Hi all, Looking for some advice / ideas for mates 50th. We're planning on completing the North West 500 in May next year, starting in Inverness. That's a 420 mile ride for me before we start! Firstly, I'm lucky in respect of choice of bikes, I think? 899 or scrambler full throttle? Anyone done any serious milage on either? Would you consider having the bikes transported to, say Glasgow, if so any experience / recommendations for any companies? It's early days for the plan at the moment so any advice, ideas would be most welcome Cheers Nige
Transport them to Edinburgh...never Glasgow,..... unless it's an insurance thing? Have you seen escape from New York? Glasgow is similar except with more burning cars.
start in glasgow. will be good for ether. haven't done the route completely but very little nadgery. good luck with the weather.
as far to the top right as you can go is where I live, some of the best biking roads you will ever come across if you can handle the cold in may
yeh is known as the north coast 500(500 miles) if you get warm/ dry weather it would be amazing, views up the west coast is truly beautiful, only really started hearing people talk about this route recently
I've done a lot of holiday'ing in the west coast and the scenery is just awesome! Can't wait to do it on a bike with a few mates but as ever it's all in the planning and the detail!
It appears that just like the North Coast 500, the NW200 got its name from the original race distance dating back to the 1930s The History of the NW200 | Vauxhall International 2016
Easier to get to Inverness from Glasgow and easier to get to Glasgow from the south of England, up the M6. If you want Edinburgh, go up the A7 tourist route to make it more interesting. I prefer Glasgow to Edinburgh, but I don't normally stay in either for secure parking. For some reason, whenever I go round Scotland, I always do it anti-clockwise, probably because the best bits are on the west. To get to Inverness, stay off the A9 as long as possible, unless you're in a hurry. Try the A93 from Perth and the Lecht, or round Loch Tay/Loch Tummel. Makes more sense for you to do it on motorway in one hit possibly, up M74 and A9. Tips: Watch out for sheep - they seem slightly crazier than Wales & England, especially the young ones. Not so likely but frisky deer can be a menace. Soft verges. Easy to fall off, but no damage to the bike. Petrol is expensive and can be infrequent in the Highlands, so don't run it close. Not totally unknown for some places to be out of gas. Take your time and enjoy the scenery - you'll still get good riding without looking for it. It's going to be wet, so be prepared. Also, height means cold, even in the summer. If the rain stays off, you'll wish it was raining, because of the midges I'm assuming summer? The Scottish season is short and hotels can be full. May be difficult to find somewhere to stay with a group, if not pre-booked. I've just booked for Skye in June and a lot of it is full already. Bikes: I don't think it matters which. Scrambler* probably better on single tracks, 899 on A835 fast bits and Glencoe. If you want to hole up near the start try Steadings Hotel near Flichity. Close to Inverness, but out in the country so no security problems with the bike. Decent bar, decent rooms, decent food. This is probably OK if you are in 50's (I'm older than that). *How do you do luggage on the Scrambler? I have a guy works with me wants to take his home (to Italy) once he's passed his test. I'm happy to go with him, but how long will he last in the saddle?
Bypass Edinburgh. Add Stirling to Inverness via the Cairngorms (or Braemar) one way and Glasgow to Fort Bill the other way. It will make a great ride even better May is potentially the best month in Scotland.
Arson, Johnv, many thanks for great advice. Hedging towards the scrambler myself, I have Kriega US soft gear which works with both the Scrambler and the 899 ( much easier to fit the initial straps to the scrambler but once the adaptors fitted to the 899, the luggage is easy and adaptable) start with a Kriega US30 and add 2 additional 10's Nige
you might want to avoid going around 15th-18th of may. there is gonna be a rally for a particular cause on that rout at that time. cant imagine there will be any agro. more difficult to get accommodation and busier/noisier :smileys: roads.
Head to Glasgow, go up A82 through Glencoe. Clachaig Inn is a good shout for an overnight stop. I prefer heading to Ullapool first and then North. As mentioned, fill up sooner rather than later. There's fuel at Ullapool and then nothing really till Durness. Kylesku House is a good stop off for lunch. Head south via Tomintoul, Cockbridge, Braemar (A939, A93). Late May will be fine (check for school holidays), early May can still be a bit fresh. Wouldn't worry about midges that early. Enjoy, it's a good run.
