"I just don't have what it takes".

[Ray Young]

I would suggest the direct route down the devils beef tub is worth considering. It made the hike up from fruid reservoir worth it. I did the Annandale route down to moffat yesterday but liked your original route more. But it's your route ray.

Hi Mike, I understand what your saying as I too liked "Step Path" , it puts you right inside The Devils Beeftub. The main problem is not the risk entailed but the houses at Corehead, some riders would be going right through them late at night or early morning and I remember at least one if not two gates, I think the people living there might get a bit pissed off.

[pushbikemike]

I would suggest the direct route down the devils beef tub is worth considering. It made the hike up from fruid reservoir worth it. I did the Annandale route down to moffat yesterday but liked your original route more. But it's your route ray.

Hi Mike, I understand what your saying as I too liked "Step Path" , it puts you right inside The Devils Beeftub. The main problem is not the risk entailed but the houses at Corehead, some riders would be going right through them late at night or early morning and I remember at least one if not two gates, I think the people living there might get a bit pissed off.

Good point Ray.

[Zippy]

Great write-ups everyone. Really good to hear mixed accounts, especially of a demanding route that has a 0% finisher rate. All inspiring stuff I'm sure we've all had thoughts like yours Ray, my go to thought patterns recently have been "what would Jenny Graham do" (as in thinking of HTR550) and when considering bailing - I generally can't find a decent reason or alternative to do so. None of my rides have been quite this big though.

[JohnClimber]

Nice try Ray.

Although I like riding against others for shorter times (the Mary Towneley Loop this weekend) I really think ITT's with group starts would really mess with my mind.

I'd forget about the I (Individual) part of it and hear the race jungle drums going and like you I'd worry about being caught or dropped from the position I was in. I'd hate the fact that I couldn't stop and take photos, take in a pub stop with a chill in the sun and a paddle in a stream because of loosing my place.

The bog pushing of the BB200 and HTR would demoralize me if I knew that others were catching or doing it better than me on that same day, I'd rather wait for a dry spell and if I had the time do it but not against the clock.

I do fancy the Dales 200 if the weather is dry the week before as it can be done in a weekend, but I'm not strong enough for the Dales 300 or the BB200.

[ScotRoutes]

Never mind Ray - it's just that you're too young!

http://www.bikepacking.com/plog/old-guys-finish-first/

[Ray Young]

Never mind Ray - it's just that you're too young!

http://www.bikepacking.com/plog/old-guys-finish-first/

I should be cruising it then, I'll be 57 this month .

Seriously, Mike and I have decided to give it another go next year only more prep and less haste this time.

[fatbikephil]

That looks good Ray - nice combination of rideability and hardness! I now want to have another crack as soon as but I'll maybe leave it until the spring for some Highland Trail training...

Cheers
Phil

[fatbikephil]

Just watching the Vuelta highlights. Everyone is banging on about how its the hardest stage ever of any pro tour - 5000m of climbing in 120 miles. Looks pretty straighforward compared to what we tackled on saturday!

[Farawayvisions]

Thanks for that report Ray. It's great hearing about the highs and the lows of bikepacking. Hunger and midges are pure torture.

[slowupslowdown-under]

as what others have said above really

cant let one bad day in the office tarnish your efforts and future dreams

as long as you learnt something that day that will make you more knowledgeable, stronger or prepared for next time then it has been a worthwhile experience in the long run (although I know from personal experience that it takes a while for this to sink in)