Trip North England-Scotland
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Trip North England-Scotland
Hello,
I'm from Holland and are planning to make a bike pannier trip to North England-Scotland.
Plan is als follow:
* NCN-7 (National Cycling Network) vanaf Newcastle tot Glasgow (https://cycle.travel/map/journey/470)
* The West Highland Way to Fort William (https://www.westhighlandway.org)
* Part of The North Coast (https://www.northcoast500.com)
* Option also to go to Oban and do the Outer Hibrides and from Ullapool back to Scotland.
* Option to go to Shetland islands and back by boat to Aberdeen and then train to Newcastle
See roughly on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QxdGBQQJVq6JpwrK6(1250 km). 4 weeks available.
Questions:
* Does that sound reasonable in 4 weeks? Any suggestions?
* I'm planning to start mid May/start june. What about midges? Is it early enough? Not to cold?
Kind regards,
Raoul
I'm from Holland and are planning to make a bike pannier trip to North England-Scotland.
Plan is als follow:
* NCN-7 (National Cycling Network) vanaf Newcastle tot Glasgow (https://cycle.travel/map/journey/470)
* The West Highland Way to Fort William (https://www.westhighlandway.org)
* Part of The North Coast (https://www.northcoast500.com)
* Option also to go to Oban and do the Outer Hibrides and from Ullapool back to Scotland.
* Option to go to Shetland islands and back by boat to Aberdeen and then train to Newcastle
See roughly on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QxdGBQQJVq6JpwrK6(1250 km). 4 weeks available.
Questions:
* Does that sound reasonable in 4 weeks? Any suggestions?
* I'm planning to start mid May/start june. What about midges? Is it early enough? Not to cold?
Kind regards,
Raoul
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
Any reason for using NCN7?
The Hadrian's Cycleway is stunning and takes you past quite a few of the Roman sites and starts very close to the Netherlands-UK ferry terminal.
The Hadrian's Cycleway is stunning and takes you past quite a few of the Roman sites and starts very close to the Netherlands-UK ferry terminal.
A novice learning...
“the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
“the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
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- Joined: 20 Oct 2021, 6:53pm
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
Good point; if Hadrian's is more interesting I take that one. Thanks!
And what about the period in relation to presence of midges?
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
May/June should be ok for midges, I think. And often the weather is really nice around then (though, equally, it can sometimes be absolutely dreadful. And sometimes both, on the same day!) I was in the Outer Hebrides in late June last year, and it was almost midge-free, to my great surprise...
On Hadrian's Cycleway vs NCN 7: I agree that the former has more going for it in terms of sights to see. NCN 7 is, I would say, a bit more dramatic in terms of scenery (at least in the middle part), and also has more challenging climbs (which might be a plus or a minus point, depending on what you're after).
If you had time on the way back south, there is some lovely cycling on the Northumberland coast, around Morpeth/Alnwick/etc. (But it's also very scenic from the train...)
You can get onto the cycle network (whether heading for NCN 7 or for the Hadrian's Cycleway) almost straight off the ferry at Newcastle (bear right as soon as you're through the customs area; if you're in luck, a Cheery Official will point you the right way). If you did go for the NCN 7 option, then you'd have the chance to use the excellent cycle tunnel under the Tyne: one of the few bits of UK cycle infrastructure which rivals the Netherlands! https://www.tynepedestrianandcyclisttunnels.co.uk/
On Hadrian's Cycleway vs NCN 7: I agree that the former has more going for it in terms of sights to see. NCN 7 is, I would say, a bit more dramatic in terms of scenery (at least in the middle part), and also has more challenging climbs (which might be a plus or a minus point, depending on what you're after).
If you had time on the way back south, there is some lovely cycling on the Northumberland coast, around Morpeth/Alnwick/etc. (But it's also very scenic from the train...)
You can get onto the cycle network (whether heading for NCN 7 or for the Hadrian's Cycleway) almost straight off the ferry at Newcastle (bear right as soon as you're through the customs area; if you're in luck, a Cheery Official will point you the right way). If you did go for the NCN 7 option, then you'd have the chance to use the excellent cycle tunnel under the Tyne: one of the few bits of UK cycle infrastructure which rivals the Netherlands! https://www.tynepedestrianandcyclisttunnels.co.uk/
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
We've cycled the Outer Hebrides and Newcastle to Edinburgh. Both Highly Recommended.
We had no problems with midges on the islands, and the locals said that that was often the case. The bible is pictured below.
Have you found The Man in Seat 61?
https://www.seat61.com
Have fun
Jonathan
We had no problems with midges on the islands, and the locals said that that was often the case. The bible is pictured below.
Have you found The Man in Seat 61?
https://www.seat61.com
Have fun
Jonathan
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- Joined: 20 Oct 2021, 6:53pm
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
The West Highland Way is primarily a long distance walking route and some sections would be quite challenging on a bike, not to mention gates and stiles designed for walkers which would be awkward with a loaded tourer.
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Re: Trip North England-Scotland
Ah I thought it would be possible. I checked the official website: https://www.westhighlandway.org/getting ... questions/
https://goo.gl/maps/dK1NWosEHnrdFKXu6 Rowardennan and Inverarnan seems to be difficult; maybe I have to try to avoid that section then.Can I cycle the West Highland Way?
You can but it is worth noting that the West Highland Way was designed as a long distance walking route and consequently cyclists will come across terrain, underpasses and gates which were designed specifically for walkers. For example, when the West Highland Way passes under the A82 and West Highland Rail Lines the reduced headroom would require cyclists to dismount. The path between Rowardennan and Inverarnan has some rocky and narrow parts which are not suitable for bikes.
But when I check the video its seems some sections are too hard or at least quit difficult with a hybrid tourbicycle with side panniers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P0K-malrYQ
Is there any alternative bicycle trip for this part of my track? Any GPS available would be great.
Or is it possible to cross the lake by boat and continue on the other side?
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
May / June you should be OK for the midge. You’ll see some but they won’t be at their worst.
West Highland Way as Norman says is a walking route whilst some is cycleable there are bits totally unsuitable for a touring bike.
There appears to be some confusion @pal & @nt with route 7 ( were you thinking of R1)
Route 7 is on the West and to get to it you could use Hadrians or the Reivers R10 to reach R7
A 4 week tour
For me the essential bits would be Hebrides, R7 through Sutherland, Black Isle, R7 Inverness to Perth.
Avoid the central belt but the Kelpies are a must see if you’re near.
@realredhair make sure you’re gearing is low enough there are some long drags
To avoid the WHW take a ferry to Arran and then to Kintyre.
West Highland Way as Norman says is a walking route whilst some is cycleable there are bits totally unsuitable for a touring bike.
There appears to be some confusion @pal & @nt with route 7 ( were you thinking of R1)
Route 7 is on the West and to get to it you could use Hadrians or the Reivers R10 to reach R7
A 4 week tour
For me the essential bits would be Hebrides, R7 through Sutherland, Black Isle, R7 Inverness to Perth.
Avoid the central belt but the Kelpies are a must see if you’re near.
@realredhair make sure you’re gearing is low enough there are some long drags
To avoid the WHW take a ferry to Arran and then to Kintyre.
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
Route 7 starts in Exotic Sunderland, pearl of the east coast! (And then, as you say, turns right just after the M6, and heads up the west coast). So there are three (at least) ways to get from Newcastle over to the west side of the country: Hadrian's, Reivers or NCN7...
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Re: Trip North England-Scotland
What you could also do, RealRedHair, if you want to stick with NCN7 as your route over the Pennines, is to take NCN14 down from Newcastle to Consett, and pick up NCN7 there. That would mean you could skip the not-particularly-pretty (though mostly flat) bit of NCN7 between Sunderland and Consett.
(But actually I think Hadrian's or Reivers might be the better option, unless you definitely want the Big Hills of NCN7!)
(But actually I think Hadrian's or Reivers might be the better option, unless you definitely want the Big Hills of NCN7!)
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
My mistake, I think picking it up above Penrith, or is that 71, I ssumed it came up from the West.pal wrote: ↑21 Oct 2021, 8:24pmRoute 7 starts in Exotic Sunderland, pearl of the east coast! (And then, as you say, turns right just after the M6, and heads up the west coast). So there are three (at least) ways to get from Newcastle over to the west side of the country: Hadrian's, Reivers or NCN7...
Is R7 shown on the above map is that C2C or yet another route option?
While I’m in learning mode I thought above Inverness was also R7 so what is that anyone?
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
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E2E info
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
Route 1 goes north of Inverness but only as far as Tain.
Route 7 terminates at Culloden, just south of Inverness where it meets Route 1.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-rout ... rk/route-7
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-rout ... rk/route-1
Re: Trip North England-Scotland
Thanks Ron
I need to wear my glasses when cycling Getting confused with ones and sevens I was at Tain earlier this year
I need to wear my glasses when cycling Getting confused with ones and sevens I was at Tain earlier this year
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info