Charity Bike Ride

Mountain bike the UK's longest off road trail!

"Nothing is impossible!"

These are the inspirational words of Jamie Andrew, quadruple amputee and co-founder of 500 miles, a brand new charity which aims to help amputees and other disabled people in deprived parts of the world.

Together, 500 miles and Trailbrakes are offering you the unique opportunity to take part in a truly unforgettable challenge, by riding Scotland's longest, continuous mountain biking adventure over a total of 500 miles! The route will take you through the most breathtaking Scottish wilderness, between some of the country's finest cities. Beginning in the south-westerly tip of Scotland, the trip will be a real test of fitness and stamina, with 9 days of adventurous riding, crossing the country no less than three times, before finishing at a luxury hotel in Inverness.

By collecting sponsorship money for completing the 500 miles charity bike ride, you can help 500 miles in their invaluable work in Malawi and Zambia. There, many people have to survive on less than £1 a day and there is no free medical help for those who lose a limb or the use of a limb through accident, disease or poverty. They are automatically consigned to a life of extreme poverty, degradation and discrimination - and some will inevitably die. For as little as £60, 500 miles can pay for a prosthetic limb in Malawi or Zambia and as little as £100 can pay for a life changing operation in Zambia.

This unique, exciting trip offers an unforgettable experience, not to mention a chance to help truly change people's lives for the better...so start collecting sponsorship money today!

07922 653327

Itinerary / Highlights

Summary
This is your chance to ride Scotland’s (perhaps the UK’s) longest continuous
mountain bike route. Beginning in the south-westerly tip of Scotland, this trip
is an awesome test of fitness and stamina, with 9 days of adventurous,
exhilarating riding crossing the country no less than three times, before
finishing in Inverness. The route takes in some of the most magnificent
scenery and cityscapes in Scotland and offers an unforgettable experience,
not to mention a chance to truly help change people’s lives for the better.

Highlights
Too many to mention, but include:
Riding some of the world’s best singletrack!
Beautiful and historic Edinburgh
Mountain passes and stunning scenery around Loch Lomond
Ancient drove roads leading to Glencoe
Travelling the length of Loch Ness

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. You arrive in Scotland. We can help you with transport to our start
point, get the bikes organised and talk through the trip. We stay overnight in
Newton Stewart, a bustling market town on the south west coast.

Day 2. From Portpatrick we weave along an interesting coastline on cliff top
trails before heading inland across open moors where the smugglers and
covenanters used to roam. The scenery changes as we approach the rugged
Galloway Hills on our long descent into the market town of Newton Stewart
for our overnight stop.

Day 3. We head off-road through the UK's largest forest park and on some of
the world’s finest single-track! We take on the granite outcrops at McMoab
then head into the hills where wild goats and deer still roam. Climbing higher
into the hills, a roller-coaster of a route takes us into the valley of the Shinnel
Water before reaching the birthplace of the pedal bicycle at Thornhill.

Day 4. Leaving Thornhill, we take on some world class, man-made trails at
the stunning Drumlanrig estate, taking time to marvel at the fantastic baroque
castle. We then head for the Lowther Hills on superb wild trails before taking
on the awesome routes through Ae forest. From here, we follow the ‘Crooked
Road’, with stunning views of the Moffat Hills, dropping down into the pretty
town of Moffat. Overnight stay in Moffat.

Day 5. We’ve got 3 tricky climbs today on some fabulous sections of
wilderness trail, and are rewarded with amazing views and sweet single-track.
Eventually we have a blistering descent into the bustling Borders market town
of Peebles. We sneak into the fantastic Glentress trails to complete a brilliant
day of biking. Overnight in Peebles.

Day 6. We start today winding our way through farmland on old
drove roads towards the outskirts of Edinburgh. From here there is one final
push up and a fantastic descent down the Pentland Hills to drop us into
Scotland’s beautiful capital city. After the epic climbs of the morning, it’s a
relief to have a period of flat, easy cycling! Following the Union Canal west
from the heart of Edinburgh, we dodge the pedestrians and dog-walkers and
head for Linlithgow, where we’ll see the magnificent, roofless remains of
Linlithgow Palace. We stop in Falkirk, home of the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s
first and only rotating boat wheel!

Day 7. Back on the Forth and Clyde Canal for an easy start which takes us all
the way to the cosmopolitan west end of Glasgow. We then head out of the
city via some scenic cycle paths and through Mugdock Country Park towards
iconic Loch Lomond. We follow the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond along
some great cycle paths and spend the night on the western side of the Loch.

Day 8. Today we begin by charging headlong into the Highlands on old
military and drove roads, surrounded by some of Scotland’s most impressive,
towering peaks. This is when we begin to feel like we are in the Highlands!
Excellent trails and ancient trade routes lead us through to Glencoe and
arguably the most magnificent scenery to be found in Scotland. Tonight we
stay right in the heart of this magical place!

Day 9. Leaving the majesty of Glencoe behind we tackle one of the biggest
climbs of the trip from Kinlochleven to Fort William. The trail is challenging
and technical and we are totally enclosed by mountains as we head ever
forward towards Ben Nevis. We cycle in the shadow of ‘The Ben’ and
continue into the Great Glen and some quick miles along the Caledonian
Canal. Our day ends in Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness.

Day 10. Today is the last on this epic journey and we cycle the full length of
Loch Ness. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for the monster! Great trails
and superb scenery take us along the banks of the loch. One final climb out
of Drumnadrochit is rewarded by a detour to the excellent Abriachan trails
and a fantastic final descent to the Capital of the Highlands and our journey’s
end at Inverness – what a way to finish! Tonight we stay in the lap of luxury in
Inverness. For those with any energy left, a Saturday night of live music and
lively bars will keep you going until the wee small hours and for those who
just want to collapse, a luxurious bed and hot bath awaits!
Well done you made it!

Other Details

Accommodation Details

We use only tried and tested accommodation providers who we know will give a good quality service. They provide everything you could need after a long day in the saddle from secure bike storage to hot showers, hearty food and comfortable beds. Accommodation will be in a combination of guest houses, small inns or hostels with dorm style beds and is on a bed and breakfast basis.