2016 Highland Trail (group start)

[Alpinum]

Some ramblings at http://niksbikingblog.blogspot.co.uk/20 ... bable.html

AAAHHHH!
Good ride and good write. You finally "tamed" the beast.
Would've loved to be there when you rolled onto the tarmac in Tyndrum, but I had been up for 42 h and on the move for the most part of it.

Thanks Nik

[KamelTrek]

Loving the write ups, Ian, Alpinium, Lars and Ian Fitz. Interesting interpretations.

Wondering if anyone saw Neil Evans, other ITT rider. Lovely chap. Swiftly rode past me every day as he took longer breaks. Last I saw him was at the top of the pushing climb after Ullapool leading to Fisherfields. Our last words were his caution about the challenge ahead of me.

[Ian]

Thanks Gian, and others. It's quite therapeutic to write it all up :)

Here's the big one - Fisherfield. Also featuring a hamster with a rocket launcher

https://ianbarrington.com/2016/06/09/a- ... le-part-3/

[Mike]

I have not got around to reading the ride reports yet but i will. I would just like to say well done all of you. And what fantastic conditions you had!!



when my brain is functioning on all cylinders i will do a small write up of my TT experiences

[whitestone]

Thanks Gian, and others. It's quite therapeutic to write it all up :)

Here's the big one - Fisherfield. Also featuring a hamster with a rocket launcher

https://ianbarrington.com/2016/06/09/a- ... le-part-3/

I was slightly worried about the hamster

Fisherfield is stunning isn't it? I've only walked and climbed there not biked. Nice shots. Somewhat envious to say the least. Interesting how different sections felt to different riders no doubt depending on your ever changing ups and downs and how they relate to your progression around the route.

[Ian]

Of all the accounts I've read, they seemed to gloss over the tail end of the Postie's Path...

I checked my time from Carnmore to Kinlochewe, and it took just over 4 hrs. That's Ian Fitz pace that is, which I was very pleased with

[fatbikephil]

Looking at those photos the postie path will be bracken hell from July until October.....

[Richard G]

All the pics really help me understand the landscape so much better than I could otherwise. Nice.

Edit - Oh, and that emergency shelter is clearly not for mountain bikers.

[Ian]

Interesting how different sections felt to different riders no doubt depending on your ever changing ups and downs and how they relate to your progression around the route.

I've found this interesting too.

[ianfitz]

Of all the accounts I've read, they seemed to gloss over the tail end of the Postie's Path...

I checked my time from Carnmore to Kinlochewe, and it took just over 4 hrs. That's Ian Fitz pace that is, which I was very pleased with

That phrase sounds so wrong to my ears. Especially coming from you Ian. But thanks.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

"However, the bike is still light at 9kg unloaded"

Come on Nick, show & tell! That's phenomenally light - I've never seen a 29er that featherweight; even Mike Hall's fully rigid TD Pivot is 9.5kg. What's your weight weenie secret?

[ScotRoutes]

"However, the bike is still light at 9kg unloaded"

Come on Nick, show & tell! That's phenomenally light - I've never seen a 29er that featherweight; even Mike Hall's fully rigid TD Pivot is 9.5kg. What's your weight weenie secret?

It's a unicycle?

[Justchris]

"However, the bike is still light at 9kg unloaded"

Come on Nick, show & tell! That's phenomenally light - I've never seen a 29er that featherweight; even Mike Hall's fully rigid TD Pivot is 9.5kg. What's your weight weenie secret?

He has no bottom bracket. No pedals and cranks. It's a giant balance bike!

If you want light. Try this.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/exceed ... 9-ltd.html

And it's not running tubeless.

[KamelTrek]

My ride report and some epic photos credit to the beauty of Scotland rather than my camera skills: http://socialkamel.tumblr.com/post/1457 ... l-550-2016

[fatbikephil]

Excellent report and well done - another epic tale! And more amazing photos of Fisherfield in the sun!
Phil

[KamelTrek]

Excellent report and well done - another epic tale! And more amazing photos of Fisherfield in the sun!
Phil

Thanks Phil. I''m no writer or photographer and rarely share, but this epic ride demanded a record.

[Ian]

Here we go, the final chapter is written and now live. Including an epilogue, which sums up my thoughts and feelings on the Highland Trail.

https://ianbarrington.com/2016/06/12/a- ... l-chapter/

[whitestone]

Nice read Ian but I think you got this the wrong way round - "this hill is like a transition between the wilderness of the north, and the beginnings of civilisation to the south."

Jealous about your bivy on the top of the Devil's Staircase.

[Blair512]

My ride report and some epic photos credit to the beauty of Scotland rather than my camera skills: http://socialkamel.tumblr.com/post/1457 ... l-550-2016

Great read, more like the kind of attempt I would make rather than the hardcore racers!

[Ian]

Nice read Ian but I think you got this the wrong way round - "this hill is like a transition between the wilderness of the north, and the beginnings of civilisation to the south." .

I think I'm right; I'm heading south, Glen Affric and all that went before it is behind me (north), and Fort Augustus (the civilisation bit) is in front (south).

[whitestone]

Sorry, was being a bit too subtle again. From your (and others) account it appears you found more civilisation to the north.

[Ian]

It was more a reference of where the powerlines lead you. They kind of suddenly appear, like a mark of modern mans impression on the hillside. Everything else had a much wilder and less developed feel.

[KamelTrek]

Sorry, was being a bit too subtle again. From your (and others) account it appears you found more civilisation to the north.

I found myself to the north and the world that is sweeping me along to the south.

[Richard G]

My ride report and some epic photos credit to the beauty of Scotland rather than my camera skills: http://socialkamel.tumblr.com/post/1457 ... l-550-2016

Here we go, the final chapter is written and now live. Including an epilogue, which sums up my thoughts and feelings on the Highland Trail.

https://ianbarrington.com/2016/06/12/a- ... l-chapter/

Excellent write-ups. Thanks both. :)

Still not convinced I'm hard enough to do this, but I'd definitely like to try at some point.

[Ray Young]

Nice write up Ian, enjoyed that .