April 2017 - Markus Stitz

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New book - Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

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Dear Mike.

Dear Mike.

Inspiring People

It is a real shame you said goodbye so quickly. We only met a few times, but there are only a few people that have…

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Fort William Mountain Festival - I ❤️ it. Sadly a

Fort William Mountain Festival - I ❤️ it. Sadly a shorter visit this year, but I made to most of the great festival, the people I met & the wonderful setting of Lochaber. The weather played ball as well. The theme of my talk was People Power - and it was a great inspiration to rework my talk based on that theme - the people that enable my adventures, the bikepacking family, bikes which are so capable these days & finally the communities we build. And it was great to share the stage with Katie, Anna, Alex & Matt.One of those communities which I like supporting is the @lochaber_trail_association - I loved my second dig day, riding trails on an unsuitable bike & the chats.And I might have two book projects inspired by the weekend - a gravel guide for Lochaber - there’s so much amazing riding here. I loved the alternative route to Spean Bridge passing two derelict bridges, and the joyful ride along the Caledonian Canal. And someone asked me about a narrative book - something I’d love to do in the future. Thanks to all the volunteers - the @mountainfestival is my favourite festival! And some background on the music choice - Burning Spear’s ‘We are going’ is the opening song of ROAM by The Collective - a film that inspired my riding & storytelling - released in 2006 - the year I discovered Scotland for mountain biking 20(!!!!!) years ago & Fort William was one of the stops on that tour.

A quick update - I meant to post this last week. I

A quick update - I meant to post this last week. If you are lucky enough to live in Edinburgh & buy my books, they arrive by bike. The quickest, environmentally-friendly way. Most times I can beat Amazon Prime easily.And as Gravell Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire has been very popular, we not only re-printed it, but also updated the public transport information. @rideember has added new routes to their network, which are all referenced in the book. I’m always happy when a new book order arrives - all books are back in stock - the order form is linked in my bio or simply go to my website or the @bikepackingscot website.

I arrived in Edinburgh for the first time on a dre

I arrived in Edinburgh for the first time on a dreich day in Winter 2003. Despite the weather, I instantly fell in love with the city. Studying in Sunderland as an exchange student, I returned a few more times that winter and spring. When the chance arose to work at Underbelly, one of the venues for the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe, I jumped on the opportunity and returned for three more seasons. Even though I made New Zealand my home from 2007 to 2009, I visited for the festival season each summer.Finally returning from the other side of the world, hugely inspired by the guidebooks by the Kennett Brothers, which had encouraged my rides across Aotearoa, I made Scotland’s Capital my home in June 2009. And never left.In my almost 17 years in Edinburgh, only interrupted by a one-year trip by bike around the world, I have seen cycling becoming more visible and used my hometown as base to explore the rest of Scotland, the UK, and the world. Most recently I took inspiration from the Oslo Dawn Patrol and founded a similar social ride in Edinburgh.Researching this book was in equal terms easy and very challenging. I want this guide to be relevant for you if you are lucky enough to call Edinburgh, Fife or East Lothian your home. Almost all my book deliveries in Edinburgh are done by bike, and I wanted to write a book for all the people I have met on those journeys and through the Edinburgh Dawn Patrol.But I also wanted to create a book which is a useful companion if you just visit Scotland’s capital for a few days. Edinburgh is my favourite city in the world – welcoming, buzzing and steeped in natural and architectural beauty. I can’t think of any other city that is home to three UNESCO world heritage sites and hosts some of the world’s most inspiring artists each summer. All routes in this book are accessible by public transport. That is a first, certainly for my guidebooks. Edinburgh is well connected, and so it made perfect sense to include my favourite routes in East Lothian and Fife, and two of the routes that take you further into the Scottish Borders and West Lothian.The intro to Gravel Rides Edinburgh, East Lothian & Fife. Written. Out in May 26.

Dunoon – Welcome to Scotland’s gravel heaven. If y

Dunoon – Welcome to Scotland’s gravel heaven. If you needed convincing… #gravel #dunoondirtdash

Singletrack Issue 165 is out soon, and I am very m

Singletrack Issue 165 is out soon, and I am very much looking forward to seeing those frames in print. A magazine that allows me 3,500 words to write is a rare find these days, but good stories need space. I was moved when I arrived in the Arkansas Delta & loved the riding there, but beneath the pretty pictures is a much more complex past. The beauty of riding bikes is that it allows me to dig much deeper into the history of those places whilst I travel through, with good time to reflect & put things I discover in perspective. Here’s a teaser of the land of the Delta Blues, for an in depth read I’d be happy if you get issue 165 of a great magazine. #gravel #cycling #arkansas

January is nearly over already. Time to share a bi

January is nearly over already. Time to share a bit more about the Dirt Dashes - which I love organising. They are small, fun events to bring people together in some of my favourite locations to ride bikes. Two events in Scotland, one in Yorkshire. There’s no racing involved, you’ll get a well-planned route that is challenging but enjoyable, nice local food & campsites with views. I love welcoming people back year on year, and it’s always wonderful to see new faces. What makes the Dirt Dashes special is to see how they bring people together - at the end of each event pretty much everyone knows each other. First up is the Cateran Dirt Dash on 23/24 May, followed by the Yorkshire Coast Dirt Dash on 13/14 June & the Dunoon Dirt Dash on 26/27 September.See you there - join us on dirtdash.cc

Last Friday, Josh and I got to sample parts of the

Last Friday, Josh and I got to sample parts of the Gralloch Ultra route.Despite being initially put off by the forecast, the weather turned out just right — capturing the true essence of the route. We spent the day riding, talking strategy, and sharing lessons learned from our longer days on the bike.If you’re curious about stepping up to longer distances, this route has a brilliant mix of landscapes: the stark, barren beauty of the north, scenic woodlands and lochs, and iconic forest roads like Raiders Road.We turned the day into a short film too — here’s our experience, told through a selection of still images.#gravel

❄️ The Best Season New film from 🇳🇴 — now live. En

❄️ The Best SeasonNew film from 🇳🇴 — now live. Enjoy the frost. #winter #norway

The Best Season | A Cargo Bikepacking Journey in N

The Best Season | A Cargo Bikepacking Journey in Norway 🇳🇴Launching 20/01/26 9pm on my YT channel #winter #cycling #cargobike

Launch Day 🎉 The book is out! I poured my heart an

Launch Day 🎉The book is out! I poured my heart and soul into this one and hope it inspires some amazing journeys.Huge thanks if you’ve picked up a copy—and yes, the next book is already almost 50% done 👀Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & the Trossachs - Out Now#gravel #cycling #scotland

New book. New routes. Big scenery. Gravel Rides:

New book. New routes. Big scenery.Gravel Rides: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs launches 15 January — from easy spins to challenging adventures across the national park and the Argyll Coast.Available in bookshops & online.Signed copies via the link in my bio.Happy gravelling 🚵‍♀️

Each Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at 5.40am we ri

Each Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at 5.40am we ride bikes. Same route, same meeting points & same coffee stop. The @edinburghdawnpatrol is based on the simple concept of the @oslodawnpatrol - and it was amazing to be back after a few weeks in 🇳🇴 and welcome @rstotty to our ride - a ODP regular. If you want to join us, simply rock up at 5.40am with your bike (and lights):Tue & Thu at St Andrews SquareWed at Cairngorms Coffee

A recap in pictures from a great weekend in London

A recap in pictures from a great weekend in London — capturing moments from recording the Endurance podcast from Mark Beaumont live at the Adventure Travel Show.A brilliant way to kick off 2026, and a fun challenge behind the camera. I love not only outdoor photography, but also photographing people and waiting for the right moment to capture the atmosphere and energy of a place.Mark’s podcast, supported by Enjoy Travel, is live now, featuring an inspiring mix of people and their stories.Loved the show, and look forward to return next year.

A cycle-friendly base in Alyth, designed for slowi

A cycle-friendly base in Alyth, designed for slowing down and travelling lighter. Home of the @dirtdash_cc events & @bikepackingscot Secure bike storage, drying space, route ideas, and room to plan the next ride — all in a comfortable, thoughtfully run house. Welcome to @forillonalyth Part-powered by solar, cutting electricity costs from £932 → £274, even with higher occupancy. Lower impact, same comfort.Perfect for bikepacking trips, workcations, photoshoots, or a few quiet days exploring the Cateran landscape.👉 Bookings via the link in bio 🚲🌿 or drop us a message, we would ❤️to host you #gravel #cycling #scotland

Pics from the last feature I wrote in 2025 for Sin

Pics from the last feature I wrote in 2025 for Singletrack. A journey to not only the home of the Delta Blues in Aransas, but also along Crowley’s Ridge, which is an island in an area otherwise dominated by large-scale farms.Here a short teaser, the full feature will be out in February in the magazine,can’t wait! ‘I have travelled extensively, written various guidebooks and made short documentaries. While I enjoyed a lot of the places I explored from my saddle, only a few had had a lasting impact on my life. And while every second journey on Instagram these days is epic, life-changing or mind-blowing, I reserve those attributes for the very few occasions that, for me, deserve it. When I hand back my car at Memphis airport, walk through security and have time to reflect (I have allowed much more lead time due to the US government shutdown), it is the Delta, in the southeastern corner of the state, which is the biggest surprise for me. For the cycling, but also as the birthplace of the Delta blues, and subsequently most modern music I enjoy. And the people I met along the way. That wonderful combination of music history and endless opportunities to ride on lonely gravel roads does the trick for me. ‘And please feel free to come to the Adventure Travel Show this weekend in London, I will be there both days, and onstage on Sunday. #gravel #arkansas

Winter cycling - one of my most favourite activiti

Winter cycling - one of my most favourite activities. With minus seven outside we had to activate log burner number 2 in the house - and I won’t lie, I was contemplating staying indoors & reading this afternoon. But I have the right kit, a bike with studded tires & all it took is that little kick to layer up & go out riding. 15km turned into 30, then into the final 61. I never owned any indoor cycling equipment & don’t think I will - what seems cold & uncomfortable is actually really enjoyable. The world looks very different in winter, and the feeling of achievement coming back from a winter ride is unbeatable.Different from what some media outlets try to tell you - cycling in winter isn’t any more dangerous - if you have the right gear and experience - and that’s what you can only gain by actually cycling. If you enjoy being out in the cold, give it go.

Good ideas multiplied - nice to start 2026 not onl

Good ideas multiplied - nice to start 2026 not only with the Oslo Dawn Patrol crew, but also with a positive news story. I believe that communities can have a very positive effect on more people cycling, and that’s why I used the same concept from Oslo & started it in Edinburgh. But good ideas need an audience - that’s why I am very grateful that Alastair Dalton from the Scotsman has made to Dawn Patrol his first good news story for 2026. And a crew from the ride will join this year’s four-day Doddie ride in March to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Here are 20 of my favourite pics from the Dawn Patrol Road & Gravel rides in 2025 to inspire you to join us in ‘26. Just rock up at 5.40am. Check out the article in the bio.

A great end to one & a good start into another yea

A great end to one & a good start into another year. Cycling to friends, chats & dinner, 5am start for the Oslo Dawn Patrol & cycling home. May the new year continue with such simple pleasures. Have a good one!

Last of the 2025 smiles & miles. Thanks to Chris f

Last of the 2025 smiles & miles. Thanks to Chris for the music, and the @oslodawnpatrol crew for a fab morning.

Family time in 🇳🇴

Family time in 🇳🇴

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A short clip from the Edinburgh Gravel Dawn Patrol - join us each Wed at 5.40am at Cairngorm Coffee #gravel #edinburgh

The lights of Edinburgh dancing in the rain

In my latest film I discover the joys and challenges of winter bikepacking. I throw all my gear, experience and resolve at enjoying a sub-zero, 680-km tour of Southern Norway in January on the Tern Orox S12 from Eidsvoll to Gjøvik, Lillehammer, Ringebu, Dovre, Folldal, Alvdal, Budor and back to Eidsvoll in Southern Norway.Check out the route here: https://www.komoot.com/collection/3259404/-tern-orox-winter-norway

The Best Season - Winter bikepacking in Norway on an e-cargo bike

Cycling on an e-cargo bike through Norway in January. #travel cargobike #norway

The Best Season - Launching 20/01/26 8pm

More about my new book - what routes are included, the backstory to the book and more. Interested in a signed copy? Order yours here https://forms.gle/Z7b51ZEa5r9EfHNL9

Available now - Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs #gravel #travel #scotland

You can order your copy now at https://bikepackingscotland.com/booksEnjoy 16 routes in Scotland's first national park and Argyll.

Available to order now! Gravel Rides Loch Lomond #gravel #scotland #adventure

Pre-order now at https://bikepackingscotland.com/booksEnjoy 16 routes in Scotland's first national park and Argyll.

Pre-Order Gravel Rides Loch Lomond #gravel #scotland #adventure

Pre-order now at https://bikepackingscotland.com/booksEnjoy 16 routes in Scotland's first national park and Argyll.

Pre-Order Gravel Rides Loch Lomond #gravel #scotland #adventure

All over Scotland volunteer trail associations take good care of wild trails. I documented a day in the life of the volunteers of the Tayside Trails Association, using the Tern Orox as their companion getting the trails ready for the Scottish Enduro Championships in September 2025.Directed and edited by Markus StitzFeaturing Graeme Berry, James Dearsley, Gary Martin and Finn.Music by Epidemic SoundSupported by Tern

Trail Building with the Tern Orox & Tayside Trails Association at Ballo, Coupar Angus

Supported by DexShell my new film features a new Bikepacking Scotland route from Culross to Kilcreggan.Check out the full film on my channel. More on the route: https://bikepackingscotland.com/coast-to-coast-bikepacking/

Overland Teaser - Coast to Coast Bikepacking supported by DexShell #cycling #bikepacking #gravel

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