Highland Trail 2019

[Raggedstone]

Well done Karl glad you stayed on the right side of the locals !

And well done to everyone who set off a friend and me did the route last year in near perfect conditions how you get through all that at that speed in the conditions you got this year is staggering .

Back to dot watching now.

[GregMay]

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

I know :)

[ZeroDarkBivi]

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

Karl had a rucksack on when I took these photos yesterday... He was on top form complaining a bit about elephant legs and planning on putting his feet up for a while to drain them in the bothy.

He looked a bit gutted when see later on at Kinlochewe Hotel and the owner reluctant to serve him, James and another rider. They'd missed food, till had been cashed. They ended up bartering energy dense provisions and charity donations as he was refusing to sell them anything. I felt a bit guilty having had a 3 course meal!

Had a similar disappointment in 2017, despite arriving long before closing. TBH I think they had a real attitude with cyclists in general, and personally I would never darken their inhospitable doors again!

[Karl]

That was a tough ride. It's a hard ride in good conditions but this year the weather really tried to kick our arses.

Reading the thread about my kit, I was travelling light. Too light in hindsight but I made it work (eventually) by buying a very large persons poncho. First two nights would have been very easy to throw in the towel (could of used it dry off with as well ).

I do a write up soon when I don't keep nodding off (won't be many pics ). Just wanted to say congratulations to anyone taking part this year, it was from from the start. And thanks to all the hawkeyed dotwatchers for the fantastically actuate running commentary (weird how you piece it all together by just using dots and get it right 9/10 times).

[mechanicaldope]

Good work Karl. Excellent job!

[slarge]

Karl, I think I know how tough that was - so kudos to you!! I can only imagine your resolve to finish far outweighed the desire to scratch, and I hope those pisstakers at work are now eating their words

[Mark E]

Well done Karl-sounds like one of the tougher editions of the HT550!

[whitestone]

Well done Karl

TBH I don't think I'd have stuck it out in those conditions. It's a fine line between being safe and getting into serious trouble. Pictures or not, your account will make for interesting reading.

[redefined_cycles]

Good work Karl. Looking forward to the blog writeup. True inspiration for me to try a 50 miler mtb ... From a clinical perspective, I dont even get how you're all still standing (I do really as the body has been made a seriously smart piece of perfect machinery)... well done probably doesn't cut it so





NB. Everyones dying to know what the motivstion/pressie was for finishing. Must've been a new Salsa or a Stooge!

[ScotRoutes]

Martin Kubes (ITT) has turned back at the Abhainn Srath na Sealga crossing. He's a big guy but obviously didn't fancy the wade. Possible that more rain has made it worse. Michelle is still a distance behind him so I wonder if that will scupper her chances of getting first/only woman finisher this year?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Looks like Adrian should be home sometime today too

[Escape Goat]

Still got the shops iPad open watching them!

[GregMay]

Should be our last rider through Fisherfield

[fatbikephil]

Well done Karl, that was a major achievement in those conditions! Us 2015 veterans will have to shut up harping on about how hard it was now

[whitestone]

Should be our last rider through Fisherfield

No doubt about whether she’s followed the line there! She’s currently on the Postman’s Path.

Massive kudos to her for keeping going

[paramart]

well done karl, never doubted you,

[GregMay]

Just one to account for then we're done for this GD and initial ITT rides.

[metalheart]

See Michelle’s scratched (not that I blame her like!).

So that’s the race over now, yeah?

A bit epic this year...

[redefined_cycles]

Just one to account for then we're done for this GD and initial ITT rides.

GD=

[whitestone]

Just one to account for then we're done for this GD and initial ITT rides.

GD=

Either "Group Depart" or " Grand Depart"

Sorry to see Michele scratch, possible she's a plane to catch to get back home.

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks Bob... so the only other groupstart/grand depart for this year is the BB200/300 right....

[AlasdairMc]

Thanks Bob... so the only other groupstart/grand depart for this year is the BB200/300 right....

Borders 350 in early July as well.

[Raggedstone]

Totally agree Bob it was a great start to the day when I saw Greg's post with Michelle half way across the water then later at Kinlochewe .
Does the Jenn ride constitute a group start I will know in a few weeks ?

[GregMay]

Technically if more than two people start at once it's a group start...

[sean_iow]

Bit more dot watching to go on the HT550 this year Isla Rowntree (of Isla bikes) is on her ITT. She was meant to be riding in the group start but a broken foot stopped than

Not deterred she set off on an ITT on Saturday morning, getting to Fort A on the first day, I think before closing time at The Moorings. Made it to Croik last night and is now heading round the northern loop

She's riding a singlespeed Does anyone know of any previous woman singlespeeders?