Qualifying event for the HTR is interesting.

How much hike a bike, and trudging through boggy tussocks is there?

How was it Rich? Fun?

Dave, I quite enjoyed it.

http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.co. ... e-itt.html

Fun might be strong a word though.

I thought prior to riding it, that maybe the Lakeand 200 woldn't be hard enough as a qualifier for the HTR550.

http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.com ... e-itt.html

Rich

Sorry about the faff this morning - need a new alarm clock! It only go worse, with the new free hub engagement failing after 10k - than you American Classic. with no bike shops open in Ambleside until 0900 I decided to abandon and push home… Gutted! Hope it went well for the two of you - looked lik...

Are you riding it with Alan?

Setting off at 4am with Alan and Craig. Alan is aiming to ride a lot faster than I am.

OT: By any chance did they have brand spanking new Alpkit drybags up front? If so, I met them too just at the wee tunnel under the railway near Bridge of Orchy. A shame they didn't get round.

Yep, that was them. Both guys very fit and able.

Even now, the drop-out rate is around 15 - 30% of starters, mainly dependent on weather conditions.

I think the HTR, if the weather was bad would be a very interesting proposition.

A bit short notice, but I'm going up to do the Lakeland 200 this weekend.

I'll be aiming to get round, not at race speed, if anyone would care to join me.

Rich

I bumped into Steve Heading at Oykel Bridge, he told me this stretch took him 4 hours, it took me a similar amount of time.

10 miles.

How much hike a bike in the HTR550?

Loads.

Very true ... although 'being part' of the grand depart is something people want, the reality is that the route (like many others) were set up as an ITT route to be ridden at any time. It's a shame more people don't choose to take the opportunity really. There have been two who have completed the 5...

I do know that there was an initial start list this year of 60+ riders.

Alan emailed us a couple of times to make sure we were going to line up, as he had others who wanted to ride also.

The qualifiers seem a reasonable way of making sure that those who start have a good chance of finishing.

Just in from Alan. Unlike this year, the HT550 group start in 2015 is not going to be a first come, first served basis. There will be qualifying routes which you will have need to have done at least one of, the first of which will be the HT550 itself (an ITT will count if you have proof). Finishers ...

...probably only worth looking out for on iPlayer if you are into architecture.

No cuben fibre.

"Tents" on BBC2 10pm aka now.

Just come across this for those that haven't seen it.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/blog/sto ... -huayhuash

https://vimeo.com/92753479

Presuming the bottom bracket is square taper you'll need one of these if the threads are history.

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/ ... ckets.html

Why does he have a carburettor hanging from the crossbar I wonder?

I think it's a stove. Primus made one that clamped to the top tube.

Bargain. I've got a trek fuel ex (9) too. Lovely bike, does tend to eat bearings though, and there are a lot of them!

One of the reasons I no longer have a full susser. He better start saving his pocket money..

I've just picked this up for my boy. I was expecting a dog of a bike.

It's hardly been used.

Not bad for £100

.....and no it wasn't nicked.

The whole grouse industry stinks. Subsidised heavily for the benefit of the rich, the torching of moorland causes flooding etc etc. They should reintroduce wolves. HTR would be more interesting then. I thought at the time that if it wasn't for the estates a lot of the doubletrack would not be there.

A local Peak rider has just mentioned nesting birds in the Peak. There are always grouse around here.

I heard cuckoos everyday on the HTR, but only saw two startled grouse.

Do they still breed and shoot them up in Scotland?

Not that we visited all of it.

Hi Martin,

You don't need a fancy bike. Enjoy what you've got for now. I hope you have some good trips.

Rich

I came across this in my twitter feed, a comparison of various external USB chargers. Price to weight, and price to power etc

http://bikelaneends.wordpress.com/2014/ ... kepacking/

Great write up, I especially enjoyed the pics.

I saw you'd stayed at Duag bothy in the journal.