Too old for big bikepacking?
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- čas přidán 3. 12. 2022
- Gravel bike across Scotland and back in a weekend - was I fitter in my 30s or 60s?
Komoot Routes: tinyurl.com/AAA-acrossandback
Ridden 22 & 23 October 2022
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Video length absolutely matches content. Brilliant! It's a trip, and 20 minutes allow You to be immersed in the experience. No "downtime" in the editing, so the change is more than welcomed. Keep up the great work!
I agree 👍🏽 The length is perfect and makes for an enormous amount enjoyment watching this adventure. 😊🌿
I’ll second that motion
I wouldnt even try to compare the 2 rides to be honest. On the first ride you had mates with you to help each other along. On this ride you were alone and filming the whole thing. ie all the stop starting and so on. Theres probably a whole list of pros and cons but one thing is for certain, youve got something that age doesnt affect, your personality and you had that for both rides. You have determination, enthusiasm, willpower, drive etc etc. I know people in their 20s who couldnt do that ride, or handle those conditions. That was a great effort by any standards or any age, well done mate.
Thanks Tony
Thanks for creating this. I'm 61 and as active in my 60's as my thirties. Just keep moving and the body will reward you. Again, great video.
Good advice!
Great video! I'm 66 and in much better shape now than my 20/30's! I swim, bike, hike and unicycle almost everyday now! I truly believe that a body in rest -will rust! I've seen the light go on for middle age people that were out of shape and decided that they wanted their life back. The trick is to take that first step followed by the second . It's as simple as that! Watching this video, I want to put Scotland on the list for a cycling trip.
Sounds great - well done!
I have to say that 20 minutes was a really decent time and let the content breath a bit. Sometimes I find that 10 minutes is too short to tell a whole story. Plus what a great ride too! Well done, you are an inspiration!
Thanks. I try to give them what they’re worth and it felt this was worth longer. I’m working on another similar length right now about a trip last week. Some channel Members will see it this week and it’ll be out by Christmas.
A superbly inspirational video Simon. It's never too long if the content is good enough: I really enjoyed this one. As a relatively new cyclist I discovered your channel and media only a few weeks ago and I'm catching up on vids and podcasts and greatly enjoying everything. Really interesting content and very professionally packaged. Thanks for the inspiration and for the continually high standards in the content.
Thanks for taking the time to Comment Rupert - it's words like that keep me making these videos.
I am so impressed with your spirit, strength and endurance and filming!!. I am 60 and I walk, hike, bike, paddle and camp, ski, play hockey, weight train, mobility train and do yoga. Your channel and the help of others have got me to pace myself more and not overtrain which is not good at any age. I am thrilled to follow you for the rest of our lives, it will be fun to see how we keep up and move over the next 3 decades. Thank you :)
Makes me want to get on a plane and head straight to Scotland! Thank you for the effort - both times - in the 90’s and now.
I live in Azores, São Miguel Island (Portugal) and the wether here is mainly rainy and foggy (not cold). I just felt home watching this.
Great route and think the video gave a fair representation of the difficulties which can be expected on such trails.
A lovely video, shot in stunning scenery, cold and all! I am 60 and suffered a heart attack last May, It knocked my confidence as a life long touring cyclist. So, two days a go I started 30 minutes of cycling over 30 days to get me back in the saddle. I will overcome this some how, I do think it is mind over matter, but I need to get my confidence up and your video helped. A big thank you from me and my family. (Subscription button has been pressed)
I'm pleased the video offered some encouragement Sanatan. One of the guys in the original group who did this in 1996 with me now has heart problems, but has built back again and rides daily. Best of luck with your journey.
To cycle this route takes a good level of physical and mental resources . Throw in all the filming from dozens of points, plus the drone, added a dimension that you could not have even considered back in the 90s when you re did the route nearly 30 years later. If the 1990’s Simon was offered the option to age with the mental clarity and fitness of the 2022 Simon, I’d bet he would have accepted it in a heart beat! I often think when I grow up, I want to be a Simon. And I’m 55 now!
That was the first video of yours I've seen and it's the first cycling CZcams video I've watched all the way through in ages. Cracking job, loved it.
Wow, thank you!
Brilliant video Simon and undoubtedly a massive effort so thanks for that. I saw the length of it and thought I'd just watch 10 mins and come back later, but I ended up watching all of it so that must say something. Fitter or not is probably an irrelevant question. All that camera set up, retrieve, drone up, drone down, unpack, repack, etc. means you probably did the route a couple of times; no wonder you ran behind schedule into Ullapool. What's perhaps more interesting than fitness as we age is motivation. You clearly still have it in lorry loads as it would have been so easy to turn round at the half way point. A bed in Ullapool was no disgrace at all in those circumstances. Ageing might mean loss of fitness (it depends on your start point I suppose) but should motivation drop? Clearly being motivated to even do small, frequent challenges has got to be beneficial for slowing the ageing process and making those retirement years some of the best in life.
A very good analysis Mike. The fitness thing is really just a headline, but I hadn’t thought about all the extra distance for camera set-up. You’re right!
You said that well and I would add, as a 63-year-old still-out-there rider, that enjoyment is another factor or maybe more accurately the joyous absurdity of facing the elements with alternating grimaces and smiles as an all-weather, all-year commuter, sort of crazy but I was okay with being a kook on a Sting-Ray all those decades ago and it is amazing to still be in touch with that freedom and vitality and imagination and, well, sometimes even the speed or an approximation of it. 😀
Well produced, interesting to watch, very cool :)
Content and running time spot on Simon,from a 73 year old cyclist thanks for all the encouragement.
Awesome video, definitely not too long for the great content that it included! I really enjoyed it!
Excellent video and effort. You've still got it!
Thank you for making these videos. Keep em coming!
Really looking forward to watching this when I get home!
Loved it, and wishing all your videos were this long Simon. No pressure! 😄
Thanks for sharing another great adventure, presented very professionally. Your videos are giving me great inspiration to keep pedalling, in the hope that I’ll be able to continue for many years to come. Keep up the great work.
Really enjoy your work, very informative and stunning scenery. Thank you.
Wonderful video Simon, not too long at all for me, I enjoyed every minute and appreciate the time and effort that went into it!
Really enjoyed your video interesting and not too long at all ,cheers neil 😀
Great vid Simon, you've still got it👍🚴♀️🏴
Great video. The length was fine - I often wonder about the amount of work that goes into even a short video, getting ride-by shots etc so well done for this and it's very much appreciated.
I really enjoy your videos and revel in the fact that I live in a country with such wonderful and changing scenery as well as, um, changeable weather. With friends in Strontian, I have visited these types of 0laces many times but you still manage to show things that are new to me. Thank you so much.
Amazing trip. Great video. Fantastic job Simon.
Excellent video! Kudos to giving it a go. So great to see you out there challenging yourself. A fantastic inspiration. Thanks for sharing. #everyrideisepic
Great video Simon. Loving the retro vibe as well 👍
Brilliant video!! Definitely not too long. The whole thing is beautifully shot and extremely interesting 😊 Thank you!
Well done sir! Great content and filing, I’ve tried this a few times and realize just how hard they are to do and piece together! Keep it up!!
Really enjoyed the video ... perfect run time for my attention span. Beautifully filmed.
What a great another adventure. You have my full respect. When I watched this video my dream goes still on. I have to come back to Scotland - with my bike.
Great video. I enjoy the longer format when the scenery is as good as this. Inspiring!
Fantastic route Simon and ill be having a go this spring. The length was fine, not a problem when cycling is one of my many hobies, i enjoy all you content.
I thoroughly enjoyed that and you’ve just gained a new follower. Thank you and safe travels. 👍
Excellent and inspiring. Thank you for taking us along
Thanks Calvin
I love your videos, but this may be the best so far. I cannot wait to visit your beautiful country and ride, ride, ride.
Fantastic video, enjoyed every second!
Doh! Can't imagine how I missed this when you first uploaded as I've been waiting for you to publish. Anyway, great video as always so thanks again for making my bucket list even longer.
Thanks Pete. On my way out to do another like this.
Another fab video Simon. The time, as others have said was just right for the content. Looking forward to seeing the next one!
Thanks David - hope you're enjoying all the paddling.
that's the spirit! I'm in my 30s now, fitter than I ever was and hoping to be in a similar physical and mental space as you are once I'm in my 60s. so inspiring!
That was bloomin brilliant. I so enjoyed it. Slick editing of great content, and great story too. Thank you!
I'm pleased you liked it Nick - more on the channel
Excellent video! Truly inspirational! Thank you. The length of the video fits the content perfectly!
Thanks a lot Alan
Great video and was worth the extra effort. This video brought back childhood memories of family holidays in Ullapool and Ardgay over 40 years ago. I always enjoy your videos and look forward to seeing more.
Thanks Steve - both places have changed in the time I’ve been going. You’d probably see more.
That was a fantastic video Si. I love it, and I am a fan of your artistry!
Thank you so much Suresh
Another excellent video, Simon. Normally I'm a fan of slightly shorter videos but where you are concerned the longer ones are a joy to watch & this was no exception. Any shorter & you wouldn't have done the route justice. This is a cracker of a route but I must say that the more I watch people riding gravel bikes in Scotland the more I'm happy to remain on my old 26er MTB! I have actually just joined the gravel bike owners club but I'm going to be keeping it for mainly road work linked by occasional off-road sections. Putting low tread tyres on has made the bike a pleasure to ride on the road & remarkably capable off as well.
What a cracking video! Well done for both the ride itself and the filming solo, it was an enjoyable watch.
Thanks Michael
Great video, Simon. Informative with exactly the right amount of detail, and definitely not too long. Despite the poor conditions, it looked as though you thoroughly enjoyed the return trip. My appetite has been wetted!
It was rather good, although it took about a week to recover. I've just done another two-dayer which will be out around Christmas.
Thankyou for your monumental effort in making this film, not too long as I often wish your films were longer! Perfect and keep doing it.
Thank you Simon
Good on you mate, I’m planning bikepacking at 73 . I have been cycling on and off most of my life so your videos are inspiring. Looking to do so medium stuff this year and then the small isles next year .
Really enjoyed that video, thank you. Great content and a fantastic route!
I most likely read your MBR article 26 years ago, being a subscriber back then. It's brilliant that you're still taking on such a challenge.
You only get old if you stop, you don't stop because you get old!
Nice one.
Thanks Gary - you’ve nailed it about not stopping. Spot on.
Wonderful production, filming and narration, perfect length for the type of content. Keep it up!
Thanks Allan
Great story that deserved telling in full with a longer film. I reckon you made it look easier than it was!
Thanks Adrian, much appreciated. Recovery from this took around a week - that was the harder part 😁
Thanks Simon for sharing your wonderful adventure. I can image the memories of your previous ride came flooding back as you rode. Had the pleasure of hiking in Scotland in 2016. Hope to return someday.
Glad you enjoyed it
Perfect length and exactly the type of content I am looking for…Informative , adventurous and entertaining with all the additional content required to enjoy this route myself available via the links in the description. Perfect !
Good to hear - thank you
Length, no way is it too long. Only 20 minutes, and so much packed into it from that epic journey. And your post production work must take many hours but you end up with a very interesting and watchable presentation. Great job, thanks for taking us along on the ride!
Glad you enjoyed it Alex
A great video that brought back memories as I did that route in 2019 and 2021, although in two halves. 2019 I started at Black Bridge, rode to Croick and then to Ullapool on the route you used. As you say, it's tough in that section. In 2021, i did the other half, again from Black Bridge to Croick and then a big loop via Bonar Bridge. Riding in the Highlands is like nothing else with the scenery and the weather! The additional effort you made with the filming is incredible, all the to-ing and fro-ing to place the camera, ride past, go back, get the camera...Amazing, thank you!
So true about the Highlands Jerry! Oh, and thanks for recognising the extra work with the filming. I'm used to it now, but it really does take time.
Beautiful stuff, much longer, much appreciated. Gives a full satisfying dose of the adventure. I could almost feel it.
Thanks Samuel - good to see you here again
what a fantastic 20 minutes video! i don’t know why i felt this was very emotional as you recover your past good memories :) just wanted to say i have been following you since lockdown, and you gave me inspiration from your video that i did nc500 scotland the sun was on our side for whole week , it was one of the best memorable trip i ever did (august 2021) move love amar
I’m so grateful you took the time to write this Amar - and very please I helped encourage you along the way. Thank you.
Just came across your channel. What an inspirational set of films you make! The care and attention to detail is above and beyond. Plus, the fact you’re a chap of vintage years gives me much inspiration to continue riding (I’m 54 this year).
Thank you. I’ll take Vintage too. 😀
Great video Simon along with your others , so glad i found your channel with so many good tips on everything cycling and fitness . At 70 Im still doing as much cycling , running and long distance walking as i can and love all of it but as you said recovery is so much harder at this age . You need to be almost as dedicated to rest and recovery as you do to fitness and exercise Planning the new Kirkpatrick C2C next spring
Very well put together no nonsense trek with meaning and guts- bravo !
Glad you enjoyed it Chris - many more in the Adventure Cycling playlist too 😁 tinyurl.com/AdventureCycling
Great effort, Simon! Well done. Looks a stunning ride. 👍
Probably nicer when you can see more!
Excellent video production on this one, Simon!
Thank you David
I agree with others the video length was perfect for the excellent content. There's no point editing something so much it doesn't do the route or trip justice. Fantastic camera work and really entertaining - thanks Simon.
Looks like a pretty intense workout, though. Not something I'd want to do alone or with a group, however. Still, being out there in such remote terrain would definitely take one's mind off of one's difficulties in life. Fascinating to watch and listen. Amazing footage. Never did like cycling on bumpy, pothole-ridden dirt and wet roads, but obviously some cyclists do--can't think of a worse way to spend time than on a gravel or mountain bike. My preference would be riding my hybrid bike with panniers around a medium-sized, leafy city all-year-'round, rain or shine (on decent road surfaces). But you give us a really good feel for what an adventure in a fairly rough environment would consist of. Thanks very much for taking us along with you. I admire you for doing what you enjoy doing. That’s the main takeaway for me: Do what you enjoy in life as much as possible! When you do that, breathing in and out everyday can be a beautiful thing!
Superb stuff, really worth watching, and not a minute too long. My favourite adventure channel, probably because I am just ahead of you in the age stakes!
Thanks Graham
Thanks for doing the route and sharing it. Now I have another ride on my bucket list 🪣😃👍
Good to hear!
At 75 my biggest problem is getting my leg over the saddle……I’ve tipped over a few times , so I’m conscious of the possible event . Once on it’s a piece of cake….so far !! Thank you for the episode even though what I say doesn’t have a lot to do with your theme….Christmas greetings to you and yours.
I'm 66 and you guys in your 70s & 80s give me hope.
Perfect length for me, could even be longer, and thanks for all the effort. As a 60 something it’s great to have inspiring videos like this to watch. I find I can just about do things I did in my 30’s but like you take longer to recover. Please keep the videos coming.
I mentioned this in a couple of replies, that I took a week to recover from this, so you're spot on. I think this might be a video in itself. Thanks for the idea.
Super video, thank you for all the work and effort.
So nice of you
Fantastic content, not too short, not too long., and looks great too, well done, and thank you.
Superb video sir 🤝 Absolutely loved it. Thank you 🙂👍
Excellent stuff. First of your videos I've seen but will definitely check out the others. I'm same age as you so good to see us older riders still going strong. One thing though, I think if I did similar ride I'd wait for better weather!
It was meant to be good weather! By the time I’d driven to the start I felt committed.
Really enjoyed the video, Simon and you smashed the adventure as usual!
Brought back memories of our cycling holiday 2 years ago, where we did a 3 Centre trip:
Apple cross for 1 night to cycle the Bealach Na Ba. 2 nights in Ullapool and 3 in Kenmore, Perthshire where we cycled around Lochs Rannoch and Tay.
My 2 pals and me chat regularly about our 2 ferry Ardnamurchan trip earlier this year, inspired by your video.
That was a great ride and the fish and chips and a pint in The Loch Sheil Hotel was great too!
Well done again.
Pat
Glasgow.
Sounds like you've had some great trips Pat, and I'm glad I helped to give a little encouragement
You are one fit fella , beautiful vid with lovely music , I’ll be 60 in January, you are a fine example . Thanks.
A thoroughly enjoyable watch, didn't feel like 20 mins! You showcase Scotland really well and I look forward to visiting from south of the border to experience it first hand. Well done on re-capturing your youth, where does the time go!
Thank you - yeah Scottish scenery is quite a star turn
That exuberant joy at 14:15 was great to see :) Talking about memories - I find cycling great for prompting memories of locations when you retread them - long forgotten but suddenly a view will hit a sweet spot and bring it back.
That is so true. I’m often left with a big smile.
New to your videos, been occasionally getting up to Scotland for hiking and cycling for the last 25 years (where does the time go !). Getting some great ideas for routes and trips, many thanks for it all ! Oh, and this isn't too long at all, it's all well filled with great information, commentary and filmwork - only time videos get tedious is when they use 'filler'. Thanks again !
Thanks Robert. You might find the route collections in Komoot useful when you're planning: www.komoot.com/user/alwaysanotheradventure/collections
Thanks Simon, another great adventure with excellent content, therefore 20 mins isn’t an issue.
As a 60 something gravel route enthusiast your videos are inspirational and helpful, especially when I’m being questioned about my plans on my ‘remote’ local rides😳😂
Great film Simon. Inspirational stuff. It's great to see people out there pushing the envelope across these tracks and trails.
Thanks Andy
@@alwaysanotheradventure I've only just come across your stuff and as a relatively new gravel enthusiast who is of a similar age - with what I presume is a similar mountain bike background - is good to see the routes. I've been following my nose on roads and tracks in the Dales and Lakes and that's been fantastic. Scotland always seems way more "out there", but will be up in Nevis/Glencoe area (we stay in Kinlochleven) at some points in the summer so looking forward to taking the gravel bike.
Beautiful video! I being in my 60s also love that you can still do what you did in your 30s. I too recognize that what I did in my 30s ,I can still do, though it does take, like you, a greater toll.
It took me about a week to recover - perhaps that should have gone into the video
Good channel. Im heading for Georgia from Zurich next month to celebrate my 70th.
Wow - can I just say, as a fellow ‘youtuber’ that your videos are absolute class. I discovered your channel recently and have been blown away - your knowledge, detail, ideas, production, care and attention is incredibly inspiring Simon. It’s not often I’m utterly blown away by a CZcams channel these days - often the content is good but the production is average (recently my videos fall
Into this category…) but you’ve lit a bit of a fire again to really put all the skills, love and care into my vids again - but these are truly amazing videos. Thanks for making them - and giving me a bloody good shove..!!
That’s very kind of you - and you have a new subscriber too!
@@alwaysanotheradventure well that’s both very kind and very unnerving! Thank you, Simon! I really enjoy your films!
Great stuff,
As a cyclist just turned 60 I can confirm great adventure can still be achieved on a bicycle. Just a few months ago I completed the KAW in less than 4 days and with a slightly dodgy right hip too.
I'd love to do some cycling in Scotland
Thanks for another great video and as always inspiring me to go further.
have just retired and you show what’s possible!
Keep them coming and as other comments length is great.
Thanks Paul. Lots of others in the Adventure Cycling playlist
Great video, thought it would be too long, but I couldn't not see it all. Beautiful scenery and some great puddles to cross
I just turned 71 and after over 50 years of cycling of all sorts I still find it fun and inspirational. I really enjoyed your video and didn't lose interest since you are a great teller of stories and your video production and editing are spot on. I have a bit of Scotland in my blood on my mother's side but alas have not had the pleasure of a visit to your fair land. Perhaps one day before I can no longer lift my leg to get over the top tube I'll get to do some gravel paths in the mountains and valleys. Thanks for sharing a wonderful adventure!
Keep getting that leg over Andy! 😁
Terrific! I'm only beginning to cross country ride in Australia in my 60's! I loved the videography - that would have added much time to your ride!
Smashing stuff as usual!
Simple... length not an issue when it’s great content.
👍
Thank you, Simon, for another video with fantastic scenery. I do appreciate all the extra time your rides take due to all the videoing you do and having to go back and retrieve your camer and drone. not sure now if I could manage much longer distance cycling at the moment. 2 weeks ago, I struggled to walk at work, my arthritis in my right knee suddenly got worse, now waiting for a cortisone injection and possibly a knee replacement, can't believe 5 weeks ago I did 240 miles in 3 days around Kent, and now can't walk more than a few yards without crutches.
Crikey that came on suddenly- I’m sorry to hear that. I know I’m lucky to have made it this far with no major interventions. And I’m pleased you enjoyed the video and the work that went into it!
@Always Another Adventure I've had arthritis right knee for about 10 years, gradually got worse. But my physiotherapy consultant said it's not caused by just cycling, but weight and doing a job where I'm on my feet virtually all the time apart 1 half hour break, if lucky, I know several fellow chefs on the larger size that have it as well.
Really nice video Simon
I enjoy the longer videos you make a lot. Keep them coming please
Will do - difficult to have great adventures in winter but some are planned.
Amazing video great length and content!! Keep up the good work guys
Thanks
Thank you it was a very enjoyable though sadly vicarious trip! I have been binge watching your older athletes series. The videos have been motivational and inspirational. I am four years behind you and I will not let the old man in!
Glad you like them!
Just stumbled across your channel and I am so glad I have. Video length was perfect for the trip, totally immersed in the beautiful landscape and the quality of the editing, great work👏👏 I am just coming back to cycling after 20 odd years sailing and teaching on the water, I have just rebuilt my old Ti MTB and intend to start bikepacking next year. Your channel has shown me that at 61 I can ans will get out there with my trusty old Raleigh Special products Torus..... looking forward to working through the channel Thanks.
Thanks very much. I bet you'll have some great adventures on that Ti MTB!
Just discovering this channel. Absolutely lovely. Thank you 👍
Welcome John. Hope you find lots to enjoy
Another great Video and as always very inspiring. The length was great, just long enough to hold my attention and not so long that I couldn’t wait for the end.
Thanks to your video on the Sonder Camino that was the bike I chose for my adventures and this year I did some major trekking across France and Spain. The bike was perfect even in mountain bike territory.
Thanks for remaining honest on your opinion of bikes, equipment and routes. Stay safe.
That's great to hear, thank you. (Tell Sonder please 😁)
Great job & inspiration!
Epic ride. Video length was fine, and glad the weather stayed good for you. Waterproof socks are a must for all Scotland riding, lol. Drew.