Something about that just grates on me. I love wandering about the hills on a bike but codifying it into some sort of competition is getting me all tetchy!!!
I like it. I'd love to be able to do something like that. Even doing a quarter of that in a week I'd be happy with.
Some good quality in the entrants. How long do you think it will take the winner?
Sweepstake. I'm going for 3days 6hrs
Isn't alasdairmc doing it? I do wonder if some of these guys might be missing out on something racing around such beautiful scenery. Looks like good route to do at a more leisurely pace.
There's nothing to stop any of them going back to ride the area(s) again at any speed they like, at any other time 😉
...or to stop them going up there lots of times before to get an idea of what it's like 😀
Sweepstake. I'm going for 3days 6hrs
"our" Phil Simcock will do it faster than that. He has to cos he'll be late for work if he doesn't.
[quote=twinklydave ]There's nothing to stop any of them going back to ride the area(s) again at any speed they like, at any other time
...or to stop them going up there lots of times before to get an idea of what it's like I know. And many of them have/will. It still "bothers" me in an illogical way I can't quite put into words. 😳
Yeah, I'm doing it, as are at least a couple of others from here. If I'm not last I'll be pleasantly surprised - I'm intending to finish the route in six days or so instead of racing it.
It must be a scam.All those photos in the above link show the sun shining 🙂
I'm down for it, lots of time to look up during it...I hope.
Not sure of the exact quote, scotroutes, but is your unease/botheration similar to that of the guy describing golf as being 'a spoilt walk'? 🙂
I *think* that was Mark Twain or Churchill? Most quotes are Churchill or Shakespeare. Honestly, I'd love to take a week off and ride this loop based on the photos and location, but have no desire to rag myself doing it.
Did a similar ride many years ago, but encompassed a few of the Isles and took my time (two months!). Bit harder with a family...
Ha, I think I did half that route in reverse on my way to Cape Wrath, I certainly think they've got (most of) it the right way round at least. Would love to give that a shot, would be glad to manage it in 7 days right enough...
Enjoy the descent into Glen Ling AlasdairMC!
lovely. good luck to all, think i'd take it a more sedate pace.
anyone know where the road where the first pic is?
Roady tony think that's the whw approaching Buachaille etive Mor. It's certainly in that area.
I'm in. Really looking forward to it, with no small amount of trepidation. I'm expecting to be out for three days at the very, very least. That's a lot of steady riding, with a lot of time to soak in the views. I'll be using up leave to do the ride... I fully intend on enjoying the stunning location!
It's part of what attracts me to this kind of challenge... Testing myself physically and mentally in a wild, beautiful place. I like the total immersion in the situation.
A month to go, though. Oooph.
4 days for me. The Cairngorm 200 last year was a stunning ride so I expect to be blown away by this one.
[url= http://riderscyclecentre.com/?p=239 ]Cairngorm Blog[/url]
All the comments and pics get the adrenalin flowing. Excited to meet the fellow competitors and feeding off the experience.
See you there 🙂
I am interested in this "Highland Trail 400", but I do have reservations about racing round it.
Think I prefer taking my time, enjoying sitting looking at the scenery whenever I want, taking a route at a whim, popping into a local pub / eatery, and generally going at exactly my own pace - no faster, no slower.
Also not trained up enough at all to even remotely race it 🙂 And I like my kip. And long showers.
The golf quote is not attributable. Not Twain or Churchill. A good version is "Too much walking for a good game, just enough game to spoil a good walk".
I really do wish everyone taking part the best of times. I've ridden much of the route and of course there will be time to take some of it in. Still bothers me though 🙂
FWIW, it's also the one thing I have against The Adventure Show on BBC Scotland. Cameron McNeish gets to go off for a nice walk in the hills but any cycle coverage has to be some sort of competitive event (and don't give me that "Audax isn't racing" line). It's like there no adventure to be had on a bike unless it's against the clock.
scotroutes - Member...FWIW, it's also the one thing I have against The Adventure Show on BBC Scotland. Cameron McNeish gets to go off for a nice walk in the hills but any cycle coverage has to be some sort of competitive event (and don't give me that "Audax isn't racing" line). It's like there no adventure to be had on a bike unless it's against the clock.
It's like the RSF didn't exist.
[b][url= http://www.rsf.org.uk ]RSF link[/url][/b]
Anyone know the direction the route goes in? I can't open the GPX , think it may be because I'm on a mac.
Also, does anyone have a link to the write up mentioned on the site, their link doesn't work.
I'd love to give it a go, if I can find the time.
Anti-clockwise. I'm looking at it as 6 days of bikepacking in country I don't get to se much these days.
Anti-clockwise. I'm looking at it as 6 days of bikepacking in country I don't get to se much these days.
Cheers. That's much the same view of it I'd have myself. Long days but a steady enjoyable pace.
any race reports?
hope everyone went well !
Bit early for that? We don't start until the 25th May...
Looks a bit rubbish IMO.
Never understood the fascination with the Highlands, it's like geographical fanboyism.
Wonder if it would be possible to join together 400 miles of trail centre routes? At least then the riding would be interesting.
FACEPALMMMMMMmmmmmm
😀 😀
>Roady tony think that's the whw approaching Buachaille etive Mor. It's certainly in that area.<
Aye, it's the wee stretch of tarmac out the back of the Kingy (on the WHW.)It joins the A82 in front of the Bookil / junction with Glen Etive road.
Just skimmed the guys trail report and he only had one Guinness on the entire trip. Doesn't sound like my kind of race 😉
You can follow the progress of the riders on Trackleaders
[url= http://trackleaders.com/highland13 ]HT400 Link[/url]
Awesome, its snowing in Tyndrum. This just got a whole lot more interesting.
*packs more clothes*
[i]Never understood the fascination with the Highlands[/i]
It can't be explained, you either get it or you don't.
Your'e in the latter category so stick to your trail centres & keep the natch trails even 'less busy' there's a good lad. 😉
Never understood the fascination with the Highlands, it's like geographical fanboyism.
You're kidding right? I mean, you're the one who's always posting up wild camps in the highlands.
peterfile - Member
...Never understood the fascination with the Highlands, it's like geographical fanboyism.Wonder if it would be possible to join together 400 miles of trail centre routes? At least then the riding would be interesting.
That's genius. 🙂
And stops our natural trails getting skid marks all over them.
Racing through the Highlands is a bit like guzzling fine whisky. You end up sore, sick, with a vague memory of having had a good time but you can't remember it for sure, and did you really shag that sheep. 🙂
T'was a wee joke 🙂
Now time to pack all this into something I have to carry. So much stuff!
[img] 
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"Floor"
That made me smile.
The Spare Space Kit though - no helmet?
The Spare Space Kit though - no helmet?
Spare space was if there was any... so far no joy.
Helmet is in the riding pile, black and white Kask Mojito
"Floor"That made me smile.
I've opted not to take it. Maybe the sofa though...
"waterproofs"
Nope, you need more. It is Scotland.
looks like some cold - wet nights ahead for you greg.....
Given that it's snowing over large parts of scotland at present a down jacket might be a wise inclusion/
Given that it's snowing over large parts of scotland at present a down jacket might be a wise inclusion/
The bright orange thing in the Spare Clothes pile is a Patagonia primaloft jacket. Down will get wet and hold water so avoiding that. Gagging to get my hands on a Patagonia Encapsule Down jacket, waterproofed down fibres...yes please!
🙂
Have a good one !
Had a stab at Tarbet to Sourlies to Inverie last week, granted not your route, but ground conditions, anything off footpaths was very hard going and like wet sponge, anything on footpaths was not so hard going but wet.
Was surprisingly warm even at night, and only got caught in one blizzard, but lots of rain, didn't get trench foot and didn't require mountain rescue. No midges either which was nice, everywhere we pitched the tent was like sleeping on a mattress, so spongey wet but comfy
Did take an interest in this event but decided it was a bit much for me, looking forward to post event write up 🙂
The bright orange thing in the Spare Clothes pile is a Patagonia primaloft jacket. Down will get wet and hold water so avoiding that. Gagging to get my hands on a Patagonia Encapsule Down jacket, waterproofed down fibres...yes please!
Down will only get wet if you let it get wet.
You dont appear to ahve anything that will keep your legs warm, or indeed any cooking kit.
You do realise that the route goes to the middle of nowhere, via arsend and bumble**** don't you?
You dont appear to ahve anything that will keep your legs warm, or indeed any cooking kit.You do realise that the route goes to the middle of nowhere, via arsend and bumble**** don't you?
Well you're incorrect there, legs are hidden under some of the piles.
A) Legwarmers B) Patagonia R1 tights C)NorthFace windproof bottoms
No cooking kit, why bother. Extra weight, I have no issue eating cold food, get warm food in towns when I get a chance.
Also, of course I know its the arse end of nowhere 🙂
Towns? North of the Great Glen? Hahahahahahahahahahah. 😉
im looking at that route .... those are some very long hitches where your unlikely to see a house let alone shop/hot meal.
best of luck to you. I hope the weathers kind to you , your going to need it with that kit inventory - if you dont have overshoes i suggest throwing a set in - the forecast for the next wee while is very blustery
im looking at that route .... those are some very long hitches where your unlikely to see a house let alone shop/hot meal.
Aye certainly, bag on the back will be getting filled prior to many of those long steps.
Taking winter boots instead of overshoes. Warm feet = warm me 🙂
I know what some of the other racers are taking... I am certainly packing on the side of caution compared to them. Very much so.
No stove ? Stove might be a luxury but a hot drink is a motivator at times.
I have been uncharacteristically ready and packed for a week ..
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http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc180/paulerrington78/HTEM_zps5a8be231.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
peterfile - Member
T'was a wee joke
A good one IMO, witty enough not to be a troll. 🙂
Good luck with the weather to the lads doing it.
I wouldn't like to do it faster than 10 days. Too much good scenery to savour.
I know what some of the other racers are taking... I am certainly packing on the side of caution compared to them. Very much so.
If you're being cautious then I'm being overly so. It seems I'm going completely OTT on the food as I've got three to four days worth on my back which is probably overkill, plus a stove, tent etc. No winter gloves though which I think I'll review this lunchtime with a quick LBS trip.
Looks like a fine morning to kick this off, well further north it is anyway. I'd love to be taking part.
Good to see your usual highlands/climbing gears fitted paul.
Good luck to everyone. Wish I was (a) )fit enough to do it and (b) )doing it. Maybe next time.
Looks like they've made a start.
[url= http://twitter.com/Kristoffrides/status/338222039934582784/photo/1 ]Blue dot tracking pic[/url]
Someone seems to have taken a wrong turning
Chuff me, two of them are north of the Great Glen already 😯
Cracking day for it mind, not many this fine up here... 8)
Has Phil Simcock's tracker packed in?
It looks like there's some seriously quick riding going on there.... I'm impressed.
Oops, started a new thread before I saw this one. Happy that Aidan's spot has woken up!
😯 😯 😯
Are these actually humans or some sort of robohumans?
[url= http://trackleaders.com/highland13 ]To save going back to hunt for the link[/url]
Which way are they going?! Are Phil and Aidan 1st and 2nd, or at the back?!
Go on, awesome riding speed. Another good day's weather shaping up, some of these chaps are going to be past halfway and on the west coast today...
Njee anti clockwise top loop.
Phils leading with aidan and mark goldie chasing hard by the looks of the gap that isnt there no more.
Cool, cheers Terry!
More than a little gutted not to be riding, thanks to breaking my collarbone 3 weeks ago, but it's great fun watching the action unfold from the comfort of the sofa 🙂
Looks like Phil, Aiden and Mark are all moving very strongly. Little surprised not to see Paul E a little further up. Hope the weather holds for em.
Spoke to paul late last week. He is treating ride as a training holiday.
Too beautiful an area to be racing through.
Ah, cheers for that trail rat.
Wondering if Aidan and Phil are in a pub on Shore street Ullapool
They are really covering some ground out there ! i feel i would be one of the back markers.... i reckon thats the real race, who will be last 🙂
Will the leaders be done by Monday night ?
It would be a real shame if those who finish at or near the back were to feel that their achievement was in any way diminished 🙂
ANYONE who manages 425 miles through the Highlands, on thier own steam, deserves respect.
I am just gobsmacked at how freaking quick the front guys are...
They are covering some ground still !
Interest is switching to back markers Kevin and Steve 🙂
From the comfort of my sofa with a big bottle of red wine next to me, and about to slam a roast in the oven.
I looked at this and reckoned if i could do 50miles a day i would be going some. Anything over 50 is a bounus.
I am old'ish, unfit'ish don't train, not sponsored etc etc excuses excuses.
I hope they all finish. i reckoned 8days for me, if i competed. Hope the mag can get some sort of group photo. And a bloody good write up.
Loving the spot marker info.
🙂
I just met one competitor at Orrin reservoir. I just lifted the bike over a gate and he appeared behind me so I helped him lift the bike over it.. some weight with all the kit hanging off it. This is the first I have heard about the event so when he told me where he had come from, I was amazed! I think he said he was about mid way through the pack. Super fit dudes.
I'm guessing he was either Arno or Gian.
I ride a bit with Mark Goldie - he is a machine, but three years ago when I first met him he was as slow as me on a bike. Just shows what some hard training will do, quite an inspiration.
I would struggle to do 100km in a day.
Oh, and hes only got one gear !
So does aidan- who seems to be pulling a gap....
Torn here.... Who to root for......
king...hell
A Harding is over halfway now !
A couple of back markers might have stopped and turned off the GPS, Oliver Webb has been still for a while but spot still active.
How many are running SS 🙂 i demand the mag do a profile on first and last runners, bikes, the rider the works.
Might have a winner late on tuesday at the rate their going.
Olivers my current favourite, he's either stopped for the day, or fixing something, or just broken out the emergency half bottle and is enjoying being where he is for the hell of it 🙂
Paul e in shock turn around 🙁
Not feeling the love so is heading home tomorrow.
Lets see what tomorrow brings.