HT550 - 2017

[Ian]

I reckon NB and CH are about 2 hours ahead of Phil Simcock's record time (note, this didn't include the Ben Alder variation, but still...), and it doesn't appear that they stopped for long (if at all). They've dropped Phil A, who had a 5.5 hour stop judging by his speed/ time plot.

Edit: Ian Fitz has moved up to forth - good riding from him

Richard - difficult bits: they're making this look very easy, but the next difficult bit will be from after Loch Shin over Bealach Horn to Achfary. There's a nasty climb out of Achfary then lumpy road round the coast to Lockinver. Maybe there for tea time tonight?
The piece immediately after Lochinver is hard - 3 hours (unless you're John Fettis https://www.strava.com/segments/12275747).
The Ullapool Mountain road is OK, bit of hike-a-bike. Things get properly difficult after Ullapool. Coffin Road, Fisherfield, Torridon. There's a bit of respite until Dornie, then you've got the haul over to Glen Affric. Everything is rideable again until the Devil's Staircase (after Kinlochleven).

[Richpips]

Well Neil might carrying but hasn't been using. They will be done by the time we get to work on Tuesday. Has no one told them that it is the dotwatchers condition of service to do nothing that takes longer than 3minutes for at least 4and a bit days?.

Rich Rothwell looks as if he may be tracking back to Square Wheels That will cost time with Sunday opening.
Isn't Jenny doing well?. A clear lead in the woman's race.

Some of those back markers doing it for the very first time must be wondering what they have let themselves in for. In previous years they would have had plenty of company.

[boxelder]

Isn't Jenny doing well?

Just what I was going to post, she's ahead of Lee C's pace last year surely?
Neil and Chris are now a day ahead of where most of us were in 2015 - twice our pace.....
PA not that far back and will get a decent breakfast.

[Richpips]

It is blistering and not just the front runners. Everybody has turned up with their game face on.

I got up early to make a celebratory cake for the small boy and his sidekick. I may have to dart to an M&S foodhall instead.

[Borderer]

It's really interesting the way that Belchenko and Hope going scorching off is pulling the others along behind them. Reading Huw Oliver's blog from last year shows he is loads up on that this year too. I have also been cheering Jenny on as she is doing great. It's amazing to watch, even just in dot form.

Giro d'Italia is also looking very exciting this year - I am routing for Tom Dumoulin cos he has a great name for a Dutchman and I would love to see him shake up the road cycling world.

[cyclingtiger]

Just done a replay from when I looked last night. No sleep for NB & CH. Not for PA either but he was much slower after Contin. Everyone else seemed to get a few hours south of Marybank. Will be interesting to see if/when NB & CH have to pay for pushing on through.

[FLV]

I couldn't decide if they'd had about 1.5 hours just after 1am
Not sure as I've never been up that northern loop so could just have been a carry.

[cyclingtiger]

Looks like everyone took that area slowly. They would have had the disadvantage of doing it in the dark as well. Still looks like they kept moving though.

[Richard G]

These performances are mindblowing.

Edit - Thanks Ian.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Truly insane out there. I imagine today might get even more interesting.

Odd how every year, you think people can't possibly push harder then they do

[jameso]

Odd how every year, you think people can't possibly push harder then they do

The sleep:ride ratio gets more extreme as the events mature (or riders get more experienced, confident, etc?) it seems.

[Richpips]

Somewhere in Glen Affrik is serving a continental breakfast.
And Rich & Shona are about to start the hill to CP1. They must love one another very much. Do not expect a Mr & Mrs Pips tandem on the start line..... ever.

[Richpips]

Another to keep an eye on is Pavel Machacek. He has crept up through the field through the night.

[summittoppler]

Not good for Rich & Shona, here's their tweet:

'And we're out of the @HT_550 an off the bike moment left us with a snapped helmet, snapped saddle and dodgy seat post not a tandem year'

[Dave Barter]

I wonder if Gabes is having tracker problems as he has not shown a new point since just before Fort Augustus?

[Borderer]

Not good for Rich & Shona, here's their tweet:

'And we're out of the @HT_550 an off the bike moment left us with a snapped helmet, snapped saddle and dodgy seat post not a tandem year'

Damn, that's a shame.

[Borderer]

I think Alex Wozniak's tracker has been eaten by a sheep.

[In Reverse]

Not good for Rich & Shona, here's their tweet:

'And we're out of the @HT_550 an off the bike moment left us with a snapped helmet, snapped saddle and dodgy seat post not a tandem year'

Arse, the first day. They were buzzing about it last week.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Any word on Bob? Tracker malfunction?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Fast approaching half way in 28 hours

Anyone care to guess at a finish time?

[Asposium]

Are SPOT trackers unreliable?
Is inReach better?

[Scattamah]

Like anything that uses satellite, SPOT requires line of sight to operate 100%. If the unit is not face up, or you're going through forested areas, transmission can be patchy. Hence the reason you'll often see people with their tracker affixed to the top of a saddle pack or on the handlebars. Mine currently lives in the front pouch of my Ortlieb waist pack. Nothing to obstruct it's line of sight and whilst it's not horizontal, I'm usually leant over far enough it's pointing somewhat upwards and can find a sat.

Greetz

S.

[Borderer]

Phil Addyman is closing in on Beltchenko.

[Richpips]

What is happening with Chris Hope? I hope it is a case of burying the tracker in a bag.
Sad news that the tandem is out.

[Borderer]

He must be asleep, scratched, or as you say, the tracker isn't working. Hopefully its the latter.