Highland Trail 550 - 2020

[fatbikephil]

Anyone planning an ITT this year assuming lock-down / restrictions are lifted before Julember?

Definitely, however planning is a long way from doing. More as an intellectual exercise really, mainly focusing on not having any pubs or cafes and therefore how much food you'll need to take instead. More likely would be to have a wander round some of it, weather permitting.

[Escape Goat]

We’ll need to review the list of supply stops after this

My thoughts exactly.

Anyone planning an ITT this year

Maybe. Maybe 2021.

[stevewaters]

Anyone planning an ITT this year assuming lock-down / restrictions are lifted before Julember?

Not all, but perhaps part of it. Though, even if restrictions permit it, the welcome in some small communities may be uncertain for a bit.

I've been a bit startled by the extreme reactions in my small village (which in normal times relies almost 100% on visitors for income) to the "strangers" who have appeared on rare occasions during the lockdown. There's been some ugly behaviour on display. I think this sort of residual suspicion will take a while to clear away.

That is one of my concerns. - There will be a tension between folk worried about incomers importing the virus and those reliant on tourism. It would be easy for someone to trash a bike wheel or something. Ironically that would leave you in their midst for much longer but they might not think it through.

By the way, Alan has said he's not going to set up the Trackleaders HT550 tracking page for the this year.

[ChrisS]

By the way, Alan has said he's not going to set up the Trackleaders HT550 tracking page for the this year.

Yes, I saw that in his email. I think that was the right thing to do.

[fatbikephil]

Not all, but perhaps part of it. Though, even if restrictions permit it, the welcome in some small communities may be uncertain for a bit.

That is one of my concerns. - There will be a tension between folk worried about incomers importing the virus and those reliant on tourism. It would be easy for someone to trash a bike wheel or something. Ironically that would leave you in their midst for much longer but they might not think it through.

One of the imponderables of all of this. I guess places like Lochinver will be virus free so the last thing they will want is a load of southerners coming up (I was thinking of NC500 rather than the HT550) but a lot of businesses will be desperate for the trade..... I'm told I will be able to get an antibody test at some point as Fife is one of the pilot areas. Maybe this will give me a travel visa!

I see someone is setting up a virtual HT550 on strava. I may do my own.......

[sean_iow]

Anyone planning an ITT this year assuming lock-down / restrictions are lifted before Julember?

I've pretty much written off this year. Even if all the restrictions were lifted tomorrow, all the supply points were trading and we were welcomed with open arms by all the locals I wouldn't be fit enough now.

By this time last year I'd done seven 100 mile off road rides on a loaded bike including 3 back to back on the Dales Divide. The virus situation was ramping up just when I would have been increasing my training volume so the furthest I've ridden this year is 51 miles and that was back in March. Looking on VeloViewer I've done 1000 miles less compared to this time last year.

I have slept in my garden for 3 nights though and also made my first bikepacking film so it's not all doom and gloom

[Escape Goat]

[ though and also made my first bikepacking film

You got a link to that mate?

My active hours are hovering around winter hours... Not been on any big outdoor rides this year really. Last was the lakes in early March. :(

[sean_iow]

Here it is, brace yourself, it's Tropetastic*

https://youtu.be/5poYdjEMoN4

It was also in the WhereYouAre Ride Thng 2020 thread.

* Someone put this on a local FB group I'm in where I also posted it. I had to google it. As I set out to make a partial toung-in-cheek parody of the normal bikepacking films I'm quite please with that as a comment.

[Escape Goat]

i'll give that a watch on my lunch :)

EDIT - watched on lunch, enjoyed that !

[fatbikephil]

Funnily enough, I'd not considered my form however based on last years prep (p*ss poor) I figure I'm probably no worse off all things being equal. Plus if you do an ITT there is a lot less urgency so no drama if you have to take some time out to recover....

[sean_iow]

Plus if you do an ITT there is a lot less urgency so no drama if you have to take some time out to recover....

You're confusing an ITT with touring

I'd be concerned about making round with my current form

[fatbikephil]

You're confusing an ITT with touring

Often

[AlasdairMc]

Plus if you do an ITT there is a lot less urgency so no drama if you have to take some time out to recover....

You're confusing an ITT with touring

I'd be concerned about making round with my current form

Just put gears on and you’ll be fine

[sean_iow]

Just put gears on and you’ll be fine

Never mind gears I built a new bike especially that even has suspension



Although despite having 11 gears to choose from it never seems to be as effortless as I imagine it would be when I'm singlespeeding up the same hills gasping for breath, in my head the gears do all the work

[fatbikephil]

I was 80% decided on going SS. If I were to do a notional ITT (or any other trip for that matter) then single speed it will be....

[redefined_cycles]

Here it is, brace yourself, it's Tropetastic*

https://youtu.be/5poYdjEMoN4

It was also in the WhereYouAre Ride Thng 2020 thread.

* Someone put this on a local FB group I'm in where I also posted it. I had to google it. As I set out to make a partial toung-in-cheek parody of the normal bikepacking films I'm quite please with that as a comment.

Thanks Sean. Enjoyed that, you might well have just inspired me to go ride more than 15 miles

[Edit: I meant you did along with the amazing chequered shirt]

[AlasdairMc]

I was 80% decided on going SS. If I were to do a notional ITT (or any other trip for that matter) then single speed it will be....

I’m debating singlespeeding my Jones now that my Stooge is away. Like Sean I’ve got a bouncy bike now and it’s amazing, but singlespeeding is a lot of fun.

[JoseMcTavish]

For anyone wanting to join in virtually this year:

https://www.bandok.com/VirtualEvents/HT550

You can also sign up for the Tour Divide amongst others, if you're super-keen!

This was linked to from the new HT550 site that Alan has under construction:

https://highlandtrail550.weebly.com/

[stevewaters]

Here it is, brace yourself, it's Tropetastic*

https://youtu.be/5poYdjEMoN4

Thanks for the film. - We really enjoyed it. - The kids loved seeing the mini Deschutes - Will add this as a half-term project with them - but they will be nowhere near as grand as yours.

[ScotRoutes]

Achnagart, Highland has had 139.2mm of rain since Thursday evening with around 87mm falling in the last 24 hours... and it's still raining. This area would typically see around 90mm of rain in the whole of May.

[fatbikephil]

Coolio
Two years in a row its been heavy rain so next year we should be due some snow

[Richpips]

Tom and I had some snow on Devil's staircase the first time he tried it. Never have I been keener to get off a hill.

[boxelder]

Tom and I had some snow on Devil's staircase the first time he tried it.

It also snowed going over Coire Lair/Torridon that year. I worry that someone will underestimate how conditions can change up there and be caught out with insufficient gear. Alan does his best to vet the starters, but .......

[Escape Goat]

Has anyone got the grid references to hand for Fisherdfield at all?

[Richpips]

Has anyone got the grid references to hand for Fisherdfield at all?

NH065809 is Shenevall