Highland Trail 550 - 2018

[Howard]

I’m staying in Morvich for a few days so joined Rich and Tom for a couple of miles earlier this evening. Going nice and steady, only real challenge are the midges which are really bad now. Wind has died again so not surprised they’ve stopped at Camban. Amazing people!

[Jurassic]

I met Peter ( Admiraal, the Dutch guy who started a reverse attempt but scratched) at Ben Alder Cottage on Wednesday. I was out doing a couple of day ride that happened to include Ben Alder Cottage and he rolled in on his way back to Tyndrum (still riding the route backwards). He was curious for news about what was happening in the mass start event and I was able to share the "charged by a cow" incident amongst other things (although I was a bit out of date having been free of internet for a few days). It was interesting to chat with him a little anyway.
It was also funny seeing all the tracks through the boggy (but dry this year) section after the end of hard surfaced track leading to the bothy from the south left behind by the racers.

[Richard G]

I've been out of the country for the last week. Can anyone give me a summary of how the boners got on?

[whitestone]

I've been out of the country for the last week. Can anyone give me a summary of how the boners got on?

Mixed fortunes as you'd expect, there's full/partial tales somewhere in this thread but I think this is everyone ...

Completions

Javi: third and first single speeder to get under four days
Sean_iow
PostieRich
Jose McTavish
Rich and Tom: still out there

Scratches - heat was a factor in many

Me: food poisoning and heat - link to blog a few posts back
StuCowp: mechanical
Karl: cow!
ScottL: scratched after helping Huw Oliver get to hospital
Mike: cut his foot while skinny dipping!
mje24: presumably heat

[Karl]

Mark Evans was Garmin issues.

[Richard G]

Thanks Bob. Sounds like it was hard times this year.

[philipft]

Wow that was hot!
Some great stories, and glad everyone (bar a couple to keep an eye on) is back safe, well done Scott.
Ive done this 5 times on the trot, quit the first two, but managed to finish the last three all around similar times and I have learnt a few things along the way, so just thought I'd drop a few of them in here, I'm not for a second suggesting any of my thoughts relates to anyones rides, just my own personal thoughts.
1)Technology doesn't make you go faster, my fastest time was three years ago on a steel singlespeed, my last two rides on a yeti sb4.5c with 11 gears and more suspension than you can imagine.
2) I quit the first two editions with some excuse or another, first one stomach problems at Contin (dont know with hindsight if I could have carried on) the second time was at Kinlochewe with the same problems I had this year, cuts from a crash on day one, toe nails fallen off, blisters on the underside off the feat. This time i just had to adjust my strategy and stop every few hours to take off my shoes and socks.
3) Highland trail mood is always temporary, I've gone from tears to elation and back again at the whim of a packet of fruit pastilles (so be prepared to ride those out and adjust when you make decisions)
4) Javi is a phenomenal bike rider, I've seen his back wheel, there is no way I would have the resolve to finish in those circumstances.
5) Well done Lee Craigie, you are inspiring women and men (my wife and daughters were glued to your dot, not mine!) however you do need to work on your directions, there is a little stereotype there that you haven't yet busted.
6) In five years I cant recall Alan G ever once complaining about anything out on the trail???

So thats is it, I'm off to eat my way around south manchester, and see if I can find a way to avoid doing this again next year

[philipft]

Oh... and I did bump into Danny Mcaskill in the woods in Kinlochewe. My kids are convinced I was hallucinating and talking to a tree !

[postierich]

Home now and a happy lad very lucky to get a place and had no intention to race it as I was riding 80% new trails to me. Next year I might race it hopefully in cooler conditions. Met some marvellous people before during and after the event doffs cap to Sean as that was a great ride on a SS shame I had my beer head on for the last 2 days and I could have made you work even harder for the bottle of beer at the end
Some bad luck on the scratches especially Mike as he was going so well . Thanks to Mark Owen kept me going on the first day with his knowledge of sugar hits before the Corriack Pass at Laggan.
A few pics
33657785_10156536826041474_7114979390181605376_n by Richard Munro, on Flickr
33902497_10156541995651474_3520956945936678912_n by Richard Munro, on Flickr
34118460_10156547027511474_343199738427867136_n by Richard Munro, on Flickr
33902493_10156547028081474_8754220406786752512_n by Richard Munro, on Flickr
33865523_10156541995001474_8092826199463559168_n by Richard Munro, on Flickr
33720481_10156541994906474_1403340277174763520_n by Richard Munro, on Flickr

[postierich]

Cheers to Alan G for a fantastic event and Dave Barter for the Spot
33813996_10156540602731474_5275788026537050112_n by Richard Munro, on Flickr

[Mark E]

Well done for getting round Rich-and everyone else too.
Mark

[Mike]

I'd like to say well done to everyone that took part , completed or not it was tough under those conditions. I can second richs sentiments about meeting some fantastic folk at the event. It always amazes me what a great past time we do and the folk that take part. I'd like to say a big thanks also to Alan for a cracking route/event and if I can get a place I will be back to do it justice next year. To the guys I rode with thanks for the great company and laughs at times. Sorry if I talk too much
I'm not going to do a write up on this one but I will post some pictures as I do have some good ones ( 300 + )

[fatbikephil]

6) In five years I cant recall Alan G ever once complaining about anything out on the trail???

That is a particularly annoying trait he has along with never looking like he's struggling and showing absolutely zero sympathy if you moan about a particular section of the route.
Well done Phil!

And its not over yet, Tom and Rich got around 4-5 hours to go maybes, Michelle Dulieu has done the posty path and looks to be taking some time out in the Whistlestop café.

[Dave Barter]

Rich thank you for making it fourth time lucky for my SPOT

[ScotRoutes]

Rich and Tom will have got a bit wet today. Still, looks like they're on the home straight and should finish without having to pitch up in the wet. They'll probably appreciate the temporary drop in temperature too.

[NewRetroTom]

Will Rich and Tom keep going (maybe for a 1am finish) or will they stop once they get down the Devil's Staircase?

[philipft]

Will Rich and Tom keep going (maybe for a 1am finish) or will they stop once they get down the Devil's Staircase?

There are some quality camping facilities going up on the kinghouse site, toilet blocks, showers and beers ! Might be too much for Rich to resist. Plus it’s a fair way back from there especially with Alan’s new ‘test of will’

[BobCatMax]

The Pips are in! Around 3am.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

)Technology doesn't make you go faster, my fastest time was three years ago on a steel singlespeed, my last two rides on a yeti sb4.5c with 11 gears and more suspension than you can imagine.

Back to SS next year then?
How much do you want for your Yeti...?!

[NewRetroTom]

Well done the Pips!

[NewRetroTom]

What has happened to Michelle Dulieu? Trackleaders is currently listing her as finished, which she clearly isn't as last night she was just beyond the tea house bothy and close to the bealach into Coire Lair.

[fatbikephil]

I noticed that - has trackleaders cancelled everyones dots after the 8 day mark? Hope not as Alan is generally relaxed about this limit...

[sean_iow]

I'd hope trackleaders would of just changed the colour to the touring colour after the 8 days?

Well done Tom, under 8 days as you said to me at the start.

And well done to everyone, I found the heat oppressive, and I'm a southerner so it must of been hot

I'll do a better wtite up when I get some feeling in my fingers to make typing easier hopefully the feeling will return eventually?

[philipft]

Back to SS next year then?
How much do you want for your Yeti...?!

On the push up to Glen Affric, I sold every bike I had, apart from my 2 singlespeeds, so maybe. Yes the yeti will likely go pm me and I’ll send you the full spec

[landel]

Back home again. What an adventure, delighted to have finished. It's an unbelievably tough and beautiful route that Alan has put together. I feel privileged to have been part of it. I must admit that I'd a lot of research done but found the going a lot tougher that expected. It's hard to get your head around the amount/gradient of HAB until you've done some of the route. It was a bit of an eye opener. The heat was overbearing at times and I had to drink litres more water that I'd anticipated but glad I didn't need any of my rain gear. My lack of technical skills was badly exposed at times and I ended up walking an awful lot of downhill. It was a matter of just keep moving forward no matter how slowly. I met some great people and put some faces to the names on here, nice to meet you all and thanks for adding to an amazing experience

Cheers,
Liam Landers.