The last leg...

[Freeweel]

Hi all - just a quick query... The last stretch to JoG would take me along the a99 east coast, past Lybster and Wick. The mapping planners I've looked at seem determined to send me inland and on a slightly longer route, either via a9 or a897, finishing with a ride along the north coast. Is there a reason the 99 should be avoided?? Keen not to add extra miles unnecessarily! Thanks in advance, if anyone has experience...

Would also be interested in recent experience of the A9 cycle path for my 28mm gatorskins. I've heard varying accounts. Not looking for significant route chamges now, accommodation is booked. Just tweaks

[Ron]

I think the only reason for avoiding the A99 would be the higher volume of motor traffic that you have to share the road with, compared with inland routes.
If you felt uncomfortable on the A99 you could break off a short distance north of Lybster and take the Camster road towards Watten and then via Lyth to join the A836 near Huna, not far from JOG. There would be little difference in mileage compared with going via Wick.

[nickyboy]

That's the way we did it in 2021. The stretch from Lybster via Camster Cairns was one of the highlights of the whole trip and definitely better than the main road via Wick which, whilst not busy, is nowhere near as spectacular as the Flow Country on our route

[Freeweel]

Thanks both, really helpful. I'd like to end on a high, assuming I get that far! Will take your advice. Thoughts from anyone on the a9 cyclepath welcomed...

[rareposter]

Thoughts from anyone on the a9 cyclepath welcomed...

It's been removed from the Sustrans map, that now sends you up the middle and along the top (which is a great route to be fair).
https://explore.osmaps.com/?lat=58.1385 ... -ncn-layer

There are varying reports on the A9 cyclepath, including on here, eg:
viewtopic.php?t=150462 (that thread is 2 years old)

I've not been up that way for a couple of years so not sure of any improvements but the fact that Sustrans have removed the option from their guide tells me it's probably no better than the (very variable) quality of the past. The A9 is horrible - it's the shortest (although not by a lot) option but it's also the busiest and least scenic option.

[Paulatic]

Thanks both, really helpful. I'd like to end on a high, assuming I get that far! Will take your advice. Thoughts from anyone on the a9 cyclepath welcomed...

Perth to Inverness along the A9 is still one of the best days in my memory.
We came off at Moy and used the B road. When I now drive that road I can see a lot of newly tarred path continuing to Inverness.
We rode it 2018 and this YT video of 2019 is very much how I remember that section.

[Ron]

Thoughts from anyone on the a9 cyclepath welcomed...

It's been removed from the Sustrans map,

You would need to be more specific in your request, there has never been an "A9 cyclepath"!
The A9 runs for over 270 miles between near Stirling and Scrabster.
There is a parallel joint user path for much of the way between Inverness and Perth with the remainder on low traffic public roads. North of Inverness there is a shared use path across the Kessock bridge and a few miles on low traffic road to the Tore roundabout. After that there are parallel routes which cyclists may or may not choose to use depending on their levels of tolerance of motorised traffic.

[Freeweel]

Thoughts from anyone on the a9 cyclepath welcomed...

It's been removed from the Sustrans map,

You would need to be more specific in your request, there has never been an "A9 cyclepath"!
The A9 runs for over 270 miles between near Stirling and Scrabster.
There is a parallel joint user path for much of the way between Inverness and Perth with the remainder on low traffic public roads.

Fair challenge! You're spot on, I'm looking at the path adjacent to a9 between Perth and Inverness as it skirts the Cairngorms to the west. I was probably leaning towards a route straight up through the Cairngorms instead, and towards Tomintoul ... looks like some beautiful riding up there. Interested to hear the thoughts of others more experienced before I settle, though... Really appreciate everyone's time, and the rather fabulous video upload too

[Freeweel]

There are varying reports on the A9 cyclepath, including on here, eg:
viewtopic.php?t=150462 (that thread is 2 years old)

Also, I am slapping myself for not spotting the parallel thread before. Very helpful. Thank you.

Like all things in the UK, I'll assume that whatever potholery is mentioned will have roughly doubled in the last two years...

[Brianjeff50]

It's been removed from the Sustrans map,

You would need to be more specific in your request, there has never been an "A9 cyclepath"!
The A9 runs for over 270 miles between near Stirling and Scrabster.
There is a parallel joint user path for much of the way between Inverness and Perth with the remainder on low traffic public roads.

Fair challenge! You're spot on, I'm looking at the path adjacent to a9 between Perth and Inverness as it skirts the Cairngorms to the west. I was probably leaning towards a route straight up through the Cairngorms instead, and towards Tomintoul ... looks like some beautiful riding up there. Interested to hear the thoughts of others more experienced before I settle, though... Really appreciate everyone's time, and the rather fabulous video upload too

I used the cycle route (is it N74, I can’t recall) from Perth to Inverness in 2022 and it was terrific - long stretches of freshly tarmac-ed cycle path parallel to the A9 with short excursions onto minor roads. A great route,quiet, safe and very scenic.
After Inverness I went ‘up the middle’ past Crask inn to Bettyhill and across. Fabulous.

[cycleruk]

I used the cycle route (is it N74, I can’t recall) from Perth to Inverness in 2022 and it was terrific - long stretches of freshly tarmac-ed cycle path parallel to the A9 with short excursions onto minor roads. A great route,quiet, safe and very scenic.
After Inverness I went ‘up the middle’ past Crask inn to Bettyhill and across. Fabulous.

N77 from Perth to near Pitlochry then N7 to Inverness. Parts also coincide with "EV1".
Designated cycle routes can be checked out on "Cycle Travel" or "RidewithGPS".

[Brianjeff50]

I used the cycle route (is it N74, I can’t recall) from Perth to Inverness in 2022 and it was terrific - long stretches of freshly tarmac-ed cycle path parallel to the A9 with short excursions onto minor roads. A great route,quiet, safe and very scenic.
After Inverness I went ‘up the middle’ past Crask inn to Bettyhill and across. Fabulous.

N77 from Perth to near Pitlochry then N7 to Inverness. Parts also coincide with "EV1".
Designated cycle routes can be checked out on "Cycle Travel" or "RidewithGPS".

Thanks for the correction - lazy of me not to check.