Mark Beaumont rides 500 miles on "Scotland's Route 66" - in less than 38 hours

If I recall correctly, in the movie "Vento", about the Italian Po long-distance cycle route, it was stated that the German cyclotourism market is 0.5% of that country's GDP.  That's because the Germans have invested in quality infrastructure. So with the right investment, and a change in attitudes to cycling, there's a massive economic opportunity here for Scotland.

Jeez how can anyone bitch about this ? Trying to get people cycle more in Scotland should be applauded. Will plan to ride a sportive up there I think next year.

> therefore the above comments by all above, i feel are valid and worthwhile.
swivel eyed loon think that comments by other swivel eyed loons (of which they are 1/3) are "valid and worthwile" shocker... Not even sure it's worth pointing out how potty your second "point" is...

money being spent not on cycling , but promoting cycling should therefore be judged on its merits as whether it should be spent on that, or actually on other things that would make cycling easier for everyone - therefore the above comments by all above, i feel are valid and worthwhile.

lets say Visit Scotlands budget is 10million, and they spend 500,000 of that on promoting cycling in scotland, could that 500,000 be spent on day to day infrastructure to benefit all of us who cycle - with the knock on effect that would also benefit tourists too.

As far as I can see VisitScotland and Mark Beaumont aren't responsible for the shit roads and pish cycle lanes in the Central Belt.

Honestly, some people tie themselves in knots of indignation...

To the miserable gits up thread, I'd like to see you ride this distance in any where near the same time as MB did. Lighten up and give the guy his dews. He has probably done a lot more for cycling than you will ever achieve.

I don't think Mark Beaumont flew in from Monte Carlo for the trip. He appears to live and train in Perthshire and I've seen him at least once this year on his bike in Perth at 'rush' hour. Why the negativity about Visit Scotland trying to pull in some cycle tourism?

It's a pity he didn't do a 37 hours 58 minutes tour of the shit roads all across Central Scotland that are a cyclist's nightmare. That way it may have drawn some attention to the not fit for purpose roads we have to put up with - and shamed the councils responsible into doing something about them.

so...................zero funding for anything bike related on this 500mile route then, its just one Visit Scotland "spend your tourist buck here" promo?

and am assuming given his kit he's decked out in, Mark B. got paid to do this also?

perhaps he should spend 37hours 58mins riding round the cycling infrastructure of Inverness or Glasgow at peak times and understand thats where the money needs to spent......

perhaps these now famous scottish cyclists should start to speak out about this subject - or perhaps most of them do not do most of their riding here, nor do they need to do the 9-5 commute on their bikes.

Legend.