Hello All,
I intend to cycle back from JOG to Inverness to catch the night sleeper back to London. One way I want to go via Bonar Bridge, Lairg, Altnarhara, Bettyhill, and one way straght up the A9/A99. Never been that far north before, so have no idea of the terrain. Has anyone got any advice to give as to the easiest way round to do it. Thanks
Best way back
Jog/Inverness by the shortest route is on the A99 and A9 and is 120 miles. Some folk do the 120 miles in one hop. Any other route would be further.
What route are you taking to get to JOG?
Perhaps if you're cycling back, you'd like to take a different route to the one you took in the first place, a sort of circular tour.
The terrain is bleak and beautiful, especially the A9/A99 with the North Sea in view almost constantly. Taking the inland route, the scenery is fantastic and open, and when you pop out on the North Coast, it's almost breathtaking overlooking the sandy bays and the cold Pentland Firth. But it must be 50 odd miles (another day) further.
The only hills to speak of are the Ord of Caithness and Braes of Berridale on the A9 just north of Helmsdale. These are the ones that put people off the shortest route, it seems that folk want an easier but longer ride.
The choice is yours, my recommendation is the A9/A99, but as you want to cycle back as well, perhaps you should do both routes. If you have the time.
What route are you taking to get to JOG?
Perhaps if you're cycling back, you'd like to take a different route to the one you took in the first place, a sort of circular tour.
The terrain is bleak and beautiful, especially the A9/A99 with the North Sea in view almost constantly. Taking the inland route, the scenery is fantastic and open, and when you pop out on the North Coast, it's almost breathtaking overlooking the sandy bays and the cold Pentland Firth. But it must be 50 odd miles (another day) further.
The only hills to speak of are the Ord of Caithness and Braes of Berridale on the A9 just north of Helmsdale. These are the ones that put people off the shortest route, it seems that folk want an easier but longer ride.
The choice is yours, my recommendation is the A9/A99, but as you want to cycle back as well, perhaps you should do both routes. If you have the time.
Mick F. Cornwall
Hello, the easiest way back is the way that you choose to go - having been in the saddle for a few days to get to JOG you should be fit enough to cope with whichever route you select - and as Mick says, the variety makes an alternative route back much more fun than using the same road again.
120 back can be a long day if you are a little fatigued, especially if you have a deadline to catch a train - and if you have a non-transferrable ticket - so chill out, enjoy the ride back, and do it in two days! It's all downhill, anyway!
regards to all, Braz.
120 back can be a long day if you are a little fatigued, especially if you have a deadline to catch a train - and if you have a non-transferrable ticket - so chill out, enjoy the ride back, and do it in two days! It's all downhill, anyway!
regards to all, Braz.
Owing to the general uselessness of the service from Thurso/Wick to Inverness, I did the same as you - I planned to ride from JOG back to Inverness.
The route I took was Beauly-Dingwall-Bonar Bridge-Lairg-Crask-Bettyhill-Thurso. I took the same route back, and was fortunate enough to catch the train from Lairg to Inverness. I happened to sit next to a chap from New Zealand who had cycled up the A9...he said it was fine.
I must say, this route was marvellous. Although the north coast is a tad hilly, it was stunning. Camping on a beach near Strathy and waking to the sound the surf was one of the highlights of my trip. And, apart from the stretch between Dingwall and Bonar Bridge, it was pretty flat. Actually, the road to the Crask Inn isn't that flat, but it's such a constant gradient that I hardly noticed the change from "uphill" to "downhill". This may be a testament to the fine beer served at the Crask Inn *hic*
I'll second everyone else's suggestion to ride both routes - my route is a little more circuitous, so if you're pressed for time the A9 route is advantageous.
Almost no traffic from Lairg to Thurso, though. And I loved the blast back south from Bettyhill to Lairg... I'd been beating my way into a northerly since the Ayr coast, and to finally be able to ride with a tailwind made those 60 miles probably the most enjoyable cycling I had in Scotland. I rode 140 miles that day and I was pitching my tent at 10pm, to the light of a campfire. If the batteries in my lights hadn't been running out, I would have pressed on.
The route I took was Beauly-Dingwall-Bonar Bridge-Lairg-Crask-Bettyhill-Thurso. I took the same route back, and was fortunate enough to catch the train from Lairg to Inverness. I happened to sit next to a chap from New Zealand who had cycled up the A9...he said it was fine.
I must say, this route was marvellous. Although the north coast is a tad hilly, it was stunning. Camping on a beach near Strathy and waking to the sound the surf was one of the highlights of my trip. And, apart from the stretch between Dingwall and Bonar Bridge, it was pretty flat. Actually, the road to the Crask Inn isn't that flat, but it's such a constant gradient that I hardly noticed the change from "uphill" to "downhill". This may be a testament to the fine beer served at the Crask Inn *hic*
I'll second everyone else's suggestion to ride both routes - my route is a little more circuitous, so if you're pressed for time the A9 route is advantageous.
Almost no traffic from Lairg to Thurso, though. And I loved the blast back south from Bettyhill to Lairg... I'd been beating my way into a northerly since the Ayr coast, and to finally be able to ride with a tailwind made those 60 miles probably the most enjoyable cycling I had in Scotland. I rode 140 miles that day and I was pitching my tent at 10pm, to the light of a campfire. If the batteries in my lights hadn't been running out, I would have pressed on.
Certainly if time is a problem go down the A9 as it would be a fair bit quicker, but if you have a bit of time to spare the Bettyhill - Bonar Bridge route is well worthwhile. I love the Highlands and although I didn't do this route last year I will be trying to work it into my tour next May. I found this stretch of the A9 fairly boring for the most part although I can certainly think of worse places to cycle.
As with everything in Scotland it will probably depend on the weather though. If it is bad just get out quickly. If it is good it would be regrettable to miss the more scenic stretch. The road along the north coast provided me with my favourite ever day of cycling last year, the north-south road to Bonar Bridge I have yet to cycle in decent weather but enjoyed anyway.
As with everything in Scotland it will probably depend on the weather though. If it is bad just get out quickly. If it is good it would be regrettable to miss the more scenic stretch. The road along the north coast provided me with my favourite ever day of cycling last year, the north-south road to Bonar Bridge I have yet to cycle in decent weather but enjoyed anyway.
Would highly recommend the Altnaharra route. Have cycled it 3 times in the last 2 years and it is really beautiful and relatively flat. The Strathnaver valley from Bettyhill to Altnaharra is as good a cycle as you'll find anywhere. Picture shows Loch Naver taken as I was going north on my own.
This year cycled it going south with my wife and used the Nigg Ferry and went across the Black Isle to Inverness. Make a slight detour on the Black Isle to see the dolphins at Chanonry Point.
If you can spare the time stay at the Crask Inn just south of Altnaharra-super place and becoming a bit of a legend with travellers.
Think I've just planned an extra tour for you!
This year cycled it going south with my wife and used the Nigg Ferry and went across the Black Isle to Inverness. Make a slight detour on the Black Isle to see the dolphins at Chanonry Point.
If you can spare the time stay at the Crask Inn just south of Altnaharra-super place and becoming a bit of a legend with travellers.
Think I've just planned an extra tour for you!
garybaldy wrote:Thanks for your input guys, very interesting.
It looks like it will be Bonar Bridge, Altnaharra, Bettyhill on the way up. I will decide the return to Inverness when I know what time I have.
Thanks once again.
Tony
I stayed in Bonar Bridge on my way to JOG last year. Can't remember the name of the B&B but it was very cycle friendly (CTC approved) and did the job for the night - if you're planning to stay that is.
Re: Best way back
garybaldy wrote:Hello All,
I intend to cycle back from JOG to Inverness to catch the night sleeper back to London. One way I want to go via Bonar Bridge, Lairg, Altnarhara, Bettyhill, and one way straght up the A9/A99. Never been that far north before, so have no idea of the terrain. Has anyone got any advice to give as to the easiest way round to do it. Thanks
An option, particlarly suitable if you get to JOG on the A9, is to continue along the northern coast to Durness and return from there to Inverness via
www.timdearmancoaches.co.uk/cyclebus.htm