Highland Trail Race - Good Luck

[Mattie_H]

Just spotted on FB: Mark's had to pull out. Gutted for him given how well he has been going.

[Chew]

Aiden finished a good 40 mins ago.

~3 days, 2 hours & 20 mins

Chapeau 8-)

Ian's half way between Fort Augustus and Fort William, so i'd be expecting him to finish sometime today

[Blackhound]

Mark did have a knee issue but he fell yesterday and has suspected cracked ribs which caused his abandonment.

Aidan finished about 45 minutes ago in an estimate of 3d2h20mins. Ian going well in second place, looks like he rode through the night.

[Zippy]

respect

[Chew]

It's getting close now.

Sheldon might start to be able to see Ian soon and that might spur him on a bit. He's running gears as well so will be able to hunt Ian down on the flattish last section.

It's going to be close.....

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'd be surprised if Ian lets anything slip at this point ... I'm sure he'll be well past his last legs by now and running on fumes but he'll nearly be able to smell his fish supper in Tyndrum*.

*I do actually mean a fish supper, there's a cracking chippy.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Well it looks like Ian's over the Devils Staircase so just the home run now ... should be done for 11pm all being well.

[gairym]

Nice going Ian!!!

[Nick]

Gutted for Mark, I remember him talking about this on the winter bivvy/bothy ride, amazing riding from Aiden and Ian and well all the finishers really.

[Taylor]

Looks like Ian's got 2nd over Alan.
Barring disaster he's got a big enough lead.

[Chew]

Congratulations to Ian 8-)

Just got into Tyndrum at 10:46, in time for last orders as well. Been glued to the screen all day and truly amazed by the time to complete

[Ian]

Hi, Beth here.

Ian has just let me know he has finished at 11:33 this evening.

Thanks for all the support. I am sure he will tell you all about to soon.

[Matt]

Well done that man!

[johnnystorm]

Looking forward to Ian's write up. Cracking ride. :D

[Bearbonesnorm]

Looks like Rob will be home in the next couple of hours for 4th ... another SS too I recall.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Well done Rob, 4th and 4 days 30 mins.

Strange to think that a couple of years ago Rob was part of the last group back on the BB 200 with a time of something like 36 hours (I'm sure they wre riding in a very relaxed manner though). The following year he'd gone singlespeed and came in under 24 hours and now he's just done this

[Chew]

Alans about an hour away now and Marks about anoth 30 mins behind that

[Dyffers]

Strange to think that a couple of years ago Rob was part of the last group back on the BB 200 with a time of something like 36 hours (I'm sure they wre riding in a very relaxed manner though). The following year he'd gone singlespeed and came in under 24 hours and now he's just done this

That comment got me looking at last year's BB200 finishing times...and realising how many of the finishers were on the start line for the HT400. :)

[Ian]

I'd be surprised if Ian lets anything slip at this point ... I'm sure he'll be well past his last legs by now and running on fumes...

This. Just this.

Thanks for all your words folks. Updates later in the week.

[D Faff Master]

Well done to everyone who finishes this event. I'm looking forward to touring it at a leisurely pace in the summer before hopefully lining up for the race next year.
Looks like Ian and Alan put all their years of racing Polaris events to good use....

The question is can anyone beat Aidan? Exciting times, great event by the sounds of it. It's came along at just the right time too.

Will be interesting to see if Ian ever wants to ride it again..... I often think it's harder to do something like that the second time

[Dyffers]

...and this morning I notice Rob Wixey is signed up for the 12hr SS solo cat at Bristol Bikefest next weekend. Mucho respect!

[Wixey]

My addiction to tea and cake was strong first time around the BB200... I've learned to control it over the last few years and though I'm still not clean, I can pass a tearoom now without stopping.

Crazy,huge, gruelling route that I won't forget in a hurry... Still in tyndrum "repairing". Spot of fishing me thinks today..


"Strange to think that a couple of years ago Rob was part of the last group back on the BB 200 with a time of something like 36 hours"

[Ian]

Back in Wales now sorting through kit, nursing wounds etc.

Lots to tell about this ride, but seeing as most of the excitement for anyone spectating seemed to come at the end, here's a few words on the final bit after Kings House:

The final run in to the finish was tough. The climb up from the Ski Station went on and on. I tried shouting at it, but it didn't help. I even shouted at myself and that didn't help either. The only way I was going to get it done was keep mashing the pedals. The descent down the other side was super fast and rough and after a good few minutes of the cobbly surface, I had sharp stabbing pains in my neck and shoulders. A little lower down there's a smooth line on the left that weaves in an out of a narrow ribbon of grass. It was lovely and smooth, and eased my pain. I was a little late turning in to one of these, and with my weight in the wrong place had completely the wrong line to make the next turn. Lost the front wheel instantly and hit the deck hard. I had no time to put a foot down and my hip, ribs, hands all had a hard impact and I slid across the cobbles. I was angry with myself for being so stupid, but thankful I'd not broken anything and could still ride. I backed off for the rest of descent, and battling tiredness past Bridge of Orchy, finally made it to Tyndrum at 11.22pm to be welcomed by Steve and Andy Heading. Time - 3 days, 13 hours, 22 minutes.

I've put my route up on Strava:

Day 1 - 188 km - http://app.strava.com/activities/57083744
Day 2 - 194 km - http://app.strava.com/activities/57084287
Day 3 - 327 km - http://app.strava.com/activities/57084775

I'll sort some pics out soon too.

[Taylor]

You had time for pictures?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Day 1 - 188 km
Day 2 - 194 km
Day 3 - 327 km

Quite barking.

A quick question for anyone who's just ridden/raced this - Last month I returned from an ill fated HT400 with my left knee in tatters. There seems to be quite a high number of riders finishing who are also suffering with their knees. Now, obviously riding these kind of distances day in day out is going to put a lot of strain on your knees but I'm wondering whether the steep, rocky hike-a-bike sections along the route might also have a lot to do with it?

Any thoughts?

Well done to FLV of this parish who sadly just (by 17 minutes) missed out on a sub 5 day finish.