NewRetroTom wrote:Just been comparing the old Torridon section against the new one. I reckon the new one is ~ 2.5 hours faster based on Liam's time and mine from last year.
Alan's definitely made the route too easy now.
I hadn't realised the Torridon section had changed! Is there a reason why? The route they're taking is way faster, and definitely not as much fun...
NewRetroTom wrote:Just been comparing the old Torridon section against the new one. I reckon the new one is ~ 2.5 hours faster based on Liam's time and mine from last year.
Alan's definitely made the route too easy now.
I hadn't realised the Torridon section had changed! Is there a reason why? The route they're taking is way faster, and definitely not as much fun...
Alan posted on here a while ago about the changes:
On day 1, after just 3 miles on the WHW the new route will take a right turn at Auch. There follows 65 miles through all new territory. Scenic double track up past Loch Lyon, down Glen Lyon on tarmac to Bridge of Balgie (café/shop) and then off road north past Loch Rannoch, Loch Ericht and Loch Pattack until it re-joins the current route just before Laggan Wolftrax. A big thank you to Phil Clarke (Fat Bike Phil) who suggested this new section. I rode it a few weeks ago and was very impressed, only a couple of miles of pushing and a superb 10 mile singletrack on the flanks of Ben Alder. Going this way avoids the relatively busy Tyndrum to Kinlochleven section and misses the boggy trail across to Loch Treig.
The second change is the exit from Fisherfield. It will go to Kinlochewe via Letterewe on the Postman’s Path, an historic track that goes down the east side of Loch Maree. This is mostly singletrack, not all of it rideable. The disadvantage with this track is that parts of it will disappear under bracken by the end of June. Hopefully it should be fine in May. Going this way avoids the “horse sh*t bog”, the Tollie Path and the main road to Kinlochewe but on the downside also the fantastic last 5km of flowing singletrack out of Fisherfield. By missing Poolewe and with no services at Letterewe you’ll need to leave Ullapool with plenty of food to make it to Kinlochewe.
The last change is the Torridon crossing. I have decided to avoid the carry over the Coire Lair and go an easier and more rideable route via Loch Coulin and the Easan Dorcha to rejoin the current route at the top of the slabby descent to Achnashellach. I made this change as the Coire Lair track is getting badly eroded now Torridon has become the must do big mountain venue. To be truthful I was also worried that someone might come to serious harm up there with the grim weather we had this year.
These three changes mean the route is now 23 miles shorter at 535miles. Most of the missing miles were either tarmac or pushing. If you’d like a gpx file of the provisional route contact me at the email address on the Highland Trail website. Feedback welcomed.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
NewRetroTom wrote:Just been comparing the old Torridon section against the new one. I reckon the new one is ~ 2.5 hours faster based on Liam's time and mine from last year.
Chew wrote:
Liam at the shop in Dornie at 13:05
Stopwatch running for when the others arrive........
Given that Liam got the jump on the others when he didn't stop in Kinlochewe, then he's going to need refuelling. Given the speed he's going at, the others have a real challenge to catch him
Thinking about Ian's effort from the other year : It might take an all night stint from here to the finish without sleep to get in front of him ..... but that would clearly be mad given how far that would be
Looks like Liam stopped for about half an hour in Dornie, and is now about to start the Glen Lichd climb.
There is maybe ~16 hours riding time left to the finish for Liam. If he doesn't stop I don't think anyone can catch him. If Javi/one of the other 3 in the chase group pulls an all nighter and Liam stops for a sleep they may have a chance.
NewRetroTom wrote:Looks like Liam stopped for about half an hour in Dornie, and is now about to start the Glen Lichd climb.
There is maybe ~16 hours riding time left to the finish for Liam. If he doesn't stop I don't think anyone can catch him. If Javi/one of the other 3 in the chase group pulls an all nighter and Liam stops for a sleep they may have a chance.
It's quite an exciting finish isn't it. One also has to remember that the flat section along the Cal. Canal is going to suck on a SS - assuming Javi has geared for climbing. That could give Liam a small margin for sleep.
wow, this is riveting. There's not going to be much sleep going on with the front runners tonight.
There should be more than one that'll break 4 days at this rate.
The pace at the front coupled with the lack of scratches whose placing bets that it'll be the HT700 next year!
