s8tannorm wrote:However, I think there's a difference here ... I wouldn't expect (or want) people to use words like 'reet' and 'nowt' when they were talking to me

You are of course right. I was being a tad sarcastic.

If you speek the local language, or even try to, it opens you many a door.

Cheers Ian. Fantastic vid

It took me to those magic places.

This and also the Against the Elements show your talent in capturing the surrounding atmosphere and also the riders moods. This during such a stark exertion, with a GoPro... Hats off!

Good Linking! Cheers +1 The small insight Andy allowed me as we rode in Wales this April and now knowing he's under way leaves me with this true feeling of plain joy. You can't be anything else but really fortunate for him. Big slap from me too. Good going Andy. Good going all. I realised that Greg...

One of the best single tracks of the HTR for Iona now. Constant speed with only a pedal stroke every 100th meter, undulating but slowly loosing height, technically dead easy and full of flow, without being boring. Yet, well sized and rounded rocks waiting to eat you and your bike should you not be p...

Stellar performance of Alan "Chief Sadist" Goldsmith (Ian) :-bd His cold is another fine example how much can go wrong. There's not just back problems, knee and tendon inflammation, but also coughs and colds, stomach bugs (mind those streams surrounded by sheep), blisters, sore bum etc. I ...

Just saw Phil S. left KLL at 5 am. But he must be completely knackered. It's taken him 3.5 h to get across the Glen Coe road (most dangerous part of the route, crossing that on a Sat morning after the start). What an effort. I still try to fathom how he kept fuelled. I'm afraid he won't make it sub 4.

Ian wrote:He's got just over 3 hours to get in under the 4 day mark. Two big climbs still to do. Going to be tight...

If he left Kinlochleven round about 7:00 he'll have to go all out... FLV and I went hard last year and left KLL about 7ish too. I missed the sub 5 by about 4 min...

@Ian. Back to reality then. I guess it was intense. 400 km in 2 days does set things into perspective. Very impressive riding. Well done :-bd The bar was set high after last year, and people have raised their game to suit. I do have the feeling that this year’s HTR is going to go down in the history...

Really impressive effort of Iona. And Markus and Richard S. You all had a strong day. Keep it up!

Chew wrote:Ians covered the same ground as last year (~400k in 2 days), its just other people are riding faster. Ian was only around 8-10 this time last year, but the mamouth last all dayer and retirees moved him up to second.

Very true.

composite wrote:he's too much of a racer to stop to film surely?

Good question...

Can't stop thinking Ian could go faster, but instead is stopping on occasions to do some filming. I'm quite convinced he's going to return with some vaguely exciting footage. (and wouldn't be astonished if he starts catching up towards the last legs) Phil S. just ascending one, if not the most intri...

Phil S. might hand over his GPS tracking data to Alan "chief sadist" G. (IanB).
This should sort out any scepticism. But I guess Steve H. was there all along until Phil started pulling away, so that'll be confirmation enough.

Looks like Iona had a good and early start. If you get going on the third morning, it's very likely that you're mentally ready to take the rest. Marc McPhillips pulled an all nighter. It'll be interesting to see how he get's on. I guess some of the folks up front will push through once they passed K...

Suture material. I've seen some long and big cuts. A suture and inner tube should have fixed the issue.

Having my supper in Strathpeffer. Missed the shop and garage at Contin. Today has been grim, tmw, hopefully better :mrgreen: I really looked forward to that stop for food at Contin last year. Missed it by 10 min. Dragged myself on to the Hotel in Garve for food. There are is a very nice sheltered m...

Rather interesting what Ian's up to. Sneeky rider of the night.

Dave and Gareth will have a good warm up (Corrieyairack) before a rich breakfast tomorrow morning.

This trackleaders stuff's great, really takes me back 12 months.

Keep going lads and lass

Good luck to all. And don't forget to enjoy.

Take care getting loose

Fantastic stuff :-bd On technical terrain I prefer not having too much weight on the bike as it get's bounced and thrown around much more then gear on your back. As long as it's sub 5 kg it's the way to go in my opinon, more fun, more efficient on rough stuff down hill and when climbing (very often ...

Like my luck couldn't get any worse this month... Driving to the train station this morning my bike partially fell off the bike rack. Could have been worse, but I've written off a Jones H-bar. On train anyway, but is there anyone in/ near Glasgow with one of the same I could buy or borrow please? T...

Just had a look what the weather's up to, as my lass and self are going fell walking on Skye for a week rather soon. http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Scotland/Portree/long.html. Ullapool etc. seem to be expecting good weather too. Wow... looks like it'll be the third time fair weather HT for Al...

Ready to see your dot's grinding over the map. I'll be thinking of you, suffering and being pounded around on the occasional rough descents. FLV, please do me a favour and put down that sprint Ft Bill to Tyndrum again :-bd I do hope you all get last and before last years fair weather. Fingers crossed.

A beauty.

Looks like things have turned to a better for you Ian.

Dinner dish cog...? :wink: 558 miles... That's one thing I learned from using GPS, on the pc the route is always shorter. Usually makes quite a difference. Last year's mine read 457 miles, not 400 or 430. That's still a half afternoons worth of riding. Looks like you'll be going beyond 900 km. I'm ...