JIM SUTHERLAND
Jim has never found it difficult to dream about adventures, whether at
night when asleep or with his eyes open wide. This approach has taken
him all over the Scottish Highlands where he grew up; Spain, the Alps,
the Southwest of the US by hiking, climbing, skiing and more recently by
bike. He is a qualified Mountain Bike Leader and also holds the Winter
Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor Award.
Jim has bikepacked all over Scotland, including The Capital Trail, The
Deeside Trail, an offroad coast to coast to celebrate his 50th birthday,
The Moray Trail - six times so far! In 2019 he also rode unsupported
over 1100 miles on The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route through Alberta,
British Columbia, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
In the summer of 2022 Jim created and rode his own version of the Lands
End to John O' Groats route which was 1200 miles long with over 62,000ft
of ascent. On the way he met lots of interesting local people, sampled
great places to eat and stay. The route was a blend of quiet backroads,
bridleways and committing mountain tracks and trails. This experience
has made him want to share a small version of this with others to help
them then go on to have adventures of their own with a similar ethos of
community and Leave No Trace on the way.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rideaway_bikepacking/