My fight to try to win the 2016 Highland Trail

[padonbike]

"I had no idea where I was in the race: I assumed that, as Liam was ahead of me at Fort Augustus, he was still ahead of me now and then I began to think of Javi and Lee too – maybe that massive push out of Glen Affric hadn’t been enough to distance them after all and they had passed by as I snoozed. This kind of paranoia is the omnipresent vulture circling the corpse of the long-distance racer!"

https://padonbike.wordpress.com/2016/06 ... trail-550/

[Richard G]

Enjoyed the intro... will return when I have time to read the rest.

(Stuart C is a sexy beast, no doubt)

[ianfitz]

Good stuff Philip. I can't imagine what it would have been like fighting for the win on the devils staircase. It was hard enough in survival mode!

[Richard G]

I stopped and loosened off 4 complete clicks on both sides of both SPD pedals and I also utilised a Anusol suppository.

These things don't seem like they go together, but yet...

[padonbike]

Ha ha. I also had a pee too!

[padonbike]

I was in survival mode very soon after! Just read all your write up IanF - you did a monster last day. And seemed to eat more than me too. Not many people do that!

[Richpips]

I enjoyed that Philip. Well done

[padonbike]

Thanks very much Rich!

[ScotRoutes]

Twas I that briefly spoke to you in Ullapool Tesco. Talk about scaring the natives

Great ride report and a fabulous ride!

[Ian]

Very well written piece, Phil

[Yorlin]

Yeah, a great read!

Err did everyone take suppositories with them?

[Richard G]

Sounds like the dirty little secret of ITT riding has been outed...

...or inserted.

[johnnystorm]

Sounds like the dirty little secret of ITT riding has been outed...

...or inserted.

Genuine LOL!

[Alpinum]

I guess that is true racing.
Well done Philip.

Was nice meeting you, albeit briefly, at the by the way camp ground.

Cheers, Gian

[padonbike]

Thanks to all for the positive comments. Yes Scotroutes I was on a bit of a mission in Ullapool Tesco. I seem to remember you say, "hurry up or you,Lloyd get beaten by a girl" and my reply was, "Lee is one girl I wouldn't mind being beaten by!"
Great memories and very good fish and chips in Ullapool as always.

[padonbike]

Thanks Gian and great to meet you too.

[darbeze]

Blimey!

Humbling...

I take my hat off to you sir. Beautifully recorded account of a true epic.

Si

[padonbike]

Very well written piece, Phil

Thanks Ian. Your video footage of the HT was a big inspiration!

[padonbike]

Blimey!

Humbling...

I take my hat off to you sir. Beautifully recorded account of a true epic.

Si

Thanks Very Much Si.
I guess there weren't many emotional stones that I left unturned!!!!!

[brotherhuw]

Really engaging, great writing, greater achievement. Hats off...

[Javi]

Fantastic read, Philip! We all first 5 finishers somehow wanted to go non stop through the last night but we all had to stop at some point.

[padonbike]

Thanks very brotherhuw. Glad you liked it.

[padonbike]

[quote][Fantastic read, Philip! We all first 5 finishers somehow wanted to go non stop through the last night but we all had to stop at some point./quote]

Hi Javi glad you liked it. Where did you stop on the final night and for how long?
If you are ever heading up North East England or Scotland let me know!!!!!

[Tam]

Well done, great effort. Good read too!

[ianfitz]

[Fantastic read, Philip! We all first 5 finishers somehow wanted to go non stop through the last night but we all had to stop at some point./quote]

Hi Javi glad you liked it. Where did you stop on the final night and for how long?
If you are ever heading up North East England or Scotland let me know!!!!!

I do know that Javi stopped just after the start of the old military road under some trees, the last climb before FA. no idea how long though!