Police are reporting a fight breaking out in Oykel bridge. Apparently a dispute over of the last bag of Haribos.....
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Nah, they're all gentlemen, they'd give Lee first go... 🙂
Confirming Ian Wilmshurst as a scratch - injured back, is pootling back to Tyndrum.
Awesome efforts as always!
Passed a few at Contin shop this morning on my way to fisherfeld this morning. On the way home, about 4pm on the short road stretch at Inchbae, I saw a bike coming towards me with bags on it. I tooted and gave a thumbs up but then realised my mistake as it was actually a tandem....except there was no mistake - there are actually two nutcases doing it on a tandem 😯 😯
How horrific is the Hikeatandem going to be??? Perverts.
Then I saw another rider almost get taken out by an utter, utter arsehole in a Porsche. Just to be clear, should you read this in the future unknown rider, my ****er gesticulation was for the driver, not you. 🙂
but then realised my mistake as it was actually a tandem
That'll be Rich and Shona the purveyors of shiney things at Keep Pedalling on their Salsa Powder Keg.
So the weight of that tandem is quite stunning - 40lbs dry without kit on it.
I think they'd got the whole thing to <60lbs bar water.
More than awesome, superhuman more like. Stuart Cowperthwaite is almost at CP4 which is 250 miles.
Ian B had a long stop at the last place, hope he's doing ok.
Stuart Cowperthwaite isnearly at the halfway mark!
Lee is running 4th.
Edit:
He's past it
Great weather forecast until Thursday .. 🙂
There were a few showers this afternoon further out North and West and in the Contin area. Another cracking evening though. It'll easily be light enough for riding without lights at 11pm.
I have a drive to Kylesku tomorrow afternoon. I'll see if I can spot any riders.
And Fisherfield looks dry at the moment!
Just done an evening ride around Fisherfield on the motorbike. As I dropped down into Kinlochewe, a rider loaded up was coming out of Incheril. Someone scratched and chose to take a direct route from Shenavall to Lochan Fada?
It's like chalk and cheese between the Letterewe estate and Fisherfield Estate (north) weatherwise this eve. Beautiful around Slioch but north of Gairloch its low cloud/misty and very scenic. Nice temperature though so it's all good for them.
None of the HTR riders has got anywhere near there yet.
So I see! I guessed they were coming through that area when I spotted the guy all loaded up.
Lots of people bikepacking up here this year, great to see. Low cload and mist has only been inland. Been mostly sunny out here on the coast.
And right now, Lee IS IN THE LEAD!
Looks like Stuart is in the lead, Lee close 2nd.
Lee seems to have missed out the off road section coming into Lochinver this morning. She tweeted that she was having Garmin issues last night and was using her phone to navigate.
Yep, looks like she was on a fast road rather than off road. That's a crying shame.
Here are some pics from around Ben Alder on Saturday. Fantastic conditions.
[url= https://flic.kr/s/aHskxp8UVX ]Ben Alder HT550[/url] - album here
[img][url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7379/27060325990_9e56db5d6c_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7379/27060325990_9e56db5d6c_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Heef9E ]Zbyneck and Adam[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/130951075@N03/ ]Andy Williamson[/url], on Flickr[/img]
NewRetroTom - Member
Lee seems to have missed out the off road section coming into Lochinver this morning. She tweeted that she was having Garmin issues last night and was using her phone to navigate.
How much time do you think that would that save?
Oops. I think Alan has made concessions in the past for similar lapses of concentration. Both that section and the off-road section into Ullapool. Otherwise that makes Jenny the "leading lady".
Decisions are made afterwards by Alan - please let's assume Lee went back for now, the SPOT trace is not fine enough for anyone to make assumptions. This is going to be a GPX to prove you didn't moment I fear :/ Hard if your phone has crapped out and not tracking you.
Steve Heading has had a mechanical - one of the Al's is having gastric issues (assuming Goldsmith) and they've bailed to the road.
Not Goldsmith - as he's started to move, looks like Alan Sheldon.
How much time do you think that would that save?
Probably about 25 mins.
Historical Split Update from Matt C.
Ledmore Jct
2014: Phil Simcock 1:22:34
2015: Tom Roundtree 2:00:42
2016: Stuart Cowperthwaite 2:00:32
Bloody hell.
Don't forget Josh was about 2.5 hours ahead of me in 2015 at Ledmore.
Not much between the first 4 at this stage (Oykel Bridge return bit)
Indeed, but plenty left to come yet. Much, much HAB in the next day.
Yes, it's always the last bit that's the killer in anything this long. 🙂
[img][url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7327/27238231502_4fe058c035_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7327/27238231502_4fe058c035_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/HuX4g5 ]Liam[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/130951075@N03/ ]Andy Williamson[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Is this Liam? He's riding strongly since Sat p.m.
If a tag on the spot tracker is greyed out has the rider pulled out? Or is it just waiting for an update? Our lad Scott hasn't moved in a while...
I think that after a certain number of missed updates the tag becomes greyed out. Greg will answer definitively. It seems that he's currently in the vicinity of the Oykel Bridge Hotel so might be getting refreshments 😀
Grey tag means they haven't registered in a SPOT chirp in 30mins - nothing else.
Not Goldsmith - as he's started to move, looks like Alan Sheldon
Showing Alan Sheldon as scratched now. Hope he's OK as he's a good mate who I ride with regularly.
I bumped into Phil Addyman in Ullapool Tesco. Talk about a man on a mission!!!! It's hard to explain just how focussed he was in getting in, getting food and drink, using the toilet and getting out again. 😆
I've seen a couple of comments regarding the fisherfield section coming up so it's "about to get interesting". What's the deal with this, is it a difficult, hilly, hike, remote, all of the above, kinda section?
Fisherfield is a very wide river crossing, I think
Fisherfield river crossings can be serious, but there's very little water in the rivers at the moment - so no problem.
bigmandh - Member
I've seen a couple of comments regarding the fisherfield section coming up so it's "about to get interesting". What's the deal with this, is it a difficult, hilly, hike, remote, all of the above, kinda section?Yes!
Showing Alan Sheldon as scratched now. Hope he's OK as he's a good mate who I ride with regularly.
Gastric issues. He's with Steve Heading - who's had a mechanical.
The Fisherfield can have a big river crossing, there's lots of tricky riding and a big hill in the middle. It's an amazing place to be on a bicycle, but most will question what the hell they are doing there on one at some point, even in benign conditions.
I'm in awe of these riders, I have no idea how they can keep up this pace over such difficult terrain. I fancy doing it as [s]an ITT[/s] a holiday ride sometime, perhaps over a leisurely fortnight rather than a few days.
Anyway, here are a few photos of a ride through the Fisherfield a few years ago to keep us entertained as we wait for the [url= http://trackleaders.com/highland16 ]Spot dots[/url] to update...
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ooft. Just realised this years route goes down the Slioch side of Loch Maree 😯
I've seen a couple of comments regarding the fisherfield section coming up so it's "about to get interesting". What's the deal with this, is it a difficult, hilly, hike, remote, all of the above, kinda section?
Fisherfield, AKA the last great wilderness, a long section between roads where the route itself is the easiest and quickest way out. I've only been in to Carnmore and a little bit beyond which is a four to five hour walk, the leaders have a bit of hike a bike to get over to the bothy there. There's a river crossing here http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=205352&Y=881622&A=Y&Z=120 which if it's too deep/dangerous means backtracking and going round by the coast road but there's not been much rain in the area recently - last year one competitor took over a day to get across it. After Carnmore they've the postman's path alongside Loch Maree which, according to a Greek goat I know, is "interesting".
It's also the only place I've ever seen a Scottish wildcat.
That side of Loch Maree is a pain in the ass rode there 2 months ago never friggin ending!
A friend of mine Paul Horabin has scratched bad knee he has been riding with 2 broken ribs from the Jennride 3 weeks ago, his girlfriend is still going Fi Massey 🙂
For me the route from Corrie Hallie (near Dundonnell) to Poolewe is one of THE classic rides in the UK - but it's also one of the most serious.
I'm curious to see how long it takes for people to get from Letterewe to Kinlochewe. I've walked out, but not been tempted into a ride. Perhaps Postierich did so out of professional interest? I deliver the post to Letterewe twice a week, but unfortunately the days wobbly take it as far as the roadside on the opposite side of Loch Maree. Every time I see an item addressed to Carnmore I'm SO tempted to deliver it by bike!
You genuinely see post addressed to Carnmore? I thought the house there was only ever a shooting lodge for the estate.
Just seen this shot of the crossing of the Abhainn Strath na Sealga
very much lower than other shots I've seen which have been waist deep.
Yep, and one or two other addresses in Fisherfield! As you say though, apart from Letterewe nowhere is permanently occupied.
I went through Fisherfield (The Trans Fisherfield a couple of weeks ago, and the rivers were only ankle deep. Slightly annoyin really, as I managed to go though deep in an oozing, aromatic black blog between the two crossings!
Phil Addyman is obviously a bit of a night owl 🙂
What sort of time do the slower folk take - those that are looking to get round rather than race?
And is there a good source of info and advice or is it a case of just going through old threads on here?
Could be interested in plodding round. Though I'm guessing I've missed what looks like perfect weather this year!
Cheers
Fraser
Fraser - time is not a problem, you can ride the route whenever - what you want to do, is just that.
Info on here (search tool) from 2013 and 2014 races in digital form, some in the mag, some in threads. Bikepacking.net and the bearbones forum are other sources.
I'll be back next year - TOur DIvide this year - 2013 was good, but I yern for longer now.
Wow, I also hadn't clocked that the route was on the north loch Maree 'path'. I don't think I could do that again without weeping pathetically into the bogs as I dragged my bike along. Cruel.
paul4stones - Member
Phil Addyman is obviously a bit of a night owl
I wonder if this is where they all pull out their strongest coffee and ride all night.
Lee has just shown she can do that in the NC500 - 36 hours nonstop. Maybe it was a practice run.
Fraser pulled a non-stop overnighter at the end of last year. I reckon a decent nights sleep in Shenavall could see him do the same again, in which case those ahead might need to be looking over their shoulders.
Lee has just shown she can do that in the NC500 - 36 hours nonstop. Maybe it was a practice run.
She didn't do the full 36, had stops/sleeps in the van and supported 3 of the riders that did the full thing non stop
GregMay - if I did it I'd probably like to do the event, for the sociable aspect. Or does it just get filled with the super quick guys and girls? I notice the limit is 40 entrants or thereabouts.
This Liam Glen chap is amazing. If you replay everyone's ride so far, he was a million miles behind after the first day. Actually they're all amazing for getting round!
Just stunningly hot weather for them now this dot watching is addictive...
Good to see sarpullido in the mix right now. Good stuff 🙂
Just checked - 2nd at the mo.
IanB up from 18th to 13th - I'd thought he was struggling but he tweeted and sounded fine. Amuses me to watch sleeping riders being passed 🙂
It's not a race for most. It's about completing and enjoying the experience. The lead 5 here are racing though.
[quote=fatmax ]GregMay - if I did it I'd probably like to do the event, for the sociable aspect. Or does it just get filled with the super quick guys and girls? I notice the limit is 40 entrants or thereabouts.
As the event has become more popular, Alan has been able to set some qualifying criteria (mostly regarding experience of other, similar, bikepacking events and trips). That's probably contributing to the relatively low attrition rate we're seeing this year, though general preparedness and the fantastic weather/conditions are undoubtedly helping.
It's interesting to see that many of the riders are now in little clumps of 4/5. I guess sparsity of accommodation and restock means a lot of folk trying to reach the same point within certain time windows. However, there always seems to be someone who completes the event without seeing another competitor after day 1 🙂
Whistlestop Cafe in Kinlochewe seems to be popular right now. 🙂
Liam has opened up 10 mile lead.
liam was already up and rolling when i logged in at 5am this morning - the others were still stationary.
i did have to look back and make sure he stopped - as he was still riding when i went to sleep.
I can confirm he did turn into a little tent icon at one point.
How does the website know you're camping to make you into a tent?
IIRC Spot's have a motion sensor, so know the difference between stopped for lunch (walking around a small area with spot in pocket) and sleeping (even if the GPS error thinks you're not still).
It's automated to the Trackleaders site - nothing to do with SPOT.
It just means you've been stopped for more than 4 hours.
IIRC Spot's have a motion sensor
From the Spot website: "A vibration sensor tells your SPOT to send track updates when you are moving and to stop when you do. (This is a great new battery-saving feature!) "
That's only on the Gen 3 by the way.
Anyone got a prediction for when we'll see a finish?
Tom - they do, but that's not how it's processed by the Trackleaders page as far as I know.
Epicyclo - probably tonight for the leaders, if Liam can hold it together with no sleep, if Javi is on a gear that doesn't suck down the C.Canal (singlespeed), if no on has a better plan coming 🙂
Liam Glen has not stopped all day, by the look of it!
He stopped in Dornie for about half an hour but even so ...
Surely Liam has to sleep at some point? Looks like he's been going since about 5!
Actually, having said that, 110miles to go, 14 hours? Only just longer than a 24h race, just a bit more fatigued!
What's the longest last day anyone's done?
Could it be won or lost on who can do the best 40 mile time trial between Fort A and Fort W??
Scratch Update: Confirming Matt Orton - all well. Is eating ice-cream.
Just over 100 miles left for Liam, but it's not a huge gap over the next 4 for that distance.
Maybe it's going to be who bonks first, but they're all experienced, so that is unlikely.
