Thanks, Steve. It's a stunning part of the world, isn't it? Didn't get the t-shirt but glad I took the camera for posterity. All the best! 🙂

Thanks, Brian. Yes, hoping to get back up that way again this year. I'm quite glad we had the more challenging weather at the beginning of the tour as our overwhelming memories are of fine days. Cycling over to Applecross is a challenge on a modern bike, so that's some feat from your friend. Happy cycling!

Thanks and great to have you following along! Getting out of that multi storey was probably the hardest route finding of the entire trip ;)

Thanks, Brian and great to have you following along! Happy cycling!

That's my bad, Gordon - it was 2021! Hopefully the YT editor will have scrubbed the date before too long. Twas a different car though! The old Civic was a tardis - swallowed 2 bikes and 8 panniers just putting the back seats flat! I can't wait to get back up to the far north on the bike. As a really strong rider well used to hills you'd absolutely love the cycling up there I'll bet!

Thanks, yes a cracking place to ride a bike!

Thanks, Jay. It was fun to look through the old 'day-by-day edits' and to finally put them all together. I remember watching your LEJOG videos and the Scottish stages - great stuff! Definitely a special place!

Thanks! One of the best tours the UK has to offer and I know what you mean about the views. I remember watching the GCN video and yours before setting off - great stuff!

Thanks. I don't remember the traffic being particularly heavy anywhere on the route. I think it helped that it wasn't school holidays and we set off on a Monday etc. A lot of the single track roads we took would probably have been avoided by the caravans and larger vans. I do remember quite a few motorbike groups and really high-end supercars, which certainly broke the peace and quiet when they came past. A few of the villages we passed through had 'Say no to the NC500' signs up outside the houses and in the windows (not an anti-cyclist vibe though we felt), which suggests at certain times it probably is a bit of a circus for vans and cars (which is a shame). But if you time it right I think it's a brilliant cycling trip. Cheers, M

Thanks, Neil. It really was a cracking trip and Scotland is such a gem for cycling. Up there with anywhere in the world (I think). I can't honestly remember what the decision process was for not using a lid on this one, as it was a few years back. I tend to factor in considerations including road conditions, traffic volume and the extent to which I'm taking the bike - or my own bike handling skills - anywhere near their limits. I made a slightly rambling video about my thoughts on helmet wearing, which is up somewhere on the channel and I really rate what Peter Walker has to say on the topic (for example in the book 'Bike Nation'). Appreciate the question (as non-finger wagging). I get a bit of grief for not always wearing a lid but as much as the channel aims to be a true reflection of my own cycling it'd be a bit misleading of me to only ever wear a helmet in the videos as I don't do this in practice. Happy cycling!

@@onemorecyclist , cool. I only started wearing a helmet here, Australia, as it’s mandatory and police will stop, fine you etc. I think I’ve become so attached to it that it’s now part of the uniform.

Thanks for the lovely feedback, Mark. If any of my videos give someone an inkling to grab a bike and go for a ride I'm thrilled! We were both on reasonably inexpensive aluminium bikes here, sub £800 (although I personally still wouldn't call that cheap!) - my Triban RC520 and Ian was on a budget-end Dawes Tourer (not sure what make). happy cycling!

I'm thinking of getting either the Triban 520RC or a Boardman Adv8.9 to get some longer miles in. To compliment my Voodoo Hoodoo (great name) hardtail.

And looking forward to seeing more of your adventures. Keep it up.

If i remember right it was the last week in June.

@@onemorecyclist excellent, the midge really put me off! I only subscribed in the last few months, very interesting to see how your style has evolved. Much more descriptive about the areas you are passing through or historic monuments these days which is great (unless there aren't any on that route!)

Thanks, Brian and good to have you following along. The midges weren't too bad overall (with a head net on for evening cooking in one or two places etc.), although the evening in Scourie was the worst midge I've ever experienced. I think making videos over time you try and find a bit of you own style or way of working that is practical for the rides, equipment and time available - still working on all that stuff.