Highland Trail 550 - 2018

[whitestone]

The new owner/manager of Inchbae posts on STW.

Just did a search - username is Woody.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

Must stop reading this thread; already feeling like I am missing out by not entering this year!

[Wotsits]

When we did the Northern Loop last year we found a 24hr honesty shop at Glencanisp Lodge that we never noticed anyone had mentioned before.
There's a kettle, tea, coffee, cans of pop, some food & even ice cream in there. Could be ideal if there's nothing open in Lochinver & peeps are pushing on into the Suilven area..

http://www.assynt-foundation.co.uk/honesty-shop

[whitestone]

I noticed it when we reccied the northern loop at May bank holiday. I grabbed an ice cream when on the actual event.

[Wotsits]

I noticed it when we reccied the northern loop at May bank holiday. I grabbed an ice cream when on the actual event.

Bob was there also a loo in there at the back? I can't remember now!

[whitestone]

I noticed it when we reccied the northern loop at May bank holiday. I grabbed an ice cream when on the actual event.

Bob was there also a loo in there at the back? I can't remember now!

Dunno - it seemed like it was the downstairs bit of a camping barn type affair as I heard voices in the back or upstairs (not those kind of voices! )

[Wotsits]

There was deffo some stairs going somewhere!

[sean_iow]

You can see them in the background in one of the pictures



I think the website says the office is upstairs.

[Wotsits]

You'll have to check for us when you're passing Sean

It must be the only place on the Northern Loop that's guaranteed to be open, even just for a hot drink & a bar of chocolate?..

Suileag bothy is also a bit further up & a short distance off the route..

[fatbikephil]

Alan G stopped in the Achness hotel in 2015 - he said it was cheaper than the OBH and they didn't seem fussed about him departing at 4.30am

[whitestone]

You'll have to check for us when you're passing Sean

It must be the only place on the Northern Loop that's guaranteed to be open, even just for a hot drink & a bar of chocolate?..

Apart from the 24hr garages in Fort William it's probably the only place on the whole route that's guaranteed to be open.

[Asposium]

Would a gravel bike be particularly unsuitable for the HT550???

[fatbikephil]

Would a gravel bike be particularly unsuitable for the HT550???

Yup but that didn't stop Fraser McBeath (touch on here) from using one last year to good effect

[sean_iow]

When Alan sent the link to the Bombtrack video a few weeks back he had this to say about it

If you've not done the route before please don't get the impression that it's as easy as it looks in this film and definitely don't assume that it's a good idea to turn up on a gravel bike!

I think it's probably a hard enough route without making it any harder. As a rookie I'll find out soon. But don't be influenced by me, I'm taking a rigid singlespeed so what do I know about sensible

[touch]

Would a gravel bike be particularly unsuitable for the HT550???

Its not any slower than a MTB but not any faster either and a lot less comfortable.
I used a planetx XLS and it held up fine as far as Lochinver where i scratched (for reasons not related to bike choice). I'm quite sure the bike would have made it to the end, not so sure about my hands/wrists.

I'll be on a full suspension 29er this year but that's based on trying to cut down the number of bikes i have and finding one bike that can do everything rather than anything specifically aimed at the HTR.

[Richpips]

How's everyone's training going?

1 month to go.

[whitestone]

I did my Great Glen wind tunnel training the other evening Rode along the canal back from Leeds into a block headwind. Generally getting some long rides in but not overdoing it.

[touch]

How's everyone's training going?
1 month to go.

I think those steps have been removed now?

edit:
Maybe not? I've just realised that's a photo from your 2017. I didn't make it that far last year. I thought they were gone before that.

[whitestone]

Just checking the WHW site https://www.westhighlandway.org/notices/ and it seems that there will be some works being done on the first part of the Devil's Staircase track from where it leaves the Dam access road. Scheduled to last until the end of June but access will be maintained during this time.

[padonbike]

When we did the Northern Loop last year we found a 24hr honesty shop at Glencanisp Lodge that we never noticed anyone had mentioned before.
There's a kettle, tea, coffee, cans of pop, some food & even ice cream in there. Could be ideal if there's nothing open in Lochinver & peeps are pushing on into the Suilven area..

http://www.assynt-foundation.co.uk/honesty-shop

Well spotted! Never had a clue about that

[AlanG]

Last May at those steps on the WHW there was a new easier route around to the right which I took the liberty of taking so I could update the route. Until now I had forgotten about it so thanks for the reminder. You can save some energy and swearing here for the bonus hill I've added before Bridge of Orchy.

[ianfitz]

Last May at those steps on the WHW there was a new easier route around to the right which I took the liberty of taking so I could update the route. Until now I had forgotten about it so thanks for the reminder. You can save some energy and swearing here for the bonus hill I've added before Bridge of Orchy.

Last year I spotted the new ramp/path to the right of the steps but didn’t know where it led.

Carried up the steps. Followed the improved path that wasn’t as I remembered. It went down hill and round a corner.

I was back at the bottom of the steps again!

[sean_iow]

How's everyone's training going?

1 month to go.

I think I'm doing OK, I'm the fittest I've ever been*, but not being luckily enough to live somewhere with mountains, and Wales / Lakes / Scotland being too far away (and too expensive to get to with the ferry) I've no real way to judge if I'm fit enough. It's too close now to do much about it if I'm not though. At least now the excitement is starting to outweigh the nervousness.

I'm also looking forward to riding somewhere new. Training on my little Island all winter means I've seen the same trails far too many times.

*not a humblebrag, I've done all my riding on my own so have no way to judge other than the odd strava PB but I feel fitter if that's any measure of it?

[slarge]

Sean, you have done the miles and climbing, you feel fit, then you are physically ready. The HT is all about the head, and keeping yourself in the right frame of mind. If you believe you can do it, then you will do it.

Break it into manageable chunks, and keep eating, lots.

[GregMay]

Wake up. Ride bike. Intermittently eat food. Ride more. Walk a bit. Sleep.

You'll be reet. Remember, you're out there to have fun. Be hopeful you don't need to send me a message.

Hence the avatar.