Bikepacking The Scottish Highlands - An Adventure Based On The Southern Loop Of The HT550

[@stevezodiac491]

I commuted for 25 years, 34 miles per day, 5 days a week through very cold winter weather as well. I found that a motorcycle under helmet balaclava, was the perfect article of clothing to keep your head warm, that can also go under your cycling helmet. It also prevented your face hurting with hail or snow striking it.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks for the advice! Yeah you can see how my face is affected with the cold for sure. I may just experiment for next winter! Thanks again for watching.

[@tonypaddler]

A beautifully made video in a beautiful area, thanks very much for that Allen 🚲⛺👍

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much. I’m really happy you enjoyed it. ☺️

[@tonypaddler]

@@AllenBoardman I always enjoy your videos, even the penguin 'jokes' ... 🥺🤣👍

[@AllenBoardman]

@@tonypaddler haha just making sure people are watching 🫣 they’re bad ain’t they. Thanks again!!

[@tonypaddler]

@@AllenBoardman they're so bad they're good! Can't wait until December for your Christmas cracker jokes 😱😂 It's actually a great type of humour to put in a video, I enjoy it 😁👍

[@AllenBoardman]

@@tonypaddler now there’s a though!! I’ll be sure to remember that one. That would be ace!

[@free-rangeandferal7810]

Challenge and discovery is the essence of bikepacking, and this video captures that perfectly. Very inspiring production, thanks Allen

[@AllenBoardman]

It truly is! Thanks for the comment and watching!

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Thanks Allen great video. I have walked a part of the WHW and it was great to see it again.

[@AllenBoardman]

You're very welcome, but thank you also for watching it. I'm pleased to have been able to share my adventure which sounds like it has reignited memories of your own adventures. Thanks again!

[@Balintrebeka]

What an amazing trip! Thanks for sharing and putting the effort in capturing those cosy and not so cozy moments :)

[@AllenBoardman]

I like the way you put that! Thank you for watching!! Loved the trip. 🤩

[@dlambbikepacking]

Hey Allen, Fantastic video. Really well done. I admire your camera skills. I am headed to Scotland next week to ride the Pictish Trail and this is getting me excited for it!

[@AllenBoardman]

@@dlambbikepacking Hi! Thank you so much for watching! It’s great to hear you like my stuff! The Pictish trail is on my radar for sure, I’m certain you’ll love it! Make sure you make time to stop and take it all in from time to time. Have a fun and safe adventure! Allen

[@jamesherd9132]

Thanks Allen another great video . i enjoy your style and never get boardman.

[@AllenBoardman]

Haha, that’s good to hear 🥳 thanks for the watching!

[@vanessajackson3686]

What a challenge on your own at this tlme of the year, very remote. Pity Barry hadn't been with you, it's a long time since he's been on KZbin. Very well done, Amazing.

[@AllenBoardman]

It is! I’ve just screenshotted this and texted it to him. I’m pestering him to get back. I’m sure there’s plenty of trips he wants to share with everyone. I’ll get him out this year for giggles and copious amounts of ice cream!! Thanks very much for watching.

[@janicegalloway5636]

Great trip, thanks for sharing. Was a great watch 😊

[@AllenBoardman]

I’m happy you liked it! Thanks for watching 🥳

[@silentrabbit247]

Hi Allen, that locked gate should be reported to Outdoor Access Officer, totally against the SOAC, there should be access for walkers & bikes. As a fellow Bikepacker I enjoy tour Videos Allen. All best.

[@AllenBoardman]

Hi! Thanks so much for watching! I just thought it was funny 🤣 thanks for the feedback! See you out there! -Allen

[@boondockingamerica]

Thank you for taking the time to make and upload this video. It is amazing.

[@AllenBoardman]

The pleasure is all mine! Thank you for watching 🤩

[@markgeard2145]

Absolutely brilliant Allen ! thanks for taking us along. fantastic documentation of your experience, would have happily watched you do the entire 550 trail.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you!! 🤩 thanks for watching it! I’ll likely only take a phone on the HT550 this year, but we will see what happens 🙃

[@KevinFindlater]

Cracking adventure, excellent capture and production. Thanks for sharing Alan.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much for watching ! It was an amazing trip. 🥳🥳

[@Itsthejourneynotthedestination]

Respect. I know exactly the route you've gone and how tough that would have been, outstanding.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you! It certainly had its rewards though. What a place! Thank you for watching.

[@alanalan3290]

Another brilliant video and really enjoy watching what you do and thanks for posting

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks for watching another edit of mine, really pleased you like the films. 🥳

[@JoeWilliams-fk2yf]

Wow, beautiful part of the world!

[@AllenBoardman]

It truly is!

[@KD__.]

What a great video i hope you keep it up your a cut above the usual KZbin crowd. Thanks

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you like the edits :)

[@bricksandgames2244]

Love Scotland and really enjoyed the video.

[@AllenBoardman]

We’re in the same boat. There’s just something about the place. Thank you for watching.

[@AdamRussellCycling]

What a great adventure! Some of these roads I recognised from doing the Badger Divide. Beautifully shot and edited, thanks for sharing!

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey! You’re right, there’s a fair bit from the badger there. So happy you enjoyed the edit! Thank you for taking the time to watch it.

[@davewatt8840]

Horseshoe viaduct looking fabulous in all its glory. Think the thing you asked about could be a pheasant feeder, but then could be wrong. Great video do love that part of Scotland 😊

[@AllenBoardman]

They really confused me! I was ok until I kept seeing them, then I couldn’t help but ask what on earth they were! Thanks for watching though - Scotland is one of my happy places 🥳

[@ALLMOUNTAINMTB]

Wonderful scenery man. Tough place for long distance adventures!

[@AllenBoardman]

It’s beautiful isn’t it?! Thanks so much for watching!

[@CharlieVanPoppel]

Really enjoyed that Allen, great video! Showcasing wonderful Scotland. The light on the mountains was absolutely banging! A friend was asking recently if I'd considered doing the HT550 and I'm not quite ready yet, but I was thinking about doing one of the loops or part of the trail this year on the HT. This has been just the inspiration I needed to plan a wee trip so thank you. Just need to find a pal to join as I don't fancy sleeping in a bothy solo with strangers 😬

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much Charlie! I’m with you about the light on those mountains, absolutely breathtaking!! Maybe consider next year Alan is always looking for women to join. I’ll deffo be watching your dot if you did!! Yeah sleeping in a bothy with strangers is odd, but you get used to it haha. Thanks for watching!!

[@albert85b]

Really looking forward to this one!!!

[@AllenBoardman]

I hope you enjoy it!! Let me know 🤩🥳🤩

[@belly_3177]

Found you from Barry's channel, you both have great adventures and always inspiring to watch 😁

[@AllenBoardman]

Hi! I'm glad you enjoy both of our channels. Thank you for watching. :)

[@Mel1175]

Hey Allen that was truly awesome amazing epic enjoyed that so much cheers 🍻🤘🏻

[@AllenBoardman]

Hi! Ah good to hear, thanks for watching it!

[@gavinscottmyadventure]

Great video Allen. Thanks for sharing. Very well made.

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much! Really happy you enjoyed it.

[@fatbikefarm]

Superb, not the easiest winter route and some soul-searching places to push on into. I hope you get the weather in May to see it in a spring light to compare. See you in Arnside…

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much for watching. Yeah, it was rather wintery in places! I also hope may is kind to all the riders. See you in Arnside!

[@pioneersgraphix]

Nice view*. Wish you the best!!

[@AllenBoardman]

@@pioneersgraphix Hi, thank you for watching. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jormvngandr]

nearly 30 min of scottish higland nature pr0n? You are spoiling us Allen, so keep up the good work.

[@AllenBoardman]

Hehe yeah it’s a little longer than my usual, but it was such a fun time! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ccwweeman3385]

Stunning thanks for sharing 👍🏻 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🚴‍♂️

[@AllenBoardman]

And thanks for watching!!

[@Felix-il8tg]

Nice one, Enjoyed it!!

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you so much. It’s nice to know you liked it!! :)

[@edzeppelin933]

Great video Allan! What a beautiful part of the world. Aunt Arctica 😂😂

[@AllenBoardman]

🤣🤣 penguins are great for morale support. I’m pleased you liked it!

[@davesolobiker5601]

That was a great adventure mate , captured it lovely atb Dave

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you! I’m happy the film reflects how much fun I had!

[@robertleuty]

Another great adventure,some epic photography as always I really like stagg they have a good feeling about them. Just a thought you could take some scuba boots for river crossing to keep feet warm and dry 😜

[@AllenBoardman]

I need something don’t I mate haha. Thank you for having a watch. The stag are incredible. They always make me smile!

[@raymarks7430]

Greetings from California. Just found your video, subscribed. Great editing. Like the fairy lights .. great idea, probably not to heavy either? I’m taking on the Great Divide and bought a GoPro to record with. Will be amateur hour but will give it a go. Thanks for sharing and will definitely watch future posts !

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey! Thank you for watching the film! The fairy lights take up no space at all and are super light. They really help make things feel warmer. The GD will be an incredible adventure - I’m jealous! Thank you again.

[@david-pascoe]

Thanks Allen. Another great video. I'm off on the HT550 in a few weeks, it looks fairly wet up there still? Hoping it dries up a bit soon.....🙂

[@AllenBoardman]

You’re most welcome! I’m glad you liked it buddy. Enjoy your adventure!

[@Declanscatwell]

The tubs on there side are used for Rumevite blocks (sheep or deer licks)

[@AllenBoardman]

Amazing! Thank you. It was so confusing.

[@richardwebb5317]

Thingy by the Lyon dam is a salt lick.

[@AllenBoardman]

I’m confused, one of them was an old sink that deffo wasn’t salt?

[@richardwebb5317]

@@AllenBoardman I have put salt blocks in old sinks, saves them dissolving into the ground. Could also be used for supplement blocks.

[@AllenBoardman]

@@richardwebb5317 that’s not ever what I thought it was going to be. Thank you so much for clearing this up. I’ve wanted to know since I seen them 🤣

[@richardwebb5317]

@@AllenBoardman And that climb by the dam is a right PitA

[@AllenBoardman]

@@richardwebb5317 I’m glad it wasn’t just me!!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Great journey and well documented! Maybe share a link to your GPS track for those who don’t know the route?

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks so much. Really pleased you enjoyed it. I’ve taken your advice and updated the description to include the link to the whole thing. Thanks for watching, I’ve enjoy your podcast too! Always well put together. 🤩

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

@@AllenBoardman Thanks Allen. If you would like any ideas of keeping the wind-noise down and getting clean audio, I'll happily share a few tips. I don't wish to presume.

[@AllenBoardman]

@@alwaysanotheradventure absolutely. I have zero idea how to stop it! Really appreciate it if you could.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

@@AllenBoardman I'll ping you an email later

[@AllenBoardman]

@@alwaysanotheradventure legend. Many thanks indeed.

[@BoredManOutdoors]

Quite excellent video of your adventures... Nevermind the bloke killing himself outa Kinlochleven, your legs appear to be in good shape... I hope to explore a little more of the Badger myself later this year... Im waiting for the midge... Im hardcore,. 😉 Thank you for sharing 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

[@AllenBoardman]

Haha! Those midgies! Thank you so much for watching. He earned his beers that day! Thanks again for watching.

[@ashdowker4326]

once again allen brilliiant

[@AllenBoardman]

Very kind of you, thanks!

[@seanwgg]

Fantastic video Allen, maybe your best edit yet. I havent been to Scotland in about 18 years. I backpacked the West Highland Way and always said Id come back with a bike. Yours and @barrygodin7538 Scotland films always tickle that itch and make me start planning. Cheers

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you! Yeah Barry is a huge inspiration to me and a great friend. I was pestering him before to get editing. He’s got some amazing footage to work through! Scotland is probably a little busier than when you last went, but you’ll still barely see anyone! Thanks again!

[@grahamsmith3584]

Enjoyed your adventure. At aged 86 I can only enjoy your experience on my exercise bike.in Scotland at the moment and will follow your current journey. Graham Smith

[@AllenBoardman]

Hi Graham - thanks for watching. I’m pleased you could see yourself there whilst pedalling, thanks so much.

[@SwearyCyclist]

Loving the recent videos, have saved me from going stir crazy dealing with a slipped disc 😢. Not sure about your cooked breakfast with no haggis😅

[@AllenBoardman]

Oh no! I’m glad that it’s keeping you entertained! I wondered if anyone would pick up on one of the breakfasts I had…snuck it in there as I knew nothing would really be open in Kinlochleven 😀 thanks for watching another!

[@ROAD658]

Now Alan Hope your well and making a few more vids,enjoying them ! I've never made 1 myself and probably won't ! but if I do ,could you recommend a movie maker ,any good free ones 🤣 Ive yet to do my first backpack but I think the broken back could stand it now 😬 so i will give it a crack your inspiring me ! 😊👍👍👍

[@AllenBoardman]

Hya! All good here thank you! I'm glad to hear that your back may now be strong enough now! I use Davinci Resolve, it's free and super powerful. It takes a little while to learn it, I'm still learning myself! Loads of great videos online to help, but @CreativeVideoTips is my go to! Take it easy!

[@ROAD658]

@@AllenBoardman cheers 😊👍

[@ROAD658]

@@AllenBoardman cheers 😊👍

[@AllenBoardman]

@@ROAD658 you’re most welcome!

[@m__r1100]

1. The gate is super locked so us locals can drive it. 😉 2. Take two bin bags for dry feet on occasional crossings. You can tuck the handles in your belt. 3. I think the barrels on their side are salt lick or grit holders.

[@AllenBoardman]

Haha so funny I lifted it over rather than inspecting!! Love the idea of the bags! And salt lick sounds like a winner! Thanks for watching :)

[@Al_Carlisle]

Really enjoyed this, hope its ok to ask what filter or LUT you use and what cameras you film on, the footage is excellent, thanks.

[@AllenBoardman]

@@Al_Carlisle Hi, I’m happy you liked it - always nice to hear that someone enjoyed something I created. So thank you. There’s no LUT used, it’s filled on an iPhone 15 pro with a manual grade that I’ve been tweaking over the last few films to get something I like. I do plan to experiment with LUTs but have limited time at the minute to learn how to use properly. Thanks again.

[@davidmcconnon2800]

Great video. Thanks. I've done parts of the 550 but nor the first day of yours. BTW where was the first bothy you stayed in? 👍

[@AllenBoardman]

@@davidmcconnon2800 thanks for watching - I’m glad you enjoyed it. The first bothy is on Loch Ericht & called Ben Alder Cottage. Worth a trip there!

[@James.979]

Hello 🙋‍♂️. Brilliant bike 🚴 ride, and spectacular views !! Re: the MT basins. It’s to store all the Scottish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 GOLD ⚱️ you find whilst; hiking 🥾 camping ⛺️ cycling 🚴 Did you not know 😉😳🫣🙄?? Another commenter said it’s a salt 🧂 bucket. 10/10 their are right… However, I am a tad surprise that they are located there. The only animals there are sheep; 🐑 🦌 🐇 The landowners don’t normally have beef 🥩 or dairy cattle 🐄 roaming around freely !! I also read that as the weather is getting hotter 🥵☀️🌞😎 year on year and the small rivers, ect ect dry up each year - it’s a way to keep all the animals (wild as well) hydrated in the summer months !! How else do you expect the midges to survive if they can’t get a drink 🥃 Thanks 🙏 James 🫶✌️

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey! Thanks so much for watching! Is that why they’re all empty?! Yeah those midgies need to keep hydrated so they can annoy the life out of us! Imagine Scotland without the midge. Sounds like heaven!!

[@EricWeissgarber-ib1rm]

Magnificent beautiful challenging trip. Thanks for sharing. As you could probably tell from the replay, though, there was so much wind and background noise and your deep voice mumbling made it impossible to hear a large part of what you had to share. So, thoughts for next time, have a much better windproof mic and talk very distinctly please

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey, thanks for your feedback! I’m still learning so I appreciate your comments! I’d need to find something that doesn’t add time to the shot as I don’t always stop - I grab the phone out of my pocket whilst riding. I’ll be searching for something I can add to my phone case maybe. Thanks again. ☺️

[@ericrobo777]

Nice one Allen… what’s the full weight loaded of bike and kit ? And how much of that is your drone and go pro and filming stuff ?

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you! I think the bike and kit was around 60lbs for this ride. I keep meaning to weigh all the filming stuff because I’m keen to know how much it all weighs. I’ll have to do it at some point!

[@kayakmaccaz9256]

Subbed👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

[@AllenBoardman]

Aw yay! Thank you!!

[@richpips]

I enjoyed thaat Allen. Thanks.

[@AllenBoardman]

You’re most welcome!

[@artkapustka3703]

Hi Allen. What Garmin version do you use? Great adventure 😊

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey! I’ve just changed and bought a Garmin 540 solar. Non touch screen. For now, it appears to work rather well. Only charged the battery from 40% to 80% on day 4. Pretty decent!

[@martindohnal55]

Amazing video, Allen. What camera did you use?

[@AllenBoardman]

Thanks so much! I use an iPhone 15 pro and a DJI Mavic Mini 2 :)

[@boldhead011]

Mint! Is there a GPS for this route?

[@AllenBoardman]

@@boldhead011 glad you liked it! Sure, it’s on the Highland Trail Website, it’s easy to just do the bottom loop as you pass through Fort Augusts and just carry on to Fort William :)

[@cormacnultyify]

Great video allen... Is that a tailfin rear... How do you find it? Worth the investment?

[@AllenBoardman]

Hey! It is a Tailfin :) it’s solid as a rock, well made but just isn’t for me. I’ve gone back to a saddle bag system that I’ve used for around 5 years from Acepac.

[@SanKapil-vn8wf]

👍🏽

[@AllenBoardman]

Thank you!

[@ROAD658]

Now Allen , I noticed your on Garmin now ,do you find it better than the Wahoo you had.I tried Wahoo for the first time last week and struggled ,didn't have all the route showing up ,only the bit you were on and maybe the next half mile ? Nice vids 👍👍

[@AllenBoardman]

@@ROAD658 hey! Thanks for watching my stuff, your comment picked me up a bit - so thank you! Yeah, my Wahoo died on my Plans Can Change video, shame really as it was ok. I switched to a Garmin 830 Solar just before my March highlands trip which surprised me to be honest. It was pretty pricey, bought it from Balfes Bikes as they dispatch stuff quickly and I’ve been very happy with it so far. When I rode the HT550 this May I had the route in two halves. Over 450km each file and it routed perfectly. Battery life was absolutely astonishing. Very impressed with that aspect of it too. I hate touch screen computers, so this is the button one which when it’s raining is with its weight in gold. I’ve had my wahoo refuse to show more too, but maybe it’s down to the side of the route and how long it’s been recording too. The operating memory must take a hit. Thanks again!

[@ROAD658]

@@AllenBoardman Yea ,no problem ,to be honest i was looking for inspiration for the future ,iv'e broken my back going over backwards on the MTB and got 2 steel rods in. .Not tried the bikepacking yet so looking at picking some tips up !!Re.Wahoo.I got it because my Garmin was not lasting a long ride but to be fair was quite old and a new one would have been fine but thought i would give the Wahoo a go.I create a route on Bikehike and add it to routes no probs through rwgps .It was first time using it and i wasn't quite up to speed using it.When i scrolled right out there ws no other tracks on ,only an arrow following the route but i think i need to scroll in . Will se how the next one goes when the backs ok !! Yea,keep them coming ! They are well done,i can imagine they take some making,stopping to set up cams then retrieving them ! plus the drone plus editing and uploading !!! Cheers '👍👍👍👍

[@AllenBoardman]

@@ROAD658 oh my word! I hope you get back to fitness soon! I was in the same boat. Moved from Garmin, to Wahoo, then back to Garmin. I think that they progress their products at a different pace and feel that Garmin have the best one for me at present. The films do take a long time to film out there. Usually with set up shots I don’t ride more than 100km in a day, without set up shots I can cover about 150km+ in a day. The editing is crazy long or it can be, but I like to look back on trips as there’s a lot I forget that happened. I’m glad that some people enjoy them too! Thanks again :-)

[@NoCarNancy]

I wish ❤

[@AllenBoardman]

🙂

[@freeforester1717]

The bucket is for food for the deer.

[@AllenBoardman]

One of the comments suggested that it was for a salt lick for the sheep…. 🐑

[@freeforester1717]

@@AllenBoardman a bit high for sheep, Rumevite for the deer I reckon, but did you see sheep out there where they were this time, or just deer…

[@AllenBoardman]

@@freeforester1717 yeah I did see sheep actually! More than I expected.

[@freeforester1717]

@@AllenBoardman then you’ll be able to determine what they were for. Remember that the upper limit of trace copper (the main trace element which the area is deficient of) for sheep is 12-13ppm, deer can take more than double that figure. Salt is usually light in colour, rumevite and other such supplements tend to be dark in colour, often mixed with molasses or similar looking dark mash/cake.

[@AllenBoardman]

@@freeforester1717 I wish I stopped and inspected more now. I’ll have to have another look in May when I’m back up there. :)

[@HappySlappii]

That thing is so you can take a pee in private.... Since there's no trees anywhere they had to make something to stand in front of 😂

[@AllenBoardman]

Haha love it!! 🤣🤣