The Covid-19 restrictions during 2020/21 in Scotland got round the world record holder Mark Beaumont and Bikepacking Scotland founder Markus Stitz thinking about where our local authority boundaries are. Taking those borders as inspiration, we mapped 24 routes ranging from 30 miles to 315 miles, covering the majority of Scotland’s local authorities, which are all included in the collection below. Craig Thompson helped us mapping a route around Aberdeen.
A note of caution. Different to other Bikepacking Scotland routes we could only test ride the Edinburgh, Midlothian, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian and Falkirk routes so far. For all other routes we have used Komoot and Open Cycle Map to map and review them on a computer, and also used our knowledge from other rides or projects like mapping the Perthshire Gravel Trails, John Muir Way or routes in the Cateran Ecomuseum.
When riding the Edinburgh route in winter we had to dismount and push multiple times, and also made alterations to the route while riding, so please be prepared for that. We would advise you to use common sense, carry sufficient spare kit and stick to emergency protocols.
Those routes are suggestions to inspire your own routes. You can send us feedback where they can be improved. Some councils are still missing from the collection, so if you want to map and share a route, use the feedback from below to get in touch.
Below you’ll find images from our joint rides.
Explore Your Boundaries – Edinburgh (Jan 2021)
All pictures by Markus Stitz. No unauthorised use – for any use please contact us.
Explore Your Boundaries – Midlothian (Mar 2021)
All pictures by Markus Stitz. No unauthorised use – for any use please contact us.
Explore Your Boundaries – Clackmannanshire (June 2021)
All pictures by Markus Stitz. No unauthorised use – for any use please contact us.
Explore Your Boundaries – East Lothian (July 2021)
All pictures by Markus Stitz. No unauthorised use – for any use please contact us.
Explore Your Boundaries – Falkirk (Sep 2021)
All pictures by Markus Stitz. No unauthorised use – for any use please contact us.
Explore your Boundaries in the media:
16 May – Biketourglobal – Radblog Rundfahrt im Frühling
14 May – Cycling UK – Explore Your Boundaries by bike
7 May – Cyclist – Cyclist Doorstep Rides, No5: komoot ambassador Mark Beaumont’s epic gravel adventure around Edinburgh
22 Apr – Shimano Gravel – Home is only a feeling you get in your mind
17 Apr – The Courier – Explore your boundaries: New film charts lockdown adventures of cycling champions Mark Beaumont and Markus Stitz
9 Apr – Cyclingtips – The austere beauty of winter cycling
3 Apr – Discover Scotland Magazine – Ice day for a bike ride
1 Apr – Gravel Cyclist – Explore your Boundaries: A Markus Stitz & Mark Beaumont short film – the joys of winter cycling around Scotland’s Capital
31 Mar – UKGravelbike.club – Explore your Boundaries – A Markus Stitz and Mark Beaumont short film highlighting the joys of winter cycling around Scotland’s Capital
28 Mar – In de Kopgroep (NL) – Deze korte film laat zien waar fietsen echt om gaat
26 Mar – off-road.cc – Video: Explore your Boundaries – Join Markus Stitz and Mark Beaumont on their Scottish winter epic
25 Mar – Yellow Jersey Blog – Mark Beaumont – from world circumnavigation to backyard exploration
24 Mar – Bike Mag – Explore your Boundaries 2021
24 Mar – Gear and Grit – Explore Your Boundaries – Mark Beaumont & Markus Stitz
23 Mar – Schwalbe Blog – Explore your Boundaries – A Markus Stitz and Mark Beaumont short film highlighting the joys of winter cycling around Scotland’s Capital
23 Mar – CyclingEurope.org – Mark Beaumont / Markus Stitz: Explore Your Boundaries
23 Mar – bikepacking.com – Explore your Boundaries (Film)
23 Mar – The Radavist – Explore Your Boundaries: Mark Beaumont & Markus Stitz
17 Feb – Highland Drifter – Strictly Local (Aberdeen Route)
14 Jan – Yellow Jersey Blog – Explore your boundaries
