North Coast 500 Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: Year Round
Bike North Coast 500
Bike Adventure
It's time to add this epic trip to your "Bike-It list", 7 days and 500 miles of sensational riding to complete a revolution of the Scottish North Coast! The North Coast 500 is one of Britain's hottest adventures with a great mix of peculiar highland culture, wild coastal scenery and challenging undulating roads.
Starting and finishing in Inverness, we'll ride up to John o'Groats with the wind on our backs before turning West and tracing the coast towards Cape Wrath.
Itinerary
Thursday (Overnight Inverness)
18:00: Meet Team at Hotel in Inverness
19:00: Event Briefing
19:30: Evening Meal
Friday (Ride Inverness> Helmsdale- 108km 894m)
07:30: Breakfast
08:30: Depart on Ride
10:30: Morning Break (Approx)
12:30: Lunch Stop (Approx)
15:30: Afternoon Break (Approx)
17:00 Arrive Helsmdale
19:00: Dinner in Local Pub
Saturday (Ride Helmsdale > Thurso - 113km 1139m)
07:30: Breakfast
08:30: Depart on Ride
10:30: Morning Break
12:30: Lunch Stop
15:30: Afternoon Break
17:00 Arrive Thurso
19:00: Dinner
Sunday (Ride Thurso > Scourie- 152km 2128m)
07:30: Breakfast
08:00: Depart on Ride
10:30: Morning Break
12:30: Lunch Stop
18:30: Arrive Scourie
Monday (Ride Scourite to Ullapool 110km 1771m)
07:30: Breakfast
08:30: Depart on Ride
10:30: Morning Break (Approx)
12:30: Lunch Stop (Approx)
15:30: Afternoon Break (Approx)
17:00 Arrive Ullapool
19:00: Dinner in Local Pub
Tuesday (Ride Ullapool to Kinlochewe 119km 1698m)
07:30: Breakfast
08:30: Depart on Ride
10:30: Morning Break
12:30: Lunch Stop
15:30: Afternoon Break
17:00 Arrive Kinlochewe
19:00: Dinner
Wednesday (Ride Kinlochewe to Lochcarron 95km 1808m)
07:30: Breakfast
08:00: Depart on Ride
10:30: Morning Break
12:30: Lunch Stop
18:30: Arrive Scourie
Thursday (Ride Lochcarron to Inverness 98km 927m)
07:30: Breakfast
08:30: Depart on Ride
10:30: Morning Break
12:30: Lunch Stop
15:30: Afternoon Break
17:00 Arrive Inverness
19:00: Dinner
Accommodation
Accommodation varies greatly in the highlands so expect a range of accommodation types from Bunkhouses to hotels to Holiday pods.
What is a Level 4.0 Cycling Challenge Like?
You are now moving into the realms of serious cycling challenges. Cycling days will be up to 10 hours (stops included), or slightly less if the event stretches over several days. You should have very good cycling fitness, with good leg strength, and you should be used to putting in regular training rides most weekends - with some good long rides. Most folks will consider these rides very long, and very challenging. Expect a mixture of length and terrain (think hilly!).
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 4.0 ‘Bike Ride’?
To participate in these events you need to be in good cycling fitness. You probably are capable of riding at high speeds for 2 to 2.5 hours, around 23 - 25 km/hr. And you should be used to riding long distances and over hilly terrain. If you do not cycle regularly you must be of very high fitness level - and should think about converting as soon as possible and getting on to a bike - you will need to develop your specific strength and cycling technique. Do not come on these challenges without having spent plenty of time in the saddle. Training rides should be up to 60 or 70 miles, and you should have done a few like this. You should be getting out on your bike most weekends in the run up to your event, seeking out longer climbs to improve your climbing fitness for the event.
Medical Issues
Please note, it is extremely important for this physical challenge that you are in good health. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully whether you should be joining the challenge. Please ensure you fill in the booking form accurately and honestly, this is important. In the case of serious conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, recent illness or operations), please discuss the challenge with your GP. Please also ensure you notify us of any allergies or similar.
It requires stamina and good aerobic fitness - but good willpower will also come in handy! Failure to disclose medical conditions is a serious omission - that could have serious repercussions on any of our challenges.
Included In Trip
Experienced cycle leader, vehicle with support driver and mechanical backup, first aiders. 8 nights accomodation. Breakfasts, snacks, luggage transfer through event, spare bike.
Excluded From Trip
Lunches and Evening meals, bike hire, spare parts, transport to and from Inverness.
Equipment Required
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike / Mountain Bike (with Touring Tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf
Small Rucksack (or small pannier)
Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Lamps (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Under Saddle Pouch (recommended - can be used to carry asterik* items)
Duck Tape (small folded piece off the reel)*
Puncture Repair Kit*
2 x Inner Tubes*
Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Oil/Lube*
Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Medikit
Suncream, Plasters
Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc
Washkit
Pack Towel (lifesystems recommended), Soap (small bar)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste
Warm Clothing
Medium Weight Fleece, Lightweight Gloves, Fleece Hat
Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts
Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (Dryflo type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable)
Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Underwear
1 Set Casual Evening Wear
1 Pair Cotton Trousers
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
1 Pair Outer Waterproof Bottoms
Other
Camera, Memory Card
Wallet, Credit Card, Cash
Sunglasses, Mobile Phone
Penknife, Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure..
Safety Information
Your leader and support driver will do their very best to keep you safe and well on this trip. But you should listen carefully to their briefings. It is their role to identify to you the safest way to get through this ride, and to keep an eye on you and your wellbeing. Please take seriously any suggestions or comments they may make to you - it is for your wellbeing!. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.
Weather
We can expect rain anytime of the year, it may also be cold especially in the evenings so a fleece and hat is also recommended. Prepare for the worst, hope for the Best! Bring your full cycling wardrobe!
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events