HT550 - 2024

[fatbikephil]

Lee's record shouldn't really apply to this route so Kerry's will stand I'd say

What makes this version harder? Is going to Poolewe much slower than the postman's path? Other than that is there much difference?

We could say Neil's record shouldn't apply to this route... but it's been beaten 2 years in a row so that logic doesn't stand up.

There is an extra hour or so of riding and more climbing out of Invermoriston. The postie path knocks 2 -3 hours off the route and a chunk of miles. In 2017 I did Ullapool to Kinlochewe in 10 hours via the postie path, last year it took me 13 plus a large meal at Poolewe. The postie path is a far nicer trail than the Tollie path, albeit longer, however the descent from where you turn off to Letterewe to Poolewe is a peach.

The Great Glen way diversions also add miles and climbing

Allan currently fighting his way up the Glen Muice beag climb out of Fisherfield forest.

[sean_iow]

The leaderboard has Jenny finishing about 8mins ahead… not sure how accurate that is

Alan's Instagram shows Jenny and Zoe finished together.

[fatbikephil]

That's Lars Henning just finished - looks like he knocked a couple of hours off his '21 time.
Alan about to tackle the Tollie path
Hopefully sunny for everyone from here to the end!

[Alpinum]

That's Lars Henning just finished - looks like he knocked a couple of hours off his '21 time.

He finished before me in 2016, couple of hours, in the dark iirc. Since I rode across the gravel/tarmac line exactly after 4d 23h 55min, his fastest time remains, unless he's taken part in other years but 2016, 2021 and 2024.

Just a hubristic guess; Lars wants to go sub 4 and he'll return.

Edit: Has Alan goldie Grandmaster Goldsmith ever gone sub 4 d?

Edit 2: Yeah... numbers. How strange and fun to reduce this lovely route into one number. Apparently it's not a race.

2000th edit: congrats to all who commited to it this year.

[Alexinthepeaks]

Yeah i had 3 spokes fail which resulted in tubeless failure and 2 destroyed tubes. Im only running 24h enve wheels so they were kinda goosed after 3 spokes went! zi used them for the HT550 in 2022 and tgey were great! It was a 16mile hike to fort william so i got a lift back to tyndrum. I was nursing the wheel for 100 ish km after the first spoke went on fisherfield descent. My second went at Glen Affrick youth hostel and ruptured the rim tape, when i went to put a tube in both my new tubes had splits in, a manufacturer error, so after bodging a fix i got all the way to Clunes before another spoke went and sliced my last tube in half sending my wheel into the chainstay. I had a 7mile hike out of the great glen way to clunes where aprox 1,000,000 midges feasted on my legs. A bit gutted but im happy with my effort. I was 5hours up on my 2022 time and i was carrying propper kit....A brilliant ride and some fantastic company. I had some good chats with Alex, Mirion, Lucas, and Sofiane and all are such strong minded competative racers, they really didnt hold back this year! The fighting talk at the pub on Friday night was just comedy!

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks for that update Alex...

[whitestone]

Looks like Allen stopped somewhere close to the filling station at Invernate.

There's the climb out of Glen Licht then it's all steady riding until you get to the Kinlochleven descent so likely that he'll get to Glen Nevis or a little beyond by tonight.

[thesloth]

Due to start my ITT tomorrow morning.
Did the long drive up from Hampshire today and went to the start/finish to chat to a couple of the riders coming in.
All in good spirits, but all impressing upon me how hard it was.
No schedule or time targets for me (aside from making it back to work on the 10th).
Trying to shake off a bit of a cold. Hoping it doesn't go to the lungs, so will "ease into it" (well until the first hill that is).

[jameso]

Best of luck for a good ride @thesloth!

[fatbikephil]

Looking quite dry for a few days at least so bash on!

Allan on the home straight, should be done tomorrow

[landel]

The very best of luck, have a great time and remember to enjoy it

[Mart]

Enjoy @sloth, it’s a lovely route

[Richpips]

Looks like Allen is atop the Devil's staircase.

[UnderTheRadars]

Taking in the views and strapping everything down for the final bit?

[redefined_cycles]

Taking in the views and strapping everything down for the final bit?

How many miles/minutes left from there if anyone can share a guesstimate pls.

[whitestone]

Taking in the views and strapping everything down for the final bit?

How many miles/minutes left from there if anyone can share a guesstimate pls.

As of this writing he's at Ba Bridge (Ba is Gaelic for cattle) so I'd guess at about two hours. The next two km is steadily uphill (not steep, just a drag) then it's a long downhill to Victoria Bridge at the end of the Loch. I've not done the bit over the lump that short cuts the road so can't comment on that. There's a bit of a pull up from the railway after you cross the main road, then rolling until you meet the outward route. This is steadily uphill with a steep bit up from the railway then it's basically downhill to the finish.

Edit: Looking at the times of the woman ahead of him who's just about to finish and she's been a consistent time ahead, she's about two hours ahead of him.

[fatbikephil]

I was up my local hills earlier looking north west at a sun drenched Ben More and Ben Lui - I strongly suspect that Allan is making the most of the lovely weather

He's just approaching the bonus climb which is a PIA but you get a nice view back to where you've just been

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks Phil & Bob. Allan... Just about to complete the HT550 God Willing. So fantastic. He earned it as he's been consistently slogging away at all sorts of trail/weather for the past year or so

[ton]

2 miles to go for Allen. fantastic effort.

[UnderTheRadars]

Ah this is torture refreshing the feed, he must be absolutely dead on the pedals! C’mon Allen, nearly there

[ton]

he is in....... good lad. hats off to anyone who completes this.

[UnderTheRadars]

And he’s finished! Blimmin well done Allen!

[fatbikephil]

Bouncing dot!
Well done Allan, stirling effort

Got the video to look forward to now

[UnderTheRadars]

Bouncing dot!
Well done Allan, stirling effort

Got the video to look forward to now

Ha! For a brief moment I wondered if he may have filmed some of it. I’m sure there’ll be a few tears about now!

Here are his stats

[Polisherman]

Yeah Boi!!! As the yoofs say.

I'm feeling a little emotional and inspired. We'll done that man.