HT550 Grand Depart - May 2022

[Bearbonesnorm]

but this is a ride that is governed by your head not your body....

This.

I'd also add and it's perhaps a personal observation ... finishing is the goal and all that matters. Don't let your 'plans' and 'schedule' detract from that. You may not reach somewhere at the time you'd planned, a section may take longer than you thought and the conditions worse than you imagined but it doesn't matter. Don't let a minor defeat trick you into losing the war.

[ScotRoutes]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz730e1j3djo

Conditions in the area currently a bit challenging

[fatbikephil]

I suspect that was why Guy whalley sacked it. Looking a bit breezy and showery from Monday onwards but Saturday and Sunday dry at the mo

[Alexinthepeaks]

Cheers for the tips all...heading up shortly! I will especially try to remember this is about completion, and schedules are there to be broken...:)

[fatbikephil]

Best of Luck Alex (and others), looking forward to some armchair dot watching

[landel]

James Hayden is out with a broken elbow

https://www.instagram.com/p/CeB9-NOMLcT/

[fatbikephil]

A few more bikes here:-
https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2022-high ... -550-rigs/
Huw Oliver wins the minimalist prize - sol bivvy bag and a synthetic bag...
Quite a few folk with tents and I see the midges are coming out in force https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/ although the weather next week should keep them at bay.

[redefined_cycles]

http://trackleaders.com/highland22f.php

Here's the trackleaders tracker page in case anyone didn't know... what time does it kick off tomorrow please anyone?

[sean_iow]

I think it's 08:30 Shaf.

Huw Oliver wins the minimalist prize - sol bivvy bag and a synthetic bag...

I noticed he had just over nothing on his bike I think that these days if you're aiming to win then you're going to have to ride it just about non-stop, maybe with just a couple of hours sleep at one point to get on top of the hallucinations? I think Sofiane had planned to do that in 2020 but never got the chance.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Rather disappointed there aren't more bikes sporting drop bars ....... given that's what bikepackers ride according to the industry

[whitestone]

And they're off!

Depending on our schedule we might see some on the return between Glencoe and Tyndrum.

[Lazarus]

NO movement from huw- did he save even more weight by leaving his tracker at home?

[Mike]

Looks like someone has gone the wrong way already

[sean_iow]

Yeah, that side is the old route. Having ridden both, the old side is nicer, but then it's not meant to be easy

[fatbikephil]

I thought they were going a bit quick then realised the start was at 8.30....
Alex is fairly moving!

[slarge]

And what's happened to Rich Rothwell? Seems to be stopped....

[whitestone]

And what's happened to Rich Rothwell? Seems to be stopped....

He got taken out just after the railway and injured his hand and ankle

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks Sean. Just took a look and Huw is at route mile 80, just 6 miles or so behind Angus at the front. To put thungs into perspective (for myself), these lots started at 0830 and have almost completed a standard 200 ITT

This mtb-ing ITT lark, must be really easy

[redefined_cycles]

To bring some colour to this ere thread (and for those of us living under the rock... like me, kinda), courtesy of Fat Bike Farm off Twitter, this am. Pics below and he also found some wipes in case anyone can help reunite them (the wipes) with the original owner. SAE to FBF I suppose


Are these your wipes... happy to help reunite you once you've completed your challenge.


Taken at some point this am by FBF at Loch Lyon (whatever that means). Looks gorgeous (Alhamdulillah).


Aaaaand, the riders... Looking stupendously chuffed to be departing

[fatbikephil]

Angus Young and Jean Roglet on the Corrie descent at 8hrs 35 - looking like Fort A in sub 9hrs. I think that quicker than any other year? Can't recall what Liam's time was last year...

[slarge]

Angus Young is motoring- past Oykel Bridge and heading to the top....
Huw Oliver must have ridden through as well as he's really caught up. Could be a fast year!

[fatbikephil]

I think Huw stopped just before Garve (at the woodshed?) Angus didn't. Alex going well - also stopped just passed Contin. Quite a few people stopped there, reminiscent of 2013!

Edit - looks like Angus had a snooze in Glen Golly, based on his timings

[ScotRoutes]

I think Alex missed his breakfast appointment

[fatbikephil]

I think Alex missed his breakfast appointment

He got to Contin at 1am right enough though
Huw's tracker stopped above Achfary, hopefully just a tracking issue - he was 35mins faster round the northern loop than Angus Young. Angus took 3hrs 45 on the Ledmore traverse so I suspect Huw has the advantage on the tricky bits.

[Alexinthepeaks]

Can i hold onto 3rd???