Cycle Touring in Northern Scotland


Book Description

This guidebook describes a 528-mile cycling route in northern Scotland. Starting and finishing in the highland capital Inverness, the circular route passes through the ancient counties and districts of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross and the Black Isle and is suitable for mountain, touring and road bikes.




Cycling in the Hebrides


Book Description

This guidebook describes 37 day rides for all abilities, and 22 linking routes for more experienced cycle tourists, allow riders to visit all the essential sights in over 20 islands of the Hebrides and of the Firth of Clyde. Routes range from those suitable for short weekend breaks to a challenging 600-mile tour (includes the 200 mile Hebridean Way / NCR 780 along the length of the Outer Hebrides). Whether you're putting together a fortnight's tour or just enjoying a few day rides from a single base, this guide is packed with useful information to help you make the most of your trip. The Hebridean islands offer a wealth of wonderful scenery: the majestic Cuillin mountains on Skye; the otherworldly palm trees on Bute; the marvellous white shell sands on Tiree and Harris. This guidebook features detailed custom mapping and elevation profiles for all routes, and comprehensive information of ferry and transport routes, accommodation, food and drink, supplies, cycle spares and repairs. Island hopping in these islands is a magical experience. The guide visits over 20 of them and each has its own interesting history and wildlife. Reasonably fit cyclists can enjoy these routes at their own pace; experienced cycle tourists will eat up the miles.




Mountain Biking in Southern and Central Scotland


Book Description

This guidebook describes 21 mountain biking routes in central and southern Scotland. It includes the 7stanes trail centre in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as cross-country routes in the Campsie Fells, Pentland Hills and Lammermuirs, the Galloway Forest, Tweed Valley, Cheviots and Lowther Hills. The routes range from 17 to 66km and are graded from moderate to very hard. Taking between 2 and 7 hours to complete, they are intended for reasonably fit mountain bikers with at least some experience. Detailed route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 OS mapping, and the selected routes set out from various points across the area, including Greenock, Glentrool, Peebles and Milngavie, with good access from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. The guidebook also gives an overview of what the region's MTB trail centres have to offer, including the famous 7stanes trail centre, along with advice on equipment, maintenance and safety. Southern and Central Scotland is renowned for its superlative MTB trail centres, but the region's rolling hill country is also traversed by an extensive network of tracks, paths, forest roads and other trails providing endless possibilities for 'free range' mountain biking.




The Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland


Book Description

The Wild Atlantic Way is a driving route along Ireland's Atlantic seaboard, covering over 2,350km of coastline and showcasing the region's breathtaking landscapes. This guide adapts the route for cyclists - and throws in a couple of other highlights (such as the Aran Islands and Killarney) for good measure. Since relatively few people are likely to have seven weeks to spare for a full Wild Atlantic Way tour, the book presents six self-contained cycle tours, each offering 7-10 days of riding. For the full Wild Atlantic Way experience, these distinct routes can be linked together into a 44-stage trip from Derry/Londonderry to Cork. Each route includes detailed advice on accommodation and facilities, plus optional detours and shortcuts and points of interest. The routes themselves are presented as 'route cards': ideal for use with a cycle computer, these pages provide 'at a glance' information for when you're on the road, covering navigation, facilities and local highlights. The guide covers all the practicalities - including transport, equipment and general tips on cycling in Ireland.




Scottish Hill Tracks


Book Description

This text provides a useful source of information for walkers, providing details of 350 routes in Scotland's high countryside. The accompanying map shows the routes described and graphically illustrates the wealth of long-distance cross-country walks across the hills and moors of Scotland.




Cycling Scotland's North Coast


Book Description

This cycling guidebook follows the course of a new cycling route around the North Coast of Scotland, described as Scotland's own Route 66. Since its launch in 2015 this route, branded as 'North Coast 500' (NC500), it has proved to be a resounding success, with motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists flocking to Inverness to put rubber to the road, driving and riding through some of the most spectacular scenery in the United Kingdom. This guidebook is aimed specifically at cyclists, describing the entire coastal route over seven stages. A sketch plan, elevation graphs and turn-by-turn directions are given to each stage; points of interest are highlighted, and in many cases illustrated; helpful sections on travel to Inverness, nutrition, navigation and emergency cycle repairs; alternative route is offered to the busy and challenging A9 section south of Wick and finally, a full list of accommodation providers to suit all budgets. An invaluable guide to cyling Scotland's North Coast, one of the finest cycle tours in Britain. Nicolas Mitchell is passionate about cycle touring and has thousands of cycling miles to his credit, this is his third cycling guide book for Crowood.




Cycling in Scotland


Book Description

More and more of the Brits are turning to cycling, whether as an inexpensive, healthy, and environmentally friendly means of getting to work or school, or as a way of exploring Britain's towns, cities, and countryside. More than 75% of UK residents live within two miles of the National Cycle Network, and a continuous program of development led by Sustrans means it is growing all the time. This exciting publishing partnership brings together the expertise of two of Britain's great pioneering transport organizations to create a fantastic new series of seven regional guides. With clearly marked maps, recommended rides, and details of what to see, the Cycling in... series provides all the information you need to discover the best of Britain with the wind in your hair, up close and personal, without spending a fortune on fuel.




The Hebridean Way


Book Description

Guidebook to the Hebridean Way, a 155-mile (247km) trail across 10 of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides islands. This waymarked, multi-day route is ideal for a fortnight’s exploration, using mostly low-level paths and crossing a variety of terrain, from dazzling white shell beaches to rugged hills and wild moors. The official waymarked route starts in Vatersay in the south and finishes at Stornoway in the north, via Barra, Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, Grimsay, North Uist, Berneray, Harris and Lewis 10 daily stages of 10–22 miles (16–35km) in length, with optional 30-mile (48km) extension from Stornoway to the Butt of Lewis, which takes two days Clear route descriptions with 1:50,000 maps and details of refreshments, public transport and accommodation Includes notes on geology, history, plants and wildlife, and a glossary of Gaelic and Norse placenames GPX files available for download




The Great North Road


Book Description

The Great North Road is Britain's Route 66 - we've just forgotten how to sing its praises In 1921, Britain's most illustrious highway, the Great North Road, ceased to exist - on paper at least. Stretching from London to Edinburgh, the old road was largely replaced by the A1 as the era of the motor car took hold. A hundred years later, journalist and cyclist Steve Silk embraces the anniversary as the perfect excuse to set off on an adventure across 11 days and 400 miles. Travelling by bike at a stately 14 miles per hour, he heads north, searching out milestones and memories, coaching inns and coffee shops. Seen from a saddle rather than a car seat, the towns and the countryside of England and Scotland reveal traces of Britain's remarkable past and glimpses of its future. Instead of the familiar service stations and tourist hotspots, Steve tracks down the forgotten treasures of this ancient highway between the two capitals. The Great North Road is a journey as satisfying for the armchair traveller as the long-distance cyclist. Enriched with history, humour and insight, it's a tribute to Britain and the endless appeal of the open road.




Cycle Touring in Wales


Book Description

A guidebook to a 1057 km (657 mile) cycle tour of Wales. This circular route passes through Cardiff, Swansea, St David’s, Snowdonia (Eryri) and Pembrokeshire National Parks, and can be cycled in 2 weeks. Suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness. The route is presented in twelve stages of between 58 km and 117 km (36-73 miles) in length, perfect for a two week cycling tour. The guide also features six cross routes that can be completed separately or as options to shorten the circuit ranging in length from 72 to 115 km. 1:200,000 OS mapping included for each route Elevation profiles included for each route GPX files available to download Detailed information on accommodation, refreshments, and other facilities along the route. Advice on planning your trip and preparing your bike