Ten years on: Looking back at my first cycle trip around the North Coast 500

A decade after his first full North Coast 500 cycle, John Davidson revisited what turned into a defining Highlands challenge. The route had only been launched two years earlier when he took on the 500-plus miles over six days in 2016. He began in Inverness and, on day one, reached the major climb at Bealach na Ba after already riding more than 70 miles. Davidson rode with a support vehicle to carry luggage and meet for stops, avoiding heavy panniers but increasing daily distance. His team included cyclists Mike Dunthorne, Calum Rogerson, Malky Cleghorn, and Chris Ellison, with support drivers Kyle Beattie and Jon Ford. Fog at the Bealach forced a cautious descent before clearer weather helped carry the group toward Durness.