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More important - who had a spare helmet with them and why?
At the last count there were 3 helmets, 1 bent derailleur, a couple of pumps, 2 bob the builder hats and 19 (that is no typo) pairs of shoes. On this occasion it was not me with the spares, so it is good to see that someone else has a skip masquerading as a car.
For Gary to do that and forget stuff... Not like him at all...
FWIW, there is an 8 day "cut off" period to get an official time. I've been looking at Ionas track and she is on schedule to make it.
scotroutes - Member
FWIW, there is an 8 day "cut off" period to get an official time. I've been looking at Ionas track and she is on schedule to make it.
That's good.
Do you reckon the leaders will waste time sleeping tonight? They're getting close.
Markus must almost be able to smell the pies! Hope the Lochinver Larder is serving... 8)
At the other culinary extreme, Phil should make it into Fort Bill in time for a Big Mac 🙂
Gary T's missing box: might have been my fault.... 🙁
He came round to see me just before leaving, and I kept him gassing about all the stuff he was taking. I even got some shots of the bulk of the kit. I think I distracted him.
Sorry Gaz.
The ITT attempt was 8 days last year when the distance was 'only' 400 miles. Not sure if Alan has forgotten to add a bit of time for the extra distance or just making it tougher.
Gary T just shouted out at the cafe if anybody had a spare helmet and some guy next to him just handed him one. Whose second bottomed chamois is he riding in though? He wasn't trying to blame anyone for his oversight. Not met him before but seemed a nice guy - if occasionally forgetful;-)
[quote=Blackhound ]The ITT attempt was 8 days last year when the distance was 'only' 400 miles. Not sure if Alan has forgotten to add a bit of time for the extra distance or just making it tougher.His reckoning was that everyone that completed last year did it in 6 days, so 8 was just fine now 🙂
Willing Markus on to Suileag at least, mostly straightforward quad track although wouldn't fancy the singlespeed up a couple of those steep scrabbly bits...
[quote=13thfloormonk ]Willing Markus on to Suileag at least, mostly straightforward quad track although wouldn't fancy the singlespeed up a couple of those steep scrabbly bits...
Iona to Achmelvich
Markus to Suileag
Richpips - dunno. Elphin is close but then there's an easy road section to Oykel Bridge (but he'll likely miss opening hours)
Alasdair and Nik to Ullapool
Johann and Craig must have started out again by now?
Think Gunther will stop at Shenavall (with Dave)?
Keith to Carnmore (to meet up with Alan?)
Gary to Kinlochewe
Tom and Steve have a bit of no-mans land coming up though there's a bothy available.
Andrew to Tomich
Phil to, well, who knows?
I'd assumed Richpips was already pitched up, there are some nice spots by the lochside there if I remember.
Dave's past Shenavall and just forded the river! Wonder if he's aiming for the locked bothy across the way (Lochivraon, is there a shelter round the back of it?). Maybe he saw Keiths lights and has given chase (is it dark at 10pm? I'm on Vancouver time, dark by 9ish).
Think Lichd house had an unlocked shelter for Tom and Steve, doubt you could fit two lying down in it though 😀 Camban would be a good 2 hours off at least.
This is great fun, already trying to figure out how to find the time next year or following... (and the training, and the equipment, and the complete M-ingTFU which would be required, 50km days probably don't cut it here!)
Rich is definitely on the move (slowly)
Lochivraon is the wrong way 🙂
Not dark yet either Ian, remember how far north they are 🙂
Good luck if you attempt it next year.
Phil - still moving, I can't imagine he will stop now unless he falls asleep on the bike.
Gunter has turned around and is going backwards. I wonder if he has had enough or has had a mechanical. Alan mentioned that he was cooked when he rode into Ullapool with him.
Guess the question is whether or not Philip carries on to the end or stops for some sleep?!
Rich isn't carrying bike lights after a last minute forks not arriving back / dynamo not fitting 2nd bike / wheel fiasco. So I hope sense will kick in and he doesn't attempt the road if it is dark. He did stop about 7ish at [b]the[/b] pie shop and has his tent & sleeping bag so a bothy/b&b isn't essential.
Having said that I am not sure sense is the strong point of any of them doing this.
Lochivraon is the wrong way
Bugger, meant Larachantivore, that's my favourite name for a bothy as well, can't believe I forgot it! Definitely looks like he's paused at it for a moment... Edit: Nope, he's off again, bet it was locked 8)
Edit edit: Debaser beat me to it.
And yeah, Rich is proving me wrong also.
Good luck if you attempt it next year.
I'm all talk Colin, I've done half the route already and doubt I'd want to spend the time and money equipping myself to do it again just to attempt it three times faster!
Still cannot believe the pace these folk are traveling at. Incredible.
There is a wee emergency shelter behind the locked bothy at Larachantivore, but you wouldn't want to unless you [i]really[/i] had too. Room for two gently weeping adults at a push. Makes Carnmore look like a palace.
I've not had a scratch report in a few hours...so this is a good sign!
Phil is on the fastest section now, down the canal. He may end up in the canal, but at least he can smash along.
What has happened to Riccardo Alessi? His track looks like the Strictly foot chart for the Hokey Kokey.
Looking forward to some good stories when these people get back
Markus is staying in a hostel in Lochinver for the night.
Ha, just thought he was enjoying a slap up feed at [s]Mrs Miggin's Pie Shop[/s] Lochinver Larder..
Gunther heading for the Fisherfield bypass? That's the one allowed route change (if you don't fancy the river crossing when you get there you can opt to go back to the road and take that to Poolewe). I hope he's not expecting it to be flat 🙂
Does the Fisherfield Bypass take in Destitution Road or is my geography off?
I can't believe these guys are still rolling at this time of night.
[quote=wanmankylung ]Does the Fisherfield Bypass take in Destitution Road or is my geography off?
The other way. Destitution Road is the one that takes you from Dundonnell to Corrieshalloch. He's on the coast road that goes through Laide and Aultbea.
Some still moving by the look of it.
Probably not going to see this but go on Bucky and GT. It's got to be mostly downhill from where you are now......
Andy Will.
After 1am, and Phil SImcock is still going.
My eyelids can't keep up, must go to bed. 🙂
In tent at ullapool. Hard slow day route out of lochinver is a bitch basically 12 miles of bog and rock ridable for 20 metres at a time. Topermost section yesterday was epic as all heck regarding scenery and scale. Blisters on both feet and have tweaked right foot muscle at rear not fancying fisjerfield tomorrow we'll see... Annoying as feeling strong apart from that. Now sleep...
Hope David Buckden is alright, that's an odd place to have stopped for so long (long relatively straight fast descent with some waterbars?). Hoping its just a GPS quirk.
Ten to four in the morning, Phil Simcock still going, looks like he's gunning it for the finish.
David Buckden proves me wrong again, safely across the causeway at 5am, closely followed by Alan Goldsmith who must have sneaked out of Carnmore 'bothy' [i]very[/i] quietly, he's given Keith Bremner the slip!
Quick shot of the carnmore interior for anyone not acquainted with it, pretty rustic by bothy standards!
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So Philip has been riding for over 25 hours and is still going? Boggles the mind
Good lad*
*you are nuts mind.
Again, great to be watching the trackers and race happen.
Phil is incredible! I guess he just wants to get finished now so he's on a mission. Massive respect to all the riders
Confirmed scratch for Riccardo Alesi. He contacted me this morning.
WRT Phil - it's probably like last year when he had to be back for work 🙂
Jeez Phil is a machine! watching that trackplot for him over the last couple of days is amazing
Looks flat as a pancake to the finish for him now. Wonder what kind of state he is in...
Looks flat as a pancake to the finish for him now. Wonder what kind of state he is in...
It's not that flat. There is a climb for a while now, then an utterly brutal cobble descent to Bridge or Orky, then a wander along the West Highland Way that rolls. Then cake, lots of cake.
r8jimbob88 - Member
....Wonder what kind of state he is in...
He can probably smell the cake at the finishing line by now. 🙂
What a ride! and Andy Hutcheson won't be long behind him.
WRT Phil - it's probably like last year when he had to be back for work
It's [i]exactly[/i] like that 😉 😯
(I can't imagine him being very productive mind...)