image of bike with bikepacking setup in Scotland

ROSIE BAXENDINE
CYCLE & BIKEPACKING GUIDE

Home: Welcome

Guided off-road adventures since 2020

As featured in The Guardian as
one of the top 10 wildest adventures for 2022

Shortlisted for the DMBinS Coaching & Guiding Provider of the year 2022 & 2023

Named as one of the top 100 women in cycling in 2024 by Cycling UK

Watch Three Wheel Drive - a film by Neil Russell and myself

Featured by the BBC in 2025

6987284D-8D71-41E8-9CAE-88BAC704DF69_1_1

Bikepacking Experiences

Guided Bikepacking Trips

Bikepacking Intro Talk

Guided Gravel Rides

WHAT IS BIKEPACKING?

Think of backpacking - but on a bike!

Using lightweight kit, the freedom of two wheels and the advantage of a set up that copes well off road - bikepacking allows you to explore an area in a unique and fun way.

There are no real rules - ride any sort of bike over any terrain to suit you! Go fast, go slow - it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy it!

Kit can be cobbled together for your first trips - then if you love it you can upgrade.

ABOUT ME

I moved to Perthshire, Scotland in 2004 and soon fell in love with the wilderness, exploring on a horse, walking or running. I discovered the joy of off road cycling in 2016. I have been bikepacking around the UK solo and with friends since 2017.

I am not destination focused - I would rather take my time and live in the moment. I am not out to conquer nature or smash a route in the fastest time. I am out there to immerse myself - taking time to appreciate the small beautiful details as well as the vast breath taking landscapes.

I also love cake!

More About Me

Contact

Day 2 guiding the Ossian trip started with drizzle and 10,000,0000 midges 😳😅 but a lazy, long breakfast in @corrourstationhouse meant they were mostly away by the time we started cycling.
We were then blessed with the weather lifting a bit, and that magical combination of dark and light clouds grazing the tops - and even a bit of sunshine 👌🏼
The most exciting part of the day was spotting a family of black throated divers on one of the lochs 😍
.
.
.
#bikelife #bikepacking #bikepackingadventures #bikepackingscotland #adventure #offroadcycling #guidedbiketours #Scotland #corrour

Day 1 guiding to Ossian Hostel - and eating the best venison vurgers at @corrourstationhouse
Misty and moody, but still stunning 😍
.
.
.
.
#bikepackingadventures #bikelife #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #adventure #guidedbiketours #guidedgravelbikerides #femaleleaders #Scotland

Day 2 guiding to Cape Wrath - the return journey.
This is actually a public road, but with no way to get onto it other than crossing the Kyle of Durness, it's not very well maintained 😅
We hit great weather again - although it's started foggy, it ended up as the most glorious August day. We had a 2nd dip in the sea at the port before heading back across on the boat.
.
.
.
#bikelife #bikepackingadventures
#bikepackingscotland #bikepacking #capewrath #capewrathfellowship #adventure #cyclinglife #Scotland

Day 1 guiding to Cape Wrath.
This is a fantastic little mini adventure overnight trip. Stunning scenery, a quirky hostel on the most northwesterly point of the UK mainland, and bracing swimming in the North Atlantic with white sand beaches and dramatic cliffs.
This trip is run in collaboration with @waymarkadventures.scot - we'll be running two again next year - so drop me a line if you'd be interested in joining.
.
.
#bikelife #bikepackingadventures #adventure #bikepackingscotland #capewrath #miniadventure #cyclinglife #cyclescotland #capewrathfellowship #femaleleaders #bikepacking #Scotland #adventurebybike

Guiding the green route for @wearelimitlass today. An awesome group of women - esp when someone suggested a swim, and without hesitation we just stripped to our smalls and jumped in 😆💙👏
Lovely to catch up with pals too.
.
#limitlass #mtblife #gravelisastateofmind #femaleleaders #Lochordie #Scotland #Dunkeld #bikelife #cyclinglife

Day 2 guiding the Goats and Boats trip.
Sometimes bikepacking is about going small on mileage and big on fun touristy experiences.
Because, why not?
A wonderful day pottering on bikes, taking a historic steamboat along Loch Katrine, cuddling goats, eating ice cream, and enjoying watching the stunning scenery pass slowly by.
Utterly blissful.
.
.
#goatsandboats #bikelife #bikepackingadventures #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #lochkatrine #slowdown #cyclinglife #cyclescotland #gravelisastateofmind #offroadcycling #Trossachs

Day 1 guiding Goats & Boats (and waterfalls)
We were so lucky with the weather! Warm, a great breeze to keep the midges away and no rain.
A great coffee stop at @brigoturktearoom- highly recommend.
Then the usual lovely warm welcome and super tasty food at @inversnaidbunkhouseandbistro
Plus, an absolutely stunning dip in a waterfall 😍
.
.
#bikelife #bikepackingadventures #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #adventure #adventurebybike #cyclinglife #Trossachs #dayslikethese

Not sure where the week went! But this was Sunday's @adaptiveriderscollective ride at Dunkeld.
I love showing off my local trails 😊
@perthshiregravel
.
.
#adaptiveriderscollective #adaptivecycling #adventure #gravelscotland #gravel #perthshiregravel #lochordie #bikelife #cyclinglife #cyclescotland

Fun day touristing along the Dundee to Monifieth promenade with @robyn_wilko and @handcycle_adventures
Cool to ride across a drawbridge and into the castle at Broughty Ferry 😆
.
.
.
#touristing #Scotland #dundee #sunnycity #gravelisastateofmind #dayslikethese #bikelife #cyclinglife

Day 2 guiding the Dalwhinnie Loop and we were super lucky with the weather!
We got a bit of drizzle but essentially managed to miss the yellow weather warning for rain and thunderstorms! (I had reversed the route from my normal direction with the hope of this happening!)
.
.
.
#bikelife
#bikepackingadventures #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #gravelisastateofmind #gravelscotland #gravel #adventure #adventurebybike #femaleleaders

Day 1 guiding the Dalwhinnie loop. 65k - and luckily the rain held off for 50 of them! However, the last 15k were torrential 🌧🌧😆🤦‍♀️
Thank goodness for a hearty warm meal in @corrourstationhouse and dry bed in Ossian Hostell!
.
.
#bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #bikepackingadventures #adventure #adventurebybike #gravelscotland #gravelisastateofmind #femaleleaders

What a day on the bikes yesterday 😍
A 95k in a loop from Corran Ferry - glorious quiet roads and stunning gravel (plus a short, but necessary, unpleasant road section)
Heatwave conditions meant 2 loch dips and an icecream stop en route.
.
.
#gravelisastateofmind #Scotland #gravel #westcost #Heatwave #fortwilliam #ardgour #lochsheil

Day 2 took us through classic Perthshire Big Tree scenery to Dunkeld for coffee and cake at @livvislittlelunchbox - before heading up our last hill of the trip to Loch Ordie.
.
.
#bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #bikelife #scottishgravel #Scotland #perthshiregravel #Perthshire #gravelisastateofmind #femaleleaders

Perthshire Hills bikepacking trip - Day 1
I love guiding my local trails. They can be a bit brutal ⛰️�😆 but the views always make it worth it.
An awesome group of women who supported and encouraged each other. Many laughs, but equally many moments of quiet as we simply enjoyed the stunning scenery.
Big thanks to @robyn_wilko, my wing lady this weekend ❤️
.
.
.
#bikepacking #bikelife #bikepackingscotland #adventurebybike #adventure #gravelscotland #Scotland #Perthshire #femaleleaders

Day 2 was less about riding and more about the Goats and Boats.

A proper chill day in beautiful weather - cruising on the Sir Walter Scott steamboat learning all about the history of tourism in the area and having plenty of goat cuddles and the best ice cream from @achrayfarm

Not all bikepacking tips are about remote wilderness - some are simply about fun and touristing!
.
.
.
#bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #scottishgravel #Trossachs #sirwalterscott #fullsteamahead #goatsandboats #Goats

Boats & Goats guided trip Day 1
A tough headwind, but that meant no midges 🥳😅
Stunning views and the most amazing swim spot to end the day 😍
.
#bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #scottishgravel #Scotland #gravelisastateofmind #gravel #Trossachs #gravelscotland #adventurebybike #goatsandboats

What an amazing week!
The @able2adventure_scotland and @adaptiveriderscollective residential at @glenmorelodge was brilliant in so many ways.
Big shout out to the awesome participants for their enthusiasm, trust, humour, and determination.
.
#adaptiveriderscollective #adaptivecycling #adaptivesports #cairngorms #gravelisastateofmind #gravel #scottishgravel #Scotland

Day 2 guiding at the weekend. A lucky break in the weather meant we could unpitch in the dry 🥳
The rain then stayed off for the whole section that we rode getting soaking wet the day before!
It started again at Laggan, and we just managed to unpack and jump into our cars just before it really settled in.
A super weekend - and it's it just me, or does Scotland look more stunning in these conditions than with pure blue skies? 🤔😍
.
#adventure #adventurebybike #bikepacking #bikelife #bikepackingscotland #guidedbiketours #Scotland #scottishgravel #gravel #gravelisastateofmind

Day 1 guiding over the weekend. And yes I only got photos at Ossian 😅 The rain was biblical, and the headwind was relentless! However, we luckily got a respite to pitch the tents before heading up to @corrourstationhouse for dinner.

Awesome group of ladies who kept the legs turning and the smiles coming, even in the challenging conditions.
.
#bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #gravelisastateofmind #gravel #gravelscotland #scottishgravel #scotland #adventure #adventurebybike

A fun afternoon yesterday with @pkcountryside for the launch of the new River Tay Way guidebook.

This guide covers the walking and cycling routes - with more options in the pipeline!

We enjoyed a guided ride from @beyondadventureuk up to Loch Kennard and Loch Scoly.

Photos mostly courtesy of @golden.goats 👏

#perthshiregravel #pkct #rivertayway #Perthshire #adventure

What a day on a bike I had yesterday 😍👌🏼
Linking Gaick, Tromie, and Feshie - then trackless plateau navigation to reach the Minigaig before dropping into Glen Bruar.
Exhausting, exhilarating and breathtakingly beautiful - esp the 1000s of acres of replanting - I will never see the full results of this, but I can imagine what the hills will look like in the future ❤️
So, so dry though 😳
Dragged a pal along who questioned his life choices for the hike-a-bike sections 😅 but loved it by the end 👌🏼
.
.
#adventure #adventurebybike #routerecce #emtb #Scotland #cairngorms

Glorious gravel on some of the 2nd City Divide route and neighbouring tracks - but then scuppered by a locked gate. Rerouted and found loads more trails.
So hot though - we weren't that upset by cutting the route a bit short 😅🥵
.
#gravel #gravelisastateofmind #england #bikelife #cyclinglife

Fun afternoon on the Kielder Lakeside Loop yesterday with @handcycle_adventures
Fun to revisit the giant head, which I last cycled past on 20th December 2019 - in the dark and rain - trying to find a bivvy spot. It was open then, but leaked and was muddy, so headed to Wainhope instead.
Stunning weather today but very low water levels.
.
#gravelisastateofmind #gravel #england #lakenotloch #bikelife #cyclinglife #cycling #summer

Day 3 guiding bespoke trip.
What a gift this has been - perfect weather and a fantastic group - most of whom had never done an adventure like this before. Happy to say that they loved every minute (even the boggy hike-a-bike bits!)
Many thanks to all the staff at @corrourstationhouse who were as welcoming and fabulous as usual 👏🙌
Off to sleep 😴
.
.
#bespokeadventures #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #adventure #bikelife #guidedgravelbikerides #femaleleaders #adventurebybike #scottishgravel #Scotland

Day 2 Bespoke Guiding
Another belter!!
.
#bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #bikelife #cyclinglife #cyclescotland #femaleleaders #scottishgravel #Scotland #badgerdivide #gravelisastateofmind #gravel

Day 1 guiding a 3 day bespoke trip
Absolute belter of a day 👌🏼 😍
.
#bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #bikelife #adventure #adventurebybike #scottishgravel #Scotland #rannoch #scheihallion

When your ride doesn't go to plan....It started so well - patchy cloud allowed for some occasional sunshine between snow and hailstorms, a strong tailwind, and stunning views.

Just as we topped out onto the plateau at 885m - with a bitter windchill of -14°C - @murf_ben2 freehub failed 🤦‍♀️

Now, I can sort most mechanical issues to get me home, but a fully seized freehub was impossible to fix.

So we wrapped up in all our layers, cracked open some hand warmers (trying to do mechanics in a hail storm meant for very cold hands!) and made our way back to Kingussie - me towing Ben with much hilarity - for a train down to Blair Atholl where we'd left a vehicle for our intended finish.

So, we didn't complete the intended epic, but we still had fun and enjoyed the day. Sometimes adventures just don't go to plan, but that's why you carry extra kit.

Imagine if he'd taken a tumble when the hub seized and his chain flew into his cassette - we could have been in those conditions for a while awaiting rescue. That is why I always have a small first aid kit, a blizzard bag, extra clothing and food, and hand warmers. (And mechanics kit) It simply isn't worth the risk for the sake of a bit extra weight.

Looking forward to competing the route another day.

#adventurebybike #adventure #bepreparedforanything #gravelisastateofmind #scottishgravel #gravel #gravelscotland #Scotland #cyclinglife #bikelife #cairngorms

Awesome day guiding from Kingussie today. Glorious gravel in Tromie and Feshie and fun tracks along the Speyside way.
.
#gravelisastateofmind #gravelscotland #gravel #scottishgravel #scotland #guidedgravelbikerides #bikelife #cyclescotland #cyclinglife

@adambaxendine and I are flying this flag at our home and holiday accommodation @aikenheadhouse (because if you have a flagpole, you mayaswell make a statement!)

My womxn only trips welcome anyone who identifies as female plus marginalised genders who feel comfortable in female spaces.

My mixed trips welcome anyone who feels comfortable in a mixed gender space.

Basically, the only thing I will judge you on is how you treat others.

Day 3 @dirt_divas_mtbgravel
A grey start, then the most glorious weather ❤️
Such an awesome weekend co-guiding an amazing group of women 🌟
.
.
#strathossian #scottishgravel #Scotland #gravelisastateofmind #femaleleaders #bikelife #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland

Tent life (when the weather obliges - Friday night/ morning was torrential rain and strong gusts of wind!)

Overlooking Ossian Loch - listening to winnowing snipe, grouse and numerous chatty finches etc.

Plus, an unusual, slightly haunting call that I didn't recognise that @merlin.bird.id said was a Great Northern Diver... if correct, that's apparently quite rare. It was certainly a sound that caught my attention through all the other bird calls.

A stunning sunrise to accompany their morning chat �❤️What a way to start the day ❤️

@bigagnes_
.
.
#tent #tentlife #bikelife #bikepackingscotland #bikepacking #dailygratitude #Scotland

Day 2 @dirt_divas_mtbgravel Ossian Hostel Takeover trip
.
.
#bikelife #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #cyclinglife #cyclescotland #femaleleaders #scottishgravel #Scotland #adventure

Day 1 of @dirt_divas_mtbgravel Ossian Hostel Takeover - Intro to bikepacking trip
Bitter cold and windy - but stunning as always 😍
.
#adventurebybike #bikepacking #bikelife #bikepackingscotland #femaleleaders #adventure #gravelscotland #Scotland

Finally got to ride the Feshie loop today! Been on the radar for ages. Stunning gravel 😍👌🏼
Lovely to meet @willis8397
Great to catch up with @scotts.cycles
.
.
.
.
#scottishgravel #Scotland #cairngorms #glenfeshie #gravel #gravelscotland #adventure

Grab one of the last 10 spaces on my guided bikepacking adventures for 2025.

Experienced female leaders. Womxn only or mixed trips. Max 6 per group.

Don't want to camp? We stay in hostels
Want to bring an ebike? No problem at all
Don't have kit? Bikepacking bags included
Don't have a suitable bike? Bike hire can be arranged

Still not sure? Do me a DM for a chat.

Head to my website for dates and more info.
.
.
#adventurebybike #Scotland #bikepacking #bikepackingscotland #adventure #bikelife #cyclinglife
#femaleleaders #adventure

Ride out to @hostellingscotland Ossian Hostel to drop off food for the @dirt_divas_mtbgravel hostel takeover Easter weekend.

A stunning day - 28km in total and the ponies first time over the road the isles.

We didn't make it up to @corrourstationhouse due to timings - but if I do an overnight here with them, we will definitely pop by.

@smartsaddles @flexhoofboots @renegadehoofboots

#pony #ponypacking #saddletramping #poniesofinstagram #retiredpolopony #Scotland #rannochmoor #adventure #slowadventure

A glorious day guiding round my local Perthshire trails.
.
I guide day rides on fun off-road trails - distance and elevation to suit. Nothing too techy or fast! Ebikes welcome. Cafe stops or nice picnic spots on route.
.
.
.
#adventure #offroadcycling #gravelisastateofmind #scottishgravel #bikelife #cyclinglife #perthshiregravel #Perthshire #Scotland #funtimes #femaleleaders #womenoutdoors #adventurebybike

A fun morning up Moredun Top with @handcycle_adventures reccying a route for @adaptiveriderscollective and working with @woodlandtrustscotland on the suitability of the trails for accessibility.
.
.
.
#adaptiveriderscollective #adaptivecycling #woodlandtrustscotland #cyclinglife #cyclescotland #bikelife #gravelisastateofmind #scottishgravel #gravelscotland #gravel #perthshiregravel @pkcountryside

💙 Gosh it felt good to get into the water again 💙

These last few weeks have been tough - I've had my varicose veins sorted (I had really bad ones due to EDS - on my left leg they were pushing my patella into the wrong place!) and haven't been able to do much.

That - combined with peri-angst and lack of sleep due to the bandages the first week and nerve pain this week - has made my head a pretty horrible place to be.

I'm pretty good at self-help usually, but the old demons were rising. I'm out of bandages now, but still have to wear medical grade compression leggings for another two weeks, which limits my exercise a bit as they rub my skin (another EDS thing)

But I can walk the dogs properly now, and what a relief that is. The rhythmic movement of walking or cycling is such a regulating activity for me - I really struggle without it.

And thank goodness for this glorious weather too.

Onwards and upwards 💙
.
.
.
.
#coldwatertherapy #Loch #lochswimming #Scotland
#mentalhealth #gettingolder #adventure #getoutside
#wildswimming

*2025 Trips Released* Get booked on to a fun bikepacking adventure this year - although hurry as my previous clients have already bagged over 50% of the places!

Be guided by two experienced female guides over specially selected trails designed for fun, views, and cafe stops! Learn about bikepacking on the way.

Bikepacking bags, hostel stay or camping gear, dinner and breakfast, and great banter all included.

All trips are suitable for ebikes. Bike hire can be arranged at an additional cost.

Trip info on my website www.rosiebaxendine.com or drop me a dm for info.

Bookings are also being taken now for 2026 bespoke trips.
.
.
.
#Scotland #scottishgravel #holiday #bikepackingscotland #bikepacking #bikelife #travel #adventure #cyclinglife #cyclescotland #cycling #femaleleaders #mtb

Kirkpatrick C2C Day 7 - Melrose to Eyemouth - the east coast

I was right to split today up - sleet, rain, hail and a sub-zero headwind made for cold cycling, but nothing would dampen my spirits to finish!

Bright NCN signs on a dull day, grand house and castle entrances, sheep giving way to arable, a few miles in England and the stunning Union Bridge, a fun pink house, more bridges and, finally, rhe east coast at Eyemouth.

What a route! Home now and will do a few thoughts tomorrow on another post.
.
.
.
.
#kirkpatrickc2c #coasttocoast #roadie #scottishborders
#scotland

Day 6 Kirkpatrick C2C - Melrose to Coldstream

Today was due to be a rest day, then 85k tomorrow to finish. However, rain and a stiff headwind due for the next few days meant I chose two smaller days instead.

Some amazing architecture - definitely a richer area. Passing racing yards and a point to point on at Kelso. Miles of long, quiet, and straight country roads.

No shop at Eccles to get any cakes - disappointing 😅

But amazing cake and tea at @thehirselestate to finish.

Just 40k to go tomorrow to teach the coast.
.
.
.
#kirkpatrickc2c #roadie #coasttocoast #scottishborders
#cyclinglife #bikelife

Kirkpatrick C2C day 5 - Newcastleton to Melrose

A cold start but 18km of uphill to warm me up. Winding along next to rivers, past the Hermitage castle (such a foreboding vibe!) And running parallel to a disused railway - before topping out at Sandy Edge - with snow by the road, but thankfully no ice today. Long reaching views and viaducts (or aqueducts?!)

A fast, cold descent, then following the river into Hawick for a welcome hot chocolate before off again up the hills - I seem to be mostly in horse and sheep country now with rollings hills, gallops, smart farms and woodlands.

Another cold, fast descent into Selkirk, then following old roads and cycle paths to Melrose.
.
.
.
.
#kirkpatrickc2c #adaptiveriderscollective #roadie #bikelife #cyclinglife

Day 4 Kirkpatrick C2C - Lockerbie to Newcastleton (also- The Hilly Day!)

A frosty start in Lockerbie and straight onto a hill, climbing away from the low, flat dairy farms and into sheep and beef territory - then eventually into wind farms and moors.

Walking in places due to ice - but it gave me the chance to stop and look about too. Forestry blocks began to appear, and the hills got closer and steeper, eventually turning to bracken and heather covered landscapes as far as the eye could see.

Wild mountain goats on the moors beyond Langholm 🐐

A pedal downhill into Newcastleton battling against a sub-zero head wind and very grateful to enter a warm @newcastletonbunkhouse - with exceptional bike storage facilities and comfy, modern bunkhouse accommodation.

Lovely to meet a couple bikepackers heading to a bothy and a good natter whilst we pedalled along. Also met the Cycling Mayor of Cumbria in a cafe as he admired my bike - who even knew there was such a thing!
.
.
.
#kirkpatrickc2c #roadie #groadie #adaptiveriderscollective

Kirkpatrick C2C Day 3 - Castle Douglas to Lockerbie.

Lumpy hills out of Castle Douglas - winding on quiet roads through dairy and sheep farms - miles of rolling green fields either side.
Then joining the Maxwelltown Railway Path through Dumfries - a traffic free multi-use trail with a great surface for cycling.
Back out onto more blissfully quiet county roads, surrounded by green fields, all the way to Lockerbie.

Unfortunately @handcycle_adventures was unable to ride today due to health reasons.
.
.
.
#kirkpatrickc2c #adaptiveriderscollective

Amazing weather today for an @adaptiveriderscollective Come and Try session in Callander - a chance for people to try off-road adaptive cycling.
They loved it 🤩
.
.
.
.
#adaptivecycling #adaptiveriderscollective #adaptivesports #gravelisastateofmind #gravel #gravelscotland #bikelife #cyclinglife #cyclescotland #lochvenachar #trossachs

Straight from the house today - 5k up to my local moors, then along the top to Dunkeld - a route I discovered back in 2017 after a tip from local trail runners and pouring over OS maps. Back then, there was no defined path for much of it, and you had to carry your bike over a section of heather, then lift it over a stone wall. But it was always worth it!
Today, we started in freezing fog, then went up into the clouds, then had the most amazing colours by the time we reached Loch Ordie 🤩
.
.
.
.
.
#gravelisastateofmind #gravelscotland #gravel #perthshiregravel #scottishgravel #Scotland #adventure #adventurebybike #getoutside #bikelife #cyclinglife #cycling

Super excited that the 5 mins version of Three Wherl Drive - the film that @handcycle_adventures and I produced - has made it into @big_bike_film_night line up for 2025 🥳🥳
.
.
.
#bigbikefilmnight #adventurefilm #adaptivecycling #gravelisastateofmind #adventurebybike

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}