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Dear <<First Name>>
Time flies! About a year ago the idea of Bikepacking Scotland was born, and it's been a great adventure since I designed a website and filled the social media channels with content last January. We are close to the 2,000 mark on Facebook, almost at 1,500 on Twitter and scraping on the 1,300 on Instagram. Those are just numbers, what is more important are the comments, shares and messages from all across the world. From you!
With The Reiver Raid and Wild About Argyll Bikepacking Scotland has managed to inspire many people to ride their bikes in Scotland. Whether you are fortunate enough to live here, or come to visit us, for me Scotland is the best country in the world for bikepacking.
But Bikepacking Scotland is much more for me. Both the Reiver Raid and the Wild About Argyll Trail are the result of great partnership work with local people and organisations, who are are excited to welcome you to their regions and share their knowledge.
For the next year there are a few interesting plans already. Personally I am very excited to travel up to Braemar soon to speak about my round the world adventure and deliver a bikepacking workshop and guided ride with Jay, who has helped a lot shaping Bikepacking Scotland and the Central Belter. Join us on 2 & 3 March, or say hello in Glasgow on 4 March at SCROPS.
And if you wonder how I will get from Braemar to Glasgow overnight? Well, here's to the first big ride in 2018.
Happy riding,
Markus
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Ten reasons why Scotland should be on your bucket list for 2018
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We are sure there are many more reasons why Scotland should be on your bucket list for 2018, but for a starter here are ten reasons we could think of for the Yellow Jersey Blog.
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Ask us all about the Wild About Argyll Trail at SCROPS in Glasgow
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Thanks heaps to everyone who watched our Wild About Argyll film, which has received a lot of positive comments from around the world.
We are also looking forward to a big feature story on the route in the German magazine Bike Adventure, which will be out on 16 February. On social media you can find out more about the magazine on the Bike Adventure Facebook page.
If you are based in Scotland, or would like the perfect excuse for a weekend trip, you can ask us all about the trail at the Scottish Cycling, Running and Outdoor Pursuits Show in Glasgow, where we will be at the Wild About Argyll Stand on Sunday 4 March with a fully packed Surly Straggler, the bike that was used to film the video. You can find out more about the show here, and please say hello. Markus will also be on stage at the show.
And as Markus is a native German speaker we took the opportunity to release a new version of Wild About Argyll in German, which can be watched here on our YouTube channel.
And don't forget to share your stories from the trail on social media, simply tag us @bikepackingscot and use #waat as hashtag.
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Bonnie Scotland - The Highland Trail 550 with Joachim Rosenlund
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And another inspiring video, featuring Joachim Rosenlund on his journey on the Highland Trail 550, which starts and finishes in Tyndrum. if you want a mega bikepacking adventure, start in Edinburgh on the Central Belter route, which takes you to Tyndrum and on the first section of the trail. You can find out more about both routes here. |
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The Central Belter in winter and 10% off all 45NRTH boots and apparel
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Our latest short film was filmed on the Central Belter at Beecraigs Country Park on a frosty winter day. If you are interested in keeping your hands and feet dry and warm, you can get 10% off all 45NRTH boots and clothing at CharlieTheBikemonger.com. Simply use "STITZ10" as code at the checkout. |
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Bikepacking Scotland Workshops and Guided Ride at the Braemar Mountain Festival
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If you haven't got any plans for the weekend starting 2 March yet, please join us at the Braemar Mountain Festival for a bikepacking workshop and guided ride with Jay and Markus. You will know our faces from The Reiver Raid. Markus will also be talking about his Round the World Trip on Friday 2 March. To book those events, simply click on the button below (when you get to the Eventbrite page, select 'tickets' first and then the events).
The Workshop
In this in this 2-hour workshop Jay and Markus will share their bikepacking secrets with you. Learn how to prepare for a bikepacking trip, which bike to choose, where to find your perfect route, how to pack efficiently, how to plan your own trip and much more.
Price £15 – max 30 people
The Ride
If you want to experience bikepacking first hand, join Markus and Jay on a half day guided ride around Braemar. Both Markus and Jay are qualified mountain bike leaders and very experienced bikepackers. On this 3 hour guided ride they will lead you though the magnificent landscape of the Cairngorms National Park, while sharing their bikepacking tips and tricks.
Price: £30 – max 15 people
Please note: A well-maintained and safe mountain bike, helmet, protective gloves and glasses, clothing appropriate for the weather conditions and appropriate shoes are compulsory. You will also need to bring your own food and any spares necessary for the ride. Weather dependent, we reserve the right to cancel the event if there is snow cover or other weather conditions, which do not allow for safe guiding under the British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership Award Level 2. Before the ride you will need to complete a rider information and consent form.
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