Highland trail 550!!

[Chew]

Steve Heading, Phil Clarke, Andrew Hutcheson & Tom Rowntree stopping for food in Fort Augustus.

[ScotRoutes]

Looks like Phil Simcock just found the ON button for his Spot tracker

[Wildcat]

Some people may know that it was Alan G birthday today so a little surprise was organised for a special send off.

I haven't had it confirmed but the riders should have had birthday cake and a bagpipe send off.

Wish I had been there to see that.

[Chew]

Kevin C was up there for the start so i'm sure he'll tell us all about it later

Anyone know if Jonathan Edwards is ok? Seems to have been at the Ossian YHA for a few hours

[jay91]

Philip Simcock and Steve Heading are flying along

[deejayen]

It's great being able to watch the dots. It turns out I know one of the riders (Andy Toop).

Is there any news of some of the back-markers? Iona is noticeable because of her pink dot. I just wondered if they'd had any mechanical problems, or had stopped for a break, or were just enjoying the ride. Presumably the lead guys are seriously strong and fast, which is why there's already some gap between them and the others.

[Mart]

Looks like Phil Simcock just found the ON button for his Spot tracker

I just noticed this as well
Shame It doesn't show his position or his profile

[ScotRoutes]

It's great being able to watch the dots. It turns out I know one of the riders (Andy Toop).

Is there any news of some of the back-markers? Iona is noticeable because of her pink dot. I just wondered if they'd had any mechanical problems, or had stopped for a break, or were just enjoying the ride. Presumably the lead guys are seriously strong and fast, which is why there's already some gap between them and the others.

I know that Iona had a foot injury while she was training for this so it may be that she's not as strong as she'd like to have been.

The attrition rate last year was fairly high (did only 1/3rd finish?) so you can expect a few folk to drop to the back.

Looking at Matt Slaters track, he was at (or below) walking pace along the Abhainn Rath. Having riding that a few weeks back it would certainly be a shock for anyone not accustomed to Scottish "big-country" riding. Even if it has dried out since I was there, it's going to be ditches and peat-hags full of water every hundred metres or so. It's energy sapping stuff. The track improves significantly from where he appears to have stopped tonight so his average should climb a bit tomorrow.

[Alpinum]

Rather interesting what Ian's up to. Sneeky rider of the night.

Dave and Gareth will have a good warm up (Corrieyairack) before a rich breakfast tomorrow morning.

This trackleaders stuff's great, really takes me back 12 months.

Keep going lads and lass

[ScotRoutes]

Gareth appears to have scratched!

AlasdairMc missed the bothy turn-off and is sleeping under a tree tonight.

[jay91]

Looks like Phil has got abit of lead atm

[Mart]

Ian closed a gap on the group behind Phil last night. Presume he rode later and stopped less than the others.

Be interesting to see whether the go faster and stop longer strategy is effective over slower but keep going and stop less (or vice versa)

[Chew]

Tortoise and Hare

Ians strategy slower* opening day and shorter stop has let him catch up with the second group.
Phil Clarkes fast first day, but longer stop has dropped him back to the third group
Mr Simcock is really pulling out a gap

Matt Slaters day one finish is where Me and Stu stopped on our first night. His pace looks to be the same as an 'average' rider for perspective.


* Its all relative

[Blackhound]

They started ok with a piper and everything. (raises bar for BB200, male voice choir? ).
Some pics on my twitter account @Blackhound59. In Airdrie McDonald's for breakfast and hheading South.
Bryan Dawson Zigrat? was also on a Shand and going heavy, even had a stove.
Was talking with Mr Simcock about his spot beforehand so it should be ok - he is using a gen 1 device.
Gary Thompsett forget his riding kit. I gave him my spare socks and he got stuff from others including a helmet.
Alan ended up with 5 cakes which were not finished at start time.
Michael from Switzerland had been 'tango'd' - very orange!

[ScotRoutes]

Do you know if Martin Rutherford started - or is it another SPOT issue?

[Zippy]

Michael from Switzerland had been 'tango'd' - very orange!

Ha ha ha, looking through your photo's, I see what you mean!

Also, looking at the Spot Trackers, what are the bets that Phil Simcock needs to be back at work on Tuesday at this rate

FLV's tracker appears to have a bit of lag too...

[Mart]

Some pics on my twitter account

Nice photos Kev
Good to see how folks have their bikes set up & loads if cake

[Ray Young]

I'm wondering if the wet weather forecast for today and tomorrow will dishearten some causing them to drop out. Unbelievable going by Phil Simcock .

[composite]

Has Dave (FLV) scratched? His tracker is being shown at Fort William.

[Chew]

Has Dave (FLV) scratched? His tracker is being shown at Fort William.

Yes, which is a shame.

[The Boss]

They started ok with a piper and everything. (raises bar for BB200, male voice choir? ).

Oh come on, what are the chances of getting a male voice choir in Wales?

[jay91]

How many miles do you think Phil is infront looks like a good gap.

[stevenshand]

Ian's strategy looks spot on. Assuming he can keep it up. Bryan does look like he's out for good few days riding and camping! Looks like he had a 10 hour sleep last night. I like his style!

I rode home from work in the dark last night. 18 miles on/off road and my average speed was slower than Steve Heading's was showing after his first 100 miles!

Tom Rowntree is flying too. Rigid and singlespeed.

Great work from everyone.

[Chew]

How many miles do you think Phil is infront looks like a good gap.

~40miles. Although the route up the eastern side of the northern loop is flat and 50/50 on/off road.

Maybe a couple of hours but still a risk of someone pulling an all nighter

[jay91]

How many miles do you think Phil is infront looks like a good gap.

~40miles. Although the route up the eastern side of the northern loop is flat and 50/50 on/off road.

Maybe a couple of hours but still a risk of someone pulling an all nighter

So is he just going for it till he's got to stop