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This year's HT550 starts on Saturday morning, currently 61 riders for the group start along with five ITT riders now out on the route. http://trackleaders.com/highland19 . River levels are low, everything has been dry but the forecast for the next week is for cooler, mixed weather.
There's PostieRich of this parish riding plus Stu Taylor who STW have done one or two pieces on. Rob Colliver who occasionally posts here is another but I don't know of any others off here.
Four of the starters have previously completed the route in under four days and one has come very, very close to doing so and is currently in very good form. Last year's first finisher, Alex Pilkington, recently did the 600km Dales Divide in under 48hrs so obviously setting out his stall. There's a few others who are also eyeing a sub four day time. A dark horse might be James Hayden who has won the TCR a couple of times but hasn't done much mountain biking. Could be interesting at the front!
Meanwhile at the rear, a friend of mine gained one of the wild card entries, he'll be on a Specialized Enduro S-Works with 7.9kg of kit (no water), he's palmares isn't up there with some of the others, but he's longing for this event, he loves the mountains & is after an experience. Andy West, from Gloucestershire.
good luck all!
Looking forward to watching and fantasising I'm there 🙂 I've ridden sections (but staying in hostels) and amazed by Pilkington's time let alone Belchenko. Met Javi at Beastway and had a nice chat a few weeks ago. Hope everyone has a great ride.
Hope I can ride it as an ITT over a week sometime.
So jealous. Doing this is very high in my bucket list. Good luck to all.
I've had to scratch due to illness. Gutted to miss it, it is such an awesome race/experience...
Maybe next year Ian. Hopefully I'll be back and get your Spearfish round a second time 😉 Hope you get yourself sorted and back to health.
@qwerty - in a way riding at the back knowing that you've another X days to get to the finish is just as hard as blasting it. Two years ago there was a group of us in the Kinlochewe Hotel looking at Neil Beltchenko's dot: "he's going over the Devil's Staircase!" was the typical comment.
I did a bit of post ride analysis that year: my riding time was only 6hrs more than NB's, the difference was that he stopped for a total of ten hours, I stopped for over forty and had six sit down meals at pubs and restaurants! In some cases, like the Bealach Horn loop I was actually quicker than he was. If you can manage the sleep deprivation you can post a quick time. Apart from the first day which is a bit of a blast to get to the pizza place in Fort Augustus in time to get served, the pace was pretty steady for the most part but then if you are riding for 15hrs or more a day you can't really afford to go in the red.
My wife's doing it this year and I'm a bit jealous as the conditions look ideal for me this time - last year was too hot and I got heat stroke.
Ah well, more sleepless nights. 🙂
I'll be dot watching Markus amongst others.
Bon voyage all!
Once again great to watch pixels moving and see the the lovely blogs afterwards.
sorry to hear that Ian -- would be awesome effort.
Looking forward to a moist one after last years furnace! bike set up roughly the same. After losing the feeling in the tops of my fingers in both hands thought I would dabble with suspension on the front but after a few big rides felt like far to much effort on the ups so gone back to the rigid god have mercy on my wrists.Heading up tomorrow and having a session on the ale Thursday night unlike last year when I got hammered the night before and suffered the following day.
http://trackleaders.com/highland19?fbclid=IwAR0ZPrQz0mKy1TAi_fVquOEmH1WuD9OxUYgo7rFKgECCwMgKEJ_Fm6Tnpdg
https://do****cher.cc/races
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All the best Rich, I’ll be keeping an eye on your spot
thanks Kcal - the only consolation is that I've already got round it once - it's a great event.
What do you have to do to get an official place? Do you have to prove capable by completing shorter events etc?
What do you have to do to get an official place? Do you have to prove capable by completing shorter events etc?
Exactly that. Alan Goldsmith sorts through the applications and just needs to know you've proved you know what you're in for 😉
There are a few routes you could do that would look good on your palmares, including a decent-timed solo loop of the northern section of the HT550.
Previous finishers are given priority too (up to 3 -4 years previous I think).
What do you have to do to get an official place? Do you have to prove capable by completing shorter events etc?
Sort of. Alan likes a mixture of ride veterans vs new riders; men and women; Brits vs overseas; etc. Generally do a few of the harder shorter ITTs like the Cairngorms Loop, Lakeland 200, Borders 350, Big Bear, Cambrian Trail in a good time and you stand a chance of being in the group start. I know he had quite a reserve list this year as a few "new" names have appeared on trackleaders.
There'll be a simple "Entries for next year's ride will open on ..." on highlandtrail.net, I sent an email with a list of my big rides like:
Yorkshire Dales 300 in 28:55 <strava.link>
Rovaniemi 150, 10th place <strava.link>
etc.
Then he can just look at the links and check you've done what you've said.
Of course there's nothing stopping you riding it as an ITT but it's considered bad form to do so a day or two either side of the group start, four days seems to be the minimum so you don't get caught up in the group riders. Most start the weekend before so they are back in Tyndrum to see the group start leave.
There are a few routes you could do that would look good on your palmares, including a decent-timed solo loop of the northern section of the HT550.
Found the Northern Loop to be ok Fisherfield and the friggin Postmans Path did my head in Middle Loop would probably give you a good insight into the whole trip!
Found the Northern Loop to be ok Fisherfield and the friggin Postmans Path did my head in Middle Loop would probably give you a good insight into the whole trip!
The Postman's Path is a bit marmite: some hate it; some, like me, love it. It (and Fisherfield) are definitely hard work though! Some people find the Bealach Horn loop to be desolate and bleak but again I love it, proper out there terrain. In fact I don't think you can see any evidence of human activity when you are on that stalker's path apart from the path itself.
We'll see you tomorrow Rich. We are heading up in the morning so should be there just after lunch.
Thanks for info. Sounds like I need to get some proper planning and rides done to make the grade. Was thinking of doing it for my fortieth in 2 years but sounds like I might need a year or so more to build up and get some qualifiers done.
If you don't get under five days don't bother coming back to Wedneday nights. We expect great things!
Should have this year's first finisher later today - Steve Waters is heading down the Great Glen. Two scratched in Fisherfield yesterday due to a mixture of flooded burns, mechanicals and sprained ankle.
Hats off to those racing round. Will be enjoying watching the dots. I'm planning a slightly more leisurely round at the start of July. I see there is a modified 'summer route' that avoids the Postman's path? I'm assuming this is best taken by this point due to bracken growth? How bad will it likely be?
*looks at weather forecast for the weekend*
Ouch, it's going to get a bit soggy out there..
Given there are warnings of water stocks in the region being under duress, this is (otherwise) good news 😉
I was very lucky to get 10 days dry weather for the H550 last year, two of us did it a couple of weeks before the race. The trails between Ullapool and poolewe were by far the most epic of the trip crossing the fisher field landscape with waist deep river crossings massive hike a bike climbs with stunning single track. We swerved the postmans path taking the slightly further trails from poolewe to the tollie path, what a day, and fantastic route.good luck to all my cumbrian friends doing it this year.
Anyone up there know if Andy Jefferies has started? It appears he’s still at the start. Tech glitch hopefully.
Looks like my friend Andy, along with numerous others, is getting his head down in Fort Augustus after 92 miles on day one, meanwhile Liam Glen, Ben Steurbaut & Dustin Eroh push on through the night, currently @ 128 - 133 miles.
It's a right miserable night up here and the HT550 mob are passing within 10 miles.
I wonder what's best. Stop and bivvy? Or keep going to keep warm?
8:00am Sunday:
Liam Glen has done 194 miles and is 30 miles up on the second place. Too much, too soon, in these conditions?
Jenny Graham is leading the women at 137 miles, and it looks like she's past the worst of the Erchless/Loch Orrin climbs, so a bit of a "rest" coming up.
Lee Craigie is way off piste - perhaps nipped home for a warm bed? 🙂
Markus Stitz still has a bit of climbing on the Erchless/Loch Orrin but close to the top.
If it's raining in the West like here, the Fisherfield area is going to require discretion (or a packraft).
Weather forecast in this area is continuous rain until Tuesday, and temps around 6ºC with a peak of 12ºC in the afternoon - but I doubt anyone will feel warmer because there's a fair breeze. Hypothermia weather.
Lee has scratched. At least three others too.
scotroutes
Lee has scratched....
Hope she's ok. She's not one to give up easily.
This is going to be a tough one. Stay warm folks.
And looks like another four out already today, including Alan Goldsmith. Some folk at the pointy end were carrying very little/nothing in the way of spare clothing so the Highland weather has bit them badly.
Its VERY wet out here in the West today. River levels were very low until a few of days ago, but if it carries on like this....... I may pass a few riders on the road to Ullapool tomorrow morning!
I was hoping to see Crispins tracker update to see if Fisherfield was a Go or not.
Look like (earlier this morning when I checked) that a few were happy staying at Fort Augustus
Looks like Liam Glen is at the 200 mile mark within 24hr 35mins.
Rob Colliver heading back to Tyndrum down the Great Glen.
Jogged out along the Rogie track with the hound to grab a few pics.
Nelson Trees (think his tracker isn't working)
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Didn't catch these names
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Does Jenny ever stop smiling? 🙂 She has a huge lead on the next woman, and is in a good position to challenge the men.
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Markus, relaxed as ever, stopped for a chat
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and to pat the dog
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Markus spent last night in the bothy near Orrin, but woke up in a pool of water this morning. He said along the hydro line the water was up to the underside of the top of his wheel in places.
I spent an hour waiting for the next riders, but eventually the midgies found me so I headed back.
It really is wetter than an otters pocket out there today. The burns will be getting a bit dodgy with all this water in them.
I found them 6 of them sheltering at the Contin shop. The last shelter for many miles.
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The rain was starting to let up by then and it felt slightly warmer, so hopefully everyone will benefit.
The tracker isn't showing Nelson Trees position, I'd estimate he's currently within 10 miles of Croik.
Thanks for the update epicyclo!
Out of interest, has anyone devised a lazy-southern-softy-keyboard-jockey version using B&B/hostels over 6 days or so? 🙂
twowheels
Out of interest, has anyone devised a lazy-southern-softy-keyboard-jockey version using B&B/hostels over 6 days or so?
I'd be interested too. Too old to lie on the ground with only a a bit of nylon between me and the elements. 🙂
Practically speaking I think it would be difficult because a lot of the route is remote and you cover large distances between civilised facilities, so you still need fitness to maintain sufficient speed to get there before bedtime.
The problem being if conditions slow you down, you're then out in the weather and maybe overnighted without the bivvy gear.
Practically speaking I think it would be difficult because a lot of the route is remote and you cover large distances between civilised facilities, so you still need fitness to maintain sufficient speed to get there before bedtime.
The problem being if conditions slow you down, you’re then out in the weather and maybe overnighted without the bivvy gear.
I suppose you've got two options, take a lot of gear and be comfortable but slow. Or take similar gear to the racers (which isn't much) but aim to sleep in accomodation so you're not as uncomfortable, and baring really unforeseen circumstances will keep you uncomfortably alive and able to ride the next day.
Postie rich just posted on FB that he’s scratched
Markus and Jenny should be hitting Croik about now.
What happens with Nelson Trees who's either lost his tracker, or it's not working? Does his effort count?
Isla Rowntree isn’t showing either
Houns - Islabike IG says that Isla broke her ankle in the run up to HT550 so currently recuperating.
Ah thanks, missed that
The rate of refresh suggests there's lots of cloud cover out west hindering the trackers.
Or the Oykel Bridge Hotel cuisine is fabulous... 🙂
It's finally stopped raining on the west coast. Brighter skies moving in. This could be a race of 2 halves!
What happens with Nelson Trees who’s either lost his tracker, or it’s not working? Does his effort count?
The tracker doesn't matter fir that. Participants will submit a GPX file to "prove" they've stayed on the route. The trackers can't be relied upon to provide that level of detail.
Check out that hound! And those smiling faces of people riding bikes in the rain!
Shame about the awful weather and fingers crossed it changes for the better. Good luck to all.
@thisisnotaspoon, @epicyclo - yes, good point- bivvy and sleeping bag for emergencies.
Here's my first idea for 7 days and tbh I'd consider some pretty tough even with proper bed, meals and not carrying much! Maybe better to stretch it to 8 to make sure it's actually a holiday 🙂
0) Crianlarich hostel (0m)
1) Fort Augustus hostel (100m)
2) Oykel Bridge hotel (cheap room) (100m)
3) Achmelvic Hostel (90m)
4) Forest Way hostel (55m), https://independenthostels.co.uk/members/forestway/ (short day to prepare for Fisherfield)
5) Torridon hostel (60m)
6) Fort Augustus hostel again (90m)
7) Finish and train home (75m)
Probably £160-175 total for accommodation.
Might be a bit drier and warmer tomorrow in the west.
scotroutes
Participants will submit a GPX file to “prove” they’ve stayed on the route.
So if you wanted to go into stealth mode, not having a tracker would be handy because the opposition don't know where you are... 🙂
By heck. There are going to be some interesting stories from this one.
dots are nice but those photos are great 🙂
Interesting. Keep the updates coming thanks.
There's a regular train of retired riders heading down the Great Glen at the moment.
And only 2 of the women still racing.
Liam and Ben in Kylesku Hotel?
@thisisnotaspoon @epicyclo I rode the southern two loops in seven days in good weather last year (bivying). I was riding for fun, not racing, but those were long days and I reckon most would need at least another day to make the whole thing a tough tour rather than an endurance test, whether you’re staying in accommodation or not. YMMV.
Cheezpleez, I would want to enjoy it, so unlikely to take less than 2 weeks 🙂
There's 3 riders who have either gone off piste/retired, or they're stopped at the inn at Loch Glascarnoch.
Looks like the race is on.
4 riders within striking distance of Liam Glen now.
Jenny Graham hasn't moved since last night. Hopefully she's just resting.
How's the weather looking - and how are the rivers...?
Weather looking much better, but there are mountain ranges between here and where the riders are now. The west coast is usually wetter.
Jenny Graham is on the move again.
Who is this then?
That would Alan Parkinsons bike.
I suspect James Hayden will have a very strong finish. If in touch after Torridon, he could make up a lot of ground.
I wonder what Jenny is thinking about the Fisherfield river crossing. It's likely to be deeeeeep.
Go on JG!
JH has a very slow bit coming up while LG is on decent tracks.
@epicyclo - "Or the Oykel Bridge Hotel cuisine is fabulous… 🙂"
I've stayed there on an overnighter. It's belting! All you can eat buffets for hungry outdoor types..
Fisherfield is looming up, and it looks like the race is on...
Liam now well off-route. Can't see what he'd be aiming for as there's no accommodation or shop along that road.