Essential Information - Cairngorms & Speyside - Self-Guided

• Luggage transfers (2 pieces per person, not exceeding 25kg in total)

• Accommodation - (twin or double en-suite rooms)

• All breakfasts

• GPS route directions and maps

• Waterproof bike phone holder

• Portable power bank (ideal back up for phone charging  without a plug socket )

• GPX tracks uploaded to your phone

• Emergency support (which may be at extra cost)
  

• Pre-booked evening meal reservation at each location (tour nights only)

• Airport transfers on the start and end days of the tour (the taxi fare costs £35 per journey)

• Support vehicle

• Single supplement (rate available on request) 

• Visa fees (where applicable) 

• Travel insurance

• Bike hire (available if required)

• Entry fees to any tourist sights en route

Travelling to Inverness is easy, as the city is well served with transport links. The airport is just a 20 minute drive from the city centre and there are good inland road and rail links into Inverness.

By plane

Flying to the Scottish Highlands couldn’t be easier.  Inverness airport is located 10 miles from the city centre and is serviced by taxi and bus services. A taxi will cost around £35 for the 20 minute journey to your accommodation, the bus services takes around 30 minutes to the city centre.  Please check the following airlines for more information:

British Airways (from London Gatwick and Heathrow) 
Easyjet (from London Gatwick, London Luton, Belfast and Bristol) 
Loganair (from Manchester) 

Travelling by Train

You can buy train tickets on the day of travel,  however this can be costly, so booking in advance is advised using an online service such as Trainline or ScotRail.

Traveling by Bus

Regular services connect Inverness with Glasgow, Edinburgh and London along with most other main UK bus stations. The Bus Station is located in the centre of Inverness and is approximately 1 mile from your accommodation (an approximate £6 taxi fare). 

Self-led trips are priced based on two participants sharing a room. For those who prefer their own room, a single supplement will apply per person, including solo travellers.

Bike Hire - All bikes are thoroughly serviced before rental to ensure top performance throughout your journey. In the unlikely event of a bike issue, such as a flat tyre, a call-out service is available at a charge of £50 to provide assistance on the route.

Hybrid/Touring - We have Trek FX 3 Disc Hybrid Bike/Touring

Road Bikes - We have  Trek Emonda or similar

 Trek Emonda ALR 4

E-bikes are TREK Powerfly. A durable aluminium frame that fully encases a long-range 625 Wh battery for great aesthetics and protection on the trails & Boardman HYB 8.9 which is a fast and practical flat-bar hybrid style e-bike, which uses the sophisticated, German engineered Fazua Evation drive system.  

E-Bikes Available

A pump, spare tube, tyre levers and multi tool are included in the price of the bike rental. All bikes are equipped with flat pedals. Those who prefer to use spd or clip-in pedals, are welcome to bring these with you. You are also welcome to bring your own saddle. 

The bikes will come with one water bottle cage fitted.

You are required to bring your own cycle helmet as this is not included as part of your bike hire and hire or purchase options cannot be guaranteed.  Cycle helmets are mandatory on our tours and should be worn at all times when cycling. Failure to wear a cycle helmet is at your own risk and might also affect the validity of your travel insurance.

Your daily route notes will include suggestions for lunch spots, and we’ll pre-book your evening meals to ensure availability in areas with limited dining options. We’ll also provide GPX files that you can easily upload to your Garmin or smartphone. To use these on your phone, simply download the Komoot or Ride with GPS app. If you don’t have a Garmin or need assistance uploading the files to your device, we’ll be happy to help you with this upon arrival in Inverness. All files will be sent to you no later than two weeks before the tour.

As outlined in our Booking Conditions, it is mandatory that you are well-insured for the full duration of your self-guided cycling tour. This must include cover for personal injury, medical expenses, death, repatriation, helicopter or aircraft rescue, loss of luggage or equipment, cancellation or curtailments and damage to hire equipment.

You should also ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities included in your tour. Any claims concerning matters for which you are insured must be directed to your insurers. We strongly advise that you take out insurance at the time of booking your trip and before booking your flights to ensure that you are covered in the event of cancellation or events outside of our control.

After a day of cycling, you will find your luggage has been transferred to your next accommodation.

The majority of the accommodation on this self-guided tour is either in quality hotels or bed and breakfast establishments.  All rooms offer en-suite facilities, including a great breakfast to keep you going throughout the day. 

Our choices usually come recommended for their character, warm welcome, facilities and location.

Scotland - Capital City: Edinburgh

If you decide to bring your own bike, it should be either a Mountain or Gravel bike.

We strongly recommend that you have your bike fully serviced before leaving to go on tour. Ensure that wheel spokes are adjusted, all bearings are greased, gear and brake cables checked, all nuts and bolts tightened, as well as checks made of the chain, quick release clamp and tyres.  Put in new inner tubes and ensure that wheel rims are not worn.

We recommend that you bring the following items with you.

• Multi tool
• Tyre levers
  
• Pump
  
• Spare inner tubes
  
• Spare spokes
  
• Check with your bike shop for disc/ brake pads
  
• A few links for your chain
  
• Spares for any items unique to your bike, for example, fluid or bleed kit.

Scotland has four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter), but is generally described as cool and wet. If you are not enjoying the weather you are currently experiencing just wait 5 minutes as the weather is remarkably changeable and you can experience all four seasons in one day. 

redspokes tours run at optimal times of the year: in June with spring flowers in full bloom and in September when stunning autumnal shades are everywhere.  In both seasons, conditions are balmy, days are long and light, midges are absent and you are avoiding the full blown tourist season. 

Average maximum temperatures in March, April and May range from 7 degrees to 13 degrees. June, July and August are the warmest months with average temperatures ranging from approximately 15 to 17 degrees and longer days due to the higher latitude.  Autumn brings temperatures ranging from around 8°C (46°F) to 14°C (57°F) from September to November.  December, January & February are the coldest months with an average temperature around 5 degress.  On average snow falls between 15-20 days a year,  with more falling on the peaks and mountains. 

Luggage transfers (2 pieces per person, not exceeding 25kg in total)

In terms of clothing, this list below is a rough guide as to what to bring. This guide is entirely flexible and should be tailored to your specific needs and preferences. 

• Cycle Helmet (mandatory and to be worn at all times when cycling)
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle or camelbak
• Base layer tops
• Fleece jacket/ pullover
• Waterproof/ Windproof cycling jacket (breathable fabric)
• Padded cycling shorts
• Long cycle tights
• Lightweight socks & heavyweight socks
• Trekking Shorts 
• Clothing to wear in the evenings
• Lightweight T-shirts 
• Long-sleeved shirt 
• Fingerless cycling gloves
• Warm gloves
• Warm fleece hat
• Buff
• Sunscreen

We recommend you bring your own first aid kit which should contain the following item; 

• Paracetamol/ Ibuprofen (or whatever you prefer for headache)
• Lomotil or Diacalm
• Rehydration salts (Dioralite)
• Antiseptic cream
• Throat lozenges
• Plasters (band aids)
• Eye drops
• Ear plugs
• Anti bacterial hand wash
• Antiseptic wet wipes
• Midge Repellent

Miscellaneous

• Energy Bars (gels, power bars)
• Energy/recovery drinks
• Camera
• Travel adapter plug (universal)

Whilst we endeavour to provide correct and relevant information obtained directly from the relevant Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate Generals - this information is subject to frequent changes, without warning and sometimes at very short notice.  For these reasons, we cannot be held liable for any errors in the information provided on our website. We strongly advise you to check all information with the embassy relevant to your country of origin regarding visa and/or entry requirements.

You must ensure that you are in possession of a full passport with at least 6 months validity from the date on which you enter the country.