BIKEPACKING THE NORTH COAST 500, SCOTLAND

Video from bikepacking the North Coast 500 in Scotland last week. Had a great time touring around the Scottish highlands, tough conditions but worth it! We took very light bike packing gear with us mainly just the kit we were wearing and T shirt, shorts and flip flops for the night + camera gear.
Komoot for the ride: www.komoot.com/collection/896...
Strava for the rides are here: / strava
Instagram pictures: / gruffuddpughjones
www.komoot.com/user/876779324285
Music from artlist.io

[@scottlaughlin2251]

Great. Thanks for letting me tag along.

[@VeloVegan]

Cheers scott

[@TheVCAdventures]

The BEAT and edit on this was KILLER bro!

[@davecarter1047]

Yo vegan cyclist, it's dave I subscribe to ya bro! Love your work

[@cathschofield674]

I’ve come a bit late to this but it is by far the best video I’ve seen of this route. Beautifully put together and I love your commentary. 👏👏👏

[@JRLNeal]

Very watchable video fellas. Thanks. I know how much time it takes to not only film on the bike but also the editing, voiceovers and music. It was all very professional. well done.

[@FoobsTon]

Well done lads and thanks for taking the trouble to document your adventure.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks!

[@urby1720]

Another great video. Scotland looks beautiful. Thank you for the adventure.

[@VeloVegan]

Urby 1 thanks! Yeah it’s stunning, it’s like wales on steroids, more mountains, bigger mountains and less people !

[@denverspin]

Glorious Scotland! Epic ride lads! Inspiring to many who watch. Thank you

[@VeloVegan]

Philip Donelan cheers Philip

[@callumd3527]

That was epic - after taking some time off the bike after being knocked off by a car, this has truly reminded me why I love cycling so much and inspired me to begin planning for another tour of Scotland next summer. I completed a similar route this summer and it brought it all back. That was an absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you.

[@czarinajeananonuevo9075]

I love the vibe of this 🙌🏻 the storytelling, music and the views awesome!

[@VeloVegan]

Czarina Jean Añonuevo thank you!!

[@jenniferbailey44]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Sounds quite scary cycling in those winds. Well done! 👍🚴‍♂️

[@palmer3977]

Absolutely brutal in places, fantastic vlog Gruff.

[@paulminister8603]

Great work fellas, I'm up there in May 2021 over 7 days so not quite at your killer pace & hopeing for better conditions than you had. Its videos like these that inspire me to take on this tough challenge in my twilight cycling years. Thanks for documenting it & respect for your ride.

[@GuyRWood]

Great job guys, what a beautiful ride!

[@robinfjaer]

Thanks to the algorythm that brought me here. But much more, thank you for this killer edit! One of the best cycling films I've seen in the last months. Looking for ways to get to scotland right now!

[@remifolz4364]

congrats lads! I enjoyed your trip, I know it's hard to film and ride! Final footage is definitely good to watch, choices of the music are fitting pretty well too! Good job!

[@johnnypeperone4093]

thanks for this guys ....it was very nice ! keep up the good work

[@JAYZWORKSHOP]

Great video really enjoyed.

[@ghardi6324]

Great, enjoyed watching!

[@adharwood]

Awesome. Really enjoyable watch.

[@C.Medina]

Glad to know things are good with you mate. Keep riding!

[@VeloVegan]

hiddenchildren thanks mate 🙏

[@TheCoopsvids]

Well done lads that was epic. ATB for 2019. Cheers Coops 👍🏻🚴

[@alt4res]

Sick video, thanks!

[@kevinjager8007]

Guys thank you so much, I really enjoyed that. The filming of excellent and you didn't use too much cheesy library music😁. Although I'm a mtb rider at heart I still like watching Epic Adventures like this. Well done!

[@eyedoclondon]

Loved this video. I know that area well. So good you had a lovely time. Wish I was fit enough to cope with that trip myself!

[@FutureMark809]

Love the ending 👌🏼

[@martinowl]

Awesome stuff boys, well done.

[@rogerpennington3019]

What a great video, Hope to do this next year

[@joulzee001]

Great achievement. I’m doing this next year. Looks amazing

[@briangibson142]

Awesome adventure, you made it look easy

[@alannorman1773]

It is a gorgeous part of the country isn't it? Really enjoyed the video, thanks guys

[@speckofdust272]

Great video and great cycle trip very inspiring well done 👍 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@VeloVegan]

Speck Of dust thank you!

[@jamesrumble6842]

thanks for putting this together, very inspirational

[@VeloVegan]

thanks james!

[@ducatimale]

Thanks for the vid, capturing the atmosphere and spirit very well indeed! :-)

[@VeloVegan]

thanks!

[@tonusbarronus4824]

Amazing vid! Thanks so much!

[@VeloVegan]

appreciate it bro!

[@BikeBodyMind]

dude this was one of the best things I've seen on youtube. Excellent work!

[@VeloVegan]

Big Vegan Jeff ahh thanks bro! Btw back im boulder on the 7th July so should catch you around!

[@BikeBodyMind]

That sounds awesome!

[@alanhaddy7499]

Great video and appreciate the huge amount of work to create

[@VeloVegan]

Alan Haddy thanks Alan!

[@mrinmoyborah842]

You guys are inspiration ❤️

[@Svdude650]

Nice one. Well done on the whole trip and also the bikepacking KOM 😜👍🏻

[@johnd1466]

Epic ride guys chapeau Bucklisted,

[@kylehall4063]

Awesome video, big days! Nice work!

[@VeloVegan]

thanks bro!

[@rrobotman]

Really enjoyed this!

[@markstevens6887]

I'm planning on doing this next may. Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[@VeloVegan]

Thanks mark!! That’s good to hear 🙌

[@normanbradley2536]

My mom used to tell me a little about some of her cycling trips thru the highlands, in the 1930s. Thanks for the video.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks norman!

[@robertnuttall3272]

Good job, nice edit. Its going to be amazing to look back on this when your in your 70's

[@wanderingbox7971]

or even when you reach 120...being plant based ✌️😁🚴

[@kennyness8881]

Nice video. Thanks for posting.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks kenny!

[@velilenare5267]

Want to complete this route next year. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@VeloVegan]

Velile Nare thanks! Good luck!

[@vincentvolmer5076]

What a great experience! Hopefully soon we can get out again for explore the world🤞

[@sirillustration]

Been considering this on bike for a while now. Great video, looks like a tough ride but worth it.

[@stuarthenderson7354]

Nice Video really enjoyed it thanks.

[@tatecarlson6843]

I stumbled upon your channel. I really like this film.

[@mikesheridan5218]

Great vid thanks! "Mornings like these are why we ride bikes" .. love that & hope you ride the next one soon :) I'm driving the route next month for a recon!

[@VeloVegan]

cheers mike, enjoy!

[@ourwilliam2405]

Superb video i really loved it, thank you for sharing. Saludos from Chile.

[@karlmarx3471]

Amazing video, well done 👍🏻

[@janicegalloway5636]

Great video guys...you did well 👍

[@stevenmcfarlane8831]

Bealach Na ba. Is cool eh. That’s the easy bit. From Applecross to Sheildaig is tough as .... good video guys. We were lucky the day started off with torrential rain then an hour or so later we were blessed with clear blue skies. As we dropped into Applecross the scenery was spectacular . Wish I’d had my go pro on. Cheers.

[@santeshrajkumar1922]

Awesome video guys well done

[@Ian-ld4fk]

Really nice vid thanks for sharing

[@monty2078]

You guys are tough. Great video and a hard ride in unpleasant weather, but, glad to see where my ancestors came from.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks monty! we're the softies though, saw plenty of tough guys out there with all their camping equipment where as we were cosy inside a hostel/airbnb every night :D

[@jameshcox]

Nice one, thanks for sharing.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks james!

[@Dri1a]

Awesome vid mate !

[@gauloisrefractaireenexilvo4366]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of vlogart. This is nicely filmed, there is a constant melody between the travelling pace and the surrounding landscape. Bikepacking teaches us efficiency, minimalistic lifestyle and patience. No matter what you have to reach your destination. It would be great if you could share a bit more about your gear and equipment. It's always interesting to hear about this or that specific bikepack set-up, capacity or straps.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks! yeahh i had filmed a video before hand with my kit but i didnt get around to editing it before i left, especially since i changed my mind about some of the items and a few of them were pretty obsolete. I'll make a quick one on it tomorrow. Agree with your comments, and nothing beats that point to point ride feeling, where the goal of the day is just to get there!

[@adrian.howell]

man you nailed this, awesome stuff!

[@VeloVegan]

Thanks bro!

[@allanfotheringham1959]

amazing mate

[@jeremyprodger6766]

Nice video guys - enjoyed very much

[@VeloVegan]

cheers jeremy

[@NLV_Films]

Love it !!

[@palmer3977]

Shame I can only give one thumbs up for this mate.

[@jackwhorton6826]

Really enjoyed that. Brought back memories of my own solo trip on those roads in 2016. The wind is so brutal, especially on an A to B route where you know you won't get any respite all day.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks jack, the wind can be so cruel up there! give me hills over headwind any day of the week haha

[@andymuller5824]

Nice Video and a good Job, Great 👍👍😉

[@markboden7208]

Great effort fellas, like the video, well put together. So you both did it in June? Bike-packing that route is probably the sensible option. I attempted it in late September last year, in bike-touring mode, camping, so the bike was really heavy. Unfortunately, I picked up an injury, the weather was extremely challenging, bit like your day 3/4, and probably how I got injured. The Scottish wind can be so brutal. I got to Ullapool, then admitted defeat and limped back to Inverness. Late September everything was shut, so like you experienced difficulty in getting food in the day, was not easy to find. You've inspired me to get my ass back up there and get it done, bike-packing mode next time and plan some accommodation. Thanks for the video. Grand stuff. What's next?

[@VeloVegan]

hey Mark thanks for the comment! yea we did it in june! id deff recommend bikepacking vs touring, kind of fits nicely with the distances between towns and the milage is a lot easier not carrying a lot of kit over all the hills!

[@pconhispc2759]

Great use of music and editing. Lovely little film.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks!

[@davecarter1047]

Excellent work my friend, subscribed!

[@VeloVegan]

thanks Dave, appreciate it !

[@JaysonBryant]

Fantastic video. Great content and editing. Makes me want to go ride my bike. At least you had better weather than your attempt of Haleakala

[@ourwilliam2405]

Amazing video chaps. You looked to be traveling very light.

[@PerfDayToday]

Epic!

[@briangrieco32]

Beautiful;y shot and edited. I can't imagine doing those k's and filming and getting anything worthwhile.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks brian!

[@CHEKER19]

Nice video!

[@danmac2760]

that must have been some ride!!! Man, would I like to do that route!

[@dugongpoo]

Well done lads. Shame you couldn't get over to the Shetland Islands. Smooth roads, dozens of coffee shops and lovely people.

[@VeloVegan]

cheers john! yeah would have been great to get around them!

[@mtbguides_Rich]

Great vid 👍, hope I get better weather for my attempt.

[@gjones7151]

cheers! pack a good coat hahah

[@nickisauer9626]

Fantastic trip. Cheers! Not reindeer though. ;-)

[@wulliedornan4787]

Impressive guys.

[@officialmcdeath]

Major fistbump! Never a dull moment, watched it in one sitting - glad you addressed the Casey-style ride-through issue, personally prefer 'real' stuff - the footage you caught gave us all the atmosphere - clearly you have fallen in love with the place the same way I did, the first time I landed in the West Highlands as a youngster. Did you ever see Gusto in any of the wholefood stores up there? Thanks so much for sharing this - shoutout to BT \m/

[@VeloVegan]

officialmcdeath thanks mate, yeah I’m kinda torn, have a friend on KZbin called cyclingabout, he makes the best touring videos and it’s full of well framed ride throughs and it comes out so well. it can be fun finding and getting those shots but it definitely breaks up the ride and stops your rhythm, maybe if we weren’t always running from the rain we’d have done a few more hahah. The only wholefood shop was out off business haha. Mostly was small village shops when we were riding and there was a supermarket in two of the towns we stayed at!

[@officialmcdeath]

VeloVegan agreed I'm torn too, especially after the joyous balance on display in your Bormio and Tenerife videos. Knowing that trade-off makes the result here even more remarkable - the real story is how naked one is to the whims of the Atlantic and how that translates to a series of Abdullah / Rhino - style mini-odysseys. All that overlaid with the ever-present question of food choices. You played the hand you were dealt and triumphed - inspirational and eye-opening, thank you for that! #YEEW

[@Andysumm555]

Nice video, shame about the wind on day 3 as the road via Lochinver is something else, then when you get back onto the main road at Kylesku you still have the hills to do to get to Durness. With the rain wind and midges it can be a real challenge, though at least the wind keeps the midges at bay, well done.

[@VeloVegan]

howling wind or death by midges, the dilemmas or riding in scotland haha

[@PistachioFilmsLLC]

yup, weather, wind, rain and cold, always the same up there, rather you than me, lol. good video though.

[@dannyj7060]

Thank you.

[@mralexjmd]

The road along the Summer Isles is worth it 👌

[@areabass]

Great job mate. Been thinking about the best way to create a cycling video without smashing up my gear. You did very well, looked like a great trip.

[@VeloVegan]

thanks mark! yeah the struggle is real, especially with all the electronics you have to lug around.

[@markl2815]

Locked down into week 5 in France so ... thanks for that, I needed it just now It’s an interesting one, the “filming vs basic POV vlog” question ... I haven’t done it with cycling but have done a bit with expédition canoë paddling and it is always a balance unless it is only to do the filming really. I worry that setting up things to get good shots can detract from the “just being there on the trip” part of it. You balanced it fine here I think. Cheers

[@VeloVegan]

thanks mark, i love doing both types of filming but when you have 150ks to ride and thinking about food etc you have to streamline your mental energy right haha

[@robinfjaer]

Oh, and those Sportful leg warmers are killing me, too! It gets better if you wear them the wrong way with the seems facing outside and not to the back.

[@VeloVegan]

ah ill try this, they're such a nice material but the rubbing is unbearable

[@ST-dd6zz]

sick lads!!!

[@VeloVegan]

cheers mate

[@HarryRunsUK]

Stunning video buddy. Inspired!

[@VeloVegan]

Harry Runs thanks harry!

[@thehillsx1]

Great vid 👍

[@VeloVegan]

thanks uni!

[@markstevenson9862]

Fantastic video mate!! Did the route a few days after you!! Loved it!! Keep up the good work

[@VeloVegan]

wicked! what was your favorite part?

[@markstevenson9862]

VeloVegan Ullapool to Durness!! Super hard!! Steep climbs!! Rain, Hale stones and the wind!! All paid off!! For the descent in to Durness!! Then to be made so welcome in Durness YHA!! 👌 what was yours

[@VeloVegan]

Yeah that was a hectic day for us as well! i loved the landscapes all across the west coast though. So beautiful

[@markstevenson9862]

You made the right choice cutting out the headland!! In that wind you would have been hint by the full force of hector!! West is best fella!!

[@kervilou5905]

magnifique ! bravo ! nice !

[@henrywhitfield4424]

epic!

[@steveb1972]

An amazing video with great riding, but no packing! Lol

[@fashion_nerd]

Scotland is rugged beauty

[@samnewton2410]

nice video!

[@arcoulant87]

Chapeau

[@jemmavtaylor]

Maybe a bit late to the game with watching this video, but i've just found it - it's great, thank you for filming it and putting the time in. I'm planning on doing the route over 7 days with a friend this summer. Any chance you could give a list (brief or detailed) of what you took with you or perhaps what you didn't take but wish you'd packed. Thank you so much!

[@VeloVegan]

Hey, I think I packed ok. Camera equipment/wires was probably the biggest weight/space used in my bags. Lugged a big lens that I used only once haha. Kit wise, went with one pair of bib shorts, two jerseys arm warmers leg warmers and a good lightweight waterproof jacket, plus velotoze. Felt that was fine and we did have quite the range of conditions!

[@VeloVegan]

What I wish I had was since it was a bit cool was a light long sleeve top for non cycling in the afternoon instead of a t shirt., sandals over flip flops or the slip ons that have a single strip over your feet don’t know what they’re called. since your feet get cold walking around with no socks! Hope this helps, thanks for watching!