Highland Trail 550 - 2018

Talk about anything.

Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew

Post Reply
User avatar
Richpips
Posts: 2140
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:57 pm
Location: Peak District

Highland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Richpips »

So who's thinking of riding next year?

It was definitely one of the highlights of our year, I think we may be back.
AlasdairMc
Posts: 1267
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:46 pm
Location: Edinburgh
Contact:

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by AlasdairMc »

I really want to say no, but I can’t help but think I could drop another chunk off this year’s time...
ianfitz
Posts: 3642
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 1:33 pm

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by ianfitz »

Captivating as it is to dream, prepare and ride I think I'm going to give it a miss next year and focus on some other rides.

I have some plans...
Image
slarge
Posts: 2641
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:49 pm
Location: MTB mecca (Warwickshire)

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by slarge »

I will sit it out next year as I want to keep the memories of this year safe! Plus I also have some plans. Back in 2019 though.
robbie
Posts: 451
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2015 4:22 pm

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by robbie »

I am hoping to get a place at the group start and give it a go.
Teetosugars
Posts: 696
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:53 pm
Location: Cheshire

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Teetosugars »

Would love to, but don't think I've got it in my legs if I'm honest.
Certainly not at the minute while my meds are screwing me over, and my pancreas is slowly dying.
If I can get that sorted, I may well rock up and try.
Last edited by Teetosugars on Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Richpips
Posts: 2140
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:57 pm
Location: Peak District

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Richpips »

Nick, it's worth a look on any of the loops if not all of them. No need to be in race mode.
robbie
Posts: 451
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2015 4:22 pm

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by robbie »

On this subject
Does anyone have the gpx files brocken down into smaller sections?
User avatar
Karl
Posts: 619
Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:27 pm
Location: Northern Peak District
Contact:

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Karl »

I'm going if Alan will let me. Do you think you'll be trying for a group start slot this year Rich? Would be vaguely exciting to ride out with you guys :-bd
User avatar
ctznsmith
Posts: 1030
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:09 pm
Contact:

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by ctznsmith »

Diary says no for the group start.

I know this info is probably already on here somewhere but what is the generally agreed window to do the HT550 post winter but pre-midge?
User avatar
Richpips
Posts: 2140
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:57 pm
Location: Peak District

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Richpips »

robbie I have let me look tomorrow.

Karl group start if we're allowed ;)
I know this info is probably already on here somewhere but what is the generally agreed window to do the HT550 post winter but pre-midge?
Before May will avoid midges, tbh though read peoples write ups, midges are 1/10 of the aggravations.
pkht
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2016 5:42 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by pkht »

Can I ask, what exactly is the qualifying criteria for a rookie to be considered for the group start?
Teetosugars
Posts: 696
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:53 pm
Location: Cheshire

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Teetosugars »

Richpips wrote:Nick, it's worth a look on any of the loops if not all of them. No need to be in race mode.
That thought had crosssed my mind..
You don't happen to have a GPX of the loop do you Rich?
Could try a and see if I can fathom out my Garmin, and have a shufty through it..
User avatar
Richard G
Posts: 4887
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:09 am
Location: South Wales

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Richard G »

Ironically, having trained hard and specifically done a qualifier for it... I wont be there in 2018.

I've been asked by some friends in the US to come over and visit for the Indy 500 and it's going to be on the same weekend. I figure Scotland's not going anywhere, so there's always 2019.
slarge
Posts: 2641
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:49 pm
Location: MTB mecca (Warwickshire)

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by slarge »

Qualifying events are suitably difficult ITT's in a certain time, ie. bB200 under 24 hours, lakeland 200, Cairngorms loop, and a few others. If you have some history that confirms you as someone who can put up with the mental and physical challenge of 550 unsupported miles through the Highlands I am sure the organiser would consider you for the group start.

Of course you would be free to do it as an ITT outide the group start with whatever background you have.
ianfitz
Posts: 3642
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 1:33 pm

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by ianfitz »

robbie wrote:On this subject
Does anyone have the gpx files brocken down into smaller sections?
Yes. PM an email address and i can send you infinitely detailed options.
Image
User avatar
GregMay
Posts: 3806
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 12:57 pm
Location: Calderdale
Contact:

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by GregMay »

pkht wrote:Can I ask, what exactly is the qualifying criteria for a rookie to be considered for the group start?
HTR'18: Accepting applications from November 25th 2017. Qualifying routes include CTR, AZTR, ACT5 and French Divide.

Twitter/Instagram feed will contain any pertinent info when I remember to post it.
Image
User avatar
ZeroDarkBivi
Posts: 1267
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2014 9:18 am
Location: Somerset

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by ZeroDarkBivi »

GregMay wrote:
pkht wrote:Can I ask, what exactly is the qualifying criteria for a rookie to be considered for the group start?
HTR'18: Accepting applications from November 25th 2017. Qualifying routes include CTR, AZTR, ACT5 and French Divide.

Twitter/Instagram feed will contain any pertinent info when I remember to post it.
So Alan has raised the bar - not surprised given how competitive this event has become and the interest from the international racing community. As much as I enjoyed this years event, I think I want to try something different for next years 'big thing' - so many good options competing for limited time and funding.
User avatar
Ray Young
Posts: 3443
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:40 pm
Location: Edinburgh
Contact:

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Ray Young »

ZeroDarkBivi wrote:So Alan has raised the bar - not surprised given how competitive this event has become and the interest from the international racing community.
Hopefully this will mean more entries for the Borders 350 :wink: .
User avatar
Bearbonesnorm
Posts: 23904
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
Location: my own little world

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

I wonder if there's the likelihood of a 'splinter' group start given the popularity and fairly stiff stipulations of joining the main event?

BTW - I'm not advocating it, just thinking out loud.
May the bridges you burn light your way
User avatar
sean_iow
Posts: 4269
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:08 pm
Location: Isle of Wight

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by sean_iow »

I read that as Alan has raised the entry requirement when I first saw it on Instagram, but it could also be that the list there is aimed at overseas entries who follow him? It does say 'qualifying routes include...' which doesn't necessarily mean the other events aren't on the list?

I started this year with the intention of riding enough events to qualify but I fear my palmares is nowhere near good enough to get an entry :sad: It will probably have to be an ITT for me if I do it next year.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
User avatar
mountainbaker
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:34 pm
Location: Devon

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by mountainbaker »

I want to ride the route and finish it, but given my knee is still causing issues, I think it would be better if I didn't join the group start and did an ITT around the same time (a few days prior so I get to see the fast ones overtake me).
User avatar
GregMay
Posts: 3806
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2015 12:57 pm
Location: Calderdale
Contact:

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by GregMay »

Pretty sure, if you have the experience, and you apply, you'd have a chance at a start spot.

As for splinter group - it's an ITT, do t :)

Image
Image
User avatar
Richpips
Posts: 2140
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:57 pm
Location: Peak District

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by Richpips »

Pretty sure, if you have the experience, and you apply, you'd have a chance at a start spot.
Yep.

It is not a route for beginners.
User avatar
sean_iow
Posts: 4269
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:08 pm
Location: Isle of Wight

Re: HIghland Trail 550 - 2018

Post by sean_iow »

GregMay wrote:Pretty sure, if you have the experience, and you apply, you'd have a chance at a start spot.

As for splinter group - it's an ITT, do t :)

Image
As soon as Stuart mentioned splinter group that's what I thought of. The Peoples Front of Tyndrum :lol:
Last edited by sean_iow on Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
Post Reply