Our Highland Trail 550 write up.

[Richpips]

Our write up is not overly wordy, but there are plenty of pics, so I've split it over several posts.

Enjoy.

http://minipips.blogspot.com/2018/06/hi ... index.html

[ericrobo]

Well done Rich and Tom...

Those midges aren’t half a battle too !

[middleagedmadness]

Cheers rich that was a nice read , especially well done to your youngfella ,he has some character in him

[Richpips]

Well done Rich and Tom...

Those midges aren’t half a battle too !

Cheers Eric. It's the first time on the HT that I've had a real issue with them. We took midge nets, but I wish we'd taken some smidge. Last year I took some and didn't use it. Lesson learned eh. :)

[Richpips]

Cheers rich that was a nice read , especially well done to your youngfella ,he has some character in him

Cheers. He has a can do attitude, and doesn't whinge, unlike his Dad. :)

[Bontyrider]

I really enjoyed reading your inspirational write up, I stand in awe of you both.

What did you both think of the Frontier? I'm especially interested in Toms' thoughts as although he's probably taller than me (I'm almost 5'2" !) He is more likely nearer to my size and weight. While I love my 631 framed Frankencross , I need a bit more than a 35c on the rear and was thinking that these here modern alu frames are supposed to be comfy these days.... And lighter (although I can't find a frame weight for the Frontier) and I'm guessing if I was running B + then frame material wouldn't be a factor...... Possibly.
(I'm a die hard steel fan).

[Richpips]

I really enjoyed reading your inspirational write up, I stand in awe of you both.

What did you both think of the Frontier? I'm especially interested in Toms' thoughts as although he's probably taller than me (I'm almost 5'2" !) He is more likely nearer to my size and weight. While I love my 631 framed Frankencross , I need a bit more than a 35c on the rear and was thinking that these here modern alu frames are supposed to be comfy these days.... And lighter (although I can't find a frame weight for the Frontier) and I'm guessing if I was running B + then frame material wouldn't be a factor...... Possibly.
(I'm a die hard steel fan).

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I think that the Frontier is a great bikepacking bike. It feels stable loaded. I run mine rigid, and on the HT550 have the tyres inflated hard to avoid pinch flats on the water bars. Not the most comfortable set up, but great handling.

Tom likes his (running a suspension fork) to ride though he thinks that the carbon Transmitter he rode last year was lighter.

Rich

[padonbike]

Decent stretch on the last day
That's shocking Kinlochewe loos being locked

[Richpips]

Decent stretch on the last day
That's shocking Kinlochewe loos being locked

Cheers Phil.

We were hoping to escape the midges for at least a short while in the loos.

Wendy at Drumbeg stores said that the council was shutting toilets to save money. I don't know if this was one of the closures?

[fatbikephil]

Well done gents and a great read to boot. Good to see the OBH is back on track with its welcome to riders as they were a bit shy last year...

[Bontyrider]

Hi Rich and thanks very much for your reply.
That's useful in helping me to decide what's next.


Sarah.

[ericrobo]

Interesting how you seemed to pick up after day 1, of 62 miles...
Then from there to near Orrin Dam, day 2,
Day 3 you reached Glen Cassley
Day 4 somewhere between Kylescu and Drumbeg
Then day 5 somewhere near Ullapool - that must have been a monster, what time did you stop ?
Day 6 as far as Kinlochewe, is about 58 miles, over very difficult terrain- what time did you camp ?
And then to Camban is about 35 miles... did you start late, and plan to have an ‘easier’ day ?
And 110 miles on your last day is going some. How was Tom on that? (How were you too ?

[Richpips]

Interesting how you seemed to pick up after day 1, of 62 miles...
Then from there to near Orrin Dam, day 2,
Day 3 you reached Glen Cassley
Day 4 somewhere between Kylescu and Drumbeg
Then day 5 somewhere near Ullapool - that must have been a monster, what time did you stop ?
Day 6 as far as Kinlochewe, is about 58 miles, over very difficult terrain- what time did you camp ?
And then to Camban is about 35 miles... did you start late, and plan to have an ‘easier’ day ?
And 110 miles on your last day is going some. How was Tom on that? (How were you too ?

Day 5 stopped 10ish
Day 6 50 miles stopped 10ish again
Day 7 50 miles to Camban which was a short day stopped just after 9, though avoiding the midge was key.
Day 8 110 miles, tough, we both decided that we'd have to beat the previous years time though.

[Blue Wheeler]

Good work men! The scenery looks stunning and I'm sure the riding was every bit as hard as it looks!! Looking to do this next year in early May when the midges are (hopefully) fewer. Thanks for sharing and amazing effort by your lad

[ScotRoutes]

I said it somewhere else but that seemed to be pretty much the perfect HTR. The right food stops, a good distance each day. These folk racing round it in half the time are missing half the enjoyment

I'm only left wondering - how long before Tom does it solo and beats you round

[Mart]

Decent stretch on the last day
That's shocking Kinlochewe loos being locked

Cheers Phil.

We were hoping to escape the midges for at least a short while in the loos.

Wendy at Drumbeg stores said that the council was shutting toilets to save money. I don't know if this was one of the closures?

Kinlochewe toilets were open for us, just as well as I wasn't in a good way when we got there after midnight

[ScotRoutes]

The Council closure program has been temporarily suspended.

[ScotRoutes]

The Council closure program has been temporarily suspended.

[fatbikephil]

Decent stretch on the last day
That's shocking Kinlochewe loos being locked

Cheers Phil.

We were hoping to escape the midges for at least a short while in the loos.

Wendy at Drumbeg stores said that the council was shutting toilets to save money. I don't know if this was one of the closures?

Kinlochewe toilets were open for us, just as well as I wasn't in a good way when we got there after midnight

Glad to see your back safe Mart - there were a few concerned dot watchers when you disappeared during that wee storm last week - look forward to the tale!

[Alpinum]

Finally found time to read the blog entries. Grand stuff

It was great to see your dots moving steadily towards Tyndrum. It's lovely to feel so happy for two fellow cyclists you don't know in person. Hopefully I/we can change that sometime.

[donaldbmcintosh]

Just read this through. Looks like an amazing ride. Definitely on my bucket list, but think I'll tackle it solo rather than with my 13 year old... bit beyond him just now!

Was pleased to see Samuel B on the finishers list, he said he was thinking of doing it when we spoke during French Divide last year.