Nc500 solo trip. Rough it or hotel?
Discussion
Morning all. So due to me changing jobs in a couple of weeks I have the perfect opportunity to take 4 days off to do a solo trip around the nc500 (I'm skipping the East Coast part and doubling back down the west coast).I've don't this trip a few times with friends but we've always had accommodation pre booked.
I'll be taking the rsv4 so here's a few things I'm wondering?
Would anyone do this trip taking a small tent and "rough it" after a day's riding? Im thinking carry the tent as a backup, and hope that wherever I end up has a cheap room for the night. If not then the tent comes into play. Problem being carrying tents and sleeping bags,especially On a sports bike.
Its coming into biking season now so I know accommodation will be hard to come by without pre booking? Do I chance it?
I'll be taking the rsv4 so here's a few things I'm wondering?
Would anyone do this trip taking a small tent and "rough it" after a day's riding? Im thinking carry the tent as a backup, and hope that wherever I end up has a cheap room for the night. If not then the tent comes into play. Problem being carrying tents and sleeping bags,especially On a sports bike.
Its coming into biking season now so I know accommodation will be hard to come by without pre booking? Do I chance it?
If I could guarantee the weather I'd rough camp, but you're talking about Scotland and the only guarantee is that you have no real idea how long it'll be to the next load of rain. 
I'd also not under estimate the potential for the midges to make life uncomfortable. For me, B&B would be the preferred option.
Either way, have a great trip and enjoy the stunning scenery.
I'd also not under estimate the potential for the midges to make life uncomfortable. For me, B&B would be the preferred option.
Either way, have a great trip and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Come on you lot! Hotels? B&B?!
I'm trying to think of the adventure in this! Im imagining my tent set up, overlooking the western Isles with only the waves splashing against the rocks for sound,the sun will be setting as I tuck into my chilli cheese Pringles and pop while listening to rock ballads.not a care in the world.......
Reality will probably be me soaking Fkin wet in a howling wind chasing the tent being blown over the cliffs! But isn't that part of the adventure?!
I'm trying to think of the adventure in this! Im imagining my tent set up, overlooking the western Isles with only the waves splashing against the rocks for sound,the sun will be setting as I tuck into my chilli cheese Pringles and pop while listening to rock ballads.not a care in the world.......
Reality will probably be me soaking Fkin wet in a howling wind chasing the tent being blown over the cliffs! But isn't that part of the adventure?!
STe_rsv4 said:
Come on you lot! Hotels? B&B?!
I'm trying to think of the adventure in this! Im imagining my tent set up, overlooking the western Isles with only the waves splashing against the rocks for sound,the sun will be setting as I tuck into my chilli cheese Pringles and pop while listening to rock ballads.not a care in the world.......
Reality will probably be me soaking Fkin wet in a howling wind chasing the tent being blown over the cliffs! But isn't that part of the adventure?!
Correct. You know it's the right thing to do.I'm trying to think of the adventure in this! Im imagining my tent set up, overlooking the western Isles with only the waves splashing against the rocks for sound,the sun will be setting as I tuck into my chilli cheese Pringles and pop while listening to rock ballads.not a care in the world.......
Reality will probably be me soaking Fkin wet in a howling wind chasing the tent being blown over the cliffs! But isn't that part of the adventure?!
Stuart Fordyce said:
Just bear in mind wild camping isn't legal in Scotland. The weather can be amazing, and it can be awful. I have personally experienced snow in Scotland, in May, a good bit south of the NC500. And you're planning on spending all day on an RSV...
b
ks! Wild camping IS legal in Scotland.https://mpora.com/camping/wild-camping-in-scotland
I'm a local, I've been doing most of that route for nearly a decade now a few times a year, and I've done the tent thing over the Alps etc. so reasonably well placed to advise here.
There are some nice camping bits. But it's just hugely easier to find a B&B/hostel than it is a camping spot (you will need to research this) as there's very limited scope for camping along the route, it isn't well received by the locals, and you'll be grateful of that warm bed if the weather turns, which it does frequently.
The NC500 is now a popular tourist route however, so you will need to book as soon as possible. It's not like the old days where you could just drop in a place and book a room.
It's your choice of course, but "anyone can rough it", I really would book something.
There are some nice camping bits. But it's just hugely easier to find a B&B/hostel than it is a camping spot (you will need to research this) as there's very limited scope for camping along the route, it isn't well received by the locals, and you'll be grateful of that warm bed if the weather turns, which it does frequently.
The NC500 is now a popular tourist route however, so you will need to book as soon as possible. It's not like the old days where you could just drop in a place and book a room.
It's your choice of course, but "anyone can rough it", I really would book something.
Why would anyone choose to rough it unless it is for economic reasons. You have had a couple of weekends of nice weather and got lulled. I am going friday. As we speak I am fitting my heated clothing wires to the bike as it says it is going to be 8 degrees with wintery showers. Imagine 8 hours in the cold and rain then putting a tent up in the cold and rain, sleeping in the cold and rain then getting up snd setting off cold and wet and you call that an adventure. God bless you sir. If you want a dry out some time you will find us in the best hotels we can find and most likely in a gourmet dining room and bar. Each to their own though. LOL.
Prof Prolapse said:
I'm a local
Your a fking Welshman living in Edinburgh. Don't camp at this time of the year, its typically still only a few degrees overnight in the central belt, you'll be f
king freezing up there. It bding chucked it down, hail and scoarching sun all within a few hours on Saturday on the way to Dundee. 
I just did NC500 last week, I stayed in a cheap bunk house for the first night (£25). Shared with 6 other men, it was alright, we are all grownups that just wanted to go to sleep. No snorers was a bonus. We all chatted and ate breakfast together too which was nice. I recommend getting a bath/shower before bed, so you're not queuing up in the morning.
For the other ngihts I stayed in cheap hotels (£30-£45 range). A bed, your own shower, and breakfast sorted for you in the morning. You'll be grateful after doing 250-300 miles a day. There seems to be very little in the way of youth hostels up there for some reason. I recommend you take a good look on google maps for accessibility and parking. Don't be lured into staying in a cheap hostel/B&B in the centre of Inverness or Edinburgh. Absolute fking nightmare. Pay the little bit extra and get some secure and accessible parking for your bike.
For the other ngihts I stayed in cheap hotels (£30-£45 range). A bed, your own shower, and breakfast sorted for you in the morning. You'll be grateful after doing 250-300 miles a day. There seems to be very little in the way of youth hostels up there for some reason. I recommend you take a good look on google maps for accessibility and parking. Don't be lured into staying in a cheap hostel/B&B in the centre of Inverness or Edinburgh. Absolute f
king nightmare. Pay the little bit extra and get some secure and accessible parking for your bike.Bikesalot said:
Air B&B.
I'm off up there on Thursday, there is four of us going so we've booked a few different houses / cottages.
Even if going solo I wouldn't be camping in the currently forecast heavy winds, sleet, rain and low temps.
Going Friday first stop On an. Bright orange Blade. Give us a wsveI'm off up there on Thursday, there is four of us going so we've booked a few different houses / cottages.
Even if going solo I wouldn't be camping in the currently forecast heavy winds, sleet, rain and low temps.
Bikesalot said:
Air B&B.
I'm off up there on Thursday, there is four of us going so we've booked a few different houses / cottages.
Even if going solo I wouldn't be camping in the currently forecast heavy winds, sleet, rain and low temps.
Going Friday first stop On an. Bright orange Blade. Give us a wsveI'm off up there on Thursday, there is four of us going so we've booked a few different houses / cottages.
Even if going solo I wouldn't be camping in the currently forecast heavy winds, sleet, rain and low temps.
For what it's worth, you might be lucky with the midges if you are going in the next couple of weeks, the season starts in late May. Just in case, no matter where you stay, take a can of Smidge midge repellent spray, probably the best around these days.
There are some camping huts, or wigwams, still available at the Applecross campsite for the first part of May (I've just checked), and the café at the reception is generally pretty good for basic food. Probably good for your run down the West coast.
Of course, the Applecross Inn has it's own reputation, but don't bank on getting a table for dinner, you'll probably be asked to wait. Alternatively, they now have a Fish and Chip van outside.
Take the road from Inverness to Evanton, turn off there and go over Struie Hill to Bonar Bridge, then head up towards Lairg. From there you have a choice of the Locj Shin road to Achfary then Laxford Bridge, 34 miles of single track road, or head straight North to Tongue, about 40 miles of single track, with alternative routes halfway at Altnahara. Not really suitable for a sportsbike, but good camping spots (if you must) near Ben Hope. The road to the East of Altnahara is better, taking you out on the North Coast road at Bettyhill. Turn left for Tongue, and miss out all of the boring East Coast leg.
Also, don't forget to fuel up at every reasonable opportunity. The petrol station at Applecross, for example, is card only, but that doesn't present any problems for most of us these days.
There are some camping huts, or wigwams, still available at the Applecross campsite for the first part of May (I've just checked), and the café at the reception is generally pretty good for basic food. Probably good for your run down the West coast.
Of course, the Applecross Inn has it's own reputation, but don't bank on getting a table for dinner, you'll probably be asked to wait. Alternatively, they now have a Fish and Chip van outside.
Take the road from Inverness to Evanton, turn off there and go over Struie Hill to Bonar Bridge, then head up towards Lairg. From there you have a choice of the Locj Shin road to Achfary then Laxford Bridge, 34 miles of single track road, or head straight North to Tongue, about 40 miles of single track, with alternative routes halfway at Altnahara. Not really suitable for a sportsbike, but good camping spots (if you must) near Ben Hope. The road to the East of Altnahara is better, taking you out on the North Coast road at Bettyhill. Turn left for Tongue, and miss out all of the boring East Coast leg.
Also, don't forget to fuel up at every reasonable opportunity. The petrol station at Applecross, for example, is card only, but that doesn't present any problems for most of us these days.
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