An EPIC Scottish Adventure: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs By Gravel Bike | Cycling Weekly

[@cyclingweekly]

Would you ride here? 🔥 You can check out our route on Komoot here: www.komoot.com/tour/429282402?ref=wtd

[@sintjinansley6107]

What bikes where used on the ride?

[@kerrymacphee3664]

@@sintjinansley6107 I was on a Genesis Datum, Rupert was on a Cervelo Aspero and Katherine was on a Ribble Gravel bike but I’m not 100% sure which line.

[@Ballacks101]

Just booked a train and three nights in a BnB after watching this. I'll be there in two weeks. Thanks

[@kerrymacphee3664]

You’re going to love it Simon! So many route options, a great wee village and vibe and just a braw time on bikes. Have a fab time 💃🏻

[@Ballacks101]

@@kerrymacphee3664 I’m sitting in Liz MacGregors having a toastie and tea after finishing The Big Day Out. Wow, that was epic. Loved the bit to the north. It was sunny and everything was right with the world. The second was something else. The downhill to Loch Lomond was terrifying. I’ll sleep well tonight.

[@stevek8829]

@@Ballacks101 ahh, a rare KZbin comment that was pleasure to read. Congrats on a kool ride. It's a little far for me in the US. That scary downhill sounds great, I just got disk brakes! P.S. What is a 'toastie?' I'll guess some kind of donut?

[@phantomracer1050]

More videos like this please.

[@peterharrington8709]

For me you just perfectly conveyed what gravel riding is all about. Fun fun fun! And yes please, I'd love to get up there!

[@Grandadgreyhair]

My gravel bike does not come for another six weeks but after watching this super review I want it now

[@Sasquatch-t2n]

Rubin!!! Good to see you again 😁 We miss you from the old days at BikeRadar 😢

[@jacquelineferguson8406]

Inspiring ! What a day on the bike!!

[@TonyOldskool]

Was out this way yesterday, amazing...

[@maxclark1216]

Great to see ruben back on youtube

[@randallmiller3842]

That was great. I’ve hiked where you broke the bike. I can’t imagine riding it. As always looking forward to getting back to Scotland someday from the other side of the Atlantic.

[@Ferquin-sh5oq]

Also love the music you picked!😊

[@lifeisastruggle5517]

Wow Scotland is so breathtakingly beautiful

[@manji001]

Oh yeah, Aberfoyle as a day trip is AMAZING! ^_^ So sorry Rupert had that accident/s

[@andyly6190]

Looks amazing. Would love to do this ride.

[@crispinhoult407]

Fantastic route -- enjoyed a beautiful autumn bivvy at the top of that Comer route through Gleann Gaoithe with the views over Loch Lomond to the Arrochar Alps. Everyone welcome for ice cream :-)

[@cyclingweekly]

Thank you Crispin! - Rupert

[@sureshchinnappa2290]

Great ride folks! Loved every minute of it. Stay safe.

[@adamgriss2025]

I’ve been following the channel for a couple of years now, and I must say this might be the best video you’ve produced! And I don’t even ride gravel, though like everyone else who enjoyed this spectacular video, I’m now planning my next vacation to Scotland! 👍🏻 Well done. Not to mention that your brilliant guide’ s smile and enthusiasm made my day!

[@cyclingweekly]

Wow, thank you!

[@kerrymacphee3664]

Thank you! We'd love to have you visit Gravelfoyle!

[@Karla-Flr]

Very nice video with super guides ! Thanks from Austria 🙏

[@imageamos1503]

Awesome guys. Brilliant content.

[@wullieg7269]

the lochside was HELL!

[@SartorialPictures]

I've been watching out for this video. I can honestly say, it's even better than it looks 😎

[@kerrymacphee3664]

Agreed 😬😬😬

[@shaunwilliamson9193]

that looks incredible yeah id love to ride around there

[@petinka721]

Fantastic video as always from Cykling Weekly!

[@richardbrameld1572]

That’s a bucket list destination! A chain tool and quick link would have saved you. I’m starting to plan a trip now.

[@chrisbrower6637]

Such an amazing local. I went to school at Stirling uni and would ride this area!

[@markowsley4954]

Any video with Katherine in it automatically gets a thumbs up. 👍

[@katherinemoore66]

Don't make me blush

[@andrewbaker7365]

Great video thanks will check on Komoot

[@ACTIVEPAIR]

Done the Dukes Weekender twice now. We only live a couple hours away in Dunoon (also awesome for off road routes btw) so intend to get back and do that Inversnaid route 👍🏽

[@NewPolishScientist]

Crashing 8k cervelo 🙈 Btw. Nice to see Reuben back to YT.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Great vid good riding with new friends

[@kerrymacphee3664]

I had a total hoot riding with this pair for the first time! The stunning location defo helped but the patter and bike escapades made for an amazing day out… Cannae wait to repeat it again ☺️

[@r.davies2702]

No mention of the bikes, although it was nice to see the two UK brands survived 😂. Great route btw.

[@cyclingweekly]

I think we can chalk this one up to 'pilot error' - Rupert

[@workingguy-OU812]

TBH. that crash at 5:17 was an awesome addition to the video. Glad he wasn't hurt. The area in the drone shots looks beautiful.

[@jaadventures5410]

7:38 SLUUURRRPPP!

[@LeesChannel]

It's funny as a Californian watching Scottish cyclists using Californian surfer/skater slang like gnarly, psyched, totally, and epic.

[@kerrymacphee3664]

That's because we're totally psyched on our gravel! Come and visit :-)

[@Gardenkeeper_247]

It's embarrassing and ridiculous sounding.

[@andrewmcewan8081]

glenfinglas is above loch venacher on the opposite bank from the queen elisabeth forest park ,the aquduact actually goes from loch katrine to glasgow . if u stay in callander u have acess to the national cycleroutes and it can b cheaper as well .also there r similar gravel roads and u can have them to urself almost. most of rural scotland has these gravel routes just check ur maps for rights of way and forestry roads , the ordanance survey marks them all .

[@abedfo88]

Brilliant quality from Sirvélo as ever.

[@lweleven3423]

Looks great , can the sun be booked as well as a B&B lol

[@kerrymacphee3664]

It's always sunny in Scotland!

[@lweleven3423]

@@kerrymacphee3664 😂

[@tajulislam1522]

Great content Rupert and the team! I'm hyped for doing that route however, Scotland is just too far away. The closest thing to this, for me - albeit very short and a not so clean river - is the gravely bit of the Thames Path just after the west of Putney Bridge. Would still recommend if you're local, to give a try. I've only been as far as Hampton Court. You cannot use the path from Barnes Bridge onwards, so have to rejoin from Chiswick Bridge. Teddington is slightly tarmac and Kingston to Hampton Court, you have to hit the road. But, I believe, the path of the Thames from Hampton Court onwards, becomes loose surface again. P.S. Poor Rupert but great recovery.

[@cyclingweekly]

Thanks Tajul and I know that stretch of river well as it's my local! - R

[@kerrymacphee3664]

You should pencil in a wee holiday to Aberfoyle! Jump on the train to either Glasgow or Stirling, pedal over to Aberfoyle and base yourself out of there for a few days ☺️ Absolutely worth it for all things Scottish, gravel, scenery, lochs, amazing food and equally amazing humans ☺️

[@tajulislam1522]

@@kerrymacphee3664 @Kerry MacPhee If I had to sum up parts of Scotland I've already visited into one word, I'd say breathtaking. 😳

[@vasilisaandclavdiyasadvent2084]

great wee video make huners more like this please

[@kerrymacphee3664]

You spelt hunners wrong 😜

[@waynerenshaw-multi-outdoor4521]

Should of converted it into a single speed Ruben 🙂🙈🤣 definitely putting this on my bucket list ...

[@jeffv103]

Damn ... makes me wanna sell all my stupid stuff, keep the good stuff and move to the UK and ride this gravel area as much as possible

[@kerrymacphee3664]

Move to Scotland don't you mean ;-)

[@jugaloo5873]

Ah, the joy of being clipped in!

[@fbarnea]

Just moved to Scotland. This place is an hour's drive away from me. As soon as I'll get a gravel bike I'll be there every other weekend. This country is amazing!

[@montylikesbeer]

A great video. Tut tut for not carrying a spare mech hanger

[@workingguy-OU812]

Seemed like a serious lack of gear on all their bikes. I've seen this before with roadies treating gravel like it's road - only to beg others for tools and such.

[@montylikesbeer]

Agreed Working Guy. Hacking around the Pennine Hills for me at least brings an understanding of what you take with you when off road. I wouldn’t leave home without a mech hanger, power link, cable ties, multi tool, Co2, tube, tyre leavers, gaffs tape and a £20 note

[@kerrymacphee3664]

I’m a mountain biker and gravel rider not a roadie, thank you! I tut tutted Rupert too 😜 And we actually did have all the tools we needed on us (pump, tube and chain link on my frame and taped to a cable, and pockets full of spares and snacks just not see through enough for you to spot 😜). In Rupert’s defence, a rear mech is not something you typically think to take unless this very thing happens to you as it’s quite rare so I reckon he won’t be riding without one again which makes it a valuable experience ☺️ gravel is for everyone, even roadies and heaps of them have more gear than me a lot of the time when they join as they are used to being far away from home and needing to be self-sufficient.

[@montylikesbeer]

Hi Kerry, my comments are only an observation and in no way a criticism. Riding as I do in Rossendale there plenty in the Pennines to wipe out you rear mech, hence why most of us don’t leave home without one. Reflecting positively on the video it has opened my eyes to a great riding are. Hats off and let’s have some more

[@mtbfsr]

This was so good. Such a nice vibe and you really portrayed aberfoyle well!

[@mtbfsr]

Also conveyed the absolute suff of the WHW section. Compulsory mechanical and sense of impending doom

[@kippen64]

Feeling seriously jealous.

[@tomreingold4024]

Fun video! I'm in New York's Hudson Valley, and we have routes like the ones you've shown. How far did Ruben have to walk?

[@kerrymacphee3664]

only a couple of km... a long way for a cyclist ;-)

[@Ballacks101]

I couldn’t concentrate on the guy in the white T-shirt. I just wanted to stop the ice cream melting.

[@crispinhoult407]

Don't worry, we used specially trained stunt ice cream. It had a happy ending.

[@richardhorsley7022]

I did this ride yesterday with my sons. Fantastic route, thanks for sharing. Two things to note. The west highlands way hike-a-bike section is a bit of a pain and the Inversnaid Hotel doesn’t do food, or not on the day we were there. So don’t rely on it as a lunch stop! Otherwise it was EPIC. We’ll be back!

[@andrewmcewan8081]

the first part of that ride is much easier acessed from callander but u don't hit gravel as quick . also the accommodation can b cheaper

[@phillippa42]

Does anyone know if the bit on the way to Loch Lomond where they carry their bikes up and over a big A frame style……does the gate open? I can’t lift my bike over a style like that and am planning on going over to do the route.

[@SJ-tk4ri]

There are two gates on that section, both open easy enough and provide access to push your bike through.

[@lexington476]

What is the benefit of the flared handlebars on a gravel bike?

[@kerrymacphee3664]

I was a bit sceptical before I rode on flares and now I’m a total convert. For fast swoopy stuff you just feel more stable in the drops and the bike feels a little more malleable and like you have a little more control. And it’s really comfy too!

[@paddyotoole2058]

More stable when you are in the drops. Useful when doing descents on uneven road surfaces as it makes steering easier. Mountain bike handlebars are really wide for this reason.

[@pajerotim]

How come ‘Fall Guy’ got two ice creams?

[@cyclingweekly]

Wouldn't you if you fell off? I was actually holding the camera persons while they diligently worked... R

[@pajerotim]

​@@cyclingweekly Yep, I'd want all the sympathy I could get!

[@playandteach]

Really enjoyed watching this. I do have a couple of issues, though. It's great that you are using great music to support your great video, but as someone who could actually be playing on those clips, it would be great to acknowledge the orchestras or the Green Onions tribute. Also, perhaps these sorts of gnarly routes are ripe to carry a spare mech hanger.

[@imspyingonyou2243]

You're lucky Ruben brought a proper bike.

[@magicpixeltree]

You guys should do it again with at least some front suspension and come back and tell us which type of bike wins.

[@alfabethev2.074]

Stunning scenery and fantastic footage , epic ride! But ”-It’s just funny when someone crashes”…. that’s just mean! 😜 ,(and not very pc ,mind you☝🏻👀) .

[@kerrymacphee3664]

😂😂 Couldn’t help it 😂😂 Had it been Katherine that crashed, my sympathies would have been through the roof, but seeing as it was Rupert 😜! It’s only funny after you check they’re OK and they are indeed OK 😂

[@cyclingweekly]

👀

[@jirdesteva]

OUCH! Fantastic ride though. Reason to carry a chain breaker and a couple of quick links and or spare mech hanger or zip ties. This would make for a great repair video! Color me green.

[@paddyotoole2058]

Yep, this is the solution. Split, shorten and rejoin the the chain using a quick link. Bypass the rear mech and turn the bike into a single speed. Will get you home.

[@tacconelli]

can't help but notice, nobody wore gloves! you cray

[@kerrymacphee3664]

It was summer... we were warm and stoked on no gloves :-)

[@lexington476]

8:10 okay I'm confused on this, why the portage over the fence with the gate? Why not open the gate if it's open to riding?

[@kerrymacphee3664]

The gate is locked ☺️ And we have right to roam in Scotland so can pretty much go anywhere we want on our bikes if we do so respectfully. It’s actually a Scottish water ‘bridge’ so theirs to look after.

[@bendenisereedy7865]

You don't really need a gravel bike for those roads; I do them on a Roubaix with 26mm road tyres. Admittedly it has the bouncy stem, which helps. Just set off on your roadie and drop the tyre pressures a bit. The Inversnaid Hotel is pretty grim, by contrast the pier café at Stronachlachar is fantastic and it's only a few miles further on.

[@plastic_manc]

that's how I broke bithe of my radius bones, painful stuff

[@LegSpinna]

5:18 Ouch!

[@Star14trek]

Are you do swop presenter's with GCN?

[@grintalcycles8266]

I was wondering if they traded her for Ollie. If so, who got the better deal?

[@katherinemoore66]

👀👀

[@BotanyDegreePilkerton]

4:10 you don't seem to get it, we want to hear *the gravel* we don't want the music laid over the top, i is a sad

[@bennetthasty7886]

Boys are so hard on bikes 🚴 aren’t they ? 🙂

[@WayneBoyes]

Would any one like to do this in April

[@jenmac287]

where was the whisky? come to usa for week NJ has good stuff.

[@lewisbell47]

Looking for an app you can plot out routes for cycles, does anyone know any good one you don’t have to pay for ?

[@kerrymacphee3664]

Komoot? And if you have to pay, it's not a bad thing. I've put a lot of effort into plotting routes for people to access for free and the platform allows for this. Plus an app isn't free to produce so I personally don't begrudge paying towards a fantastic product and what it allows me to access.

[@kevinmcateer7281]

@@kerrymacphee3664 well said! And I’d like to thank you for the time and effort of your Komoot gravel routes 👏🏻

[@ufoclips1]

Do gravel trails give you more flat tyres?

[@wstephenson]

Drone Pilot Reuben needs a big hand for riding the same gnarly fire roads with a backpack full of gear :clap: :clap: :clap: Did he then have to convert the broken gravel bike into a single speed and ride it back after his MTB was commandeered?

[@cyclingweekly]

Nah we gave him a lift back in the support van

[@joemendozaCAN]

I wish there’s suspension in gravel bikes. It’s a rough road so what we really need is a super fast XC MTB Bike 😁

[@peterharrington8709]

I run 650bx50 for these type of trails. Definitely more comfy than the 700cx40 option. Better traction, and just as fast when your not riding tarmac anyway IMO.

[@ostelios2]

R A D

[@GHinWI]

Gorgeous, but I was told it’s always raining in Scotland…

[@edscoble]

Can you make your content inclusive by formatting the auto captioning into closed captioning please? it is extremely hard to watch it relying only on the auto captioning sadly (I'm Profoundly Deaf), hence why I and others don't subscribed.

[@VizualizeIt]

Single Speed it man and get on with it :)

[@grgprincipe]

Mountain bike wins!

[@pierojamieson2484]

If you had packed a chain tool or a spare hanger.. perhaps you might have made it on your own bike!

[@sweetchariotengland]

Ruben was on the correct bike by the way

[@peterhoelzel2448]

why don't you cut the chain and set up as a single speed? You could have ridden at least part of it.

[@thebr0wnhornet]

A universal derailleur hanger is less than $20, everyone should carry a spare

[@dickenscider4677]

An XC bike would seem better at those roads than those gravel bikes

[@cyclingweekly]

You could quite comfortably ride 99% of this on a gravel bike for sure. The descent from the top of Comer is a bit fruity and was the only part I felt under biked ! - R

[@kerrymacphee3664]

There is sooo much fast stuff 🤩 Any bike works on Gravel to be fair and there’s definitely an element of fun and exhilaration pedalling a gravel bike on more gnarly stuff but over the course of that 80k- the gravel bike reigns supreme 🙌🏻 But as Rupert says… very occasionally an XC bike would defo be optimum 😂

[@Casual_BackPacking]

i hope he only carried it for the video i would have held it on the back wheel and walked it

[@kevinporter1972]

"Ya know when you're mate crashes and you really want to laugh" Nope!

[@kerrymacphee3664]

👀👀👀

[@Jedsonmcfarly]

I mean, those trails and descents would be SO much better on a hardtail MTB!?! WTF is the obsession with gravel bikes! Just another way for the bike industry to sell unnecessary tech in my opinion! Good vid tho. Funny when the lanky dude stacked it 😂. What a #nube 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@kerrymacphee3664]

😂😂😂 This route is mega for gravel bikes! We covered way more distance than we would if we were just on mtb’s and the technical parts just make it more interesting but are relatively short over the course of the whole route. I was sceptical of gravel bikes initially too coming from XC but I love it! They’re so versatile and you can chug along at a good speed on gravel, in the wild and off road. I’m a convert 🤓

[@BotanyDegreePilkerton]

dis be amaze balls on a big sloppy MTB smooooooothe as butter, oh my days

[@rule3036]

Scotland by a loch in summer....no thanks🕷🕷🕷🕷 unless you love midges

[@kerrymacphee3664]

The midge love goes both way eh 😜 You don’t notice them too much when you’re going by bike so all good on that front 😃

[@simpsonoutdoors9291]

Great ride for that style of bike. Much faster and a little more of a challenge on some tech sections compared with a XC bike. My wife has an emtb so I’ll do this with her on my cx/gravel bike as fitter and should be a good balance between us. Thanks for opening my mind to this area.

[@bendenisereedy7865]

Midges don't come out of lochs, they come out of the damp foliage. And they don't come out in bright sunshine or a breeze.

[@jevensalem6572]

God's tracks

[@BotanyDegreePilkerton]

earrings on men since the 80's, it means they r not het they r more likely 2b asexual bisexual homosexual or pansexual

[@bendenisereedy7865]

Twaddle

[@BotanyDegreePilkerton]

been on a "gravel" bike 50 years, in all weather, never worn a helmet or cycling shoes, i mix regular clothing, regular sports equipment in with cycling equipment recently switched to a hard tail MTB with knubbly chubbly tyres, my old body appreciates the smoother ride i honestly never understood the speed cyclist young male-only speed-cycling groups are often toxic, in my experience, yelling abuse at locals as they fly by, leaving litter, acting macho macho, mocking slower riders as they over take, they really know how to ruin a quiet weekend pedal up the moors