Tiso launches Overland 500 - Scotland's Gravel Traverse
The outdoor clothing and camping company Tiso has just launched a new bikepacking route, the Tiso Overland 500. But this route is not just another bikepacking route.
- Your complete guide to bikepacking
- Bikepacking - Exploring the Roads Less Cycled Book Review
- Buyer's guide to gravel & adventure bikes
Tiso Overland 500 has been created by the nomadic cyclist, Andy Cox, and it showcases Scotland’s finest gravel, singletrack and quiet roads. The circular loop covers nearly 600 miles and in an audax-style there are seven checkpoints where you can collect stamps to your brevet, making this also a race if you so wish.
A brevet card can be collected from one of the checkpoint stores and it allows the rider to record their route the old school way! The other side of the brevet card has ideas on ways to make the ride a purposeful adventure.
The seven checkpoints are Tiso stores where riders can also grab a coffee, replenish items and then continue riding.
For those looking for a timed challenge, the Overland 500 Leaderboard will
showcase the fastest finishers' times. For a name on the board, the riders must submit their GPX file through the website (link is external) to be featured.
Not that you should ever leave any trash behind you when bikepacking, but if you prefer the slower pace in life, Tiso encourages riders to make the Overland 500 a Purposeful Adventure with Trash Free Trails, which is also one of the route partners alongside Cannondale and Apidura.
Together they are encouraging riders to pick up any litter they might find on the trails and to take their own litter with them. To help riders do this, trail clean bags will be available to collect from checkpoint stores.
The route
The route is 590 miles (950km) and covers 37,106ft (11,300m) of ascent. The surfaces vary, with the majority of the route being off-road - a mix of natural terrain, unpaved surfaces, gravel, asphalt and paved surfaces.
off.road.cc on WhatsApp
All the latest offroad cycling news, tech and buying advice straight to your phone.Follow our WhatsApp channel here
The Tiso stores included on the route are Inverness OE, Tiso Aberdeen, Tiso Dundee, Perth OE, Edinburgh OE, Glasgow OE and Aviemore OE and the route can be started and finished at any of the checkpoint stores. The route is available on Komoot (link is external) and Strava (link is external).
Read more about the Tiso Overland 500 from the link below.