HT550 2023

[fatbikephil]

You in town Phil? We’re in the pub

Nope going to drive up tomorrow am. Last time I stayed up there on the Friday I got BA sleep. Will defo catch up though - you going to do some bike riding / hill walking?

[whitestone]

I’ll be doing some Munro bagging

[fatbikephil]

It would be rude not to given the weather.

[RIP]

Enjoyed reading about your setup on bikepacking.com, Phil. Only went there 'cos google told me to! Good luck mate, not that you'll need it. I was intrigued to see photos of Mr Ibbett's and Mr McCormack's baggage - way more minimal than seemingly everyone else's.

Not my scene but can only be impressed by all the derring-do and fortitude!

[landel]

It's a pity but Kurt Refsnider is delaying his start, per Instagram below. Good decision if he's not feeling well. Would've loved to see him battle it out up front though.

' Things don't always work out as planned, and usually the best one can do is adapt and roll with it in one manner or another. It seems like I managed to come down with a cold while traveling despite my precautions, so I'm delaying my Highland Trail 550 start by a day or two, hoping to be healthier by then. I'm so excited to experience this route, so I'm not about to head home without at least trying to ride it! And then it'll be a pursuit of sorts, trying to go fast if my body permits me to and chasing down the race. So here's to being flexible and not getting worked up about it. '

[HUX]

Good luck everyone. Have a great ride. I'll be watching

[Blackhound]

Looking forward to the race unfold. Kurt won the TD that I rode what feels like a lifetime ago. At least Mr Ibbett will be used to the lack of sleep being a recent father.

[whitestone]

A subdued start as usual 33 men and 26 women according to Alan.

Light drizzle at the moment but it’s forecast to get much better

[Lazarus]

92 miles in by 5 pm. The pointy end are just so quick

[redefined_cycles]

Such a lovely scene at the front. James Hayden and Josh Ibbett riding side by side. For reference James was given a hard time by JI in the lead of many a Trancontinental Race. Eventually, by the time James won, Josh had stopped entering.

In them days JH didn't know/do much mountain biking and his first mtb race (AFAIK) was the HT550 (only exception ever given I believe, to a none-mtber).

Very very exciting indeed and hope they all (ie. all the riders, from front to end) get round safely).

[redefined_cycles]

*NB James H is at mile 86.1 and Josh Ibett at 86.3

[touch]

Oops, Rich Rothwell took a wrong turn! He's the last person I'd expect to do that.


Very minor. He's back on route now and doesn't look to have cost him much time.

[Mart]

Just checking the tracker this morning - looks like James Hayden has double backed to Inchbae Lodge.
Hope he’s ok, was going great

Edit - good to see Kurt start this morning

[slarge]

There's a good spread all the way through the field. Over 200 miles for the leaders. Makes me realise this race is deceptively tough!!

[elliptic]

Kurt's on the way, looks like he started around half seven this morning although the tracker doesn't ping until round the corner near Loch Lyon.

Sofiane lurking ominously a couple of hours behind the leading three at Loch Shin.

[redefined_cycles]

Phil has overtaken Isla Rowntree it seems (both SS) and Cath will be past the 100 mile marker in an hour or so... So inspiring that I was up at 0300 making myself a big loop

[voodoo_simon]

Kurt's on the way, looks like he started around half seven this morning although the tracker doesn't ping until round the corner near Loch Lyon.

Sofiane lurking ominously a couple of hours behind the leading three at Loch Shin.

I assumed he had bailed when I looked at his tracker placement but from what you’ve said, why has he’s started so late?

[Lazarus]

why has he’s started so late?

Up there from landel [ on Kurts instagram]
Things don't always work out as planned, and usually the best one can do is adapt and roll with it in one manner or another. It seems like I managed to come down with a cold while traveling despite my precautions, so I'm delaying my Highland Trail 550 start by a day or two, hoping to be healthier by then. I'm so excited to experience this route, so I'm not about to head home without at least trying to ride it! And then it'll be a pursuit of sorts, trying to go fast if my body permits me to and chasing down the race. So here's to being flexible and not getting worked up about it.

[redefined_cycles]

What a smart option to take. Hopefully he'll cure quick and get out there (chasing the others down ). Thanks v much for that update Jon.

[substandard]

There's a good spread all the way through the field. Over 200 miles for the leaders. Makes me realise this race is deceptively tough!!

And this is the easy half as well! Same route as gbduro up to just past rosehall. Was bloody amazing fun on the fatbike the year I did gbduro, I was quicker on this stretch than Angus which tells you a lot about the terrain

[voodoo_simon]

^^^
Thanks for the update, certainly makes sense if you’ve travelled far to do the ride when you’re feeling fitter and have more chance of completing the ride

[boxelder]

Mike T has either bailed to Kyle of L for a train, or lost his tracker..... Strathcarron would have been a closer station?

[elliptic]

James Hayden has scratched as well unfortunately.

Front three all ahead of Neil B's virtual record dot at this point, Alex McCormack's experience is mostly one day racing it appears? Presumably he thinks he can keep this pace up... hope he's right

[Alexinthepeaks]

Im impressed with Alex's form so far, but i know Angus really wants this badly and hes got alot of experience on this route now. I know Angus really knows how to suffer too so my money is on him!

[Hyppy]

I scratched in Fort Augustus. Had an ace day’s
riding and good to meet Phil IRL, but I’d just not recovered enough (from the crash I mentioned up there ^) and don’t have the shoulder strength back to lift front wheel over water bars nor manhandle the bike through bogs or around obstacles without real pain. Would have been reckless to carry on.

Oh well …