Was Heather in a white jersey, from Newcastle? I think I was riding with her for a while but she was much more efficient at the Newcastleton stop than I was.

Spoke to you and Ewan on Friday at sign-on but didn't see you after the race.

Heather was riding a pink hardtail SS 29er with those weird bars (forget the name!)
Julie was in the white top.

Myself and Ewan had a shower then decided to hit the road (+5hrs journey home). Glad we did as I woke up in my own bed Sunday and had the whole day to relax and eat 🙂

Nah……I was on a Cotic Soda. And needed every gear I had for that last few climbs!!

Rode mostly with rider 327 (completely forgot his name!) but he kept me going when it got tough over those last 4 miles.

Much respect goes to all SS'ers. I rode quite a bit with Heather (think she was third female) who had amazing power up some of those climb.

And rode from the last feed station with Julie who was 2nd Female. IIRC

Hats off to both.

Brutal ❗

Thats one word I've used the most to describe Keilder. The last 6.5miles from the bridge was the devils work.

Top marks to the organisers, marshals and the lovely ladies at Newcastleton.

10hrs 38mins and a top 100 placing. Delighted.

But the trails were brutal…………..as were the midge!

I was the Squarewheels rider. Was I speaking to anyone on here?

Travelling down from North of Inverness (+6hrs) ❗

Staying at the main campsite. Cycling for Squarewheels on a Soda.

Cheers for the link. Been checking daily!

I'm in………bring it on.

Ignitor front / crossmark rear 2.1's and tubeless 🙂

Ready for whatever weather!

Krylion's for me here too. Been superb in all conditions.

Would definitely buy again.

If I found a 'nice' cheap frame I'd take you up on the belt drive Epicyclo 🙂 provided the belt/chainset/wheel/your time was affordable 😉

Quality Ken 😀

Had planned a cycle to work scheme from my LBS (squarewheels) but looking for inspiration prior to committing.

Would have enjoyed the retro-build too 😉 but much cheapness only!

Charliethebikemonger? Looks good but my commute is generally road and that looks like a CX.

Bedmaker! what you trying to sell me for £749? doubt its Ti loveliness for that price 🙂

Del – 5'9" so reckon a large is out of the question (16/17/18 depending on frame)

Will surf all other suggestions 😀

Cheers STW massive.

I like that alot

I'd buy one if Steve could get them in.

What a race

That was brutal. IMO as a soloist, even harder than the winter one (but for completely different reasons, obviously)

My body took one 'ell of a battering, especially that top section. The decent made it all worth it, big ring pedalling the whole way…..fantastic. Excellently organised, marshals gave plenty of encourage the whole event……..top marks. And the orange moon was spectacular.

16 laps in 12.5hrs got me 5th but the winner put in a whopping 19laps ❗ Well done Keith, great effort.

Congrats to Gordy (and team mates) another trophy for the cabinet 🙂

Please, more teams next year to keep this excellent event running.

Whats the audax?

I'm on a 100miler road mission tomorrow with some mentalists!

Hi Jo 😉 Will need to give the cinnamon a visit some time. Always seem to forget about it!

If its an Indian your after Terry, try Sam's just down from Hoots 😀

I'm in 😀

Excellent….will go and take a quick look. Reckon its no different to any other HT2 which I've done plenty off.

Cheers guys………

plan is, to give this a go tomorrow.

results are

HERE[/url]

Good effort 🙂

Did you do nine Terry?

How many laps did you get then Greig?

I have had to be content with 9 laps in under 10.5hrs placing a lowly 17th! The energy just drained from me on that last lap 😐

Really enjoyed the course and the weather made for some interesting riding. Well done to all solo's……..that was tough day at the office.

10's + 25's Terry…….not sure if I'll hit the hilly's yet!

Never had tri bars before and the question was to highlight any possible issues and whether it had been done successfully or not. So thanks for all your observations.

Reckon I'll try the classifieds first and keep an eye on the bar width.

My rat bike frame is circa 2000 with a similar top tube to my road bike so should be able to get seating position about the same. As its so up in the air until I actually buy some, I'm not going to spend good cash on summit that may not actually work!

And I've no issues using the word steed to describe my mount!

Best buy for me Gord. Just watch, the older pre2010 have a flexi rear end. Which is why I bought mine as I have a racing snake build so get the benefit of a forgiving frame but can still get the power down…..

And do I need to remind you how light they can built-up 😀

Buy a 2010, you know you want too…………..

When I rented this out, I had avoided all 'hype' and was watching it completely 'cold'. No idea on how the film was shot/actos/story line….nowt.

First half of the film and I'm thinking this could be a turkey!

But way before half way things started to 'come together' and was absolutely hooked by the end. Accents were the making of it (and the prawns 🙂 ) well worth another watch.

Just play the **** note Dougal 😀

By # do mean total?

16 total (1st, 2nd + 3rd)

Results here

16miles 42:18 – fairly flatish (for the Highlands!)

Did you enter last year Al?

Was a superb race. Burtal in so many 'different' ways 😉

Thats all I'm saying other than I'll be there defending my first solo podium (3rd)

So…….have you decided what your spending that well earned 'puffer tokens' from last weekend?

I'm still counting the cost! Fork needs a service/drive chain goosed/rear hub gritty/BB goosed/nae pads left/and ripped MT500 3/4's. I heart 24hr racing in January 😀

'that skinny waif like girly rider in the squarewheels kit that talks pure sh!t at 1am during the puffer cause he's a lite-weight' sounds a lot better to me.

C'mon man, get it right

And I seem to recall a wee change of heart at our recent event where you 'weanered' down to a 21 rear (and you call yer'sel a SS) 😉

Your so hard on me man……. 😆

Fancied trying a compact…….I'm a cadence rider.

It's for the Bealach 😉

And the legs will be super powerful after the strathpuffer experience 🙂 (now thats how to MTFU in my book) was out today for a first ride back on the road and coasted with ease.

Sweet feeling……(no mud/ice/snow) just black tar 😀

Edit:
OKAY………its definitely a cassette then. Cheers for heads up. Where's a cheap 11-28 dura ace kicking about…………..

Maxxis LUST and not one issue to date (Medusa/Crossmark)

Tight fit on a ZTR rim but inflated after a little fettle (mostly hand pressure to tyre around the valve area) IME.

6 miles! are you sure?

MTBcut – superb 😀

Seem to be working for me Cullen………give it another go.

Awesome classic puffer.

I feel like I've done three rounds with a cage fighter, then hit by a bus!

That course was energy sapping and relentless. Struggled big time to get liquid and food when on the course, unless on small sections of fire trail and even that turned to sheet ice.

Completing one lap took 100% concentration and commitment. Congrats to Alex Slaven. Amazing performance with Dave hot on his tail.

Terry – your last lap was sublime 🙂 and deserving of the SS top finish.

JoJo – you should be absolutely delighted with your result/achievement. fantastic effort 😀

Good to see you both again and keep on doing what your doing. Its obviously working 😉

And a special thanks to all my friends in the area who voiced support for me every lap. Hats off.

Big shout out to the marshalls, who lead the way in race involvement and it's great to see, and 'hear'. Well done to the organisers who continue to raise the bar with a fantastic event no matter the weather.

A classic was born and lived entirely up to its reputation – the toughest 24hr race and long may it continue……………

I'm absolutely shattered.

Solo here……3rd 24hr 😐 and 2nd Puffer. Didn't last the pace last year so hoping to go a little longer this year.

Bring it on. Its gonna be a classic.

Not up on the SS ratio's myself mate. (Wide base?)

I'd go for a ratio down from your normal whatever that may be.

Reckon the first few laps will be tough, then a line will form for the remainder (I'm hoping anyway)

Course conditions will still change considerably over the next few days for sure though. Thaw is full-on meantime but still a little frosty at night.

Si…..I'm still not sure. Lots of dirt showing through on the fire trail already.

Hats of to the lads for todays trail clearing 😀

Fire trail soft in places from being scraped but all do-able. Some ice. Trail from the bridge of thighs to the three gullies mostly do-able and great fun! Excellent job.

From the gullies up to view rock, down and back to the start not great (walking mostly) on soft snow but after a number of riders using it will cut a line no problem.

And a Classic is born bring it on.

Yeah right Terry (podium!) ya we whippet 😀