html not sure about haunted though. To be fair to Lake, the second pair of shoes they glued the sole back on, although it took weeks to organise
Thanks Simon , great content , your rides are very inspiring 😊
Glad you like them Matt
Easily the best cycling content on YT. Thank you for all the work that goes into these videos!
Wow, thanks!
This is a fantastic and interesting channel, Simon. Thanks very much.
Glad you enjoy it
Wow - looks exciting - pretty area with some interesting history! Keep making memories & adventure on! ~Karen & Shannon WOY
Thank you! Will do!
Thanks!
Thank you for the encouragement!
Alway another fantastic video
Glad you enjoyed it Keith
Excellent video Simon, keep it up, your very creative and professional and inspirational.
Thank you - lots more videos in that Adventure Cycling playlist 😁
Your effort to put these great informative videos together is greatly appreciated!
Thank you Imran
A great ride with spectacular scenery. Very grateful for the information and local history and points of interest.
Glad you enjoyed it
I train on that ridiculous hill up to the lodge every week, never gets any easier!
😂
Excellent ..thanks
Most welcome!
Very enjoyable , loved the gear talk at the end atb Dave 👍
Thanks Dave
Happy New Year to you and a great video to start it with. Brought back memories of several trips into that area on foot and bike staying in the Bothies and the Hostel. Informative as ever. Thanks for the effort put into the film and look forward to more.
Very good
Really enjoy the longer format, and the route info is great to help with plotting this year's campaign.
Hoping to get up to Scotland some time in march, but I'm very weather sensitive!
Hitting the narrow window between winter weather and the rise of the midge is always a challenge!
I did the Caledonian Way (with Simons guidance) in early May 22 with camping along the way and I think I hit that window. Fantastic adventure. Could go earlier in the year if you’re doing single day rides or staying inside overnight…or more macho than me.
Great trip, awesome footage. Thank you!
An absolutely awesome video, Simon. So informative, superb sound and video quality and excellent editing.
...and then there's the actual cycling, video shooting and highly coordinated route and train planning, and historical and cultural highlights.
This is better than many pieces I on TV. You have a true vocation for this work. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks for appreciating the effort that goes into them. And I’m pleased you liked it.
Just found your channel today, I've watch about 5 or 6 videos. Great stuff I'm hooked.
That's great Daniel - thank you, and welcome
Just brilliant - like all of the them! Ironically I watched this whilst exploring the gravel routes in West Brecon Beacons - it felt good to see and hear your adventures whilst making my own!
Lovely video! So much fun to watch your adventures. I am glad you the en plus on your kit. Good tip about Lake shoes. Shame. These shoes are bloody expensive. Thank you!
Great quality content and editing, Simon, appreciate all the work you put into these videos. Enjoying some vicarious outdoor riding via your videos, while I'm tucked up riding indoors!
That’s probably the way to do it right now David!
Top video Simon, thank you 👍🏽 I have the Galibier Winter water proof glove, brilliant 👍🏽
Ah I hear good things about those and the mitts. I’ll have to try.
Absolutely excellent video Simon. Fantastic scenery. Must have taken days to edit! Happy New year to you both and of course, Maggie
A very happy new year to you too Mike. Hope to see your team in Scotland again
Fantastic video again Simon. Keep making them! Looking forward to seeing what you get up to in 2023.
Me too😀
Great video Simon. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it
Really enjoyable, informative video. Your chat with young Ewan made me smile.
Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed it. I have a version ready to go minus the film just in case I get a copyright hit!
That brought back some wonderful memories !
Keep 'email coming.
Will do!
Really enjoyed the video , great stuff need to get my plans in together for some rides like this , 😀👍
You should! There’s so much to do around Scotland Brian.
Unbelievable video. Really enjoyed it and wholly appreciated the effort you put in
Glad you enjoyed it!
I was in a good mood already - unusual given that its nearly monday :) - and then this popped up in my feed. Thanks Simon
Glad you enjoyed it and I could add to the mood.
Absolutely love this channel and Simon is a brilliant broadcaster
*blushes*
Keep the adventures coming
There are quite a few already on the channel and I do them whenever I can. tinyurl.com/AdventureCycling
@@alwaysanotheradventure I have been following you a while since 2020 after I broke my leg on Christmas eve doing the festive 500. I am back on my bike now but not as active.
@@keepontreking3661 Ouch! Christmas Eve too - that's a bit rough. Hope you make a good recovery.
Weirdly, full rucksacks are more buoyant than humans. I discovered this the hard way in NZ when I was swept off my feet. Straps were undone but no time to shed the sack. It had 5 days of food in it and felt very heavy but it floated higher than me and pushed my face into the water. Fortunately, I was able to lift the rucksack by forcing my head back and, a second later, I was washed into the bank on the side I wished to reach. Very fortunate but very wet.
Given the weather we've had recently, I think you were fortunate with those river crossings. I personally don't use bicycles for support. Two wheels connected by a hinge can be unpredictable. You seemed to be trusting your feet and that is exactly what I try to do. Great video and thank you for the effort which goes into shooting yourself moving through the landscape.
Interesting and scary about the rucksack - I’ll remember that when hiking.
I was fortunate but this was 30 Nov / 1 dec so before the cold snap. But yes keeping an watch on weather and being ready to reverse route is important
Lovely video as usual Simon. I'm looking forward to ride my bike in Scotland one day, cheers from snowy Finland
Thanks Marcell
Hello from Austria! I really love to watch your videos ! they are so well made , the hole story you create in every video with that well pronounced english makes so much fun to hear and watch.! Makes me dream about my own adventures that hopefully will be coming true sometime ;-) Also scottland is a really lovely place which i want to visit someday! Go on like that !
cheers from Tirol
Thanks very much Leon. I’m pleased you enjoy them.
Thank you for another great video and route. Corrour station is a place I've always wanted to visit, but I never had a chance. Hopefully, now I have more time this year
It has a great Cafe too Michael - that didn’t make my cut.
@@alwaysanotheradventure yes seen the photo of the cafe on your Komoot page. Just saved the route
I just subscribed! Great videos!
Nice to here Caulfield getting a mention. Love to see what kit others are carrying. I did think you might have your drone in something more padded. Just got one for Christmas so looking at a hip pack for transporting though I have a drone bag. Interesting to see Corrour done from the other side. Thanks for another great video.
The drone is in that small box, then dry bag, and it sits at the bottom of my pack. Seems to be ok down there. The controller (without screen) is quite robust.
@@alwaysanotheradventure yes I’m wondering if it’s worth getting a screen protector for my controller.
@@SwampyDuckRidesAgain3636 I use my phone in the controller housing (like with mini 1 and 2) and the phone is in a case with a screen protector. So it’s probably worthwhile.
Interesting your comments about Lake. I was having a bike fit at SigmaSports in Oakham and Andrew commented on my Lake shoes and said their customer care was excellent and he was happy recommending them.
I had a long exchange of emails with Lake about those heels Paul. And as for the ones where the sole is peeling off, Sigma has had them for a while, sent them back to Lake, and it's taking ages for them to decide a sole shouldn't peel off in six months. I really do like the shoes, but the idea that a perfectly good shoe should be thrown away when a sole comes loose isn't environmentally sensible in my view.
I've had bad luck with Lake shoes as well. Great ride!
Oh no!
I'm astonished about your Lake-Shoes. I wear Lake-MTB-Shoes since a long time and I never had problems. Otherwise, your adventures are extremly rough and therefore you need mountain boots instead of mountain shoes 😉🤣 Top video, Simon. Keep going with that stuff 🚴🚴🚴
After publishing this, the second pair (where the sole was just peeling) have been repaired and are supposedly on their way back to me. But the first pair are, apparently, to be thrown away. Needless to say I'm still wearing them. But you're right, I'm too tough on them, and some Shimano boots are on the way.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Well done 👍
Beautiful I wish to go with you
Bucket list
I stay in Kinlochleven at least once a year. Rode the West Highland Way in the opposite direction to you last September. I'm afraid I had to walk a bit of the tarmac road up to the lodge, but I am older than you Simon Lol. You've given me a plan for my next trip as I was already looking into something similar.
I tried to ride that road up to the lodge with Sean a few weeks ago in all that snow and we barely made it to the top! It's going to feature in another video about winter kit soon. I'm glad I've given you some ideas!
Your best film so far - you put so much energy into these - waterproof socks - never been happy, so which ones work?
I'm pleased you enjoyed it Warren. I have three pairs of SealSkinz - a thick 'Hiking Mid sock' (I wore these throughout); 'Road Thin Mid Socks with Hydrostop' which didn't go with me; and 'Waterproof Warm Weather Ankle Length Sock with Hydrostop × 1' which are thin, I bought for the TNR, and carried on this ride as backup. I usually have this second pair so if I need to put wet shoes on at night to go out for a pee, I don't get regular socks wet.
@@alwaysanotheradventure When I have biked with Markus he operates his drone just using the phone to save bulk and weight - looked like a good idea - Warren
@@warrensanders5842 Yeah we’ve spoken about this. That was possible on the older DJI drones but sadly not the new ones.
I completed the Caledonia Way on my Brompton last september due to your excellent set of videos. Really wonderful 5 days. Would love to see you produce something similar on route 7 or route 1.
I’m glad the videos were helpful - so much to ride!
Fantastic video Simon and some top tips - thanks. I sense there was tons of planning the content prior to the ride, which really enhanced the entertainment value. I struggle with the drone controller too whist in follow-me mode and am intrigued at you stuffing it down your front 🤔- I assume the joysticks are stored for this? I'm currently trying it out 'strapped' to the top of my Apidura bar bag and this seems to be the best option yet, although it is quite visible in some footage so I've just ordered a black silicone skin for it. Looking forward to more great content.
Thanks for the comments. Yes I rarely use the joysticks, only if I’m doing a careful orbit. I have a handlebar mount for the controller but the jersey seems to work better. This is the mount if you want to try it - DC Rainmaker was using one.
Tineer Remote Controller Holder... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JV4JMTV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Excellent film - like the kit section. Some good pointers. I've taken to using OS Maps app on my phone when out on unfamilar trails, which is brilliant for pinpoint locating, and a bargain at a fiver a month if you are regular outdoorsy. You can plot routes and download the map section to your phone beforehand. (If you try to download maps "on the hoof" it eats battery.) This and a physical map combined seems to work well even in clag / whiteout in Scotland. We have a base in Kinlochleven when we go up there so am definitely going to have a look at doing this in a day - although I would imagine in the summer the midge factor would be something to watch out for.
Apparently it’s the clegs on that route which are vicious in summer!
@@alwaysanotheradventure Nasty things. Anytime you are out in Scotland between about May and September the Deet needs to be applied liberally. Ticks now also getting bad...
Great trip! Thanks taking us along. Any details on your bothy sleep system?
If I head to a bothy I’ll also carry a tent or bivvy. The can be cold places unless you carry in coal.
@@alwaysanotheradventure coal eh? Not many options for wood around them? You had just said a bothy sleep system so I guess that is a bag and bivy?
Corrour to Spean Bridge with an overnight in Meanach bothy was the first "bikepacking" trip my wife and I did, though we didn't know it was actually called that back then in 2010. We got the train to Corrour and rode the Abhainn Rath in the opposite direction to you. A bit of a push to get onto the ridge above Meanach but fine after that.
If the railway wasn't there that would be a big area of nothing. Apparently the postman used to deliver to Creaguaineach Lodge on the edge of Loch Treig!
Didn't realise that Luibeg had been a bothy, I thought it had just become derelict post estate use. I suspect that the "haunting" might have been whisky induced😁
I think the route you did is now part of the Tour De Ben MTB route. I did a backpacking trip that way too and my boots let in SO much water I lost a few toenails. Ugh! There is a plan to restore that lodge to a more useful purpose.
Perfect. I missed the chance last year but won’t this year. I want to cycle up to Loch Eilde Mor to fish it. Wondered what the path beyond the lodge was like. Now I know. Thanks.
Apparently lots of clegs in summer!
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thanks. Going in early / mid May. Hate clegs.
..and just saw the little USB cable with all the different heads on it - super handy! Have you got a link for it. Thanks again, Stevie
Sorry Stevie - I had planned to put links to all this in the description but forgot. Here it is:
CHAFON Multi Charger Cable Short,... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KWPFRWN?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Great video! A bit of unrequested advice: Maybe I'm wrong but those look like XC SPD shoes. They are not designed for touring/bikepacking or even long hike-a-bikes. For this kind of off-road adventures, I had better luck with rigid hiking shoes and MTB flat pedals (with nails) or (if you want clipless) a trail-oriented SPD shoe with Shimano PD-EH500 Explorer pedals.
I’m sure you’re right. They’re meant to me gravel or MTB shoes, and I do like SPDs (the pedals flip so can be flat when needed). But I need to switch to - as you say - a trail orientated SPD shoe.
Good video yet again but please note the Smelter & infrastructure predates WW1, completed in 1907.
Thanks for that - always plenty to learn!
Another great video. Particularly liked the link to Uncanny Luiebelt.
I take it you just bought a regular ticket and bike reservation? I might be wrong but can you book internal Scottish routes on the Caley Sleeper site? It’s not exactly easy…
I’m thinking of doing the seated Sleeper from Dumbarton to Fort William and doing Ardnamuchan in a day so would be interesting to see how to book the sleeper. Cheers
I did it by phone. A bit weird because you book the ticket on Scotrail and reserve the seat with the Cal Sleeper. There’s a new owner of the sleeper coming April.
Are you still using the Redshift Kitchen sink bars? We love your content, really amazing work.
Very much so - they're on my titanium Sonder Camino and feature in the previous video ua-cam.com/video/DvRWDZUFdHY/v-deo.html Pleased you enjoy the content Brian
We enjoy your story telling, thank you. Our question is what brand is your orange outer shell that you have used on this ride? It looks good. Stay safe
Thanks Chris. The jacket is by Italian company La Passione and is their Deep Winter Jacket. They have Italian sizing so mine is a L. Better now is the Rapha Infinium brevet jacket which handles rain better and is as warm without thickness, but I think it’s more expensive.
Thank you so much for this info. Stay well
HNW - super video.
Thanks Christopher
another great video. very inspiring. by the way, what song is playing at about 9:21?
It’s all production music from a company called Motion Array
Another wonderful video Simon, thanks. Did you change the kitchen sink bars bars out or is it just the camera angle? Thanks, Paul,
Hi Paul - no those bars are on my Sonder Camino, the Ti bike. It's more suited to multi-day riding than this Vielo.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thanks Simon :-)
I would be scared cycling in middle of nowhere .😱 Sad isn't it in this day and age . 😔
Safer there than in many cities!
Love you videos! Trainspotting - one of my favourite scenes from the movie 👍
Thank you! Just discovered your channel Simon, and LOVING it!
I am Hans COMYN from Belgium and discovered that Clan Comyn / Cumming was the biggest Scottish clan in the 14th century.
This summer I plan a ride to Glasgow to see the Worlds,
Then up north to visit the castles of Clan Comyn.
Do you have any videos that could help me plan my route?
Thank you Sir!
I’d never heard of Clan Comyn - looks Welsh to me. The best of fortune with your research and planning Hans.
EDIT - I learn something every day! Just looked it up and the historic seat is Inverlochy Castle just outside Fort William. I was there yesterday at my local bike shop.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Cumming
You could get to Fort William by train and then connect some of the castles mentioned in Wikipedia, although there would be some road riding. Could be a great trip. I’ll try to look more later today.
Updated my previous reply.
@@alwaysanotheradventure yes, AWESOME … got a gravel bike but do not mind road riding with it. I see a travel docu Scotland would LOVE to see you make :)
I've already done quite a lot of the ride in the Moray Gravel Triangle videos with Sean. However, this route would tick off a lot of the castles on the wiki page: www.komoot.com/tour/1057319242?ref=wtd
@@alwaysanotheradventure This is just AWESOME! I'll probably continue from Banff onwards to Aberdeenshire as I found several castles there as well. Thank you so much Sir Simon.
Great video Simon, we have ridden in that part of Scotland many times,staying at Bunree but we (I) carry our dog in a K9 back-pack so we dont adventure of to those kind of trials, its great to see what I am missing. I am sure Ewan would be proud to have featured in such a well made production, keep it going.
I have to leave our wee dog at home now as she’s 10. But currently sat below me under a table in the Kingshouse. Thanks for the comment.
Excellant sound track by the way. I tend to have something else playing in the background on most peoples vidoes but turned it off for this. And that was the new Porcupine Tree album - so this must be good. But what was the first song?
I’m away just now having a night at the Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe so I can’t check - I’ll try to remember to get back to you when we get home tomorrow night. It’s all production music from Motion Array with whom I have an account.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Thank you. Only if you get time and enjoy the break!
@@slainelow It's 'Deepest Ocean' by Gerda_Music. I found it here: motionarray.com/royalty-free-music/deepest-ocean-1211695
Simon. What jacket did you use here? I’m trying to get one that will work as an outer for winter cycling and cross country skiing. Great video this one!
A few people asked about it on the previous video Norman, so I've added a link to it on Amazon (obviously available elsewhere!). It's an Altura Esker and it seems pretty good. It doesn't shed water as well as Goretex Shakedry, but it's much tougher and can be used with rucksack straps, without being too bulky when I need to stuff it in the backpack. I'm reluctant to pronounce a final verdict on it because the DWR finish is still intact so it doesn't wet-out. How well a jacket re-proofs is a big measure of its usefulness and longevity in my opinion. I like the lack of pockets below the chest so there's nothing to interfere with waist straps, and the single top pocket is good although not entirely waterproof. An inside pocket would be helpful. The cuffs are a bit odd - elasticated underneath with a weird stiffened 'peak' but they do work, as does the big helmet-covering hood.
@@alwaysanotheradventure fantastic Simon. I’ll check it out. I’m stuck between a decathlon jacket I feel is not quite up to it and a paramo Alta 3
@@normanjohnston3648 Ah, one too light, one too heavy. Although Paramo is superb kit for hiking. AlpKit have a sale on right now so there might be bargains there. Also, I believe RAB (I'm a fan of them) are starting a cycle specific range in the Spring - I have no idea of the quality but I expect it will be good.
👏👏👍👍
Excellent videos, thankyou 👍 a bit of a left field question are your glasses prescription by any chance? If so would to7 recommend them and give me the manufacturer as I’m really struggling to find any suitable and my normal glasses don’t really offer enough protection. Thanks in advance Paul
Hi Paul - they’re varifocal and they’re honestly great! I say that because I made a video about them and got a deal but i’d say if I thought they weren’t very good. Check out this video.
Prescription eye glasses for cycling | Cycling tips and reviews
ua-cam.com/video/TcN3S67ijJE/v-deo.html
@@alwaysanotheradventure thankyou so much, your a true gent, I’ll check the video out, it’s varifocals I need as well 👍
Corrour, from the Gaelic Coire odhar. Hence Corrour is pronounced Korr-ow-r, with the emphasis on owr, not Kor-oor.
What tyres were you running for this ride?
WTB Raddler light 44mm (or 40mm maybe I forget). A bit too porous and took ages to set up tubeless.
Hi Simon. Can I ask what type of waterproof socks you have, and do you rate them? I take it your feet did get wet when you crossed the rivers???
I took two pairs, both Sealskins, both with the silicon bead around the ankle. They’re fine until - as I say - water gets inside then they’re worse than wool.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Do you ever think about just taking your shoes and socks off for the crossings? 😌
@@stevia13 It’s a last resort. Feet can get injured on branches and stuff underwater and not know due to being numb.
Your really fit. What's a bothy?.
Check my previous video - we visit one. Open shelter like a free mountain hut be very basic
Great video and very funny too. I don’t think ‘Rent Boy’ / Ewan had Geordies in mind when he dissed the English…
😆
Not for me I don't leve the USA
It’s a country with great variety and i’m lucky to have seen a lot of it, including Alaska where I met my wife. But Scotland is special too.
I do enjoy your videos, but you really need to sort out your pronounciation of Gaelic place names, or at least anglicised versions of Gaelic placenames.
Hi Simon. Sorry to see your footwear letting you down like that. I can highly recommend Shimano XM900 SPD boots for this kind of hike-a-bike adventuring. I do a lot of this kind of adventuring (and even more tough terrain as I'm primarily mtb) and these boots have stood up to 1000s of kms over the last couple of years. I even use them as hiking boots when out walking. Outer material on the ankle section tears easily but just seems to be trim rather than part of the boot structure. Super waterproof and very warm.
Thanks VERY much for this Jon - I shall hit Google immediately! 😁 seriously, I'd heard good things about Shimano boots but had got a bit lost as to what would work for this sort of terrain. Having that recommendation is really valuable, so thanks again. {Edit - just bought a pair 😁]
@@alwaysanotheradventure That's great, hope you get on well with them (will be interested to hear your thoughts on them in a future video). Also, I should have said, superb video! I loved the way you cut in Cameron's voice over yours (with the gently music underlay) into the poem. We often base our holidays at Roy Bridge and explore from there so your routes in this area are always of great interest. Really appreciate all the effort that you put into making these films, thanks.
@@jonm7272 Thanks again Jon