HT550 2021

[stevewaters]

I'm in !
Hobbit House booked from the Thursday night at Tyndrum By the Way to hopefully will have a build-up with the minimum of panic!
However, I am worried about trashing something key on my bike before getting there because spares seem thin on the ground.
I have ordered some Hothands handwarmer pads because cold wet hands seems to be a big vulnerability to me.
I am also going to take a stove and some dehydrated meals to be more self-sufficient than last time.
Will probably go with the classic Descutes / Borah bivvy combo. Hopefully, midges will be minimal.
I am most concerned about my stomach's recent habit of downing tools at the end of an extreme day.
I have read and re-read Karl's blog of 2019 to help mentally toughen up!
I am so excited !!!

[Karl]

A thing I always think about - some very fit people have failed, some (comparatively) unfit people have succeeded.

Are you talking about me being unfit! Well your right.

All good advice being given. Just take your time and enjoy it. Its a long ride but an enjoyable one. Alan has created a beautiful monster.

If you want to know how miserable the weather can get, like Steve, you can read all about it here www.karlbooth.com

I heard that it'll be glorious sunshine with a light tailwind all the way around this year

[ChrisS]

Actually one real problem I have rather than the all the silly worries is that my Spot isn’t showing up on trackleaders. I’ve borrowed one off a mate - it’s showing on his personal spot page but doesn’t seem to be pinging TL. Any ideas why? Not used a Spot before.

[ton]

it there a list of riders entered ? just to be nosey.

[ChrisS]

it there a list of riders entered ? just to be nosey.

https://highlandtrail550.weebly.com/startlist.html

[fatbikephil]

Actually one real problem I have rather than the all the silly worries is that my Spot isn’t showing up on trackleaders. I’ve borrowed one off a mate - it’s showing on his personal spot page but doesn’t seem to be pinging TL. Any ideas why? Not used a Spot before.

Not sure, drop them a line as they are very helpful. I'm renting a spot this year so fingers crossed mine works OK as I don't get it until the Tuesday before....

Are you talking about me being unfit! Well your right.

No no Karl, anyway you went like a rocket the other year!

[ChrisS]

Not sure, drop them a line as they are very helpful. I'm renting a spot this year so fingers crossed mine works OK as I don't get it until the Tuesday before....

[boxelder]

Actually one real problem I have rather than the all the silly worries is that my Spot isn’t showing up on trackleaders. I’ve borrowed one off a mate - it’s showing on his personal spot page but doesn’t seem to be pinging TL. Any ideas why? Not used a Spot before

Mine didn't show up on the Dales Divide TL page, even though it tracked on the Spot app. Must email to find out why. It never had a pre-start, despite OK messages and tracking. I've re-read instructions and don't seem to haveissed owt.

[whitestone]

Actually one real problem I have rather than the all the silly worries is that my Spot isn’t showing up on trackleaders. I’ve borrowed one off a mate - it’s showing on his personal spot page but doesn’t seem to be pinging TL. Any ideas why? Not used a Spot before.

Is his Spot page public and its address the one that TrackLeaders is linked to? You sort of have to get all the dots aligned for it to work.

[ChrisS]

Actually one real problem I have rather than the all the silly worries is that my Spot isn’t showing up on trackleaders. I’ve borrowed one off a mate - it’s showing on his personal spot page but doesn’t seem to be pinging TL. Any ideas why? Not used a Spot before.

Is his Spot page public and its address the one that TrackLeaders is linked to? You sort of have to get all the dots aligned for it to work.

Turned out he needed to set it to public and then I just needed to be patient for a bit... but trackleaders has picked it up now so all good

[fatbikephil]

Just seen that Liam Glen is running singlespeed. Wonder what ratio he's using??

[sean_iow]

Just seen that Liam Glen is running singlespeed. Wonder what ratio he's using??

Judging by his performance on the BB200 (14 hr 32 min) that makes him favourite then?

[fatbikephil]

Just seen that Liam Glen is running singlespeed. Wonder what ratio he's using??

Judging by his performance on the BB200 (14 hr 32 min) that makes him favourite then?

I think that's a given bearing in mind how fast he went round in 2019 before his bladder started giving him gyp; and the fact he got the fastest time in 2016 despite starting three hours after everyone else....

I also note that Andrew Hutchison is in - one of the early days single speeders. But no Javi?!

[Chicken Legs]

I'm in for this year.

I was hoping for good weather seeing as one Dave B, the sub standard weather magnet, was no longer taking part but hopes were dashed when I realised Karl's name is still on the list

[liamg]

Wonder what ratio he's using??

34x19 or 34x20 (on 29" x 2.2"). Probably the latter though. I'm looking forward to a bit of a different challenge.

[journeyman]

Im in it as a relatively unfit sort. I told Alan Id be happy at the back of the staggered start and his response was "Johnny, no offence but I hadn't you in mind for pole position!" The truth always hurts...

At the moment i have a good weather pile of kit and a bad weather pile of kit, but i tend to go with a bit of comfort such as a stove and 3in1 coffee . im strict about looking for a spot to get my head down by 11pm but i try to be away by 5am each morning.

Bike wise ive got some new drive chain bits for a 1x12 and a good chunky bontrager XR3 XR4 tyre combo. Ive smashed a wheel rim before on the ben alder water bars which by the grace of god i was able to bend back and carry on. When it happened i thought id blown it; definitely a place to be 100% concentrating.

Now its just ground rush time, Im super excited, living and breathing every aspect of prepping for it at the mo.

[Taylor]

I'm in for this year.

I was hoping for good weather seeing as one Dave B, the sub standard weather magnet, was no longer taking part but hopes were dashed when I realised Karl's name is still on the list

Is Dave not taking part as he can't see through his following locks?
#barbers

[Dave Barter]

I'm in for this year.

I was hoping for good weather seeing as one Dave B, the sub standard weather magnet, was no longer taking part but hopes were dashed when I realised Karl's name is still on the list

Is Dave not taking part as he can't see through his following locks?
#barbers

The mullet is staying until it comes back in fashion which, mark my words, it will.

[trob6]

Pleased you've warmed up It looked properly horrible in the pictures. How was the Outdry jacket? Did it keep the water out? Looking at your pictures reminded me I need a better jacket.

I can honestly say that jacket saved me. I've just checked I was rained, sleeted and snowed on for over 9 hours. When I took my stuff off, my under layers were dry.

I've just bought another as a spare.

I'm in the market for one of these jackets, well 2 really, one for my wife too, where did you get it from Rich?
Thanks
Tim.

[mikedeber]

Hi all, I'm in for this years festivities. Last weekend I rode the northern section of the middle loop - Garve to Torridon. I stopped in Oykel Bridge for a coffee at the pub, they had a sign saying they were open daily from 10-6.

I'll be SS as well, 32x21 most likely. Can't wait, see ya in 2 weeks!

[Richpips]

Pleased you've warmed up It looked properly horrible in the pictures. How was the Outdry jacket? Did it keep the water out? Looking at your pictures reminded me I need a better jacket.

I can honestly say that jacket saved me. I've just checked I was rained, sleeted and snowed on for over 9 hours. When I took my stuff off, my under layers were dry.

I've just bought another as a spare.

I'm in the market for one of these jackets, well 2 really, one for my wife too, where did you get it from Rich?
Thanks
Tim.

Hi Tim, straight from the Columbia website the model I have is the Reign.

[Leerowe76]

Good luck to you all, would love to have a crack at the HT550 one day before the legs give out

What the norm with food on the HT, Pick up on route as you go or carry what you can ? Interested to see what peoples tactics are

[fatbikephil]

34x19 or 34x20 (on 29" x 2.2"). Probably the latter though. I'm looking forward to a bit of a different challenge.

I think food stops in pubs and cafes may be tricky as they will have limited space. Defo thinking of taking a couple of freeze dried meals and the meths stove with me. Good news that the OBH is open at least. There is also the shop / cafe at Rosehall now but it shuts at 4. Achness hotel also looks to be open so fingers crossed.

Planning a lengthy stop at Drumbeg stores!

[woodsmith]

OBH wasn't open to non residents last year. Can't see any change to that on their website.

[Javi]

Just seen that Liam Glen is running singlespeed. Wonder what ratio he's using??

Judging by his performance on the BB200 (14 hr 32 min) that makes him favourite then?

I think that's a given bearing in mind how fast he went round in 2019 before his bladder started giving him gyp; and the fact he got the fastest time in 2016 despite starting three hours after everyone else....

I also note that Andrew Hutchison is in - one of the early days single speeders. But no Javi?!

Hi Phil
I didn't plan to do any event for 2020/21 as I was going to do a long trip on the bike. Things didn't go as planned(still moved up to Cumbria from London) and thought there would be lots of people queuing for HT'21 group start.

After what Liam did at the BB last October I'm not surprised anymore! 30x19 for me works fine but around here I'm on 28x19