HT550 2021

[Escape Goat]

Thanks Rich.

Looking at the dots alone, doesn't it make you feel like you could do it.... Until you remeber how hard it is 100km on the Badger done me in. 100 miles on the HT550 would murder me dead.

[elliptic]

She's scratched according to twitter

That leaves the women's field wide open - Annie and Emma both strong locals, Iwona has an impressive pedigree but it's her first non-stop style long race and first time in the highlands.

[whitestone]

Day 1 - (the first 120-140 miles) will be over 4500m of climbing. Then it settles down a bit.......

Just looked at my day 1, got to just past Invermoriston before the climb up to Loch ma Stack, 2700m of climbing. Day 2 (got to Merkland) was 2600m. Days 3 & 4 were a hundred metres or so less, then 4700m for the last day from Torridon.

Day two certainly didn't feel like 2600m but in a way it's more rideable.

[FLV]

I reckon even if some of them stop, they'll be on the top loop before they do. Incredible really.

Karl going well, especially considering he's claiming not to have done much this year

[Richard G]

Karl going well, especially considering he's claiming not to have done much this year

I hear that a lot.

[Richpips]

Karl has the right head for these things.

Fitness is a bonus.

[GregMay]

Scratches for today:

Karl Booth
Sally Ozane.

Karl saying it is very, very dry.

[Bearlegged]

Commentators' kiss of death?

[GregMay]

I didn't say owt.

[BobCatMax]

Noooooo, what happened to Karl?

[slarge]

Noooooo, what happened to Karl?

Not cows again I hope

[Lazarus]

100 miles on the HT550 would murder me dead.

STOP BEING SOFT

[BobCatMax]

Noooooo, what happened to Karl?

Not cows again I hope

I didn't want to ask

[redefined_cycles]

SteveWaters and Lars doing well (almost at 100miles and 110 miles reapectively).

Ill admit I don't actually know who Liam at the front is (is he an ex pro?) but looks like he's really giving both James Hand Josh I a right hard time. Wonder what's going through their mind...

One things for sure, James hasn't managed to race against Josh for years (since finishing or dropping out behind him on the TCRs of old) so I doubt he's gonna sleep for a good while. Maybe he's considering doing a Sofiane.

Very interesting and glad I'm very very soft and not out there... idiots

[Escape Goat]

100 miles on the HT550 would murder me dead.

STOP BEING SOFT

I didn't say it wouldn't put me off. I do have unfinished business to attend to

Noooooo, what happened to Karl?

Not cows again I hope

I didn't want to ask

[redefined_cycles]

100 miles on the HT550 would murder me dead.

STOP BEING SOFT

I didn't say it wouldn't put me off. I do have unfinished business to attend to

Noooooo, what happened to Karl?

Not cows again I hope

I didn't want to ask

Allen... you're not soft at all. You even had your full bike submerged were you secretly hoping you'd get dragged by the current and not have to think 'another river crossing!' ever again

NB. Did you go back to get the actual shot

[BobCatMax]

From DR El's insta feed this morning/late last night

Screenshot_20210523-043058~01.png (288.24 KiB) Viewed 2557 times

[Karl]

As reported I'm out. A very stressful work period and no training isn't a healthy combination. Felt stressed before the event, felt stressed on the event, and still feel stressed now. Think I need to make some drastic changes.

Lars and Steve are doing fantastic. Andy L isn't feeling well so took a night in a hotel to recover, fingers crossed he can get going again.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Bad luck fella but we all know how hard it is when your head's not in it. There's always another day and those mountains aren't going anywhere*.


*I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell me that they're shrinking at a rate of 0.37mm per year or summat

[Escape Goat]

Well done Karl anyway, still a great ride.

[BobCatMax]

Sorry to see you out Karl. Rest up.

Liam is on the chase!

[GregMay]

Overnight scratches:

Matt Symonds - many, many punctures.
Andy Lawrence - water related stomach issues
Tom Vincent - biomechanical issues

[ScotRoutes]

*I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell me that they're shrinking at a rate of 0.37mm per year or summat

Scotland is rising out of the ocean (England and Wales are actually sinking). I guess the hills are getting higher but the amount of climbing is the same

[Bearbonesnorm]

Are they rising faster than they're eroding Colin?

[ScotRoutes]

That would depend on how popular the hill is