The North Coast 500 - Challenge with Mark Beaumont

Road Cycling

View Trip Dates Book Now

Trip Grade: Red 9

If you’ve ever dreamt of participating in an ultra-distance ride or simply focused on an endurance challenge of a lifetime, 2020 could be the year. For 2 limited dates only, we’re offering the chance to ride 500 epic miles around the Scottish coast in the company of record-breaking round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont.

Over 4 incredible and unforgettable days you will cycle 500miles/800km and climb over 10,000m on some of the most spectacular roads and scenery in Europe. With one of the world’s most experienced endurance athletes at your side and unrivalled logistical support throughout, head north to the Highlands for the ride of your life.

The North Coast 500 with Mark Beaumont

Highlights • Cycle 500mi and climb/descend over 10,000m of epic Highland roads• Ride in the company of Mark Beaumont - the fastest person to have cycled round the world• Experience the breathtaking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and Coastline

Book with Confidence • We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 6 people have booked• This trip is all-inclusive with a maximum of 12 places

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of Mark Beaumont and your Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.

Day 1 | Arrive and Meet in Inverness

Day 2 | Inverness to Shieldaig

Day 3 | Shieldaig to Lochinver

Day 4 | Lochinver to Melvich

Day 5 | Melvich to Inverness

Day 6 | Depart Inverness

Planned Itinerary

Arrival Info • Mark and your Wilderness Scotland Guide will meet you in Inverness at the

Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel• 5.00pm on Day 1 of your trip

Departure Info • Choose from departure at your final hotel, or Inverness train station• 10:00am on Day 6 of your trip

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of Mark Beaumont and your Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.

InvernessApplecross

Ullapool

Lochinver

Tongue

Brora

Day 1 | Arrive Into Inverness Mark Beaumont and your Wilderness Scotland Guide will meet you late afternoon at our first overnight hotel in Inverness. Over drinks, we’ll run through logistics for the trip in detail and make sure everyone is set in terms of bike set up and personal gear. Enjoy dinner and a relaxed night for an early start to tomorrow. (D)

Day 2 | Inverness to Shieldaig Load up at breakfast because our first day of riding sets the standard for the trip. An easy cruise on rolling roads out of Inverness takes us north to Garve before we strike west through increasingly mountainous country, reaching the west coast at Strathcarron. From this point on the riding is incredible. A short warm up climb prepares the legs for what lies ahead. The Bealach na Ba is the UK’s highest and toughest road climb and is reached after 72mi. With ramps of up to 20% you’ll be working all the way to the top where the most incredible view of the Scottish Islands and West Coast awaits. After an amazing descent, our work isn’t quite finished with some punchy climbing around the spectacular coastal road which eventually reaches the charming village of Shieldaig (B, L, D)

Ride details: 107mi/171km | 2207m/7,285ft of ascent

Day 3 | Shieldaig to Lochinver After our first big day you’ll surely be lifted by the magnificent scenery on day two. Today’s route winds it way through arguably the most spectacular landscape in the UK. Dramatic mountains rise like ancient giants providing an unforgettable backdrop to the riding. The camera as well as the legs will be working hard today. An early lunch in the fishing village of Gairloch offers an opportunity to recharge before we continue around the challenging coastal road. We pass through the town of Ullapool before climbing into the hills and riding some amazing roads through the mountains of Assynt to finish our day in the fishing village of Lochinver (B, L, D)

Ride details: 126mi/201km | 2868m/9,407ft of ascent

Day 4 | Lochinver to Melvich Another epic day in the Highlands with nearly 3000m of climbing. The reward is some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll find in Europe on some simply brilliant roads. The first 22 miles of the day almost defy description. A looping ribbon of tarmac climbs and descends for over 3300ft/1000m which may be like no road you have even ridden before! We’ll recharge by the iconic bridge in Kylesku before continuing our ride north and then east close to the Atlantic shore. We’ll pass some super beaches on this unspoilt section of rugged coast before arriving at the sands of Melvich where we will overnight. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 115mi/184km | 2940m/9,643ft of ascent

Day 5 | Melvich to Inverness Our final day is a monster - over 160mi through the wild and wide open spaces of the North of Scotland. Our route starts on largely deserted roads through the “Flow Country”. We exchange wild coast for wild moorland and traverse a remote and isolated valley to cross the west-east watershed. Here we climb through an even more wild and beautiful glen before descending to the East Coast. Upon hitting the coast we have “only” 100 miles left to the finish. There is still some climbing to be done but by the time we hit the Black Isle, Inverness is nearly in sight and we’ll be rolling on mostly flat roads. Crossing the Moray Firth, victory is in sight and we’ll finish were we began, right on the esplanade of Inverness Castle. Muster up your final reserves of energy for a celebratory dinner in Inverness. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 161mi/257km | 2477m/8,125ft of ascent

Day 6 | Depart Inverness Take it easy this morning over a relaxed breakfast before packing the bikes and saying farewell to the Highlands. We can drop you at the railway station or airport in Inverness.

Alternatively stay on in the Highlands for some recovery time - ebikes available to get from the hot tub to the bar! (B)

About Mark Beaumont World Record holding adventurer and TV broadcaster

Mark Beaumont has become a household name through his documentaries about ultra endurance and adventure.  Having smashed the circumnavigation cycling World Record twice in his career, he now holds this 18,000 mile title in a time of 78 days and 14 hours, averaging 240 miles a day.  His epic documentaries have taken viewers to over 100 countries, into the Arctic, the high mountains and around the Commonwealth, also surviving capsize in the mid-Atlantic.  Mark first pedalled the North Coast 500 in 2015, straight after coming home to Scotland after a 6000 mile race from Cairo to Cape Town. With those big miles in his legs, he completed the route non-stop in a record time of 37 hours.  

In 2019 Mark sat down with the team at Wilderness Scotland and NC500 to design a new North Coast 500 cycle route, which not only took in all the best sections of the NC500 but factored in some smaller and largely undiscovered roads - well off the beaten tourist track. Mark went on to film this route with Si Richardson and the Global Cycling Network team in a bike packing route over 3 days.  We have encouraged him to slow down just a touch for this guided 4 day ride, but it’s still not for a the fainthearted - an epic ride around the stunning north coast of Scotland with one of the World’s most experienced and best known ultra endurance bike riders. 

Trip Grading | Red 9 | Our NC500 Challenge Trips are the most demanding bike trips we offer by far and merits an absolute max of 9 on our trip grading scale. While the trip will test even the fittest cyclists, it is well within the reaches of the regular cyclist who puts in the necessary training in advance.

Please be in no doubt that this trip represents a serious challenge, at times you’ll be willing it to end but those feelings are temporary whereas the satisfaction and memories of completing this route will last a lifetime.

As the route details illustrate you will be riding on average 125mi/200km per day for 4 days on terrain that is far from flat - daily elevation ranges from 2200m-3000m. The weather can also have a signifcant impact on the difficulty of this trip. In good summer weather - sunny and light winds - it might even feel easy. However, if the wind is blowing hard of the Atlantic and rain is in the forecast, you can expect to be pushed to the absolute limit.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately fit and capable of safely completing this ride. If you are at all unsure then we strongly encourage you to speak to us before committing to this major undertaking.

Accommodation and Meals On this trip, we use high quality 3-4* small hotels with a reputation for a warm welcome and, where possible, facilities that are welcome by cyclists.

Obviously on a challenge of this type, nutrition and hydration is critical. All meals, non-alcoholic drinks and ride nutrition are taken care of and included in the price. We will eat dinner as a group and plan to dine in the hotels where we are staying for convenience at the end of a long day. Each of the accommodations includes breakfast with a wide range of choices.

Lunches are taken on the road in the form of a rolling picnic or a cafe/pub depending upon the weather and location. We also take care of your additional nutrition requirements and provide energy snacks and drinks on demand.

Single Rooms There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement will be payable.

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Inclusions This trip includes the following:

• Private guiding and ride leadership with Mark Beaumont and a Wilderness Scotland guide

• Full trip support throughout including dedicated ride service vehicle

• 5 nights accommodation in quality 3*-4* small hotels

• All meals as indicated in the itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

• Specialist nutrition, hydration and other snacks and drinks

• Custom training plan designed by Mark Beaumont

Our All Inclusive trips include all accommodation, meals, guiding and travel during the trip. We do not include alcoholic drinks with dinner or any gratuities you may choose to leave.

I've done several multi-day cycling trips throughout the United States and wanted to have the best experience possible on my first trip to Europe. Wilderness Scotland didn't disappoint! My entire experience was unlike any other - knowledgeable guides, accommodations and restaurants I wouldn't have found on my own, and great value for the money Richard Wilks

“

”

Our holidays reviewed in your words…

All Trip Reviews Here

Sustainable Travel Wilderness Scotland is committed to the principles of ecotourism. We work very hard to ensure our engagements with local communities, wild lands and wildlife are positive.

We are a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics, which enhances our commitment to responsible activity in Scotland’s wild lands, as enshrined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC).

We are also proud to be a John Muir Trust Peak Partner. Thanks in part to the generosity of our clients though our Conservation Contribution scheme the John Muir Trust can rely on our investment to go towards conservation projects that have a deep connection to Wilderness Scotland and the areas we adventure in.

You can learn more about the work we’re doing with the John Muir Trust and the other ways we care for the wild places we love here.

Eat | Stay | See Looking for accommodation for before or after your adventure with us? Check out our list of where to stay and what to do

Eat – Stay – See – Inverness.pdf

Equipment List Check out our guide on what to wear when adventuring in Scotland.

Recommended Equipment - Road Cycling

General Info – Scotland From food and drink to the Loch Ness Monster, our General Info for Scotland guide has got you covered for all your need to know facts.

General-Info-Scotland.pdf

Travel Insurance It is your responsibility to take out appropriate travel insurance to cover you during your trip. This should include cover for cancellation prior to the trip, the activities undertaken (i.e hiking), curtailment, and adequate medical insurance for sickness/injury and medical repatriation. We also strongly recommend you have cover for your other travel arrangements such as flights, and your personal possessions.

We suggest you do your own research to find the best insurance cover for you however the follow companies offer suitable policies.

Campbell Irvine Direct – campbellirvinedirect.com

Journeyman Insurance Services – journeyman-services.com/travelInsurance

If you cancel your holiday charges will apply. Please see section 2 of our terms and conditions for a breakdown: wildernessscotland.com/make-a-booking/booking-conditions

Travel With Confidence You can book with us in complete confidence that all trip payments made to us are fully protected.

Wilderness Scotland Ltd is a licensed and bonded tour operator. Your financial security is guaranteed through our membership and bonding with ABTA.

FAQs Looking for more information? Check out our frequently asked questions page.

wildernessscotland.com/faq

Questions to Ask? Ready to Book? If you want to get in touch please send us an email or give us a call. We accept bookings online, by email, or over the phone. A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking to secure the trip with the balance payable 8 weeks (56 days) before departure. If booking less than 56 days before the trip start date, full payment of the trip price is required immediately.

We accept payment by credit or debit card, or bank transfer.

View Trip Dates Book Now

email: info@wildernessscotland.com Tel (UK and Europe): +44(0)1479 420 020 Tel (US and Canada): 866-740-3890