Highland Trail 550 ride report

[ianfitz]

Just moving this elsewhere for a while. It'll be back soon

[Pickers]

Fantastic ride, excellent write up as well - I enjoyed reading that.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Lovely, enjoyed that

[ianfitz]

Lovely, enjoyed that

Thanks Stu, I've actually made a few minortweeks in a stealth edit.

The ride report was written in the same style as the ride it's self - in one deliciously unexpected long push, going late into the night, but with an extra, unplanned stop for sleep!

[larsmars]

Really enjoyed your write up Ian, and getting to you know you whenever we crossed paths - Contin Stores, Oykel Bridge and back at the infamous cafe aka HT HQ. I've learnt a lot from your wise pace and your positive attitude.

[bearlymoving]

vaguely exciting – really looking forward to the next installment...

[fatbikephil]

Nice one Ian - roll on episode 2!
Spot on re the 'zone' - Last year I remember sinking into this strange place mentally where all the things going on around me - the trail the hills, weather etc. - seemed slightly remote - I just seemed to be reacting sub-consciously to them and the purple line on the GPS was the only thing leading me on....

Phil

[ianfitz]

see OP...

[Dave Barter]

It's ironic that you associate me swearing with one of my favourite sections of road in the UK! Great report Ian looking forward to the final instalment.

[ianfitz]

It's ironic that you associate me swearing with one of my favourite sections of road in the UK! Great report Ian looking forward to the final instalment.

Haha. I didn't know that Dave. As you may have gathered it really wasn't one of my favourites...

[Ian]

I've read half that, Ian, but need to get out of the door to ride to work! Very good so far

Wil come back to the rest later

I think the Bryan you refer to is Phil Fraser Thomson, on the blue Singular Swift?

[philipft]

I've read half that, Ian, but need to get out of the door to ride to work! Very good so far

Wil come back to the rest later

I think the Bryan you refer to is Phil Fraser Thomson, on the blue Singular Swift?

Thats right Bryan is way to fast for me, he rode back from before Dornie on the last day, overtook me at the top of the devils staircase going like a steam train!

[Ian]

I'm confused. Have I missed someone? I thought Phil and Javi were the only singlespeeders?

Anyway, absolutely brilliant account, Ian. So many good passages in there that are as amusing as they are insightful.

Edit: ok, think I've got it. I rode with Bryan Singleton from Dornie, but we split going over to Glen Affric. My last day was punctuated with too many food stops to make it back in one hit.

[darbeze]

Absolutely inspiring!!

A fantastic read Ian. Sat here at work with goosebumps completely captivated by your account.

Makes me want to leave work now and go ride.... and ride...

Thank you,

Si

[ianfitz]

I've read half that, Ian, but need to get out of the door to ride to work! Very good so far

Wil come back to the rest later

I think the Bryan you refer to is Phil Fraser Thomson, on the blue Singular Swift?

I think you are right ian. Sorry phil! I'm not sure how I got that wrong!

Will edit at soon.

[Blair512]

Fantastic and inspiring read! I normally save this kind of thing for sitting on the bog at work but I had to stop at the pub on the way home to read the rest of this! Now I need to stop stopping at the pub and actually put some miles in so I can have a crack at this beast of a route

[ianfitz]

edited down into two block above

[Scott L]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Ian!

Don't worry about the bell! I gained much more from your friendly words than I could have possibly lost with a delayed food ordering!

Outstanding ride!

[fatbikephil]

A great story Ian - it made for some frantic reading at times trying to keep up with you! Well done again
Phil

PS - the drumbeg road is a beaut - you just have to be in the right frame of mind!

[whitestone]

Nice one Ian. A couple of snippets stand out for me:

About the OBH:
"There is a HT550 menu printed out, a few simple meals that are quick to serve, easy to keep in an edible condition, are very tasty and served in huge portions!"

And Drumbeg Stores:
"'Having a coffee then' she asks as I slam on both brakes. Oh god yes please. Are you open then. for you lot we are open if we are awake, so yes. "

For an event where the entrants wouldn't fill a touring coach the highland hospitality shines through.

[Ray Young]

Great ride and great read Ian, well done. .

[Ian]

An epic piece of writing to go with an epic piece of riding, Ian. Well done. I take my hat off to you for both

[Richard G]

Great read. Thanks for sharing.

[ianfitz]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Ian!

Don't worry about the bell! I gained much more from your friendly words than I could have possibly lost with a delayed food ordering!

Outstanding ride!

I'm glad about that Scott

[ianfitz]

An epic piece of writing to go with an epic piece of riding, Ian. Well done. I take my hat off to you for both

Thanks Ian, I'm still not really sure where either came from. But I enjoyed both more than I can express.