Long-distance bike rides have been the chosen escape for me and my partner for the last 10 years. Cycling around lakes on the weekend we’ve been testing our endurance on longer trips on bike-packing expeditions. Our last journey took us through Scotland’s highlands and followed the North Coast 500 (NC500).

Scotland is the only place in the UK where you can wild camp, allowing you to explore freely. Since we planned our route before leaving, we knew a lot of great locations to spend the night. Staying anywhere allowed us to choose whether we wanted to stop, continue or explore.

Challenging the NC500 by bike-packing requires a lot of training and preparation. You’ll be cycling back-to-back, long-distance rides every day over formidable terrain. This can often be too much for people even without the additional gear. The NC500 is a road trip created by the North Highland Initiative in 2014. The traditional route covers 516 miles from Inverness Castle, then follows the coastline, finishing back where you started.

Like most cyclists who attempt this route, we followed a different path. The A9 and A99 on the East Coast, are the most dangerous and disliked roads for cyclists. Fortunately, a cycling route is available through central Scotland. This provides a cyclist-friendly alternative. Finding this route was the start of our adventure.

How you tackle the NC500 is completely up to you. Wild camping is a lot of fun for some people, but the idea of resting on the floor after a long ride can put people off. Hotels, lodges and B&Bs are all alternative options available along the route. Remember the challenge and enjoyment of this trip come from the cycling and the scenery. No matter your accommodation if you cycle the NC500 you should be incredibly proud.

We enjoy bike-packing as it allows us to see the scenic countryside without causing any harm. Cycling and camping both cause minimal environmental impact. Just remember to look out for litter and check where you’re pitching your tent. Cycling as a hobby has grown more popular in recent years. This is due to more people being concerned about their health and the environment. People's interest in the hobby has made longer trips more common, such as cycling holidays.

​Applecross Peninsula
We chose to cycle the route clockwise as we knew the West coast was more challenging than the East. The major incline started on the second day as we took on the Applecross peninsular. The daunting Bealach na Ba Pass holds first place on our list of unforgettable moments. Scaling 626m over 11.4 miles, the climb pushes you and your bike to the limit. For touring bikes full of gear, some sections proved too challenging, and I’ll admit, we pushed for part of the climb. This didn’t diminish the pride we felt at the top nor the views the entire way up.

Descending from the summit, we were greeted by the coastline in no time at all. Seeing the ocean and knowing we had completed one of the toughest climbs of the trip, made us feel on top of the world. We set up camp in high spirits and enjoyed the pub in Applecross that evening. Wild camping is quite common outside the town, and we met some great fellow cyclists when we set off in the morning. All the people we met on our trip were open and even offered great advice if they’d completed the tour before.

Strathy Point Lighthouse
Moving on to the north coast, we must share the stunning location of Strathy Point Lighthouse. A perfect spot to wild camp, the lighthouse is away from the main road and surrounded by flat ground to pitch tents. The surrounding cliffs and beaches are perfect for a rest stop for your aching bum and legs. We found an ideal spot overlooking the cliffs which, despite being windy, offered the respite we needed.

An extended trip: John o’ Groats
You may call us crazy for cycling the NC500 in the first place, but you’ll probably call us absolutely nuts for adding a whole extra day to our trip. Since we were up in the north, we wanted to see John o’ Groats and mainland UK’s most northern point. The cyclist version of the NC500 cuts inland after passing Melvich Beach and avoids the Northeast of the country. We decided that since we were in the very north, we should reach the most northern place we could.
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Our detour to John o’ Groats took us to Dunnet head and let us boast about being as far north as we could (without swimming). From there, we ventured along single-track lanes past the Castle of Mey and Scotland's Haven. These stunning attractions offered great stops along the journey. For me, the constant ocean views while cycling were my favourite part of the north coast. We reached John o’ Groats around mid-day and got to explore the hidden wonder at the end of the UK and enjoy a great lunch.

Are you up for the journey?
There's plenty more wonders to see along the North Coast 500, we’re happy to have shared our favourites. Would we recommend completing the route to others? 100%, but fair warning… It hurts. When it rains, it’s cold and hurts and when the 5th hill of the day hits, you’re grumpy while it hurts. To anyone planning to cycle the NC500, our best advice is to practice before attempting and read up on the gear and traffic. Practice cycling with gear and cycling in the rain. Follow routes that involve lots of hills and test your endurance for long rides day after day. I okay to have a support car, at the end of the day this is for fun not competition. We hope you’re feeling inspired to see the sights yourself, and that we didn’t spoil too much. After all, coming across a stunning bridge over a loch unexpectedly, is more memorable than finding one you’re already looking out for.

Amid the hustle of our daily lives, carving out moments for tranquility and balance has never been more vital. Battling the everyday grind, we've got to carve out time for stuff that boosts our health from head to toe. Pedaling your way through challenges, cycling stands out as not only a physical powerhouse but also a clear-headed ally in warding off depression.

A Journey to Wellness: Cycling's Therapeutic Impact
Hopping on a bike does more than build muscles; it's like hitting a reset button for your mind, especially when you're wrestling with depression. The act of cycling—feeling the rhythm of pedaling, the breeze against your face, and witnessing the ever-changing landscape—creates a meditative state, allowing you to stay present and escape the cycle of negative thoughts.

Stress Reduction on Two Wheels
The demands of modern life often lead to high cortisol levels, which are linked to stress and depression. Hopping on your bike often can keep those stress hormones in check, which is key for keeping a clear head and staying chipper. Maintaining this hormonal equilibrium is key; it steers you clear of sinking into depression's tough grip. Pairing this with visiting such establishments as Serenity Mental Health Centers, for example, will keep those down thoughts and heightened blood pressure at bay.

Cycling's Natural Mood Boost
Engaging in cycling triggers the release of endorphins, your body’s natural mood elevators. These mood-boosting endorphins work much like certain meds do, helping to lift your spirits without the side effects.

Building Confidence, One Pedal at a Time
Depression can severely affect self-esteem, but cycling offers a path to rebuild it. Hitting a new cycling record or just feeling stronger can be a real boost to your confidence. The positive changes in body image from regular cycling also contribute to a healthier self-view and mental state.

The Power of Community
Hopping into cycling groups or community rides can significantly slash those feelings of loneliness and offer a solid support system, which is super important when you're tackling depression.

Nurturing Resilience Through Routine
When you start to weave biking into your regular routine, it becomes a trusty ally in the fight against gloom, anchoring your well-being with its consistent presence.

Reconnecting with Nature
Hopping on a bike offers a sweet escape into nature, something city life often ditches but is key for keeping our minds in check. Breathing in the crisp air and basking in natural sunlight while pedaling through lush scenery can significantly lift your spirits.

Cognitive Clarity and Creativity
Pedalling your way through a bike ride can clear the fog in your mind and light up new, creative ideas. Riding your bike doesn't just sculpt your legs—it sweeps out the mental clutter, igniting a flurry of fresh ideas and keen understandings. To help boost your cognitive function and reduce any soreness from your biking, you might want to think about doing some cold water immersion therapy. It has quite a few mental and physical benefits in conjunction with your cycling.

The Ripple Effect of Positive Habits
Adopting cycling as a regular activity often leads to the formation of other positive habits. Getting into the groove with your bike rides can spark a whole transformation—suddenly, you're munching on greens, catching solid Z's, and nailing your daily planner. These gradual shifts shape a tougher, wiser you, ready to tackle depression's hurdles with an all-around stronger stance.

Cycling as a Pathway to Rehabilitation
When we look at how cycling boosts our mental state, it's clear that its perks go way beyond the person. Cycling in prisons not only sharpens mental agility but also lays a foundation for inmates to rebuild and integrate into the community post-release. Inside the walls of prisons, bike-riding initiatives are really stepping up as clever ways to boost mental wellness and get inmates into better shape while also giving them a positive way to spend their time.

Bike programs in prisons demonstrate a powerful commitment to giving inmates a fresh outlook on life, showing that cycling can lead to profound transformations. Knowing when a prisoner will walk free is key for those caught up in the justice system—it's all about being there for them and getting ready for their fresh start on the outside.

When you're tangled up in the prison system's web, getting a clear picture of your loved one's road to freedom matters. If you're in a bind with the prison maze, something like Lookup Inmate can be a real game-changer for people searching for that info. Navigating the twists and turns of the prison system, especially when it comes to keeping tabs on someone's journey through it, can be less daunting with a handy inmate search tool at your disposal. These platforms do more than track how well people are recovering; they also throw a spotlight on the crucial role that community backing plays in helping individuals seamlessly reintegrate into everyday life.

Shining a light on these bike programs and access to inmate details, we get why they're key—from boosting one's mental well-being to aiding society by helping folks rebuild their lives.

Conclusion: The Transformative Journey of Cycling
Cycling transcends physical fitness; it's a communal balm that forges bonds and nurtures recovery through the power of collective rides. Riding a bike does a whole lot more than just ramp up your fitness; it weaves us into one fabric, lifts our spirits when the going gets rough, and carves out this space where you're part of something bigger. The rhythmic motion of pedalling offers a meditative escape, endorphins released during the ride elevate mood, and the social interactions within the cycling community combat loneliness, together weaving a tapestry of therapeutic influences.

Cycling does more than rev up our health; it infuses hope into those piecing their lives back together, highlighting the power of a strong community in sparking fresh starts. When we, both as unique persons and collectively, recognize and champion these programs, we carve out a path to environments that embrace diversity and promote recovery.

Cycling emerges as a beacon of hope, tackling not only the inner struggles like depression but also healing the rifts within our communities. Every time we hop on our bikes and hit the road, let's remember: cycling does wonders for more than just our fitness—it's actually knitting a tougher, well-being-infused community right where we live.

To summarize, there is a lot to learn about the world of throttle e-bikes. You’ll get plenty of benefits from one, so consider making the switch today! ​

​The appeal of long cycling tours lies in their ability to transform an ordinary ride into an extraordinary adventure. For beginners and cycling enthusiasts alike, these journeys offer more than just physical exercise; they are a gateway to exploring new landscapes, experiencing a sense of freedom, and achieving personal growth. As you contemplate your first long cycling tour, remember it's about the journey as much as the destination.