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Thanks @gillies, will start building bike, have some ideas.
@Saffronspokes thanks for heads up. It would be nice to see where to cut the route but will look around as well. A9 seems like a no go area from everyone's experience.
Wyshniukas-
It's actually not that bad-probably comparable to fast B roads in Essex in terms of speed/volume-but compared to the rest of it-and the potential for other far more sublime, enjoyable routes-you're better sacking off the idea of the 'official' route, much as it's nice to say you've done it.
Even driving or taking the train along the A9 route is a bit shit, lots of trucks and cars coming from the Thurso/Dounreay and narrow windy sections following the coast. Think if I go up there again I'll train it to Thurso and go counter clockwise back to Inverness and with the prevailing winds!
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agree with @Saffronspokes - avoid the east coast a9. Grim as fuck.
I ran 50/34 and 11/28 and managed - 11/32 will be fine, though with loaded panniers you might want more?
6 days is good for a relaxed pace.