Fantastic! Really well done Phil Simcock. It brings the whole sub 24hr potentials back into play for discussion (and despite what others might like to think or feel – for me it’s a really exciting part and love of the ongoing MTB story for the UK (1985-2012 onwards) – it’s a brilliant ride and a brilliant challenge that pushes the whole eqpt+person mix to the max). Supported attempts on this route are not particularly faster, as proven by Rob Lee and Rich Rothwell, who despite being great riders, bailed on the return legs and that will have been heart-wrenching, (I’m not sure if Shaggy’s (unsupported?) ride was intending to turn round at Fort Bill). I think it’s because; 1) time is lost with every meet-up with a support team (bike, mechs, apparel, food, etc) and 2) that the comfort/bail-out blanket is near, and lastly 3) you can become reliant on the support crew to the extent that when something untoward happens, it’s a cue to bail rather than tough-it-out – e.g. that at the time you feel that it would be unsafe to continue, which is a fair call, but one that you have less option to adopt if you are unsupported. What Phil (+ bike choice) has achieved here is astronomically brilliant, especially as the conditions were far from favourable, and with less daylight hours. I got the news of the attempt whilst working on http://www.scotlandcoasttocoast.com which coincidentally uses the WHW between Glen Nevis and Lairig Mor ruin, and had several hundred participants (run/trek) over the two daylight afternoons on this same weekend just gone. Now that would of been a mental headline….. ‘WHW Double dreams shattered by the trail blockage caused by 1,000 Coast To Coast runners on the trail – an event created by the previous WHW Double record holder!’ WRT the exclamations on level of support, I’ll save that for another posting later – perhaps further down this thread. In truth, it’s an uber-niche argument that I don’t care for. Anyone completing this kind of ride does so because they love enduarnce MTBing, and whether they have mates or sponsors in tow, so what. Just enjoy it, and then sit back and revel in what you’ve all achieved. Personally, I find it empowering, and I get a vicarious thrill off reading about it all, that pushes me on to discover new challenges too. Step up Mike Hall in 2013?
Gary T
p.s.I don’t know who Daisy Duke is – Kate Potter? – a brave solo attempt and well done to her too.
