Bikepacking the Badger Divide

[@dimasgomez8038]

Que paisajes tan espectaculares, de hacer vida, ejercicio, turismo. Gracias por compartir tan hermosa aventura. Un abrazo desde Colombia

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - Thanks for watching and your lovely comment. I’m sure Colombia has landscapes to match Scotland as well. Very best wishes and hugs from me in the UK…

[@alisdiggerdiary]

Great video a lot of effort has gone into getting those shots riding past the camera great adventure great to watch 👍👍

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks - the filming gives me a bit of time to stop and rest!! Glad you enjoyed watching this one - Cheers 👍

[@onemorecyclist]

A great watch. Planning this one at the moment. Subscribed and look forward to checking out a few more of your vids. Happy cycling!

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - Thanks - I’ve watched quite a few of your videos too, great ideas for future rides. Will subscribe. I think you’ll enjoy the Badger Divide particularly if the weather plays nicely. The Corrieyairack Pass in mainly hiker bike 😉All the best 👍

[@wildwoodkiwi]

Hi Andrew, Always great to see you back with another adventure! Looking forward to watching later👌

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi There - Thanks for having a look. It was a great trip, just enough exertion for a week! All the best…

[@harrylinsdell8114]

Great effort andrew,fantastic scenery again always a pleasure to watch.thanks for your time and effort

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks Harry - it was a lovely route and I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. All the best…👍

[@branbeggrify]

stunning landscapes all around, thank you for the video!

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - Thanks for watching - Scotland has some lovely dramatic landscapes and sometimes poor weather makes it even more ‘interesting’ - Cheers…

[@tednruth453]

Well i hadn't heard of the Badger Divide, it looks great 👍

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - yes, I stumbled across it and thought I’d give it a go. Lovely not being bothered by traffic and getting into some great scenery as well. Thanks for watching …. Regards

[@steveng5503]

Yes… grand effort. Pleased to see no major issues along the way. Inspiring episode. 👍🏻✌🏻🇬🇧

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks Steven - it was a lovely but at times quite remote route. A fair bit of ‘type 2’ fun but worth doing. Cheers

[@JohntyNich]

Always impressive to see the effort you take to create the cycling shots. Excellent footage and scenery shots.

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Thanks for your comment - much appreciated. I enjoy the filming as it gives me a chance to get off the bike and have a rest! All the best…

[@DAoutdoors]

Hi Andrew, brilliant video again, an epic journey, well done. Thanks for taking us along for the ride, haha (pun intended) All the best Dave

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed the video - might be better weather for this in the summer but I wanted to go outside midge season but paid for it with some wind & rain at times. Cheers..

[@KevinFindlater]

Great video Andrew, thanks for sharing.

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks Kevin - All the best 👍

[@donaldmackay1872]

Your video is the best one I have seen on YT. Very informative and I saw a lot of the route. I hope to do the BD in better weather.

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Donald - Thanks so much for that…Winter does drag a bit but once the better weather arrives I’m sure you’ll enjoy the route 👍

[@br5380]

The section of the Great Glen Way (inverness to Fort A) has more climbing in than folk realise, the best part of 4,000ft of elevation. I did the Badger last year, camping over 3 days north to south, might try it again next year but south to north. Good vid, ta.

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - yes, I took ages to reach Fort Augustus with all the ups and downs. Great route overall - Thanks for watching and good luck with the south to north trip 👍

[@hopleyp]

Plan on taking on the Badger next month, May 2024. Thanks for the video

[@solway17carlisle]

Great stuff- It’s a lovely route through the Highlands and a good time of year (usually) to do it. All the best, thanks for watching..

[@tonypaddler]

Great video and very well done 🚴‍♂️👍

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks for watching and pleased you enjoyed it - Worth doing, it’s a great route 👍

[@tonypaddler]

@@solway17carlisle next year I'll be doing a lot of cycling around Scotland, both on and off road 🚲 👍

[@solway17carlisle]

Great stuff - lovely for you to look forwards to….Might have a look at the Pictish Trail as a longer challenge next year. All the best - enjoy your bike rides 👍👍

[@TheRadGravelRider]

Did the exact same in 2022. I picked up a knee injury and damaged spd pedal and made it to Loch Rannoch before bailing. Top effort, terrain up there is unforgiving.

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi There - it’s a great route and I’ve seen your 2 videos - very well captured. I had a mountain bike and covered a bit less distance each day so maybe had a bit more chance of recovery before the following days ride…Hope you get to finish the last few sections at some point in the future. All the best and thanks for watching 👍

[@Caroline604]

I really enjoyed all of this video. The scenery was fantastic. I love those bike paths in Scotland. Nice Hilleberg tent too!

[@solway17carlisle]

Scotland has some lovely scenery - really recommend this route as well. Thanks so much for your comment and watching…

[@BorderRambler]

Cracking adventure Andrew , challenging conditions at times . Is that a new bike if so , what is it I’m curious in the market for a new one 🚲👍

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Dave - yes, I was kinda hoping for a settled spell but got the opposite! The bike is set up for bikepacking - it’s a Alpkit/Sonder Broken Road. I have it with rigid carbon forks rather than suspension and I’ve fitted some more comfort orientated swept back handlebars for longer days in the saddle. Let me know if you need anymore detail/ want to check it out. All the best…

[@Martyboy84]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully ride this this year. Training starts soon

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks Martin - it’s worth doing the scenery and variety in Scotland is fantastic, make the most of the cafe at Corrour 👍👍

[@markifi]

i have the same tent!

[@solway17carlisle]

I was glad of the Akto in those rain storms and high winds. Brilliant tent in these conditions isn’t it. Thanks for watching …

[@jeztv9014]

Great video and good shots 😊 Q. What make are those handlebars ? ...I like those extensions

[@solway17carlisle]

Thanks for watching the Badger Divide - lovely route much recommended. I got the handlebar and extension ideas from KZbinr ‘Graham Foot Bicycle Lover’ - on his recommendation I fitted a Gussett Beard Bar 750mm/31.8mm and some Profile Boxer Bar Ends all supplied by Slam69.co.uk. I prefer the swept back hand position and the bar ends are useful for holding my front light and Garmin. Hope that helps…

[@jeztv9014]

@@solway17carlisle thanks for the update. 🥳😊

[@jeztv9014]

Thanks for the fast reply. i will check them out 🙂@@solway17carlisle

[@timporter8886]

Great post, thanks for taking the time to film this. Going to attempt the Badger myself, though south to north instead. Still undecided whether to take a gravel bike or MTB. Lots of different opinions on this subject depending on whom Ive spoken to. What are your thoughts? Thanks again for a great post!👍

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi Tim - there’s a fair bit of decent double track forestry type roads so a gravel bike with 40+mm tyres would do well. There are some rougher sections and short single track eg Corryairack pass but I was pushing up the hill anyway…I hope that helps and you have a grand time. Regards

[@timporter8886]

@@solway17carlisle I usually run 38c tyres, so they're the best of both worlds, gud on trails/road and ok off road, if like you say, you have to get off and push if it gets to technical. I'm too old to be speeding down rocky hills any way..haha, thanks for the advice, that's helpful. What are your thoughts on my response?

[@solway17carlisle]

Ha ha - I’m always hiker-biking these days! There’s plenty of forestry type roads that vehicles use so you’ll be ok. Some sections are a bit rough where the surface has been ‘chewed up’ by ATVs etc. Just pick your way and I’m sure you’ll manage ok with the bike and tyres you have.

[@timporter8886]

​@@solway17carlisle Thanks buddy, you've boosted my confidence in my decision making, take care m8y!👍

[@pauledgerton1759]

Really enjoyed your video. How did you find navigating the Badger? Straightforward enough?

[@solway17carlisle]

Hi - No problem with navigation. I followed a Komoot route on my phone and took photos of some maps. Give it a go it’s a great route