Highland Trail 2019

[sean_iow]

https://twitter.com/Clarionrider/status ... 86209?s=19

Karl had a rucksack on when I took these photos yesterday...

I just saw them. He must have had that fold up rucksack in his seat pack. I did wonder how he was going to carry provisions through the remote sections.

[GregMay]

Jenny is out.

[Alpinum]

Thats one of them collapsible rucksacks (I have the Osoprey version which collapses into the size of an apple and wieghs around 150g or summat)... He must have been in the mood of carrying some rocks so took out of his bikepacking bags and filled it up and on back

Looks like the S2S type. 90 g I think.
Thought he couldn't be without (picking up more rocks on the way - the wet ones, you know, they're heavier).

On the BB forum this technique has been a topic before (small rucksack - not the rocks) and it works really well, especially for a route like HT.
Adds quite some flexibility.

Jenny did it the same with good success in 2016.

Gutted to read she's out. Greg, t'is grim reeping...

[redefined_cycles]

Yup... quite possibly thats what got me inspired to buy mine. The Osprey one actually has shaped shoulder straps so quite comfy too (can you tell I like Osprey... they sponsored a team of 7 of us a round 7 years ago with some demo rucksacks.. given us 4 for a Mcmillan chairty ride Liverpool to Leeds canal towpath... sonce afyer that I realised they actually make (some of the) best packs available)...

And like a true ambassador:

https://m.activinstinct.co.uk/product/o ... 5wQAvD_BwE

(Not endorsing the actual shop btw.. its just it was cheapest option... Green and blue bags are better functioning obviously )

Shafiq

[slarge]

Javi's nearly home, and Karl will be by the time we get up. Epic rides everyone!

[tanadog]

Nelson is in Kinlocheven, around midnight, looking unsuccessfully for a roof. sounds like his bike is "f&*%ked" .

[BobCatMax]

Javi's in, about 20 past 5

[redefined_cycles]

Very very well done Javi. That was epic and a true inspiration (to not ever try this )...

A* with the Queens Golden Jubilee award (although we're just a tad late for that as it was in 2011 I think but you deserve it)

[Mart]

What’s Karl been doing in Ft William overnight? Something very odd

[summittoppler]

What’s Karl been doing in Ft William overnight? Something feels not right

I'm sure the bike shop is down that way, waiting for it to open perhaps?

[AlasdairMc]

What do people reckon is the time taken from Dornie to Tyndrum? 24hrs at an average pace?

Just planning to return there for JT’s arrival.

[sean_iow]

Looking at my times from last year I arrived at Dornie stores at 11:20am and finished at 09:55 am the next day.

I make that 22 hrs 35 mins in good conditions. I stopped at Dornie for a while eating and drying kit in the sun. I also stopped at Fort A for pizza. I rode straight through without a bivi.

If he rides straight through without a sleep I recon JT will make it back late tomorrow morning. I fear he will be too late for pizza tonight

[slarge]

Looks like there's some broken people or bikes on the home straight - James H, Karl B, Markus all travelling much slower than I'd expect for the last few hours. John White's done well - he got a full dunking in the river before Contin and I thought he would pull out, but he has kept plugging away and done a mighty fine ride.

[ScotRoutes]

I see that Martin Kubes (ITT) has skipped the northern loop. I know he'd stopped at the Inchbae Lodge complaining of a cold night.

[AlasdairMc]

Looking at my times from last year I arrived at Dornie stores at 11:20am and finished at 09:55 am the next day.

I make that 22 hrs 35 mins in good conditions. I stopped at Dornie for a while eating and drying kit in the sun. I also stopped at Fort A for pizza. I rode straight through without a bivi.

If he rides straight through without a sleep I recon JT will make it back late tomorrow morning. I fear he will be too late for pizza tonight

Thanks Sean. I managed 24hrs from Morvich to Fort Augustus but that was with several mechanicals, a pizza, and lunch in Tomich at the post office.

[AlasdairMc]

Has Ben Salthouse scratched as he appears to be on the road out from Kinlochewe?

[GregMay]

Correct A, he scratched this morning.

[fatbikephil]

What’s Karl been doing in Ft William overnight? Something feels not right

I'm sure the bike shop is down that way, waiting for it to open perhaps?

Looks like he did an urban bivi then waited for Nevis cycles to open, spent some time there and then headed off - brake pads?? Weather horrible up there again.....

[Dave Barter]

Karl about to finish. Let’s applaud him over the line!!

[slarge]

clap clap clap - cheer!.. He's done pretty well - despite the cows (he met a cow at the start of day 2 being driven down the road - made him sprint for a bit!!)

The dropout rate this year is "just like the old days" - around 35-40% success rate. Just shows how tough this route is when the weather turns.

[sean_iow]

Karl's dot is bouncing

Great ride by him, I had a feeling he'd finish whatever happened as he was more motivated than I've seen him before. Chapeau.

[ScotRoutes]

Aaaand the northern loop is now empty.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Well done Karl and would anyone like to now tell us what his 'special' finishing treat was?

[fatbikephil]

Cow pie??
Well done Karl!

Good pic on the witter feed of Dusty crossing the sealga - looks about the same as '15!
Also confirmation that he was on route at clunes - thank f***k!

[fatbikerbill]

Well done Karl and all others who started.

I don't think I could ride a road bike down hill on tarmac that distance any faster.