NC500 with bikes?

[Jake Royd]

Doing the NC500 in May.
In view of the fact that we have about 17 days what is the wisdom on taking bikes?
Will we use them or will we be driving and one night stopping with no time for much cycling?

I know this is not an absolute either way but would be interested in your comments

 

[Riverbankannie]

17 days gives you lots of time to stop over - but ….roads are narrow and I don’t remember much in the way of cycle tracks. The pretty bits are also very hilly.
If your bikes are on a rack at the back, I don’t think I would take them as they are an extra hindrance to you finding parking spaces. We took our Bromptons inside but they never saw Scotland! Just going for walks was nice enough.
To explore Orkney, we took a day trip from John O’groats with coach included, well worth it.

 

[Jake Royd]

17 days gives you lots of time to stop over - but ….roads are narrow and I don’t remember much in the way of cycle tracks. The pretty bits are also very hilly.
If your bikes are on a rack at the back, I don’t think I would take them as they are an extra hindrance to you finding parking spaces. We took our Bromptons inside but they never saw Scotland! Just going for walks was nice enough.
To explore Orkney, we took a day trip from John O’groats with coach included, well worth it.

That's what my instinct is telling me. Particularly since the bikes are carried on the rear carrier.