HT550 - 2017

[Richard G]

I'll be at the finish to snap some photos of Javi, he should be a happy camper, maybe he will drink a beer if I bring him one.

Bring him a pint of water. He'll appreciate the thought.

[Richard G]

Javier's nearly back. Top job.

...aaaaaaaand back.

[ianfitz]

Javi finished at 19:16 and is now sitting next to me and Neil in the tyndrum inn

[Richard G]

Great effort BTW Ian, you should be very proud of that.

Hope you recover soon.

[Richpips]

I always feel for people going the wrong way.

http://trackleaders.com/highland17i.php ... m_Erritzoe

[Richard G]

That's a strange detour.

[touch]

What's Jenny up to? Hasn't slept since Ullapool and looks like she might be heading straight to Tyndrum?

[Richard G]

It's possible, but she's still got a fair way to go.

[Richard G]

That's Mr Goldsmith completed.

[Alpinum]

What's Jenny up to? Hasn't slept since Ullapool and looks like she might be heading straight to Tyndrum?

Looks like she had a little kip in Dornie.
Sub 5 d finish still in reach. She had kind of a tough end last year after riding strong. Would be great to see thing line up better this time.
Fingers crossed she can pull it off!

Go Jenny!

That's Mr Goldsmith completed.

Business as usual

[Mart]

I always feel for people going the wrong way.

http://trackleaders.com/highland17i.php ... m_Erritzoe

Ouch that a few miles extra

[Richard G]

Hell of a push from Bob since the last time he slept. Not far now!

[atk]

Where's Ilan?

[Howard]

Although I'm still showing as active on Trackleaders, it'a pretty obvious I took the (very difficult) decision to scratch. I started with a rib that was only just healed but despite that I went well for the first 200 miles. Like lots of people, I was 7 hours up on my previous time by OBH. But then my rib started "clicking" again and I was slower over the 100 miles of the northern loop. I can put up with background pain ( comes with the territory ) but some sharp pains during the HAB to Leadmore made me think my body was trying to tell me something! Having completed last year, I knew what was coming up and just felt it was too big a risk to take the body into Fisherfield. It turns out scratching is mentally harder to cope with than carrying on

Catching up with the thread and completely agree with everything that's been said about the performances this year. The top guys are elite athletes by any standards. Makes me definitely feel like a mere mortal.

On way back to Tyndrum to get my car and see who's about. One thing about the HT - you find things out about yourself you didn't know before. This wasn't the outcome I wanted, but I'm probably better for it. Good luck to all the riders still out there, especially the ones I was seeing on a daily basis.

[padonbike]

Nice to meet you Howard on the Friday evening and sorry to hear you didn't complete.
It's no place to be taking risks and your tough, but sensible decision was the safe thing to do. Get well.

[Mariner]

Sorry to hear that Howard.
All the best and hope you get over the rib problem soon.

[Richard G]

That's Bob complete. Hell of a final day!

Any other bearboners out there?

[sean_iow]

Ian PV?
Adrian Baskerville - Don't know if he posts but I met him at Braunton and he does look on here.

[whitestone]

WOW!!

I really enjoyed that.

"Today" was a bit long, started at 0400 yesterday, not slept since!

Met up with Jenny Graham at Ft. Augustus and we rode to the finish. We tried our damnest to get under five days but it was always going to be tight.

I might need some sleep!

[Alpinum]

WOW!!

I really enjoyed that.

"Today" was a bit long, started at 0400 yesterday, not slept since!

Met up with Jenny Graham at Ft. Augustus and we rode to the finish. We tried our damnest to get under five days but it was always going to be tight.

I might need some sleep!

What an effort! Well done indeed. Was hoping both of you would make it, but from Ft. Bill onwards it looked grim for sub 5. For me it was the best part of dotwatching as I rode a little on last year's loops with Jenny and kind of felt with/for her. Amazing ride of you and Jenny

2013 I missed a crucial time line by only a few minutes.
It's cruel when you realise you're just a little off after going for so long.
Well, it's just numbers in the end...

Thank for entertaining

Gian

[mountainbaker]

Brilliant riding from you both Bob and Jenny, was watching your dots ever since I scratched! Shame you didn't sub 5, but like gian said, it's just numbers.

I can't wait to get back and have another go, stronger and fitter next time.

[Richpips]

Well done Bob, and say the same to Jenny from me and Tom.

[Nikk]

Amazing times happening this year, Neil's record is just astounding! That's gonna be a tough one to beat.

Well done to Jenny on your time, strong riding for sure.

Hard luck Howard. Take it from me, I wrote the book on pre-Fisherfield scratches! Twice I have scratched right there. I was not a happy chap both times. But it is the right decision, carrying a debilitating injury into Fisherfield is not a good idea.

[Nikk]

Photos from that start are now up on my blog at http://niksbikingblog.blogspot.co.uk/20 ... nd-at.html

All in order they were taken. Sorry if I missed anyone!

My two favorites:

[Richard G]

That hobo looks like he's about to run off with that kid. Good job you have some evidence.