Highland trail 550!!

[ton]

who is leading at present?
it looks like the bloke who was leading all the way is now 2nd, is that right?

[Chew]

This is where it becomes confusing as some people may have decided to bail/tour and not complete the Northern Loop. (Phil Clarke)

Current positions are
1. Phil Simcock
2. Andrew Hutcheson
3. Ton Rowntree
4. Steve Heading
5. Steve Large
6. Mark McPhillips
7. Ian Barrington
8. Gary Tompsett
9. Alan Goldsmith
10. Neil Evans

[composite]

Greg May has updated confirmed scratches to include Andy Toop -Phil Clarke -Stuart Rider -Mike Davies -Phil Fraser-Thomson -Matt Slater.

[jay91]

I'm guessing Phil simcock is a machine anyone know how long he's being sleeping /stopping for just out of interest

[Ray Young]

I doubt anyone would care Ray.

I just love the attitude of those who enter this sort of race, belief in the honesty and integrity of all who enter, it's ace .

[jay91]

I doubt anyone would care Ray.

I just love the attitude of those who enter this sort of race, belief in the honesty and integrity of all who enter, it's ace .

Indeed no moaning

[Chew]

I'm guessing Phil simcock is a machine anyone know how long he's being sleeping /stopping for just out of interest

Looks like Phil stopped for ~5.5 hours last night

The section prior to CP5 seems to be tough

[Alpinum]

Can't stop thinking Ian could go faster, but instead is stopping on occasions to do some filming. I'm quite convinced he's going to return with some vaguely exciting footage.
(and wouldn't be astonished if he starts catching up towards the last legs)

Phil S. just ascending one, if not the most intricate (albeit short) ascents of the HTR. This is then followed by what I believe to be the place where he smashed his mech. Let's hope he get's past his last years nemesis without any issues what so ever.

It's everybody's very own race. Go your very own pace and keep having fun.

Happy for all still out there. Hope they can go on to the very end

[ScotRoutes]

Posted this elsewhere too...

I bumped into Ian Barrington yesterday lunchtime just past Garve (I was on my way to Torridon and saw he was about to pass). He was feeling very tired, not having had much sleep in the bothy on account of arriving late and everyone else getting up early. He had planned a wee bivi in the woods but the midge were horrendous.

I think the fastest guys are getting the best of the weather too. It was drier in the more northerly reaches yesterday and better way out west today.

[composite]

I expected Ian to be quicker as well. I really wouldn't have expected him to actually stop to do any filming though. On the bike POV stuff and the end of day diary type stuff but he's too much of a racer to stop to film surely? Maybe he's been pacing himself and will do a crazy long last session to take a few places?

Big respect to Steve Large he's having an vaguely exciting ride at the moment.

[Chew]

Yes Steve Large is flying.

Ians covered the same ground as last year (~400k in 2 days), its just other people are riding faster. Ian was only around 8-10 this time last year, but the mamouth last all dayer and retirees moved him up to second.

[Alpinum]

Ians covered the same ground as last year (~400k in 2 days), its just other people are riding faster. Ian was only around 8-10 this time last year, but the mamouth last all dayer and retirees moved him up to second.

Very true.

he's too much of a racer to stop to film surely?

Good question...

[Matt]

Chew
Yes Steve Large is flying.

He's using my SPOT and probably doesn't want the average speed it's used to, to drop.

[ScotRoutes]

That's Ian stopped early tonight. He must fancy a bothy to get away from the midge!

[j.c.gillies]

Phil S just never stops! Went straight through Ullapool this morning and only spent 20 mins in Poolewe. How much food must he be packing at every stop?

[composite]

Seems like conditions this year have really taken there toll. I guess Ian is stopping up to get a good rest in to make sure he finishes.

Mark McPhillips who was the guy who went straight through the night is out.

[Alpinum]

Really impressive effort of Iona. And Markus and Richard S. You all had a strong day. Keep it up!

[Yorlin]

How do people get across Dubh/Fionn Loch? Is there a ferry? Or a bridge? Or is it swimming?

Edit - A good zoom in on google maps shows a very thin bridge/causeway! Carry on :)

[Chew]

Has Phil called it an early night before the next difficult climb and decent. Andrew's still moving though.

Can he catch him overnight?

[ScotRoutes]

Looks like Phils tracker is still playing up. He's reached Torridon YH!

(FWIW, that's 644km / 400 miles from the start)

[composite]

His tracker is playing up or he took a pretty direct route to Torridon.

[Blackhound]

Start photo's from Saturday:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@ ... 457186738/

[Matt]

Steve's on the road

[Chew]

Steve Large is out. Knees are shot (Greg Mays updates)

Storming ride up to this point

[composite]

Arg that's a real shame for Steve, he was on a great ride. I was enjoying the "will he, won't he?" catch Steve Heading battle.

Also good ride from Gunther Desmedt,who I know on twitter. He was quite a way behind the front runners heading north, so to now be running 6th I think shows some good tactics in terms of slowly (relatively speaking) but surely.